As noted in my previous newsletter, NC RFWG agencies are proactively conducting self-assessments of their needs and processes to identify challenges and opportunities early, enabling a smooth transition and sustained operational efficiency. The working group meets monthly to review progress on activities.

One key task of the working group was to develop a short online questionnaire. The goal was to open a dialogue with geospatial professionals and better understand their readiness for the upcoming modernization of the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS).

The questionnaire was designed to address the following key questions:

• Are you prepared to implement the new NSRS once the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) officially adopts it?
• Do you have the necessary tools and resources in place to ensure a smooth transition?
• Has your organization established a timeline for transitioning to the modernized NSRS?
• What concerns do you have regarding the transition to the new NSRS?

The section titled “Introduction of North Carolina Questionnaire” explains the purpose and background of the survey, while the section titled “North Carolina Online Questions” presents the list of questions included in the questionnaire.

Introduction of the North Carolina Questionnaire

This questionnaire seeks stakeholder input on the upcoming modernization of the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS). Your feedback is welcome on the proposed questions, as well as any concerns about the datum transition, tools (such as updated NCAT, OPUS, and SPCS2022), data transformation strategies, workflow impacts, and preparation needs.

The National Geodetic Survey (NGS) is replacing the North American Datum of 1983 and the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 with new plate-fixed terrestrial reference frames (NATRF2022, PATRF2022, CATRF2022, and MATRF2022) tied to the International Terrestrial Reference Frame 2020, along with the new vertical datum, the North American-Pacific Geopotential Datum of 2022.

In spring 2027, new horizontal and vertical datums will be implemented:

Horizontal

• North American Terrestrial Reference Frame (NATRF2022)
• Replaces the North American Datum of 1983 (2011)

Vertical

• North American-Pacific Geopotential Datum of 2022 (NAPGD2022)
• Replaces North American Vertical Datum of 1988

Units

• 14B NCAC 03 .0602 REQUIRED FOOT CONVERSION

North Carolina Online Questions

The section titled “Results of North Carolina Online Questionnaire” summarizes the survey responses collected as of April 27, 2026.

[Note: NCPMA refers to the North Carolina Property Mappers Association, and LGUC refers to the North Carolina Local Government Committee.]

Results of the North Carolina Online Questionnaire

(April 27, 2026)

This questionnaire solicited input from the North Carolina Property Mappers Association (NC PMA), the North Carolina Geographic Information Coordinating Council (GICC), and the North Carolina Local Government Committee (LGC). Although focused on North Carolina, the results may benefit other working groups. The NC working group is reviewing all feedback—especially regarding the Spring 2027 datum change—and will develop materials to address it.

In addition to the questionnaire, the working group prepared a short guidance document on the new reference frames for local governments and state agencies. It outlines how to prepare for the 2027 datum change and covers:

• Preliminary steps for transitioning when NGS and North Carolina officially adopt the new datums in 2027.
• Actions users can take now to ready NSRS‑referenced data for the modernized NSRS and the shift from U.S. Survey Foot/International Foot.
• Estimated coordinate changes with the 2027 adoption of:
  • North American Terrestrial Reference Frame (NATRF2022)
  • North American-Pacific Geopotential Datum of 2022 (NAPGD2022)
  • New national geoid model (Geoid2022)
  • North Carolina State Plane Coordinate System of 2022 (SPCS2022)
• Current NC statewide digital orthoimagery acquisition cycle and statewide lidar collection schedule.
• How the NC CORS and Real-Time Network (RTN) will support the modernized NSRS.
• Web links to more detailed resources.

The working group is developing a case study on preparing a FEMA Elevation Certificate using the modernized NSRS (NATRF2022 and NAPGD2022). It will be featured in upcoming newsletters. The North Carolina Geodetic Survey will host the materials on its website, and I’ll share the public link once it’s available.

<p>The post Update on NC 2022 reference frame working group: Preparing information for NC geospatial providers and users first appeared on GPS World.</p>

Research drawing on data from Spire Global’s GNSS-R constellation has enabled the generation of Arctic-wide sea ice maps, marking a major step forward for GNSS-R. The research, enabled by the European Space Agency — suggests harnessing GNSS-R signals could become an important complement to established ice-monitoring altimetry missions. The study leveraged Spire’s GNSS-R data to retrieve sea ice freeboard measurements across an entire winter season. The results show strong alignment with established altimetry datasets, including the ESA’s CryoSat mission.

Russian jamming goes to the dogs

Military jamming and spoofing from Russia’s Kola Peninsula interfered with GNSS trackers on dog sleds in Europe’s longest sled race, the 1,200- km Finnmarksløpet, held in Norway in March. The electronic warfare degraded GPS signals, forcing the mushers to rely more on trail markings and use traditional compasses and maps. Event organizers, who provided a live tracking system for fans, found it difficult to follow along, but the racers finished without incident.

Historical photos find their places

Michigan Technological University is examining 11,000 historical images of the state’s Upper Peninsula to find precisely where each photographer stood to take the photo. According to university GIS data librarian Bob Cowling, the location will provide richer information about a place’s surroundings, especially if structures or environmental landmarks are no longer present. Donated historical images often arrive without any dates or location information attached to them. The project will make them easier to find on a map and make it possible to visualize what was there in the past.

Türkiye establishes earthquake monitoring

In February 2023, a devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck near the Türkiye-Syria border, followed by a second nearly as strong. Six Turkish universities have launched TR-TRAK-GNSS, a real-time geodetic monitoring network to trace earthquake-related ground deformation across Thrace and the Southern Marmara region. The 28-station system is expected to evolve into a major scientific and early warning system for earthquakes. Once fully deployed, it will form a continuous monitoring ring encircling Thrace and Southern Marmara.

<p>The post Seen & Heard: Arctic Sea ice, Russian jamming and earthquake monitoring first appeared on GPS World.</p>

OCX was intended to update command and control of the GPS satellite constellation, replacing the current system, known as the Architecture Evolution Plan (AEP), as well as replacing the Launch, Anomaly and Disposal Operations system. However, the program was unable to deliver needed capabilities on an operationally relevant timeline at an acceptable level of risk to meet the GPS constellation modernization needs.

“It’s important we refine and update acquisition processes to prioritize rapid, incremental capability delivery versus complex ‘all or nothing’ system deliveries,” said Acting Service Acquisition Executive Tom Ainsworth. “The Department of War [Defense] has made clear that we need to deliver warfighting capability at a faster rate. We must continue to work with industry to meet the needs of our warfighters as we focus on delivering the right technology on the right timeline to enhance our capabilities and maintain space superiority.”

In July 2025, following a multi-year regimen of factory testing, the Space Force contractually accepted OCX from RTX (Raytheon) and began extensive integrated systems testing to resolve liens carried over from factory testing, as well as to ensure the system could operate within the broader GPS enterprise of ground systems, satellites, and user equipment.

As of January 2026, the program cost was approximately $6.27 billion which included complete Raytheon funding to date and other government costs, such as the cost of government testing and support costs to the OCX acquisition program office.

“Regrettably, extensive system issues arose during the integrated testing of OCX with the broader GPS enterprise,” said Mission Delta 31 Commander Col. Stephen Hobbs. “Despite repeated collaborative approaches by the entire government and contractor team, the challenges of onboarding the system in an operationally relevant timeline proved insurmountable. We discovered problems across a broad range of capability areas that would put current GPS military and civilian capabilities at risk.”

Because of past delays on the OCX program, the Space Force has made incremental improvements over the last 10 years to AEP. These successful upgrades provide confidence that further upgrades to GPS ground systems will continue to support the enterprise and deliver new capabilities.

“Ultimately, we analyzed the work remaining on OCX and compared this with the current GPS control system capability,” Hobbs said. “The analysis revealed additional investment in OCX was no longer the best solution for protecting and advancing GPS capabilities. Instead, we will continue enhancing the current control system to operate the GPS satellite constellation.”

<p>The post USSF terminates GPS OCX program first appeared on GPS World.</p>

Running from February to April, ORION 2026 mobilized up to 12,500 military personnel across the country in a high-intensity, multi-domain scenario involving land, sea, air, space, cyber and electromagnetic domains. More than 1,200 drones of all types were deployed throughout the exercise.

Elistair participated in Phase O4 (April 7–30) following its fisrt contribution during Phase O2 in February, which demonstrated France’s ability to fully integrate into a NATO command structure for collective defense scenario. During the week of April 27, forces conducted offensive exploitation operations, river crossings, retaking of key positions, and live-fire exercises.

The Khronos system

Forces need real-time situational awareness in contested and GNSS-denied environments. The Khronos system provides continuous aerial surveillance from fixed or mobile platforms. It does not depend on GNSS, radio frequency infrastructure, or battery-limited free-flying aircraft.

Khronos deploys from a transportable DroneBox in under two minutes. The system can deliver continuous day and night imagery for up to 24 hours, making it a “pocket watchtower” for tactical units.

The tethered drone operates in GPS- and RF-denied conditions through a secured tether and advanced positioning system. Elistair targets armed forces, law enforcement, civil security agencies, and private security operators in more than 70 countries. The company runs operations from France and North Carolina.

<p>The post Elistair’s Khronos Tethered DroneBox takes part in France’s largest joint military exercise first appeared on GPS World.</p>

Critical network infrastructure — power grids, financial markets, transportation, data and centers — are heavily reliant on GNSS/GPS signals where precise timestamps, synchronization and transaction integrity, and operational continuity are key.

ALTM-T is an ultra-low size, weight and power (SWaP) receiver ptimized for precision timing at <50ns RMS. It also conforms to the M.2 3042 B-key standard form factor and uses less than 600MW consumption, making it suitable for SWaP-constrained systems.

“APNT technology complements GNSS/GPS, which is the invisible backbone of modern infrastructure,” said APNT Solutions Director, Rob Gillette, NAL Technologies. “Without additional timing sources such as APNT by Naltec, a failure of GNSS/GPS can trigger consequences that could cascade rapidly across utilities, transportation and financial markets. With ALTM-T, users will benefit from enhanced performance delivered from APNT by Naltec, to ensure resilient precision timing synchronization.”

The embeddable ALTM-T receiver leverages the Iridium PNT signal to provide a complementary APNT source that is approximately 1,000 times stronger than GNSS/GPS. The APNT signal can penetrate indoor environments as well as mitigate intentional and unintentional GNSS interference for ultimate reliability.

Naltec provider of Iridium PNT-enabled modules, with more than 13,000 receivers deployed since its first ALTM launch in 2019. ALTM-T is commercially available and now shipping.

<p>The post NAL Technologies unveils ALTM-T optimized for precision timing first appeared on GPS World.</p>

Existing map-based methods can reduce that drift by aligning camera observations with a prebuilt global map, yet many still struggle with redundant computation, weak cross-modal matching between camera images and point clouds, and optimization errors in large-scale or repetitive scenes.

The challenge is especially important for lightweight platforms that cannot afford onboard lidar, inertial measurement unit (IMU) and heavy computing. Because of these problems, deeper research is needed on camera-only map-based localization that can stay accurate, efficient and stable in complex real-world environments.

On April 20, researchers from Wuhan University and Chongqing University reported (DOI: 10.1186/s43020-026-00196-x) in Satellite Navigation a camera-only localization framework that uses prebuilt colored point cloud maps, a dual-sparsity matching strategy that retains high-gradient features in both the map and image observations, and hierarchical geometric–photometric optimization to improve both positioning accuracy and computational efficiency in GNSS-challenged environments.

The system is built around two connected stages. First, the researchers generate a sparse colored point-cloud map from a denser map produced by lidar–IMU–camera mapping, keeping only high-gradient points that preserve visually salient structures while removing weak or redundant information.

They apply a similar sparse selection process to online camera images, creating what the team calls “dual-sparsity matching” between map and observation. During localization, the method uses Lucas–Kanade optical flow to track sparse 2D image features and associates them with 3D map points, while hidden-point removal helps retain only the map points actually visible from the current viewpoint.

The pose is then refined through an iterated error-state Kalman filter in two stages: a geometric PnP-style correction for stable coarse alignment, followed by photometric refinement using image intensity consistency for sub-pixel accuracy.

Tests on the R3live and WHU-Motion datasets showed major gains over existing methods. Compared with direct sparse localization (DSL), the new approach cut absolute trajectory error (ATE) by 52% to 95% across challenging sequences, including a drop from 1.883 m to 0.152 m on R3live_5. It also improved accuracy by up to 76.6% over I2D-Loc++, reduced total processing time by as much as 47.7%, and remained robust in degenerate scenes where geometry-only localization deteriorated to 9.23 m while the proposed tracker held an ATE of 0.076 m.

Ablation results further showed that colored maps, bidirectional sparsity, and hierarchical optimization each played a distinct role in achieving the final balance of speed, robustness, and precision.

The authors said the main advance is not simply adding color to a map, but treating the global colored point cloud map as a continuous observation within the visual odometry framework. They said the framework shows that a monocular camera can localize far more robustly when paired with a prebuilt colored point cloud map and a coarse-to-fine optimization design that avoids poor local solutions.

In their view, the study offers a practical middle ground between fully sensor-rich systems and fragile vision-only pipelines, preserving much of the accuracy benefit of map-based localization without demanding equally heavy hardware on the client platform.

The work could have immediate value for indoor logistics robots, underground inspection platforms, warehouse vehicles, parking-garage navigation systems, and other low-cost autonomous agents operating where GNSS is weak or unavailable. Because the mapping can be completed offline and reused, the online platform needs only a monocular camera, which lowers sensing requirements while retaining strong global constraints.

That makes the method especially attractive for scalable deployments in structured but challenging spaces such as tunnels, campuses, hospitals, and industrial facilities. More broadly, the study suggests that future navigation systems may become both lighter and more dependable by making better use of the information already shared between maps and images, rather than relying only on ever-larger sensor stacks.

<p>The post Coloring the map to reduce visual drift in GNSS-denied navigation first appeared on GPS World.</p>

The acquisition reinforces Hexagon’s long-term commitment to innovation in high-performance navigation technologies. Inertial Sense strengthens Hexagon’s positioning portfolio and further enhances its assured PNT capabilities.

Headquartered in Provo, Utah, Inertial Sense will continue supplying inertial navigation solutions and will be integrated into Hexagon’s Aerospace & Defence Division.

“Inertial Sense brings exceptional GNSS+INS innovation that advances our assured PNT roadmap and expands resilient positioning capabilities in GPS-challenged environments,” said Stig Pedersen, president, Aerospace & Defence Division, Hexagon. “Their compact, cost-effective solutions meaningfully enhance our ability to serve aerospace and defence applications.”

Inertial Sense is a provider of high-performance navigation solutions, with more than 30,000 inertial systems deployed worldwide across defense and commercial applications.

Inertial Sense was founded in 2013 by Walt Johnson, who started Inertial Sense 10 years ago to make precision navigation lightweight and affordable so that it could be deployed anywhere and accessible to any business. This includes the rapidly emerging industries of drones, mobile robotics, aerospace and defense, autonomous vehicles, and automated manufacturing, all of which would require scalable and affordable navigation solutions.

<p>The post Hexagon completes acquisition of Inertial Sense first appeared on GPS World.</p>

Continued manufacturing and deployment of these next-generation GPS spacecraft is essential to maintaining reliable global coverage, with the GPS IIIF block introducing a suite of new capabilities that further strengthens the constellation’s resilience. GPS IIIF satellites are equipped with Regional Military Protection, improving anti-jamming capability by more than sixty times, giving warfighters a decisive edge against sophisticated electronic warfare threats. 

GPS IIIF SV11 is the third GPS IIIF satellite to complete the core mate phase, after SV13 and SV14 completed core mate last year. GPS IIIF SV11 will be the first IIIF satellite to launch. 

“Core mate of SV11 showcases the production momentum behind the next-generation GPS IIIF satellites as we continue to invest in advanced manufacturing,” said Christina Mancinelli, vice president of Global Communications & Navigation at Lockheed Martin. “With three GPS IIIF satellites past core mate, we’ve taken pivotal steps toward accelerating production, ensuring we’re delivering critical next-generation resiliency capabilities to the GPS constellation at the pace warfighters need to protect our nation.” 

The SV11 satellite is also M-code-enabled, providing an encrypted, anti-spoofing signal that strengthens positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) capabilities for military users globally. Additionally, SV11 is equipped with a new search-and-rescue payload that will allow first responders to navigate to emergencies in remote locations.  

With an eye on strengthening GPS, all GPS IIIF satellites starting with SV13 will be built on the evolved LM2100 Combat Bus, which adds additional cyber-hardening and improved spacecraft power, propulsion and electronics. These vehicles are equipped with extra size, weight and power, providing flexibility to integrate additional payloads quickly onto future space vehicles.

GPS IIIF satellites are manufactured at Lockheed Martin’s Denver, Colorado, facility, where the company is accelerating production through the use of augmented reality and digital twins. Lockheed Martin is currently under contract through GPS IIIF SV22 and recently completed all launches of GPS III space vehicles. 

<p>The post Next-gen GPS IIIF satellites take shape first appeared on GPS World.</p>

U-blox has launched and availability of its new all-band GNSS module variant, the ZED-X20P-01B.

Building on the proven capabilities of the ZED-X20P platform, the new module expands access to high-precision positioning by bringing global precise point positioning (PPP) to a broader range of use cases. With support for Galileo High Accuracy Service (HAS) the ZED-X20P-01B enables OEMs to launch products with reliable, decimeter-level positioning across markets worldwide, without tying product availability to local correction infrastructure.

The ZED-X20P-01B extends u-blox expertise in GNSS by addressing a growing market need: making high-precision positioning more practical to deploy at global scale. By integrating enhanced PPP capabilities, including Galileo HAS functionality, and improving resilience against jamming and spoofing (verified at Jammertest 2025), the module gives developers a dependable positioning that can serve both as a primary global solution and as a fallback where local RTK correction services are limited, unavailable, or impractical. This flexible approach opens new opportunities for global OEMs to design and ship products with reliable decimeter-level accuracy out of the box across regions, applications, and operating conditions.

Built for global OEM deployment

The ZED-X20P-01B is especially valuable for products shipped across regions with inconsistent access to RTK networks, SBAS coverage, or reliable communications. This gives manufacturers a more flexible path to delivering high-precision positioning worldwide, while also opening new opportunities in remote, rural, and infrastructure-limited environments.

Representative applications include:

• UAVs without reliance on continuous connectivity for mapping and navigation:
  • Marine applications such as dredging, near-shore navigation, and seabed mapping without complex RTK setup
  • Precision agriculture, construction and mining in remote locations, including geofencing and equipment tracking
• Environmental and utility mapping in infrastructure-limited regions
• Robotics and autonomous platforms requiring reliable relative positioning through Moving Base functionality.

Enhanced performance and robustness

The ZED-X20P-01B builds on the core strengths of the ZED-X20P while introducing key enhancements:

• Native support for Galileo HAS for globally accessible PPP corrections
• Moving Base functionality for applications requiring precise relative positioning
• Improved jamming and spoofing detection and mitigation for mission-critical applications
• Continued compatibility with u-blox PointPerfect services for scalable correction options.

Together, these enhancements help OEMs deliver reliable high-precision positioning across wider geographies and more demanding RF environments, while keeping system design streamlined. Most importantly, they make decimeter-level accuracy out of the box a practical option for products deployed globally.

Ease of integration and scalability

Maintaining the established ZED form factor, the ZED-X20P-01B offers a seamless upgrade path for existing customers. With its compact design it reduces the need for additional hardware or complex host-side computation.

This helps developers accelerate time to market and scale from pilot projects to global commercial rollouts without redesigning their systems for each target region. For OEMs building products for international shipment, the ZED-X20P-01B offers a practical way to standardize around one high-precision platform while expanding coverage, improving resilience, and simplifying deployment.

“ZED-X20P-01B reflects our commitment to making high-precision positioning more scalable, resilient, and easier to deploy globally,” said Andreas Thiel, CEO of u-blox, said. “With Galileo HAS support, Moving Base, stronger protection against jamming and spoofing, and a seamless path for existing ZED-X20P customers, we are enabling OEMs to bring reliable decimeter-level positioning to more products, in more markets, with fewer deployment constraints.”

Experience ZED-X20P-01B live

U-blox will showcase the ZED-X20P-01B at XPONENTIAL 2026 in Detroit, where visitors can experience the module live at booth 23023.

Availability

Samples and evaluation kits for the ZED-X20P-01B will be available in June.

<p>The post U-blox expands ZED-X20P platform for high-precision positioning anywhere first appeared on GPS World.</p>

Requirements for precise time delivery have driven the telecoms sector toward the increased use of GNSS for accurate timing. There are various alternatives to GNSS, each with their own capabilities, but GNSS has become the default mechanism for most sectors to access timing signals.

As the telecommunications industry rolls out 5G networks and prepares for 6G, it’s important there is a range of diversified timing signal sources that are resilient and secure. All major telecommunications providers in the UK and Europe share this requirement.

In the UK, VodafoneThree is the first mobile network operator to test the performance of a terrestrial NMI-provided time source as an alternative to GNSS-based time in their network timing infrastructure.

Vodafone is accelerating 5G coverage and improving data service performance across Europe and emerging markets by deploying 5G standalone networks, launching enterprise-grade slicing services, and 5G Advanced programs.

Vodafone is positioning itself as a future-ready connectivity platform for both consumers and industries, making it a must to protect the 5G network and future networks. Vodafone is actively reducing reliance on GNSS for time synchronisation for the VodafoneThree network in the UK and other Vodafone markets around Europe in collaboration with European Metrology Institutes.

The partnership will support the reliability and resilience of VodafoneThree’s £11bn network investment program to create the UK’s best network, reaching 99% 5G standalone population coverage by 2030, and 99.96% by 2034.

For the past 30 years, NPL has been operating the UK’s national time scale, UTC (NPL), and for the past eight years it has been disseminating NPLTime, an end-to-end fibre-based timing service that has been supporting the finance sector with regulatory compliance.

The partnership between NPL and Vodafone will develop a telecom version of the NPLTime service that meets stringent ITU standards for signal accuracy, stability, resilience and traceability. More specifically, the new service will deliver a terrestrial reference signal that is traceable to UTC (NPL) and can maintain accuracy within 40ns.

At the end of the trial, the new service will meet the accuracy requirements of most sectors in the UK and offer the potential for telecommunications operators to extend the reach of a UK sovereign time source to other industries. Vodafone intends to replicate the same telecom timing infrastructure across all Vodafone markets.

The partnership builds on the UK government’s efforts to increase resilience for position, navigation and time (PNT) for the UK’s digital infrastructure as well as on NPL’s role in delivering the National Timing Centre (NTC) program.

“Our work with the National Physical Laboratory marks a significant step in reducing over reliance on GPS-based timing and strengthening the foundations of our future-ready 5G Standalone network,” said Andrea Donà, chief network officer, VodafoneThree. “By testing a terrestrial timing solution we’re helping to ensure that our £11 billion investment delivers a network that is not only faster and more reliable, but also more secure and resilient for our customers.”

<p>The post NPL collaborates with Vodafone on terrestrial timing first appeared on GPS World.</p>