Spectral Autonomy

ASPN: The All-Source Positioning and Navigation Data Standard

Part of the Open Architecture Field Guide. All information is derived from unclassified, publicly releasable (Distribution A) sources.

ASPN, All-Source Positioning and Navigation, is a data standard that defines a common format for navigation-sensor measurements, so any conformant sensor can feed any conformant fusion engine. It originated with DARPA and, as of 2026, is governed by the PNT Standards Consortium.

What it does

A navigation system draws on many sensors, and each reports in its own way. A GPS receiver, an inertial unit, a vision system, and a signals-of-opportunity receiver describe what they measure in different formats. Fusion software has had to be written to each sensor's format, which ties a given fusion engine to a given set of sensors.

ASPN standardizes the measurement. It defines a generic, transport-agnostic way to describe a navigation measurement, with enough detail that a fusion engine can use it without knowing the specific sensor. A sensor that outputs ASPN measurements works with any fusion engine that consumes them, which lets sensors and navigation software be developed and sourced separately.

Sensors emit ASPN-format measurements into a fusion engineASPN defines a generic, transport-agnostic format for a navigation measurement. Any conformant sensor emits ASPN measurements, and any conformant fusion engine consumes them, so sensors and navigation software can be developed and sourced separately.GPSInertialVisionSignals of opportunityASPNcommon formatFusion engine
Spectral Autonomy
Any ASPN-conformant sensor feeds any ASPN-conformant fusion engine, so sensors and navigation software can be sourced separately.

Where it sits

ASPN is the data layer of the PNT family. It is the standard the Army's pntOS is built on, and the Air Force's R-EGI is built on it too, using ASPN for sensor integration. ASPN and pntOS moved together to the PNT Standards Consortium in 2026.

The open PNT standards: ASPN and pntOS, used by R-EGI and Army systemsASPN is the shared navigation data standard. pntOS is the open fusion framework built on it. The Air Force's R-EGI and Army PNT systems both build on pntOS and ASPN, which are governed by the PNT Standards Consortium.R-EGIAir ForceArmy PNT systemspntOSopen fusion frameworkASPNshared navigation data standard
Spectral Autonomy
The Air Force's R-EGI and the Army's PNT systems both build on pntOS and ASPN.

Where this fits

FAQ

What does ASPN standardize?
The format of navigation-sensor measurements, so any sensor can feed any fusion engine.
How is ASPN different from pntOS?
ASPN is the data format. pntOS is the software that fuses ASPN-format data. ASPN defines what a measurement looks like; pntOS decides what to do with it.
Does ASPN specify how measurements are transported?
No. ASPN is transport-agnostic: it defines the measurement content, and a program moves it over its chosen transport, such as DDS.
Who governs ASPN?
As of 2026, the PNT Standards Consortium. ASPN originated with DARPA.

Sources