Module monitors movements in high-interference areas.

• Author: Jean, Grace
• Position: SOLDIER TECHNOLOGY

PARIS -- Tracking soldiers and first responders in global positioning system-denied environments, such as urban buildings and subterranean tunnels, may now be possible thanks to a new technology that uses a range of sensors that are impervious to magnetic interference.

Vectronix, headquartered in Heerbrugg, Switzerland, has developed a core navigation module that can follow the movements of people in areas where electromagnetic disturbances disrupt traditional tracking devices.

The module incorporates existing digital compass technology--three accelerometers and three magnetometers--with a gyroscope and a barometer to track a person's location.

"What you have is the progression of modules," explains Louis Shadle, company spokesman. "The first module is most basic, a digital magnetic compass. When you add to the digital magnetic compass an accelerometer, you have the ability to measure inertial movement. That's a dead reckoning compass. Next, when you add a gyroscope, as well as a barometric sensor, that becomes the core navigation module. Each one builds upon previous technologies."

The core navigation module can feed the information into a computer or handhold device.

During a ground warfare exposition here, the company runs a demonstration of the module.

Wearing a vest with the system tucked into a compact pack in the small of her back, Celine Vanderstaeten, personal navigation project manager, walks around the floor of the exhibition. As she makes progress...