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Title: Q-CTRL Unveils Jam-Proof Positioning System That's 50x More Accurate
Than GPS

Link: https://tech.slashdot.org/story/25/04/17/2342...

schwit1 shares a report from Interesting Engineering: Australia's Q-CTRL
developed a new system called "Ironstone Opal," which uses quantum sensors to
navigate without GPS. It's passive (meaning it doesn't emit signals that
could be detected or jammed) and highly accurate. Instead of relying on
satellites, Q-CTRL's system can read the Earth's magnetic field, which varies
slightly depending on location (like a magnetic fingerprint or map). The
system can determine where you are by measuring these variations using
magnetometers. This is made possible using the company's proprietary quantum
sensors, which are incredibly sensitive and stable. The system also comes
with special AI-based software, which filters out interference like
vibrations or electromagnetic noise (what they call "software
ruggedization". The system is small and compact and could, in theory, be
installed in drones or cars and, of course, aircraft. Q-CTRL ran some live
tests on the ground and in the air to validate the technology. As
anticipated, they found that it could operate completely independently of
GPS. Moreover, the company reports that its quantum GPS was 50 times more
accurate than traditional GPS backup systems (like Inertial Navigation
Systems or INS). The systems also delivered navigation precision on par with
hitting a bullseye from 1,000 yards. Even when the equipment was mounted
inside a plane, where interference is much worse, it outperformed existing
systems by at least 11x. This is the first time quantum technology has been
shown to outperform existing tech in a real-world commercial or military
application, a milestone referred to as achieving "quantum advantage."

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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