Development of the original WAAS is an example of how NovAtel has chosen to invent and lead in a technology-driven industry. NovAtel researchers anticipated a requirement and co-developed an error-reduction technology – Multipath Estimating Delay Lock Loop (MEDLL) – even before an opportunity for commercialization appeared. The design was so successful, the FAA sole-sourced NovAtel when it contracted the second-generation WAAS receiver in 2003. As a result of NovAtel’s continued investment in advanced research and development, the company is leading the way in precise positioning technologies. 

While NovAtel’s research focuses on core GPS innovation, it also includes “GPS+”, the combination of precision GPS integrated with other, complementary satellite system technologies, communication devices and/or positioning sensors.  In 2004, NovAtel introduced a system combining GPS and inertial technologies to offer continuous attitude and positioning performance, even in environments where GPS alone is unsuitable. As well, the company recently demonstrated a leading-edge dual-frequency, dual-mode Galileo/GPS receiver it developed for the ground reference infrastructure of Galileo, a satellite navigation system being developed by the European Union.