U-blox participates in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence

(CONNECT) U-blox is participating in the international research project PANOSETI (Pulsed All-sky Near-infrared Optical SETI). According to a press release, the Thalwil-based provider of positioning and short-range communication technologies for the automotive, industrial and consumer goods markets is supplying its ZED-F9T satellite-based receiver for the project led by the University of California at Berkeley.

PANOSETI (SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) searches the entire sky for optical or near-infrared signals. Time synchronization is of great importance for the reliable functioning of a telescopic field. The high-precision GNSS receiver from u-blox delivers a synchronization of 0.7 nanoseconds with a 1PPS (pulse per second) signal on a 1-kilometre baseline. Special filter techniques can improve performance to below 200 picoseconds.

The new technology from u-blox enables high-precision time measurements in terrain where fiber optic infrastructure is unavailable, impractical or too costly. It can also be used outside of scientific applications in distributed sensor networks, remote-controlled timing systems and for the resilience of critical infrastructures. Samuli Pietilä, Production Director for the GNSS line at u-blox, is delighted "to be able to support PANOSETI in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence". ce/ww