It addresses the problem of GPS jamming and spoofing for merchant shipping, says Ground Control. This is something increasingly faced by crews in parts of the Black Sea and eastern Mediterranean Sea, highlights the company.
It gives ships an independent, authenticated position check using Iridium satellites. This is by integrating the Iridium PNT (positioning, navigation and timing) module to support assured positioning (A-PNT) workflows. And it uses Iridium Messaging Transport (IMT) to enable routine position reports.
The system also provides integrity-aware reporting, with alerts when GNSS data may be compromised.
Assured positioning
The company writes:
“For crews and operators, an optional chart view presents the assured position alongside GNSS position / track with clear integrity status and event logging, helping teams identify anomalies quickly and maintain situational awareness.”
“Integrity events and alerts can also be logged and shared with shore teams, supporting operational oversight and post incident review when it matters most.”
Specification
Details of the RockFLEET antenna are as follows.
- Form Factor: Low profile antenna (deck or pole mounted)
- Cable: Up to 100m marine-grade cable
- Dimensions: 201 mm diameter, 125 mm height
- Weight: 1,460g (antenna + mounting bracket)
- Environmental: IP67
- Operating Temp: -40C to +70C
You can read a more detailed description of the antenna on the company’s website.
Ground Control
Ground Control has offices in the UK, in Gloucester and Hampshire. It specialises in satellite IoT devices and cloud-based monitoring platforms, designing and building its own hardware.
For example, low power, small form-factor satellite IoT devices and handheld, two-way messaging-enabled trackers.
It also has US offices in Las Vegas.
Note that in October last year, CLS, a satellite services company, bought Ground Control. The acquisition brought four new operational sites to the Toulouse-based CLS, which has an Earth Observation focus.
