New C-band Antenna Boosts Resilient GNSS Signal Reception
The commercial-grade antenna marks a milestone for GPS-alternative systems, with operational service targeted for 2027.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Space
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TrustPoint and Calian have successfully demonstrated a commercially manufacturable C-band GNSS antenna. The device maintained reception of a live orbital signal, marking a technical milestone for resilient positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) systems.
Why it matters
Resilient PNT capabilities are critical for operators in contested environments where standard GPS signals may be jammed or spoofed. This demonstration confirms the feasibility of hardware capable of utilizing secure C-band signals for more reliable global positioning.
The antenna successfully locked onto TrustPoint's C-band orbital broadcast, a spectrum known for lower ionospheric error and higher jamming resistance than traditional GNSS bands. Developers are now working to integrate this with L1 and L5 band reception.
The players
TrustPoint
A developer of secure PNT systems operating under a U.S. Space Force contract to build a satellite-based positioning architecture.
Calian
An Ottawa-based firm with 40 years of experience and 6,000 employees that specializes in engineering and advanced communications hardware.
The details
The antenna functions by isolating and processing C-band signals, which are less susceptible to atmospheric interference and malicious jamming than the legacy L-band signals used by GPS. The team utilized live-signal validation to ensure the hardware can consistently acquire signals directly from space. The collaboration aims to produce a multi-band unit that maintains backward compatibility with existing L1/L5 GNSS standards while providing an added layer of resilient C-band positioning.
Timeline
October 23, 2026: The successful C-band GNSS antenna demonstration was announced.
October 2027: TrustPoint targets the delivery of initial operational PNT services.
The Tech Race
This development follows the milestones mandated by the U.S. Space Force's Tactical Funding Increase contract, which accelerates the transition from lab-proven concepts to manufacturable defense hardware. It advances the race for resilient PNT by pairing dedicated C-band orbital signals with scalable, commercial-grade hardware.
This technology is currently in the demonstration phase and is not yet available for general commercial use. Once deployed, the system will offer users in high-interference areas a more secure alternative to standard GPS for critical navigation and timing.
The takeaway
The successful antenna test provides a key component for a resilient four-satellite PNT architecture. Readers should track TrustPoint's progress toward their target of initial operational services by October 2027.
What happens next
TrustPoint plans to initiate live trilateration and operational services by October 2027.
Further reading
For more developments on satellite positioning and infrastructure, visit the Space section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Rfglobalnet.
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