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Ordnance Survey is teaming up with the Satellite Applications Catapult, an independent technology and innovation company, on the GEMNet project to understand the nature and extent of interference on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS).

The interference comes from a variety of sources including accidental emissions from radio and electronic equipment, as well as deliberate jamming by criminals and others wishing to block GPS trackers.

GEMNet’s primary objective is to discover the magnitude and characteristics of GNSS interference, and support UK industry in developing solutions to eliminate the effect of this interference on GNSS receivers.

The OS Technical Change and Innovation Manager, Paul Cruddace, commented yesterday: “GNSS technology, especially GPS, underpins key parts of our own operations as well as so much of our everyday lives, this project will allow OS to better understand the potential external threats of both today and tomorrow.”

Stuart Martin, CEO of the Satellite Applications Catapult, said: “The Catapult is delighted to be working with Ordnance Survey on this important project. Our Position, Navigation and Timing team (PNT) working on GEMNet will make an important contribution to our understanding and response to the interference issues.”

The project has several objectives including collating compelling and independent evidence of interference on GNSS receivers; developing an early understanding of the impact of interference on GNSS users and target industry organisations to join future phases of the project. The results gained will support industry and academic efforts to develop ways to combat threats for transport, critical infrastructure and many other applications.

Ordnance Survey is the operator of the national GNSS infrastructure (OS Net), and aims to learn more about the extent and nature of GNSS interference – both for its own internal use and other critical national infrastructures across the UK.