Electronic components supplier Murata Manufacturing has signed an agreement with Xona Space Systems to explore the use of the startup's satellite positioning and time synchronization service in telecommunications, data centers, financial networks and other industries, which depend on precise timing signals.
For reference: Xona Space Systems is a privately held American aerospace company, founded in 2019 year by graduates of Stanford University, which creates a commercial replacement and backup system for GPS in low Earth orbit.
The agreement reflects interest in alternatives to the Global Positioning System (GPS), which is widely used not only for navigation, but also for synchronizing critical infrastructure, including cellular networks, stock exchanges, power systems and data centers. Xona is developing a positioning service, navigation and time synchronization (PNT) called Pulsar using a constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit. The company is positioning its network as an alternative or backup to GPS, especially in environments, where satellite signals may be weakened or interrupted. According to the memorandum of understanding, Murata will evaluate the application of the Xona service in data centers and financial institutions, which require highly accurate time synchronization, including support for promising 5G and 6G networks. Companies will also explore use in off-road sectors, such as construction machinery and agricultural equipment.
Traditional PNT services rely heavily on global navigation satellite systems, operating from medium Earth orbit, including GPS. However, these signals can be weakened in dense urban areas and can be affected by jamming and spoofing. Xona claims, that satellites, which operate much closer to Earth, can transmit stronger signals, which are easier to accept indoors and in city centers. Their faster movement across the sky can also improve positioning accuracy, reducing signal errors, caused by reflections from buildings and other obstacles. The company has already signed agreements with receiver manufacturers, including Furuno and Hexagon, to integrate Pulsar signals into commercial products. Murata can play a similar role, integrating Pulsar capabilities into communication modules, time synchronization devices and industrial electronics, which is sold to manufacturers in many sectors. Murata manufactures microelectronic components, used in smartphones, cars, medical equipment and artificial intelligence data centers.
Xona is waiting, that the first commercial customers will be industries, which require precise timing, since time synchronization services can be provided with relatively few satellites in orbit. Sectors, such as telecommunications, banking and data centers, can start using the system even before that, as the full grouping of the company will be deployed. Xona plans to roll out 258 satellites over the next few years.
Source: https://spacenews.com