The maritime sector is exploring alternative positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) solutions that are not solely reliant on GPS-based technologies.

The ESA-funded ADVENT project, led by GMV NSL, is developing a new VDE-R system simulator that can generate and process both VDE-TER and VDE-SAT signals, and a proof-of-concept testbed for terrestrial VDES-R.

The project has shown promising results, with seagoing trials showing a 2D positioning accuracy of less than 50m, achieved using VDE-TER data in combination with VDE-SAT data and data from an inertial measurement unit (IMU).