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GNSS signals are increasingly disrupted or denied, both in Ukraine and in Northern Norway. The Trondheim-based company SentiSystems has developed a solution that ensures precise navigation even when GPS is unavailable.

In today’s operational environments, both civilian and military, access to GNSS can no longer be taken for granted. Experiences from the war in Ukraine show that GNSS signals are frequently jammed. Similar disruptions are increasingly common in Northern Norway, particularly in Finnmark. These challenges highlight the growing need for robust, alternative navigation solutions.

To address this need, SentiSystems has developed SentiNAV, a navigation system designed to deliver accurate and reliable positioning, even when satellite signals are denied.

What is GNSS?

GNSS stands for Global Navigation Satellite Systems, a collective term for satellite-based positioning technologies like GPS (USA), Galileo (EU), GLONASS (Russia), and BeiDou (China). These systems enable global navigation for everything from smartphones to ships, vehicles, and aircraft. When signals are blocked, jammed, or degraded, traditional positioning methods break down, which can be critical in high-stakes scenarios.

Fredrik Leira CTO and Arne Kjørsvik CEO in SentiSystems. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Ocean Autonomy Cluster

Navigation without satellite signals

According to CEO and founder Arne Kjørsvik, SentiNAV was built to ensure positioning in environments where satellite signals are either unavailable, blocked, or actively disrupted. This applies not only in military operations, but also in civil infrastructure, industrial logistics, and maritime applications.

Sub-terrain domains, including tunnels, underground spaces, and inside buildings, are also environments where GPS is unavailable.

SentiNAV fuses data from multiple sensors including IMUs, LiDAR, radar, and cameras to deliver precise positioning and full situational awareness, completely independent of GNSS.

The system applies a method called sensor fusion, combining input from different sources to create a highly reliable and accurate navigation picture. The IMU (inertial measurement unit) tracks acceleration and rotation. LiDAR uses laser scanning to generate detailed 3D maps of the environment. Radar adds reliable detection and distance measurement, even in low visibility, while cameras provide visual context that helps interpret surroundings. Together, these sensors enable SentiNAV to operate with high accuracy, even in GNSS-denied environments.

TSN compatibility for reliable data integration

SentiNAV is fully compatible with TSN (Time-Sensitive Networking), a technology standard that ensures precise and predictable data transfer in networks where timing is critical. TSN is widely used in autonomous systems, industrial control, and defense. With TSN support, SentiNAV integrates seamlessly into time-critical networks and delivers real-time navigation data with exceptional precision and reliability.

SentiSystems’ GNSS-independent navigation and situational awareness system SentiNAV MS-1 equipped with integrated cameras and sensors. TSN-compatible.

Built for demanding environments

The system is designed to function underground, in urban environments, offshore, and in contested zones. SentiNAV is already in testing and use across sectors. Whether deployed in autonomous drones operating in conflict areas, industrial vehicles working in mines and port terminals, or vessels navigating along signal-disrupted coastlines, SentiNAV delivers operational confidence in the most challenging conditions.

Read also: SentiSystems Develops Technology for World’s First Autonomous Ferry Connection

Part of a thriving tech ecosystem

SentiSystems is part of three leading innovation communities in Trøndelag: NORDSEC Defence and Security Cluster, Ocean Autonomy Cluster, and participates in the XLRTR program through the FI Ocean Space Incubator.

These networks provide a unique commercial and technical ecosystem that helps SentiSystems grow and position its technology for both national and international markets.

"We develop technology that works when it truly matters, when GPS is unavailable and the margins are tight. It's about safety, efficiency, and readiness," says Kjørsvik.

Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Ocean Autonomy Cluster

About SentiSystems

Founded in Trondheim, SentiSystems brings together a team with strong expertise in sensor technology, autonomy, and software development. The company delivers solutions for GNSS-independent navigation and situational awareness, with a focus on defense, industry, and maritime sectors. With SentiNAV, the company has established itself as a leading provider of resilient and precise navigation in mission-critical environments.

Want to learn more?

Contact Arne Kjørsvik, CEO, SentiSystems
Phone: +47 932 02 013
Email: arne.kjorsvik@sentisystems.com
Website: www.sentisystems.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/arnekjorsvik