VIAVI Solutions, through its Inertial Labs division, has unveiled IRINS, a LEO aided inertial navigation system engineered for reliable positioning, navigation and timing in environments where GNSS signals are denied, degraded or deliberately disrupted. The new platform targets military, government and critical infrastructure users operating across land, air and maritime domains.
IRINS expands VIAVI’s Assured Positioning, Navigation and Timing portfolio by tightly integrating inertial sensing with resilient Low Earth Orbit based timing and navigation, addressing the rapid growth of jamming and spoofing threats worldwide.
Integrated INS and LEO PNT Architecture Improves Navigation Resilience
IRINS combines three core technologies into a single embedded system: an inertial navigation system, an attitude and heading reference system, and a GNSS independent LEO PNT receiver. By fusing tactical grade inertial sensors with LEO based timing, the system maintains continuous position, velocity, attitude and time even when traditional satellite navigation is unavailable.
The platform incorporates the STL 2600 Iridium receiver module, enabling access to LEO based PNT services that are inherently more resistant to interference than GNSS. A tightly coupled sensor architecture minimizes inertial drift and bias accumulation during extended GNSS outages.
Anti Jam and Anti Spoofing Capabilities for Contested Environments
To enhance situational awareness and signal integrity, IRINS also integrates a GNSS receiver interface with support for Controlled Reception Pattern Antenna systems. This allows detection and mitigation of hostile interference while maintaining seamless handover between GNSS assisted and GNSS independent navigation modes.
This multi layer approach enables users to retain trusted navigation and timing data during electronic warfare, urban canyon operations, and high interference operational theaters.
Environmental Certification and Hardware Configuration
IRINS is designed for harsh operational conditions and is certified to IP67 and MIL STD 810G environmental standards. The system is built around a fully calibrated tactical grade MEMS sensor suite, including three axis accelerometers, gyroscopes and a precision clock.
Additional onboard sensors include barometers, magnetometers and an optional integrated air data computer supporting advanced AHRS functionality. All electronics are housed in a compact enclosure measuring 126.5 × 49.3 × 53.3 millimeters, simplifying integration into space constrained platforms.
Strategic Collaboration with Iridium
LEO based PNT capability is enabled through integration with the Iridium satellite constellation, providing global coverage and resilient timing access. According to Iridium, combining LEO PNT with inertial navigation significantly improves operational continuity when GNSS signals are unavailable or compromised.
This collaboration reflects a growing industry shift toward diversified navigation architectures that reduce reliance on any single satellite system.
About VIAVI Solutions and Inertial Labs
VIAVI Solutions is a global technology company specializing in network testing, monitoring and secure positioning technologies, with annual revenue exceeding $1.3 billion and customers across defense, aerospace, telecommunications and critical infrastructure sectors. The company employs approximately 3,500 people worldwide and maintains operations in more than 25 countries.
Inertial Labs, acquired by VIAVI in 2023, is a recognized provider of tactical and navigation grade inertial measurement units and INS solutions, widely used in defense, aerospace, unmanned systems and industrial applications. The IRINS platform represents the first fully integrated product combining Inertial Labs sensor technology with VIAVI and Jackson Labs timing expertise into a single APNT solution.
