“Quantum Compass” Could Replace GPS
May 15th, 2014Via: Financial Times:
The Ministry of Defence is investing millions of pounds to look for the holy grail of navigation: a tamper and interference-proof device capable of pinpointing a location anywhere on the globe.
Scientists at Porton Down and the National Physical Laboratory believe they are three to five years away from developing a “quantum compass” that would be able to locate itself based on the subatomic effects of the earth’s magnetic field.
The technology, which would have no need for satellites or fixed points of reference such as radio masts, is of military interest around the world, because of the limitations of space-based navigation systems.
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“There is nothing in physics that could be used – given the knowledge we have now – to disrupt one of these [new] devices,” said Bob Cockshott at the NPL.
Scientists say the MoD technology could have civilian applications, as GPS does, and may eventually be available for use in smart phones.
