ANELLO Photonics Partners with Q-CTRL to Address GPS-Denied Environments

ANELLO Photonics and Q-CTRL have joined forces to develop advanced navigation systems for unmanned aerial vehicles, addressing a critical vulnerability in GPS technology. The collaboration integrates ANELLO’s silicon photonics optical gyroscope inertial sensing with Q-CTRL’s quantum magnetic navigation capabilities, creating a multi-layered Quantum Navigation Solution designed to function even when GPS signals are unavailable or deliberately disrupted. These disruptions currently pose a significant economic threat, impacting defense missions and commercial transport, and costing an estimated 1 billion in the U.S. alone. “Reliable navigation is fundamental to autonomy, safety, and mission assurance,” said Dr. Mario Paniccia, Co-Founder and CEO of ANELLO Photonics, explaining that the combined technologies will explore a new architecture for resilient positioning.

Silicon Photonics Optical Gyroscope for Inertial Navigation

A fusion of silicon photonics and quantum sensing promises to mitigate the economic impact of GPS disruptions, which currently cost an estimated 1 billion annually in the U.S. ANELLO Photonics and Q-CTRL are collaborating to develop a multi-layered Quantum Navigation Solution (QNS) designed for unmanned aerial vehicles operating in environments where satellite navigation is unavailable or unreliable. While foundational to modern operations, satellite navigation is increasingly vulnerable; deliberate interference represents a 1 billion daily threat within the U.S., impacting both defense and commercial sectors. Recent incidents in the Persian Gulf have highlighted the growing challenge of GPS jamming and spoofing, affecting military operations and global shipping lanes, prompting the need for robust alternatives. This collaboration represents the world’s first integration of silicon photonics-based inertial sensing with quantum-sensing-powered magnetic map matching, enabling a layered approach to navigation.

Unlike traditional systems, the QNS is designed to provide continuous, bounded positioning estimates that won’t degrade over extended mission durations, offering a critical backup to GNSS. The architecture combines ANELLO’s SiPhOG technology, built on integrated photonic system-on-chip technology and protected by a portfolio of over 45 issued patents, with Q-CTRL’s advancements in quantum infrastructure software. According to Prof Michael J. Biercuk, CEO and Founder of Q-CTRL, “Our focus at Q-CTRL is on making quantum technologies useful in the real world,” emphasizing the company’s commitment to practical applications of quantum sensing. ANELLO Photonics has secured over 38 pending patents to its existing portfolio and has also developed an AI-based sensor fusion engine, further bolstering the capabilities of the QNS and positioning it to meet the increasing demand for resilient navigation in both commercial and defense applications.

Q-CTRL’s Ironstone Opal Enables Quantum Magnetic Navigation

The increasing reliance on satellite navigation systems has created a critical vulnerability, as deliberate interference and natural phenomena can disrupt signals, impacting a broad range of operations. While GPS remains foundational for land, air, and sea activities, disruptions pose a substantial economic threat, currently accounting for a loss of 1 billion in the United States, affecting both defense and commercial sectors. The resulting QNS aims to deliver continuous, bounded positioning estimates unaffected by mission duration, offering a crucial backup to vulnerable GNSS systems. Dr. Mario Paniccia, Co-Founder and CEO of ANELLO Photonics, stated that the system is designed to address these vulnerabilities.