Into, who works as a researcher, joined the Finnish Geospatial Research Institute (FGI) of the National Land Survey of Finland (NLS) in 2021. At the FGI, Into works in the Resilient Positioning, Navigation and Timing (FGI-PNT) research group in the Department of Navigation and Positioning. Into focuses mainly on satellite positioning, but he also works on projects involving other technologies.
Into’s work duties involve the development of different types of software, signal processing and algorithms. He also works on method testing, which involves the planning of tests, the collection of test data using radio equipment and simulators, as well as the processing of collected data. Into’s recent research topics have involved the exploitation of new GNSS signals, positioning interference and the measurement of positioning errors caused by the ionosphere. A researcher’s job description also involves tasks such as brainstorming and the preparation of project and funding applications, conducting research, analysing results, and writing publications.
Diversified tasks and international cooperation
The most interesting aspect of Into’s work is that he is constantly learning something new.
“Most of the work duties are challenging and interesting, which makes the work highly motivating. Constant problem-solving requires a great deal of independent studying and collaboration with other researchers,” Into explains.
You might think that a researcher’s job is lonely grinding, but that is not the case. The work involves plenty of international collaboration. Projects are often realised with international partners and results are presented at international conferences.
Into has a master’s degree in engineering. He graduated from Aalto University in the spring of 2024. At the undergraduate level, his major was engineering physics, but he then switched to material physics and quantum technology. In addition to physics, Into has extensively studied programming and computation. He also spent a semester in Singapore as a postgraduate. Into wrote his master’s thesis in the field of his minor (signal processing and data science), titled Implementation of the new GPS L1C signal in a software-defined Global Navigation Satellite System Receiver.
“I did my thesis here at the FGI. When I started here in 2021, I was able to combine my research work and studies. I have been working full-time since the summer of 2023.”
The development of quantum technology may contribute to more precise measurements
Why did Into become interested in working at the NLS and the FGI?
“I applied for a summer job in 2021. My original work duties revolved around laser scanning research. At the time, the opportunity to do research on a topic that utilised physics and its modelling caught my attention. I have remained in the same department ever since, although my research topic has changed from laser scanning to positioning,” Into says.
In future, Into hopes to be able to delve deeper into the development of radio systems and sensors for navigation, geodesy and telecommunications applications. One technology that is of particular interest and will become more common in future is low-orbit satellites. In terms of sensors, Into is particularly interested in the development of quantum technology, which may introduce significant improvements in the measurement accuracy of position and time.