Broadcast Positioning System (BPS) as a Terrestrial Alternative to GNSS for Precision Timing and Positioning

Broadcast Positioning System (BPS) as a Terrestrial Alternative to GNSS for Precision Timing and Positioning

CPNT & APNT
May 5, 2026 5:40 pm – 5:55 pm

Speakers

Description

Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) are the backbone of modern infrastructure, supporting applications in aviation, maritime transport, autonomous navigation, geospatial mapping, precision agriculture, and emergency management. GNSS also enables high-precision timing essential for synchronizing telecommunication networks, financial systems, and power grids. Its widespread use stems from its global coverage, cost efficiency, and accuracy. However, GNSS signals—transmitted from medium Earth orbit—are inherently weak upon reaching Earth’s surface, making them vulnerable to jamming, spoofing, and interference [1, 2]. These vulnerabilities pose serious risks to national security and critical infrastructure, underscoring the need for resilient, GNSS-independent alternatives.  A promising solution is the Broadcast Positioning System (BPS), developed by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) as a terrestrial Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) technology [3]. BPS leverages the Advanced Television Systems Committee 3.0 (ATSC 3.0) broadcast standard—widely deployed as NextGen TV in the U.S. and recognized by the ITU. Using existing television broadcast infrastructure, BPS transmits powerful terrestrial signals capable of nanosecond-level timing accuracy [4–8]. Its key advantages include:  Strong signals from high-power terrestrial transmitters, orders of magnitude stronger than GNSS.  Multi-band operation across 54–88 MHz, 174–216 MHz, and 470–608 MHz, enhancing coverage and interference resilience.  GNSS-independent timing when transmitters use local reference clocks.

© ATIS