2322418
Cooperative Agreement
Overview
Grant Description
Sbir Phase II: Low Earth Orbit Navigation System (LEONS) - The ground network -The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to provide a safe and reliable positioning and timing system for systems when the Global Positioning System (GPS) fails.
Billions of users, including drone applications, precision farming, and the Department of Defense rely on GPS. Unfortunately, GPS signals are weak because they are transmitted from space, making them susceptible to jamming and hacking.
Research from the scientific community has studied the use of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite signals as a backup to GPS. This project will deploy a novel platform for testing theoretical studies and required infrastructure that will enable the use of LEO satellite signals by vehicles to improve their navigation systems.
Improving drone navigation technology will push several markets into full fruition, including drone package delivery and delivery of emergency medical supplies, which are projected to see double digit market growth over the next few years. Precise positioning is also expected to support fully autonomous tractors, which will boost the agriculture market by scaling precision seed laying.
Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) considers 13 of the 16 critical infrastructures to be critically dependent on GPS. This project aims to remove this single point of failure from over-reliance on GPS.
This SBIR Phase II project will develop a ground network service that supports the use of existing and future LEO satellite signals for positioning and timing to serve as an alternative or complement to GPS. The research objectives are to: 1) complete a proof-of-concept system enabling the use of these signals for positioning and timing, 2) analytically characterize performance of the system, and 3) demonstrate an operational proof-of-concept system in a region of the United States.
To reach these objectives, this project will leverage fundamentals from signal processing and estimation theory to convert LEO signals into GPS-like signals. Convex optimization theory will be used to guide the deployment of the infrastructure needed to realize the system. The demonstration of the system will be evaluated by comparing the mean and standard deviation of the position errors produced by the LEO satellite signals with theoretically achievable values.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- Subawards are not planned for this award.
Billions of users, including drone applications, precision farming, and the Department of Defense rely on GPS. Unfortunately, GPS signals are weak because they are transmitted from space, making them susceptible to jamming and hacking.
Research from the scientific community has studied the use of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite signals as a backup to GPS. This project will deploy a novel platform for testing theoretical studies and required infrastructure that will enable the use of LEO satellite signals by vehicles to improve their navigation systems.
Improving drone navigation technology will push several markets into full fruition, including drone package delivery and delivery of emergency medical supplies, which are projected to see double digit market growth over the next few years. Precise positioning is also expected to support fully autonomous tractors, which will boost the agriculture market by scaling precision seed laying.
Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) considers 13 of the 16 critical infrastructures to be critically dependent on GPS. This project aims to remove this single point of failure from over-reliance on GPS.
This SBIR Phase II project will develop a ground network service that supports the use of existing and future LEO satellite signals for positioning and timing to serve as an alternative or complement to GPS. The research objectives are to: 1) complete a proof-of-concept system enabling the use of these signals for positioning and timing, 2) analytically characterize performance of the system, and 3) demonstrate an operational proof-of-concept system in a region of the United States.
To reach these objectives, this project will leverage fundamentals from signal processing and estimation theory to convert LEO signals into GPS-like signals. Convex optimization theory will be used to guide the deployment of the infrastructure needed to realize the system. The demonstration of the system will be evaluated by comparing the mean and standard deviation of the position errors produced by the LEO satellite signals with theoretically achievable values.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- Subawards are not planned for this award.
Awardee
Funding Goals
THE GOAL OF THIS FUNDING OPPORTUNITY, "NSF SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH PHASE II (SBIR)/ SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER (STTR) PROGRAMS PHASE II", IS IDENTIFIED IN THE LINK: HTTPS://WWW.NSF.GOV/PUBLICATIONS/PUB_SUMM.JSP?ODS_KEY=NSF23516
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding / Funding Agency
Place of Performance
Riverside,
California
92501-0937
United States
Geographic Scope
Single Zip Code
Starnav was awarded
Cooperative Agreement 2322418
worth $976,584
from National Science Foundation in April 2024 with work to be completed primarily in Riverside California United States.
The grant
has a duration of 2 years and
was awarded through assistance program 47.084 NSF Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships.
The Cooperative Agreement was awarded through grant opportunity NSF Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer Phase II Programs (SBIR/STTR Phase II).
SBIR Details
Research Type
SBIR Phase II
Title
SBIR Phase II: Low Earth Orbit Navigation System (LEONS) - The Ground Network
Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to provide a safe and reliable positioning and timing system for systems when the Global Positioning System (GPS) fails. Billions of users, including drone applications, precision farming, and The Department of Defense rely on GPS. Unfortunately, GPS signals are weak because they are transmitted from space, making them susceptible to jamming and hacking. Research from the scientific community has studied the use of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite signals as a backup to GPS. This project will deploy a novel platform for testing theoretical studies and required infrastructure that will enable the use of LEO satellite signals by vehicles to improve their navigation systems. Improving drone navigation technology will push several markets into full fruition, including drone package delivery and delivery of emergency medical supplies, which are projected to see double digit market growth over the next few years. Precise positioning is also expected to support fully autonomous tractors, which will boost the agriculture market by scaling precision seed laying. Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) considers 13 of the 16 critical infrastructures to be critically dependent on GPS. This project aims to remove this single point of failure from over-reliance on GPS.
This SBIR Phase II project will develop a ground network service that supports the use of existing and future LEO satellite signals for positioning and timing to serve as an alternative or complement to GPS. The research objectives are to: 1) complete a proof-of-concept system enabling the use of these signals for positioning and timing, 2) analytically characterize performance of the system, and 3) demonstrate an operational proof-of-concept system in a region of the United States. To reach these objectives, this project will leverage fundamentals from signal processing and estimation theory to convert LEO signals into GPS-like signals. Convex optimization theory will be used to guide the deployment of the infrastructure needed to realize the system. The demonstration of the system will be evaluated by comparing the mean and standard deviation of the position errors produced by the LEO satellite signals with theoretically achievable values.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
Topic Code
SP
Solicitation Number
NSF 23-516
Status
(Ongoing)
Last Modified 4/30/24
Period of Performance
4/1/24
Start Date
3/31/26
End Date
Funding Split
$976.6K
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$976.6K
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
2322418
SAI Number
None
Award ID URI
SAI EXEMPT
Awardee Classifications
Small Business
Awarding Office
491503 TRANSLATIONAL IMPACTS
Funding Office
491503 TRANSLATIONAL IMPACTS
Awardee UEI
FYQCMBJ2HG93
Awardee CAGE
8GWT0
Performance District
CA-39
Senators
Dianne Feinstein
Alejandro Padilla
Alejandro Padilla
Modified: 4/30/24