Abaco Systems Announces the PNT500: Advanced SOSA-Aligned 3U VPX Solution for Precision Position, Navigation and Timing

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (October 7, 2024) – AMETEK Abaco Systems, a global leader in rugged embedded computing, proudly introduces the PNT500, a cutting-edge, SOSA-aligned 3U VPX solution designed to deliver precision Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) in severe and contested environments.

Engineered for mission-critical applications, the PNT500 ensures resilient and reliable performance, even under the harshest conditions.

At its core is QinetiQ’s Multi Constellation Open Service (MCOS) GNSS Q40 receiver, which provides unmatched accuracy and security for real-time situational awareness. In today’s contested environments, resilient PNT is a mission critical requirement – the Q40 is designed to meet this need.

The PNT500 offers multi-constellation, multi-frequency support through the QinetiQ Q40 GNSS receiver, safeguarding operations against jamming, spoofing, and interference. This ensures mission success in highly contested environments, where modern systems depend on secure and accurate PNT data across various platforms—ranging from autonomous vehicles to crewed air, sea, and ground platforms. With increasing incidents of jamming and spoofing affecting both military and civilian systems, the PNT500 delivers the reliability needed to keep operations running smoothly.

In the event of a GNSS-denied environment, the PNT500 provides resilient performance by generating and distributing system timing via GNSS-disciplined OCXO or CSAC (chip-scale atomic clock) options. These precise clock references allow high-performance operation to be maintained over time, even without GNSS input.

Key Features of the PNT500:

SOSA-aligned 3U VPX architecture: Compliant with the latest SOSA standards, enabling seamless interoperability and modularity for defense applications and wider adoption in critical industries.
Advanced GNSS receiver: The multi-constellation, multi-frequency QinetiQ Q40 delivers highly accurate PNT data, enhanced with robust anti-jamming and anti-spoofing capabilities.
Precision timing: Equipped with IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol (PTP) Grandmaster capability for system-wide synchronization, with GNSS-disciplined clock options, including CSAC for uninterrupted operation in GNSS-denied environments, with radial one pulse-per-second (1PPS) and configurable reference clocks to improve timing accuracy
Rugged, low-power design: A single-slot solution built to operate in extreme temperatures and high-vibration environments, making it ideal for mission-critical defense operations.

“Our partnership with QinetiQ on the PNT500 enables us to offer one of the most advanced PNT solutions available today,” said Alan Hislop, Division VP of Business Development, Sales, and Marketing at Abaco Systems. “By integrating QinetiQ’s Q40 GNSS technology, we ensure that our customers have access to ultra-reliable data, even in contested environments where precision and timing are mission critical.”

James Willis, Chief Executive UK Intelligence, QinetiQ, added: “The Q40 GNSS receiver is designed to operate in the most challenging environments. Offering unrivalled position, timing, accuracy and anti-jamming capability, the Q40 delivers an assured PNT solution superior to standard, off the shelf products. Working with Abaco Systems, we are delivering an unparalleled PNT solution that delivers security, resilience, and precision in a wide range of high performance, mission critical applications.”

About QinetiQ:

QinetiQ is an integrated global defense and security company focused on mission-led innovation. We employ more than 8,500 highly-skilled people, committed to creating new ways of protecting what matters most; testing technologies, systems, and processes to make sure they meet operational needs; and enabling customers to deploy new and enhanced capabilities with the assurance they will deliver the performance required. Follow us on LinkedIn and X @QinetiQ.

About Abaco Systems:

Abaco Systems is a global leader in commercial open architecture computing and rugged embedded electronics. With more than 30 years of experience in aerospace & defense, industrial, energy, medical, communications and other critical sectors, Abaco’s innovative solutions align with open standards to accelerate customer success.

Abaco Systems is a business unit of AMETEK, Inc., a leading global provider of industrial technology solutions serving a diverse set of attractive niche markets with annual sales over $7.0 billion.