You likely depend on GPS service (or Global Positioning System) to get from one place to the next - you just plug in coordinates into your phone to be directed to your destination via that quickest route. But beyond convenience, GPS is critical for our nation's safety.
Here's why: GPS is like a universal clock that provides precision timing vital to the power grid, first responders, wireless communications and financial transactions - just to name a few.
A GPS failure could be catastrophic to our nation, putting public safety at risk and causing hundreds of billions of dollars in potential damages. A GPS outage could cause the energy grid to fail, equity trading to halt, telecommunications systems to go down and transportation systems to grind to a standstill.
The threat of an outage is real. GPS uses satellite signals that are vulnerable to jamming and spoofing, key components of a cybersecurity attack.
In light of these threats, the president issued an executive order directing the government to find a back-up system to GPS to protect the U.S.
Our nation's system of broadcasting has a strong, reliable infrastructure. Using a technology standard known as ATSC 3.0, broadcasters can transmit precise timing signals known as the Broadcast Positioning System™ (BPS) from their towers.
BPS is a reliable, complementary service to GPS, and broadcasters are already working with the government to keep our nation safe.
It works independently of GPS, internet or cellular connectivity. If GPS fails, BPS still works.
The broadcast infrastructure is already built out with broadcast towers across the country. However, in order for BPS to become a reality, the ATSC 3.0 broadcast standard must be available nationwide. Currently, about 75% of the country can receive these Next Generation TV signals. As the television industry works to rapidly deploy ATSC 3.0 signals nationwide, we need Congress’ support to expedite the transition and unlock the innovative and pro-consumer applications of the technology.
Brandon Parkinson, who developed GPS for the U.S. Air Force in the 70s is now vice chair of the National Space Based Position Navigation and Timing Advisory Board and is warning of threats to the system and calling for a backup system to prevent an economic catastrophe.
Read StoryA recent NPR podcast featured Dana Goward, president of the Resilient Navigation and Timing Foundation, who spoke about the vulnerabilities of GPS and the impact an outage would have on U.S. infrastructure and the economy.
Read Podcast TranscriptAn update about BPS testing from the NAB technology team.
Read Blog PostA July 2024 New York Times interactive feature explains why American GPS is uniquely vulnerable compared to its European and Chinese counterparts.
View Interactive FeatureA March 2024 New York Times article explores the possibility of a GPS attack and its impact on financial markets, the power grid and more.
Read ArticleA June 2024 blog post from the NAB Technology team provides an update on real-time testing of BPS at a broadcast station in Washington, D.C.
Read NAB Blog PostThe solar storms in May 2024 provided beautiful colors across much of the northern hemisphere, but also served as a stark reminder of the impact they may play on GPS disruption.
Read NAB Blog PostThis paper details how broadcasters can use a technology standard known as ATSC 3.0 to transmit precise timing signals known as the BPS from their towers, which can be a complementary service to GPS. If GPS fails, BPS still works.
DownloadThis paper describes BPS, which can provide positiioning, navigation and timing (PNT) services using the ATSC 3.0 signal.
DownloadThis paper describes the design of a BPS transmitter mesh network that would allow nationwide time synchronization based entirely on ATSC 3.0 broadcasts.
DownloadThis paper explores the techniques used to measure the broadcast signal's emission time and to compensate for the processing chain timing variability stabilizing the emission time stamp.
DownloadThis paper describes how a variety of timing sources can be used at TV stations for reference.
DownloadBroadcasting is dependable in times of emergency, and its ability to seamlessly complement GPS is another example of this. Policymakers should work alongside broadcasters to deploy the new ATSC 3.0 technology standard nationwide as quickly as possible, ensuring BPS can help defend our nation's critical infrastructure, economic security and public safety.