For more than a decade now, the Global positioning system (GPS) has been used to provide data from space to determine the position, timing, and navigation of bodies on planet earth.
However, devices without a GPS system cannot receive navigation signals. Recently, the high-tech quantum sensor filled the vacuum as it provides quality vehicle navigation system even without a GPS connection.
High-tech quantum sensing system operates with a much better accuracy such that onboard navigation does not require cross-checking its calculations, reducing reliance on satellite systems.
Quantum navigation works through atom interferometry. Atom interferometry is the use of laser-cooled atoms to accurately measure dimensional quantities using the momentum of photons through quantum superpositions. Since each atomic state reacts differently to gravitational force and acceleration, distance can be measured more accurately than GPS without any signal connection from space.
Unlike the conventional gyroscopes and accelerometers in vehicles, which are relatively big in size because of their magneto-optical trap for vacuum contraption, new tech vehicles would now use chemicals such as aluminosilicate and alumina to absorb molecules instead. This is believed to reduce the size and power of the device.
According to Peter Schwindt, Sandia National Labs Scientist, “These inertial sensors can be used whenever there is a need for a position or navigational information, and where a GPS outage is unacceptable or unavailable. Civilian applications such as aviation and autonomous vehicles are areas where momentary outages of the GPS signal are not acceptable.”
He also added that since GPS is unavailable underground or underwater, the inertial navigation system would be of utmost importance in such an environment; the accelerometer can also work as a gravimeter for gravity and gravity gradient measurements in oil and gas exploration.
When quantum navigation technology is fully incorporated into vehicles, weak GPS connections will not be a problem for navigation.
Do you see the possibility of high-tech navigation systems in handheld devices?
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Image Source – Canva
