GPS III: Satellite upgrades usher in new era in location tracking

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• June 30, 2022

Insight summary

The transition to GPS III technology marks a significant stride towards fortifying global communication, military operations, and various crucial sectors like transportation, agriculture, and finance. By boosting signal strength and introducing a civilian signal for better interoperability with other global GPS systems, GPS III fosters enhanced precision and reliability in location-based services. However, to fully leverage these advancements, necessary upgrades in ground infrastructure, user equipment, and digital systems are crucial, signaling a collective move towards a more precise and securely connected global digital ecosystem.

Next-generation GPS context

As 5G networks become commonplace, the technological revolution within the telecommunications industry is set to expand beyond data points and the signals emitted by devices. The launch of next-generation satellites into ever more diverse orbits around the Earth will allow global communications to achieve novel and epoch-defining applications.

Initially developed for military purposes, satellites have increasingly become a buttress for technological advancement, with civil society unconsciously relying on omnipresent satellites for navigation and tracking. A standout application of satellite technology is United States' (US) Global Positioning System (GPS) first launched in July 1995. The GPS has steadily advanced in step with private-sector technological advancements, leading to a GPS named GPS III being established in 2000 by the US Congress. GPS III has been developed by aerospace company Lockheed Martin and comprises 10 satellites, the first launched in December 2018, with the final launch expected in 2023. 

GPS III was designed to enhance the system's signal reliability, accuracy, and integrity. In the future, it will be able to collect location data from multiple global navigation satellite systems simultaneously and use that information to provide more accurate tracking. In November 2021, Lockheed Martin was awarded a USD $737 million contract to manufacture three more GPS III-related military communication satellites, including systems designed to support anti-jamming, search-and-rescue, nuclear detection detonation, and geolocation functions.

Disruptive impact

The initiation of new satellites, commissioned in 2021, signposts a significant advancement over the previous GPS satellite technology, paving the way for enhanced military services. The encrypted M-code signals, which are anticipated to be utilized in the future, offer a signal strength that is up to eight times more potent than the current technology, bolstering secure communications and precise location tracking for military operations. Additionally, the introduction of a new civilian signal, L1C, augments interoperability with other global GPS systems, making global coordination and location-based services more streamlined. This heightened interoperability is not only beneficial for individual users but also crucial for various sectors including emergency response, aviation, and maritime navigation, where precise and reliable GPS data is pivotal.

Transitioning into the realm of GPS III, this new technology lays down a critical technological cornerstone not just for the internet, but also for financial, transportation, and agricultural sectors. The superior capability in positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) services it is expected to deliver can substantially support both US and allied operations globally. The ripple effect of enhanced PNT services may translate into improved efficiency and accuracy in various operations, from financial transactions timestamping to precision agriculture and freight logistics. However, to unlock the full potential of GPS III technology, an upgrade in operational ground infrastructure, user equipment, and digital systems is imperative to effectively receive and process the transmitted satellite signals.

GPS III technology is a leap towards fostering a more connected and precise digital ecosystem. Governments and companies may need to invest in upgrading the requisite infrastructure to harness the benefits fully, possibly leading to a wave of development in related technology and services. Moreover, the enhancement in encrypted signaling for military services heralds a new era of secure communications and operations, which is crucial in the contemporary geopolitical landscape. 

Implications of GPS III on the global telecommunications 

Wider implications of GPS III on the private and public sectors may include: 

• Strengthening positioning, navigation, and timing services against interference from natural weather events. 
• Enabling public transport, freight shipments, and supply chains of all kinds to increasingly adopt reliable autonomous transport systems.
• Improving communications accessibility in areas impacted by natural disasters. 
• Improved military defensive and offensive capabilities for automated weapons platforms among allied nations. 
• Enhanced communication and data signals will be easier to pick up in previously hard-to-reach places such as inside buildings or under treetops.
• More efficient search-and-rescue missions, particularly in extremely remote locations, such as the middle of the ocean or underground.

Questions to consider

• The accuracy of GPS III has been hailed as incomparable by some market commentators. What other industries may benefit from interfacing with this new platform?
• What benefits of GPS III may trickle down to individual consumers?