Low Earth orbit satellites can make positioning more resilient to interference

Professor Heidi Kuusniemi from the University of Tampere is the principal researcher in a new project to develop a more interference-resistant low-orbit positioning satellite system.

The PERLEO project (Performance Limits and Design of Resilient LEO-PNT for Next-Generation Networks) is funded by the Finnish Research Impact Foundation's Tandem Industry Academia (TIA) postdoc programme.

“Reliable positioning and precise timing are part of the invisible critical infrastructure of modern society. In the future, however, we cannot rely on a single type of satellite-based positioning system. LEO satellites can add a new, more resilient layer to positioning while also becoming an integral part of future 6G networks”, states Heidi Kuusniemi.

Society is increasingly dependent on satellite positioning and precise timing. Systems such as GPS and Galileo are needed not only for navigation but also for telecommunications networks, power grids, and other critical infrastructure. At the same time, jamming and spoofing of satellite signals are a growing problem.  

In the PERLEO project, Tampere University and Nokia Bell Labs are investigating how low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites could be used for positioning and precise timing. The aim is to complement existing systems with a more resilient alternative.

The project develops a method for evaluating the performance of different LEO-based solutions before the systems are built. This makes it possible to identify what limits positioning accuracy and which design choices are worth prioritizing. 

The results can be used in the development of future 6G networks and satellite systems. For society, they could lead to more resilient communication networks and more reliable positioning in areas such as transportation, autonomous systems, and emergency response.

More about the TIA Postdoc funding here and PERLEO and the other funded projects here