Iridium Communications Inc. has advanced the security of GPS and other GNSS-reliant devices against jamming, spoofing, and timing interruptions with the launch of a dedicated, miniature Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), the Iridium® PNT ASIC.
The Iridium PNT ASIC, engineered for seamless integration into a wide range of electronic devices, will deliver authenticated, pole-to-pole Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) data. It will provide a resilient alternative to traditional GNSS, offering protection against spoofing and jamming for consumer, industrial, and government applications.
Matt Desch, CEO at Iridium, commented, “This is a first. To provide this type of capability on a global basis has never been done before. The size, low cost, and scalability of this solution to protect GPS is a major breakthrough.”
Key Features
The Iridium PNT ASIC measures 8mm by 8mm and is capable of fitting into devices ranging from consumer products up through major infrastructure systems like power grids, transportation systems and telecom networks, democratizing GNSS resilience.
When embedded in a device, it receives a cryptographically secure time and location data signal from the Iridium satellite network that is 1,000 times more powerful than GPS and capable of working inside buildings.
This can help GNSS-dependent applications to not only detect a problem but also maintain operations until it is resolved. The Iridium PNT ASIC will also continuously verify signal integrity, making it the ideal alternative or primary source of PNT data.
Iridium PNT protects digital infrastructure for financial markets, governments, and major corporations. Its applications span data centers, 5G wireless networks, aviation, maritime, land mobile, and IoT, making it a foundational service for the future of secure, connected systems.
Mike O’Connor, Executive Vice President, PNT, Iridium, stated, “The market for alternative PNT solutions is shifting rapidly toward compact, integrated technologies. While Iridium PNT is already available in some systems, the Iridium PNT ASIC will take it to the next level to deliver the only truly global alternative to GPS in the smallest form factor available.”
“Whether in government, enterprise, or consumer applications, every device that relies on GNSS needs a dependable backup or reliable primary service in the event of disruption. The Iridium PNT ASIC delivers that dependability in a compact, all-in-one chip.”
Market Need
The jamming and spoofing of GNSS systems have gone from being an occasional threat to a near constant occurrence over the past few years.
A September 2024 report from OPSGROUP noted a 500% increase in GPS spoofing targeting commercial airliners, with an average of 1,500 flights affected each day. Given the associated economic risks, estimated at billions of dollars daily worldwide, the need for a simple and easily integrated solution is clear.
The alternative PNT market is expected to reach $3.5 billion by 2032, driven by demand for secure, reliable timing and location data across all sectors of critical infrastructure.
Demonstrations & Availability
During Jammertest, an annual event that evaluates the resilience of GNSS and alternative PNT technologies under jamming and spoofing attacks, Iridium showcased the ASIC’s capabilities. The Iridium PNT ASIC maintained both timing accuracy and reliable navigation during controlled exercises.
Iridium is inviting organizations to apply to participate in beta trials, and, if selected, they will receive Iridium PNT ASIC evaluation kits, enabling early integration and testing.
The Iridium PNT ASIC is planned for commercial availability in mid-2026.
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