I came across a compelling post by Dr. Ramsey Faragher, shared after attending the Royal Institute of Navigation’s Resilient PNT event. His key message was clear: while our reliance on GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite Systems) has grown, so too have its vulnerabilities. And when GNSS fails due to jamming, spoofing, or simply weak signal environments we risk losing access to the positioning and timing data many systems critically depend on.
At Koherent, this discussion struck a chord. Our technology was built precisely to provide accurate, real-time measurement and positioning without any dependency on GNSS. In fact, we see it as our mission to help ensure resilient infrastructure and operations through ground-based, ultra-precise measurement systems.
The Blind Spot: When Satellites Can’t See
GNSS is a fantastic enabler of modern automation — but it is not infallible. Urban construction sites, covered logistics hubs, steel-rich environments, tunnels, and other GNSS-challenged areas are part of everyday reality across industries. In these environments, positioning solutions must not rely on satellite visibility alone.
We’ve seen this need clearly in our recent infrastructure monitoring projects where data must remain available and reliable even in GNSS-poor or unpredictable conditions. And beyond static infrastructure, construction and logistics operators increasingly rely on location data to manage machine operations, asset tracking, and site safety. When GNSS signal drops, productivity and safety are instantly at risk.
Koherent’s Approach: Sub-mm Real-Time Positioning — Without Satellites
Koherent’s system uses a proprietary wireless sensing solution to deliver orientation data, that means not just position, but also orientation, at up to 100Hz and with even sub-millimeter precision in monitoring applications. It works at distances of up to 200 meters, in any weather, and with no need for GNSS or external reference points.
In essence, we enable infrastructure and construction professionals to build their own independent, high-precision local positioning layer, fully resilient to GNSS limitations.
Whether tracking the deformation of a bridge or the live position of a crane boom or other heavy equipment, Koherent offers dependable measurement wherever satellites fall short.
Resilient PNT Needs Ground-Level Solutions Too
The conversation around Resilient PNT often highlights high-tech solutions like inertial navigation, atomic timing, or alternative constellations. These are important — but they must be complemented by ground-level systems that are simple to install, robust to environmental conditions, and capable of producing real-time data with high accuracy.
Bridge and building operators don’t just need to know where something is — they need to understand how it’s moving. They need insights, in real time, when lives and infrastructure are on the line.
Looking Ahead
GNSS-independent solutions like Koherent’s are no longer a niche — they’re necessary. As digital construction, automation, and smart infrastructure continue to grow, systems must be equipped to operate independently of satellite signals.
We’re proud to provide a reliable alternative, helping construction, infrastructure, and logistics stakeholders build safer and smarter systems — even when GNSS fails.
As Ramsey Faragher rightly put it: “We need to fill these gaps.” At Koherent, we’re doing just that.