News in Short

• Qualinx has completed full Galileo OSNMA support on its QLX3Gx ultra-low-power GNSS receiver.
• The chip brings authenticated positioning to wearables, IoT sensors, asset trackers, and UAVs.
• OSNMA support is built directly into hardware without increasing power consumption.
• Mass production of the QLX3Gx Series is scheduled for the second half of 2026.

Qualinx has announced full Galileo OSNMA support for its QLX3Gx Series GNSS receiver, making authenticated positioning available to ultra-low-power devices for the first time. The development, completed with support from EUSPA, allows wearables, IoT sensors, asset trackers, and other battery-powered devices to verify the authenticity of satellite navigation signals without sacrificing power efficiency.

The move addresses a growing challenge across the connected-device industry. As GNSS spoofing and signal manipulation become more common, many low-power devices remain vulnerable because secure positioning features have traditionally been reserved for expensive and power-hungry systems.

What Did Qualinx Announce?

The latest announcement centers on the Qualinx QLX3Gx Series, an ultra-low-power GNSS receiver designed for battery-constrained devices. The company has now integrated Galileo’s Open Service Navigation Message Authentication, or OSNMA, directly into the chip architecture.

OSNMA allows GNSS receivers to verify that navigation messages originate from authentic Galileo satellites rather than malicious sources attempting to manipulate location data.

Until now, OSNMA support has mainly appeared in high-end navigation systems. That limited access to authenticated positioning across large segments of the market, including consumer wearables, industrial IoT deployments, smart trackers, and lightweight unmanned aerial vehicles.

With the new integration, Qualinx aims to make authenticated GNSS a standard capability rather than a premium feature.

According to Qualinx CEO Tom Trill, trusted positioning should be available to the devices that need it most. The company says embedding OSNMA support at the hardware level allows it to deliver security without introducing trade-offs in power consumption, cost, or performance.

Why Is Galileo OSNMA Important?

Satellite positioning systems have become essential for navigation, logistics, fitness tracking, asset monitoring, mobility services, and industrial automation. However, the growing dependence on location data has also increased the risk of spoofing attacks.

Spoofing occurs when attackers broadcast fake GNSS signals to trick receivers into reporting incorrect locations. Such attacks can disrupt operations, create safety risks, and generate financial losses.

Galileo OSNMA was developed to address this issue by authenticating navigation messages. Instead of blindly trusting incoming satellite signals, devices can verify their legitimacy before acting on location information.

For industries that depend on accurate positioning, authentication adds an extra layer of resilience against signal manipulation.

That benefit becomes especially important in asset tracking, logistics, connected mobility, and IoT deployments where thousands or millions of devices operate without direct human supervision.

How Does the QLX3Gx Make Authenticated Positioning Practical?

The biggest challenge in bringing security features to small connected devices has always been power consumption.

Traditional GNSS authentication processes often require additional computing resources. For battery-powered devices, that extra workload can significantly reduce operating life.

Qualinx says its QLX3Gx solves this problem by integrating OSNMA support directly into the hardware. As a result, authentication occurs without creating a meaningful impact on energy usage.

The company also highlights its proprietary Digital Radio Frequency, or DRF, technology. According to Qualinx, the QLX3Gx delivers up to ten times lower power consumption compared to conventional GNSS solutions.

This combination of low-power operation and built-in authentication could expand secure positioning capabilities across device categories that previously lacked practical protection against spoofing.

How Does EUSPA Fit Into the Project?

The development of OSNMA support was completed in collaboration with EUSPA, the European Union Agency for the Space Programme. The partnership reflects broader efforts to increase adoption of Galileo’s security features across commercial and consumer markets.

EUSPA has identified OSNMA as a strategic technology for strengthening resilience against spoofing and navigation signal manipulation. The agency sees wider deployment of authenticated GNSS as an important step toward improving trust in location-based services.

Florent Koné, EUSPA’s SatCom Market and Innovation Manager, said the project demonstrates that authenticated GNSS no longer needs to remain limited to high-power systems.

The collaboration also extends beyond navigation authentication. Qualinx notes that the QLX3Gx benefits from a secure production flow through GlobalFoundries, creating a security-focused approach that spans both manufacturing and real-world deployment.

What Does This Mean for the GNSS Market?

The timing is significant. According to the EU Space Market Report 2026, global GNSS revenues are expected to grow from €300 billion in 2024 to €580 billion by 2034. Much of that growth is expected to come from mass-market devices, including wearables, trackers, connected sensors, and mobility applications.

As the number of connected devices continues to rise, authenticated positioning is becoming increasingly relevant. Security concerns are no longer limited to critical infrastructure or specialized defense systems. They now affect everyday consumer and industrial products.

The Qualinx QLX3Gx demonstrates how authenticated positioning can move beyond premium applications and reach the broader market. By combining Galileo OSNMA support with ultra-low-power operation, Qualinx is positioning its technology at the intersection of security, connectivity, and sustainability.

The QLX3Gx Series is currently available for sampling, while mass production is planned for the second half of 2026. As connected devices become more dependent on location intelligence, the Qualinx approach could help make trusted GNSS positioning a standard expectation rather than an advanced feature.