European GNSS Agency

A professor at Stanford University, where he co-founded and directed the Stanford Centre for Position, Navigation and Time, Per pioneered research that led to the development of the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) and Local Area Augmentation Systems (LAAS). WAAS, which provides the same service in the United States as EGNOS in Europe, became fully operational for aviation in the US in 2003.

The GSA in particular remembers Per for his outstanding contribution to the Horizon 2020 project RHINOS, where he brought his GNSS aeronautics experience to rail applications to create a new high integrity concept for trains. Per’s dedication will always be an example, and the GSA would like to honour him by continuing our joint work, building on his enthusiasm and his visionary approach. 

"Per has long been a guiding light for the GNSS community, including for the GSA. More recently he has inspired us with his work on the convergence between satellite navigation and the rail sector. The best way we can honour his memory now is to continue working in the direction he has shown us," said GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides.

Lasting legacy

It was not only his colleagues at the GSA that benefited from his experience, Per was a teacher and mentor to many Ph.D. and other graduate-level students at Stanford and helped launch a popular massive open online course (MOOC) for the GPS community outside the university.

Per was born Oct. 29, 1953, in Bergen, Norway. He immigrated at the age of 2 to the United States. He earned his BS in electrical engineering at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1975 and his MS and PhD at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1979 and 1983, respectively.

Further biographical information is available in the Stanford News.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The European GNSS Agency (GSA) joins the international GNSS community in remembering Professor Per Kristian Enge, a friend and colleague who inspired many Europeans as one of the world’s foremost experts in GNSS technologies. 

A professor at Stanford University, where he co-founded and directed the Stanford Centre for Position, Navigation and Time, Per pioneered research that led to the development of the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) and Local Area Augmentation Systems (LAAS). WAAS, which provides the same service in the United States as EGNOS in Europe, became fully operational for aviation in the US in 2003.

The GSA in particular remembers Per for his outstanding contribution to the Horizon 2020 project RHINOS, where he brought his GNSS aeronautics experience to rail applications to create a new high integrity concept for trains. Per’s dedication will always be an example, and the GSA would like to honour him by continuing our joint work, building on his enthusiasm and his visionary approach. 

"Per has long been a guiding light for the GNSS community, including for the GSA. More recently he has inspired us with his work on the convergence between satellite navigation and the rail sector. The best way we can honour his memory now is to continue working in the direction he has shown us," said GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides.

Lasting legacy

It was not only his colleagues at the GSA that benefited from his experience, Per was a teacher and mentor to many Ph.D. and other graduate-level students at Stanford and helped launch a popular massive open online course (MOOC) for the GPS community outside the university.

Per was born Oct. 29, 1953, in Bergen, Norway. He immigrated at the age of 2 to the United States. He earned his BS in electrical engineering at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1975 and his MS and PhD at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1979 and 1983, respectively.

Further biographical information is available in the Stanford News.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The European GNSS Agency (GSA) joins the international GNSS community in remembering Professor Per Kristian Enge, a friend and colleague who inspired many Europeans as one of the world’s foremost experts in GNSS technologies. 

A professor at Stanford University, where he co-founded and directed the Stanford Centre for Position, Navigation and Time, Per pioneered research that led to the development of the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) and Local Area Augmentation Systems (LAAS). WAAS, which provides the same service in the United States as EGNOS in Europe, became fully operational for aviation in the US in 2003.

The GSA in particular remembers Per for his outstanding contribution to the Horizon 2020 project RHINOS, where he brought his GNSS aeronautics experience to rail applications to create a new high integrity concept for trains. Per’s dedication will always be an example, and the GSA would like to honour him by continuing our joint work, building on his enthusiasm and his visionary approach. 

"Per has long been a guiding light for the GNSS community, including for the GSA. More recently he has inspired us with his work on the convergence between satellite navigation and the rail sector. The best way we can honour his memory now is to continue working in the direction he has shown us," said GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides.

Per Enge with H2020 RHINOS team in Stanford, Rail-GNSS workshop, November 2016

Lasting legacy

It was not only his colleagues at the GSA that benefited from his experience, Per was a teacher and mentor to many Ph.D. and other graduate-level students at Stanford and helped launch a popular massive open online course (MOOC) for the GPS community outside the university.

Per was born Oct. 29, 1953, in Bergen, Norway. He immigrated at the age of 2 to the United States. He earned his BS in electrical engineering at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1975 and his MS and PhD at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1979 and 1983, respectively.

Further biographical information is available in the Stanford News.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

As Galileo moves closer to full services, an international group of young professionals gathered to discuss how space has entered the mainstream in our daily culture.

For the second year in a row, leaders from the European GNSS Agency (GSA) were part of discussions and learning at the Space Generation Fusion Forum (Fusion Forum), this year held on April 14-15 in Colorado Springs, U.S.A. The two-day development and networking event for approximately 60 students and young space professionals is held annually in conjunction with the International Space Symposium.

Sixty years after the launch of Sputnik, the gathering of individuals 35 years old and younger met to explore the core theme “Space in the Mainstream.” Through discussion tracks, expert panels, keynote presentations and interactive activities, the attendees discussed how space-related innovations, such as global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) have become mainstream to our culture and common in our everyday and professional lives. 

GSA's Rodrigo da Costa moderates a group discussion at the Space Generation Fusion Forum

Delivering maximum performance

Rodrigo da Costa, Galileo Services Programme Manager at the GSA, moderated the “Innovative Influences of Space on Earth” discussion track. As a backdrop to the conversation, da Costa noted that the European global navigation constellation, Galileo, is already providing service to millions of people, with more satellites launching into service this year.

“Four more Galileo satellites were launched in December 2017 and will enter service in 2018,” noted da Costa. “These satellites will join the 18 others already in space, and four more are scheduled for launch in July. The result is a next generation of location technology that will deliver maximum performance, flexibility and reliability to further evolve services into our daily lives.”

Carlo des Dorides, Executive Director of the GSA, provided the closing remarks at Fusion Forum. Through a presentation entitled “The dream becomes a reality,” des Dorides provided perspectives of the transition of space from myth to ‘mainstream.’

GNSS – a truly pervasive reality

“A primary mainstream case is GNSS,” said des Dorides. “There were 25 navigation satellites 20 years ago, today there are more than 80. GNSS is an invisible revolution that has helped to turn the science fiction of the 1960s into a truly pervasive reality. Today, everyone has a space receiver in their pocket. Satellites in the mainstream help us move, play and work – from traffic management apps to guiding tourists and precision farming.”

Citing what to expect on the horizon, des Dorides outlined how satellite technology will advance to enable ubiquitous positioning capabilities, autonomous vehicles and farming, along with passive to active augmented reality.

“All of this innovation is becoming mainstream as Galileo grows closer to full services,” concluded da Costa. “GSA is Europe’s ‘mainstream space catalyst’. We are changing the technology paradigm and focussing on evolving user requirements as we approach the threshold of living on a planet where every person has a GNSS device.”

A recently study from the European GNSS Agency (GSA) and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA): “EGNSS and COPERNICUS: Supporting the Sustainable Development Goals. Building blocks towards the 2030 Agenda” investigates how EU space technologies support the fulfilment of the UN SDGs. You can read the study here.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

Participants in the Challenges in Arctic Navigation workshop in Olos, Muonio, Finland on April 16-18 discussed how GNSS can address some of the difficulties posed by navigation in the Arctic, in addition to how satellite navigation itself can be improved in the region, which is also a challenging environment for GNSS.

The Challenges in Arctic Navigation workshop was held under the Finnish Chairmanship of the Arctic Council. The workshop was organised by the Ministry and Communications (Mrs Seija Miettinen-Bellevergue) and the Finnish Geospatial Research Institute (Prof. Heidi Kuusniemi) and funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

A number of challenges to both conventional and satellite navigation were highlighted during the conference. These range from severe climatic and ice conditions, to the long distances involved in navigating in the region, all of which result in longer emergency response times for search and rescue. The challenge of sparse telecommunications coverage in the Arctic was also highlighted.

Low EGNOS coverage due to the poor visibility of geostationary (GEO) satellites received a lot of attention. This was highlighted as a significant obstacle to the expansion of SBAS-based navigation in Arctic aviation. Specifically, poor EGNOS LPV 200 coverage in the North and the Arctic means that it is not possible to use this service for landing aircraft. New satellite constellations in low-Earth or highly elliptic orbits were seen as a promising solution. Some participants also noted specific challenges with the reception of GNSS signals at Auroral latitudes.

Challenges and opportunities were discussed in Arctic navigation in Olos, Muonio

In addition to GNSS and telecommunications, navigation in the Arctic also benefits from other space-based technologies, especially in the maritime domain. "Sea currents are chaotic and not well predictable if satellite images are not available," Veli Luukkala, Chief Officer at Arctia Icebreaking Ltd., said.

While acknowledging these challenges in his address at the conference, Gian Gherardo Calini, the GSA’s Head of Market Development, also stressed some of the opportunities offered by EGNSS for different applications. The ones coming from implementation of EGNOS based procedures in aviation are: improved accessibility and operational capability, reduced environmental impacts and costs, infrastructure rationalisation, and increased safety. With regard to the low level of EGNOS coverage, he said that extension of the commitment areas for APV-I, NPA and LPV-200 up to 72ºN in Norway and Finland is planned for 2018 according to the EGNOS SoL Implementation Roadmap.

Watch this: EGNOS is growing

Regarding the issue of emergency response times, Calini said that, with the increased positioning accuracy provided by Galileo integrated into COSPAS-SARSAT, users would benefit from reduced detection times, improved localisation, increased availability and the return link function. “If a person in distress knows that their message has been heard and that help is on the way, this is very important. This is a key differentiator of Galileo,” he said.

In his address at the workshop, Eric Guyader, Galileo Programme Administrator at the European Commission, said that since 2013, the European Commission has been developing modernisation plans for Galileo, to ensure that the system can respond to new challenges in the use of GNSS. He said that the EC’s approach is to capture the strategic priorities of the Member States, including in the Arctic, and to understand the changing GNSS environment.

Regarding the specific challenges posed by the Arctic region, he said that the Commission is in open dialogue with countries in the region to establish priorities. He said that Galileo provides good service overall in both navigation and SAR, and that, in combination with GPS and GLONASS, it would offer excellent service.

Guyader said that the Galileo modernisation includes plans for Advanced Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (ARAIM), and emergency warning service and an ionosphere prediction service, which will make it possible to quickly react to sudden signal degradation.

In another presentation, a representative from academia noted that ionospheric scintillation, or the rapid modification of radio waves by small-scale structures in the ionosphere, was an important concern in the Arctic, primarily for service availability and continuity, rather than integrity. He said that dual-frequency GNSS offered a possible solution, as it would allow users to directly and robustly estimate ionospheric delay.

A potential solution to the problem of poor visibility of GEO satellites was offered by Kjersti Moldekelev, Senior Adviser at the Norwegian Space Centre. Moldeklev said that the company Space Norway was planning to launch HEO satellites in 2022, which would provide broadband access to the Arctic region. She said that if these HEO satellites were to carry SBAS payload, this would give the EU a foothold in the Arctic. "This will definitely be a solution for communications challenges in the region and perhaps for navigation challenges also,” she said.

Local stakeholders in Arctic navigation were well represented at the workshop, including the Finnish Defence Forces, the Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority, and companies such as Finnair, KNL Networks, and Reaktor. The stakeholders actively contributed to the workshop by giving keynote addresses, participating in panel discussions, and working in expert groups to build a roadmap towards resolving the challenges of Arctic navigation.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

Participants in the Challenges in Arctic Navigation workshop in Olos, Muonio, Finland on April 16-18 discussed how GNSS can address some of the difficulties posed by navigation in the Arctic, in addition to how satellite navigation itself can be improved in the region, which is also a challenging environment for GNSS.

The Challenges in Arctic Navigation workshop was held under the Finnish Chairmanship of the Arctic Council. The workshop was organised by the Ministry and Communications (Mrs Seija Miettinen-Bellevergue) and the Finnish Geospatial Research Institute (Prof. Heidi Kuusniemi) and funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

A number of challenges to both conventional and satellite navigation were highlighted during the conference. These range from severe climatic and ice conditions, to the long distances involved in navigating in the region, all of which result in longer emergency response times for search and rescue. The challenge of sparse telecommunications coverage in the Arctic was also highlighted.

Low EGNOS coverage due to the poor visibility of geostationary (GEO) satellites received a lot of attention. This was highlighted as a significant obstacle to the expansion of SBAS-based navigation in Arctic aviation. Specifically, poor EGNOS LPV 200 coverage in the North and the Arctic means that it is not possible to use this service for landing aircraft. New satellite constellations in low-Earth or highly elliptic orbits were seen as a promising solution. Some participants also noted specific challenges with the reception of GNSS signals at Auroral latitudes.

In addition to GNSS and telecommunications, navigation in the Arctic also benefits from other space-based technologies, especially in the maritime domain. "Sea currents are chaotic and not well predictable if satellite images are not available," Veli Luukkala, Chief Officer at Arctia Icebreaking Ltd., said.

While acknowledging these challenges in his address at the conference, Gian Gherardo Calini, the GSA’s Head of Market Development, also stressed some of the opportunities offered by EGNSS for different applications. The ones coming from implementation of EGNOS based procedures in aviation are: improved accessibility and operational capability, reduced environmental impacts and costs, infrastructure rationalisation, and increased safety. With regard to the low level of EGNOS coverage, he said that extension of the commitment areas for APV-I, NPA and LPV-200 up to 72ºN in Norway and Finland is planned for 2018 according to the EGNOS SoL Implementation Roadmap.

Watch this: EGNOS is growing

Regarding the issue of emergency response times, Calini said that, with the increased positioning accuracy provided by Galileo integrated into COSPAS-SARSAT, users would benefit from reduced detection times, improved localisation, increased availability and the return link function. “If a person in distress knows that their message has been heard and that help is on the way, this is very important. This is a key differentiator of Galileo,” he said.

In his address at the workshop, Eric Guyader, Galileo Programme Administrator at the European Commission, said that since 2013, the European Commission has been developing modernisation plans for Galileo, to ensure that the system can respond to new challenges in the use of GNSS. He said that the EC’s approach is to capture the strategic priorities of the Member States, including in the Arctic, and to understand the changing GNSS environment.

Regarding the specific challenges posed by the Arctic region, he said that the Commission is in open dialogue with countries in the region to establish priorities. He said that Galileo provides good service overall in both navigation and SAR, and that, in combination with GPS and GLONASS, it would offer excellent service.

Guyader said that the Galileo modernisation includes plans for Advanced Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (ARAIM), and emergency warning service and an ionosphere prediction service, which will make it possible to quickly react to sudden signal degradation.

In another presentation, a representative from academia noted that ionospheric scintillation, or the rapid modification of radio waves by small-scale structures in the ionosphere, was an important concern in the Arctic, primarily for service availability and continuity, rather than integrity. He said that dual-frequency GNSS offered a possible solution, as it would allow users to directly and robustly estimate ionospheric delay.

A potential solution to the problem of poor visibility of GEO satellites was offered by Kjersti Moldekelev, Senior Adviser at the Norwegian Space Centre. Moldeklev said that the company Space Norway was planning to launch HEO satellites in 2022, which would provide broadband access to the Arctic region. She said that if these HEO satellites were to carry SBAS payload, this would give the EU a foothold in the Arctic. "This will definitely be a solution for communications challenges in the region and perhaps for navigation challenges also,” she said.

Local stakeholders in Arctic navigation were well represented at the workshop, including the Finnish Defence Forces, the Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority, and companies such as Finnair, KNL Networks, and Reaktor. The stakeholders actively contributed to the workshop by giving keynote addresses, participating in panel discussions, and working in expert groups to build a roadmap towards resolving the challenges of Arctic navigation.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

Participants in the Challenges in Arctic Navigation workshop in Olos, Muonio, Finland on April 16-18 discussed how GNSS can address some of the difficulties posed by navigation in the Arctic, in addition to how satellite navigation itself can be improved in the region, which is also a challenging environment for GNSS.

The Challenges in Arctic Navigation workshop was held under the Finnish Chairmanship of the Arctic Council. The workshop was organised by the Ministry and Communications (Mrs Seija Miettinen-Bellevergue) and the Finnish Geospatial Research Institute (Prof. Heidi Kuusniemi) and funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

A number of challenges to both conventional and satellite navigation were highlighted during the conference. These range from severe climatic and ice conditions, to the long distances involved in navigating in the region, all of which result in longer emergency response times for search and rescue. The challenge of sparse telecommunications coverage in the Arctic was also highlighted.

Low EGNOS coverage due to the poor visibility of geostationary (GEO) satellites received a lot of attention. This was highlighted as a significant obstacle to the expansion of SBAS-based navigation in Arctic aviation. Specifically, poor EGNOS LPV 200 coverage in the North and the Arctic means that it is not possible to use this service for landing aircraft. New satellite constellations in low-Earth or highly elliptic orbits were seen as a promising solution. Some participants also noted specific challenges with the reception of GNSS signals at Auroral latitudes.

In addition to GNSS and telecommunications, navigation in the Arctic also benefits from other space-based technologies, especially in the maritime domain. "Sea currents are chaotic and not well predictable if satellite images are not available," Veli Luukkala, Chief Officer at Arctia Icebreaking Ltd., said.

While acknowledging these challenges in his address at the conference, Gian Gherardo Calini, the GSA’s Head of Market Development, also stressed some of the opportunities offered by EGNSS for different applications. The ones coming from implementation of EGNOS based procedures in aviation are: improved accessibility and operational capability, reduced environmental impacts and costs, infrastructure rationalisation, and increased safety. With regard to the low level of EGNOS coverage, he said that extension of the commitment areas for APV-I, NPA and LPV-200 up to 72ºN in Norway and Finland is planned for 2018 according to the EGNOS SoL Implementation Roadmap.

Watch this: EGNOS is growing

Regarding the issue of emergency response times, Calini said that, with the increased positioning accuracy provided by Galileo integrated into COSPAS-SARSAT, users would benefit from reduced detection times, improved localisation, increased availability and the return link function. “If a person in distress knows that their message has been heard and that help is on the way, this is very important. This is a key differentiator of Galileo,” he said.

In his address at the workshop, Eric Guyader, Galileo Programme Administrator at the European Commission, said that since 2013, the European Commission has been developing modernisation plans for Galileo, to ensure that the system can respond to new challenges in the use of GNSS. He said that the EC’s approach is to capture the strategic priorities of the Member States, including in the Arctic, and to understand the changing GNSS environment.

Regarding the specific challenges posed by the Arctic region, he said that the Commission is in open dialogue with countries in the region to establish priorities. He said that Galileo provides good service overall in both navigation and SAR, and that, in combination with GPS and GLONASS, it would offer excellent service.

Guyader said that the Galileo modernisation includes plans for Advanced Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (ARAIM), and emergency warning service and an ionosphere prediction service, which will make it possible to quickly react to sudden signal degradation.

In another presentation, a representative from academia noted that ionospheric scintillation, or the rapid modification of radio waves by small-scale structures in the ionosphere, was an important concern in the Arctic, primarily for service availability and continuity, rather than integrity. He said that dual-frequency GNSS offered a possible solution, as it would allow users to directly and robustly estimate ionospheric delay.

A potential solution to the problem of poor visibility of GEO satellites was offered by Kjersti Moldekelev, Senior Adviser at the Norwegian Space Centre. Moldeklev said that the company Space Norway was planning to launch HEO satellites in 2022, which would provide broadband access to the Arctic region. She said that if these HEO satellites were to carry SBAS payload, this would give the EU a foothold in the Arctic. "This will definitely be a solution for communications challenges in the region and perhaps for navigation challenges also,” she said.

Local stakeholders in Arctic navigation were well represented at the workshop, including the Finnish Defence Forces, the Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority, and companies such as Finnair, KNL Networks, and Reaktor. The stakeholders actively contributed to the workshop by giving keynote addresses, participating in panel discussions, and working in expert groups to build a roadmap towards resolving the challenges of Arctic navigation.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

Participants in the Challenges in Arctic Navigation workshop in Olos, Muonio, Finland on April 16-18 discussed how GNSS can address some of the difficulties posed by navigation in the Arctic, in addition to how satellite navigation itself can be improved in the region, which is also a challenging environment for GNSS.

The Challenges in Arctic Navigation workshop was held under the Finnish Chairmanship of the Arctic Council. The workshop was organised by the Ministry and Communications (Mrs Seija Miettinen-Bellevergue) and the Finnish Geospatial Research Institute (Prof. Heidi Kuusniemi) and funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

A number of challenges to both conventional and satellite navigation were highlighted during the conference. These range from severe climatic and ice conditions, to the long distances involved in navigating in the region, all of which result in longer emergency response times for search and rescue. The challenge of sparse telecommunications coverage in the Arctic was also highlighted.

Low EGNOS coverage due to the poor visibility of geostationary (GEO) satellites received a lot of attention. This was highlighted as a significant obstacle to the expansion of SBAS-based navigation in Arctic aviation. Specifically, poor EGNOS LPV 200 coverage in the North and the Arctic means that it is not possible to use this service for landing aircraft. New satellite constellations in low-Earth or highly elliptic orbits were seen as a promising solution. Some participants also noted specific challenges with the reception of GNSS signals at Auroral latitudes.

In addition to GNSS and telecommunications, navigation in the Arctic also benefits from other space-based technologies, especially in the maritime domain. "Sea currents are chaotic and not well predictable if satellite images are not available," Veli Luukkala, Chief Officer at Arctia Icebreaking Ltd., said.

While acknowledging these challenges in his address at the conference, Gian Gherardo Calini, the GSA’s Head of Market Development, also stressed some of the opportunities offered by EGNSS for different applications. The ones coming from implementation of EGNOS based procedures in aviation are: improved accessibility and operational capability, reduced environmental impacts and costs, infrastructure rationalisation, and increased safety. With regard to the low level of EGNOS coverage, he said that extension of the commitment areas for APV-I, NPA and LPV-200 up to 72ºN in Norway and Finland is planned for 2018 according to the EGNOS SoL Implementation Roadmap.

Watch this: EGNOS is growing

Regarding the issue of emergency response times, Calini said that, with the increased positioning accuracy provided by Galileo integrated into COSPAS-SARSAT, users would benefit from reduced detection times, improved localisation, increased availability and the return link function. “If a person in distress knows that their message has been heard and that help is on the way, this is very important. This is a key differentiator of Galileo,” he said.

In his address at the workshop, Eric Guyader, Galileo Programme Administrator at the European Commission, said that since 2013, the European Commission has been developing modernisation plans for Galileo, to ensure that the system can respond to new challenges in the use of GNSS. He said that the EC’s approach is to capture the strategic priorities of the Member States, including in the Arctic, and to understand the changing GNSS environment.

Regarding the specific challenges posed by the Arctic region, he said that the Commission is in open dialogue with countries in the region to establish priorities. He said that Galileo provides good service overall in both navigation and SAR, and that, in combination with GPS and GLONASS, it would offer excellent service.

Guyader said that the Galileo modernisation includes plans for Advanced Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (ARAIM), and emergency warning service and an ionosphere prediction service, which will make it possible to quickly react to sudden signal degradation.

In another presentation, a representative from academia noted that ionospheric scintillation, or the rapid modification of radio waves by small-scale structures in the ionosphere, was an important concern in the Arctic, primarily for service availability and continuity, rather than integrity. He said that dual-frequency GNSS offered a possible solution, as it would allow users to directly and robustly estimate ionospheric delay.

A potential solution to the problem of poor visibility of GEO satellites was offered by Kjersti Moldekelev, Senior Adviser at the Norwegian Space Centre. Moldeklev said that the company Space Norway was planning to launch HEO satellites in 2022, which would provide broadband access to the Arctic region. She said that if these HEO satellites were to carry SBAS payload, this would give the EU a foothold in the Arctic. "This will definitely be a solution for communications challenges in the region and perhaps for navigation challenges also,” she said.

Local stakeholders in Arctic navigation were well represented at the workshop, including the Finnish Defence Forces, the Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority, and companies such as Finnair, KNL Networks, and Reaktor. The stakeholders actively contributed to the workshop by giving keynote addresses, participating in panel discussions, and working in expert groups to build a roadmap towards resolving the challenges of Arctic navigation.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

From automatic steering to farm machinery guidance, variable rate application, yield and soil monitoring and livestock tracking, precision agriculture depends on the precise positioning provided by GNSS.

However, in order to get the level of precision these types of farming applications demand, GNSS signals must be augmented. In Europe, this augmentation is provided by EGNOS.

Although EGNOS is widely available, there are remote and rural areas in Europe where coverage is lacking. Other augmentation providers may provide coverage in the areas, however typically they are expensive, sometimes due to high subscription fees, and are not easy to tailor to the agricultural needs. To help fill the needs of such small farms, the Horizon 2020 AUDITOR project is developing a ground-based GNSS augmentation system that will deliver high-performance and cost-efficient services and applications for the agriculture industry.

“The purpose of this project is to develop an improved GNSS ground-based augmentation system using modern and proven algorithms in highly configurable, cost-effect receivers,” says Project Coordinator Esther Lopez. “As a result, AUDITOR will enable cost-effective precision agriculture services for farmers, especially those with small and mid-sized farms in areas where EGNOS availability is limited.”
The future of farming

The AUDITOR system is based on a radio frequency (RF) dual-band multi-constellation GNSS front-end and an embedded digital processing platform. The front-end receiver acquires the GNSS signals and embeds all analogue and digital hardware required to convert the RF signal to digital samples. The digital processing platform then converts and customises the signals for the AUDITOR systems. The system serves as the basis for providing higher-level services for the end user via cloud-based web and/or mobile applications.

Once finalised, AUDITOR is set to be used in a range of precision agriculture applications. For example, with AUDITOR applications, farmers will be able to accurately measure spatial variability in soils and crops. This information, expressed in the form of yield maps, allows a farmer to precisely apply fertiliser, water and pesticides – thus reducing production costs and the farm’s environmental impact. AUDITOR’s high-accuracy positioning will also enable the use of autonomous mobile robotic units for identifying weeds, pests and diseases.

“Producing precise maps of the soil and crops, as well as the spatially varying application of fertiliser that these maps enable, is completely dependent on the availability of an augmented GNSS signal,” says Lopez. “Thanks to AUDITOR, even areas in Eastern and Southern Europe that once were unable to get the required precise GNSS signal can reap the benefits of precision agriculture.”

With the ever-increasing requirement for augmented yield and profitability and energy and cost savings, the future of farming is precision agriculture. By focusing on providing the augmentation needed to enable existing precision agriculture applications in Europe alone, Lopez is confident that AUDITOR will be well-positioned to compete on the market.
A version of this article originally appeared on the EU’s CORDIS website.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

From automatic steering to farm machinery guidance, variable rate application, yield and soil monitoring and livestock tracking, precision agriculture depends on the precise positioning provided by GNSS.

However, in order to get the level of precision these types of farming applications demand, GNSS signals must be augmented. In Europe, this augmentation is provided by EGNOS.

Although EGNOS is widely available, there are remote and rural areas in Europe where coverage is lacking. Other augmentation providers may provide coverage in the areas, however typically they are expensive, sometimes due to high subscription fees, and are not easy to tailor to the agricultural needs. To help fill the needs of such small farms, the Horizon 2020 AUDITOR project is developing a ground-based GNSS augmentation system that will deliver high-performance and cost-efficient services and applications for the agriculture industry.

“The purpose of this project is to develop an improved GNSS ground-based augmentation system using modern and proven algorithms in highly configurable, cost-effect receivers,” says Project Coordinator Esther Lopez. “As a result, AUDITOR will enable cost-effective precision agriculture services for farmers, especially those with small and mid-sized farms in areas where EGNOS availability is limited.”

The future of farming

The AUDITOR system is based on a radio frequency (RF) dual-band multi-constellation GNSS front-end and an embedded digital processing platform. The front-end receiver acquires the GNSS signals and embeds all analogue and digital hardware required to convert the RF signal to digital samples. The digital processing platform then converts and customises the signals for the AUDITOR systems. The system serves as the basis for providing higher-level services for the end user via cloud-based web and/or mobile applications.

Once finalised, AUDITOR is set to be used in a range of precision agriculture applications. For example, with AUDITOR applications, farmers will be able to accurately measure spatial variability in soils and crops. This information, expressed in the form of yield maps, allows a farmer to precisely apply fertiliser, water and pesticides – thus reducing production costs and the farm’s environmental impact. AUDITOR’s high-accuracy positioning will also enable the use of autonomous mobile robotic units for identifying weeds, pests and diseases.

“Producing precise maps of the soil and crops, as well as the spatially varying application of fertiliser that these maps enable, is completely dependent on the availability of an augmented GNSS signal,” says Lopez. “Thanks to AUDITOR, even areas in Eastern and Southern Europe that once were unable to get the required precise GNSS signal can reap the benefits of precision agriculture.”

With the ever-increasing requirement for augmented yield and profitability and energy and cost savings, the future of farming is precision agriculture. By focusing on providing the augmentation needed to enable existing precision agriculture applications in Europe alone, Lopez is confident that AUDITOR will be well-positioned to compete on the market.
A version of this article originally appeared on the EU’s CORDIS website.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The GSA-funded BLUEGNSS project (Promoting EGNSS Operational Adoption in BLUEMED) was launched in 2016 with the aim of promoting the adoption of European GNSS in the BLUEMED Functional Airspace Block. Preliminary results, presented at the World ATM Congress in Madrid on March 6, show significant gains in safety and airport accessibility in the target countries.

To achieve its overarching goal of promoting EGNSS adoption, the BLUEGNSS project’s primary objective is to harmonise the implementation of PBN approach operations among the BLUE MED FAB states - Greece, Cyprus, Malta and Italy - using EGNSS (EGNOS and Galileo). With this in mind, the project focuses on three main streams: GNSS procedures design and validation; GNSS training; and GNSS monitoring.

Good results

BLUEGNSS is designing 3D GNSS procedures, known as RNP approach (Required Navigation Performance), for 11 selected airports (4 in Greece, 4 in Italy, 2 in Cyprus and 1 in Malta) to increase their accessibility and safety. In this way, the project supports BLUE MED countries in accelerating GNSS 3D approaches in view of the European PBN Implementing Rule, which is under discussion and which proposes implementation of 3D GNSS approaches by 2024, either as the primary approach or as a back-up for precision approaches.

Watch this: EGNOS for Aviation - High Precision, Low investment

The project got off to a good start in 2018 with the successful validation in January of 3 new GNSS procedures for Lamezia, Parma and Cuneo airports in Italy. This was followed by validations for Larnaca and Paphos in Cyprus in March. The GNSS approaches in Cyprus were successfully validated despite bad weather, further demonstrating the safety benefits of GNSS vertical guidance in adverse weather conditions. To date, 14 GNSS procedures have been designed and validated by the BLUEGNSS project. The last remaining one, Bolzano, is the most challenging due to its orography and the need to test RNP Authorization Required procedures, which is the first time Italy has had to deal with this.

Supporting implementation

The project is also providing training, to ensure that airspace procedure designers are able to deal with the design of RNP approach procedures and related minima. Specific workshops were organised to share and discuss the design principles among design task leaders and project members. In 2016, training was provided on Advanced Procedures for Air Navigation Services, Operations (PANS OPS) design and in 2017 there have been air traffic controller (ATCO) and non-ATCO training courses for instructors, all of which have been delivered by the certified ENAV Academy.

In addition, the project recognises GNSS performance monitoring as one of the main enablers for the implementation and acceptance of the new RNP APCH operations, paving the way for Galileo acceptance in aviation. With this in mind, the project is adopting a regional and multi-source approach to monitoring through the deployment of an innovative dedicated network devoted not only to standard GNSS performance assessment, but also to interference assessment and reporting, and GNSS data recording.

The project’s GNSS monitoring solution is the first to be fully ICAO compliant, it is modular and interoperable with other systems, and cost-benefit analyses at regional level have shown positive results. The system automatically generates daily and monthly monitoring reports, which are available in the restricted area of the BLUEMED portal www.bluemed.aero.

Speaking at the World ATM Congress in Madrid on March 6, BLUEGNSS Project Coordinator Patrizio Vanni was upbeat about the project results achieved so far. “The project is in good health and close to completion, almost all of the challenges have been successfully completed,” Vanni said.

Cross-fertilization

BLUEGNSS is the first time in Europe that a RNP approach implementation project has been coordinated at FAB level. One of the advantages of this approach is that countries and air navigation service providers with limited experience in RNP approach operational implementation can benefit from intra-FAB cross-fertilization.

BLUEGNSS is one of the Horizon 2020-Galileo-2015-1 projects selected for co-financing by the GSA. The consortium, led by ENAV, is composed of the BLUE MED FAB ANSP partners - DCAC, HCAA and MATS - and IDS (Ingegneria dei Sistemi) which is the only industrial partner. Launched in January 2016, the project is scheduled to last 30 months.

For more information, check the project website or the project page on the GSA site.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

On May 25-26 the ActInSpace innovation contest will bring entrepreneurs, students, job seekers, developers and creative minds together in over 60 cities across 5 continents to work on real-life challenges and to design innovative services and applications using space technologies and data. This year the European GNSS Agency (GSA) has set three challenges in the contest.

Initiated by the French Space Agency (CNES) and supported by the European GNSS Agency and European Space Agency (ESA), ActInSpace aims to demonstrate the socio-economic potential of the space sector and show how it can have a positive impact on our daily lives. By demonstrating that space is a vector of innovation for employment and economic development, the contest hopes to boost start-up creation by encouraging young people to leverage space technologies in their businesses.

GSA Challenges

For this year’s event, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) has set three challenges, the first of which – Geocaching by Satellite - asks participants to use Galileo to develop an innovative geocaching game relying on GNSS positioning. For the second GSA challenge – Art with Satellites – teams should develop an app to draw and write in a map using satellite navigation and the users’ movements by leveraging on Galileo-enhanced positioning.

Finally, the GNSS Satellites Selector challenge asks hackathon participants to design an app that allows them to calculate the Position Velocity and Time (PVT) solution by employing their favourite GNSS constellations and, of course, Galileo. By comparing the data obtained by single satellites, they should propose selection algorithms for satellite constellations based on different criteria.

GSA prize

During the contest the GSA will present its Galileo Geekie Award to the team considered to have best responded to one of the above challenges. The lucky winner will be selected to present their application at European Space Week 2018, the largest gathering of GNSS and Earth Observation experts in Europe, to be held in Marseille on 3-6 December. The GSA will offer the winner a three-day stay at the conference and the possibility to present their application idea.

Bringing creative minds together

The competition is open to teams of from two to five people made up of individuals - business creators, students, researchers, entrepreneurs, developers, users, creators and space experts, job seekers, etc. and/or private legal entities (associations, companies), represented by an individual delegated to participate in the competition. There are no limitations regarding nationality.

Each team will present its project to a jury at an 8-minute presentation which will take place at the end of the competition. The winning teams will proceed to national and then international finals, where they will present their project to an international jury of experts on technology transfer and business development.

Registration for the hackathon is now open – if you would like to take part, you can register here.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

On May 25-26 the ActInSpace innovation contest will bring entrepreneurs, students, job seekers, developers and creative minds together in over 60 cities across 5 continents to work on real-life challenges and to design innovative services and applications using space technologies and data. This year the European GNSS Agency (GSA) has set three challenges in the contest.

Initiated by the French Space Agency (CNES) and supported by the European GNSS Agency and European Space Agency (ESA), ActInSpace aims to demonstrate the socio-economic potential of the space sector and show how it can have a positive impact on our daily lives. By demonstrating that space is a vector of innovation for employment and economic development, the contest hopes to boost start-up creation by encouraging young people to leverage space technologies in their businesses.

GSA Challenges

For this year’s event, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) has set three challenges, the first of which – Geocaching by Satellite - asks participants to use Galileo to develop an innovative geocaching game relying on GNSS positioning. For the second GSA challenge – Art with Satellites – teams should develop an app to draw and write in a map using satellite navigation and the users’ movements by leveraging on Galileo-enhanced positioning.

Finally, the GNSS Satellites Selector challenge asks hackathon participants to design an app that allows them to calculate the Position Velocity and Time (PVT) solution by employing their favourite GNSS constellations and, of course, Galileo. By comparing the data obtained by single satellites, they should propose selection algorithms for satellite constellations based on different criteria.

GSA prize

During the contest the GSA will present its Galileo Geekie Award to the team considered to have best responded to one of the above challenges. The lucky winner will be selected to present their application at European Space Week 2018, the largest gathering of GNSS and Earth Observation experts in Europe, to be held in Marseille on 3-6 December. The GSA will offer the winner a three-day stay at the conference and the possibility to present their application idea.

Bringing creative minds together

The competition is open to teams of from two to five people made up of individuals - business creators, students, researchers, entrepreneurs, developers, users, creators and space experts, job seekers, etc. and/or private legal entities (associations, companies), represented by an individual delegated to participate in the competition. There are no limitations regarding nationality.

Each team will present its project to a jury at an 8-minute presentation which will take place at the end of the competition. The winning teams will proceed to national and then international finals, where they will present their project to an international jury of experts on technology transfer and business development.

Registration for the hackathon is now open – if you would like to take part, you can register here.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

On May 25-26 the ActInSpace innovation contest will bring entrepreneurs, students, job seekers, developers and creative minds together in over 60 cities across 5 continents to work on real-life challenges and to design innovative services and applications using space technologies and data. This year the European GNSS Agency (GSA) has set three challenges in the contest.

Initiated by the French Space Agency (CNES) and supported by the European GNSS Agency and European Space Agency (ESA), ActInSpace aims to demonstrate the socio-economic potential of the space sector and show how it can have a positive impact on our daily lives. By demonstrating that space is a vector of innovation for employment and economic development, the contest hopes to boost start-up creation by encouraging young people to leverage space technologies in their businesses.

GSA Challenges

For this year’s event, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) has set three challenges, the first of which – Geocaching by Satellite - asks participants to use Galileo to develop an innovative geocaching game relying on GNSS positioning. For the second GSA challenge – Art with Satellites – teams should develop an app to draw and write in a map using satellite navigation and the users’ movements by leveraging on Galileo-enhanced positioning.

Finally, the GNSS Satellites Selector challenge asks hackathon participants to design an app that allows them to calculate the Position Velocity and Time (PVT) solution by employing their favourite GNSS constellations and, of course, Galileo. By comparing the data obtained by single satellites, they should propose selection algorithms for satellite constellations based on different criteria.

GSA prize

During the contest the GSA will present its Galileo Geekie Award to the team considered to have best responded to one of the above challenges. The lucky winner will be selected to present their application at European Space Week 2018, the largest gathering of GNSS and Earth Observation experts in Europe, to be held in Marseille on 3-6 December. The GSA will offer the winner a three-day stay at the conference and the possibility to present their application idea.

Bringing creative minds together

The competition is open to teams of from two to five people made up of individuals - business creators, students, researchers, entrepreneurs, developers, users, creators and space experts, job seekers, etc. and/or private legal entities (associations, companies), represented by an individual delegated to participate in the competition. There are no limitations regarding nationality.

Each team will present its project to a jury at an 8-minute presentation which will take place at the end of the competition. The winning teams will proceed to national and then international finals, where they will present their project to an international jury of experts on technology transfer and business development.

Registration for the hackathon is now open – if you would like to take part, you can register here.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The GSA has awarded the PATROL project a contract to develop, supply and test Galileo’s Open Service Navigation Message Authentication (OS NMA).

To ensure that the next generation of Galileo services are driven by user needs, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is developing Galileo’s Open Service Navigation Message Authentication (OS NMA) capability. By allowing users to verify that a navigation message comes from a Galileo satellite and not a potentially malicious source, the OS NMA service will play a key role in meeting such emerging needs as autonomous applications.

OS-NMA Signal-in-Space transmission is expected to begin in 2019, reaching full service capability in 2020. Once fully operational, this free-of-charge authenticated signal for mass market applications will be one of Galileo’s key differentiators over other GNSS constellations. However, before full service can be achieved, a new generation of OS-NMA-enabled user terminals must be developed, tested and implemented – which is where the PATROL project comes.

Building a future-proof solution

Coordinated by Qascom, a leader in GNSS authentication, the PATROL project aims to deliver a market-ready technology that guarantees robust and secure positioning using Galileo’s OS-NMA capability. Targeting the road sector, PATROL will develop a user terminal capable of providing a trusted position, velocity and precise time (PVT) to smart tachographs and other positioning applications.

“This project is an important milestone for the satellite navigation industry, as it aims to prove the importance of Galileo OS authentication in fulfilling the emerging security needs of many applications,” says GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides.

Galileo authentication is used in combination with other anti-spoofing techniques that are implemented at the receiver level and backed by standard IT security. “With authentication, users are guaranteed that they are utilising navigation data from Galileo satellites and not from another source,” adds the PATROL project’s Alessandro Pozzobon. “The PATROL project supports this authentication by validating the user terminal against a broad set of threats, creating a future-proof solution that fulfils the emerging security needs of several civil applications.”

About Fundamental Elements

The EUR 2 264 853 in funding allocated to the PATROL project comes from the GSA’s Fundamental Elements mechanism, which supports the development of European GNSS-enabled chipsets, receivers and antennas. Fundamental Elements projects are part of the overall European GNSS strategy for market uptake, led by the GSA. The objectives of the programme can be summarised as follows:

• Facilitate the adoption of European GNSS, building on innovative services and differentiators;
• Improve the competitiveness of EU industry;
• Address user needs in priority market segments;
• Maximise benefits to European citizens.

The total budget for projects to be carried out in 2015 – 2020 is EUR 111.5 million.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The last SAR/Galileo Initial Service Quarterly Performance Report of 2017 (from October to December) has been published in the Performance Reports section of the GSC web portal.

The fourth SAR/Galileo Initial Service Performance Report is available in the Electronic Library, providing the status of the Galileo constellation and the achieved performance over the reporting period (October, November and December 2017).

These quarterly reports provide the public with the latest information on the SAR/Galileo Initial Service measured performance statistics with respect to their Minimum Performance Levels (MPLs), as declared in the SAR/Galileo Initial Service - Service Definition Document (SAR - SDD), in particular, on parameters such as:

• Detection performance;
• Location performance;
• Infrastructure availability performance;

Highlights from Q4 2017

As in the preceding three quarters of 2017, the measured SAR/Galileo Initial Service performance figures generally exceed the MPL targets by significant margins.

Some highlights from the Q4 performance report:

• Detection Probability for each of the Reference Beacons (REFBE) was always above the Minimum Performance Level (which is 99%).
• Both the single and multi-burst Location Probabilities for each REFBE were, in all cases, well above the MPLs (which are 75% and 98%, respectively).
• SAR/Galileo Infrastructure Performance is measured by the availability of the Ground Segment, Space Segment and SAR Server. As an example of the Ground Segment availability, the MEOLUTs of Larnaca and Spitzbergen have achieved good values during the whole period (average availability of respectively 97.3% and 98.2% in "Nominal" mode).

For the most up-to-date information on the Galileo system and constellation, visit the European GNSS Service Centre (GSC) website, in particular, the Galileo constellation status section. For more details on Galileo performance and its Services, do not hesitate to contact the Galileo Help Desk.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

Following the publication of the White Paper Using GNSS Raw Measurements on Android Devices, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) and the Raw Measurements Taskforce will share their experiences around the use of raw measurements at a dedicated workshop - GNSS Raw Measurements: From research to commercial use” - to be held at the GSA headquarters in Prague on May 30.

There are several advantages to using GNSS raw measurements in smartphones and IoT devices. Use of these measurements can lead to increased GNSS performance, as they open the door to more advanced GNSS processing techniques that, until recently, have been restricted to more professional GNSS receivers.

Android GNSS raw measurements in practice

Several application areas stand to profit from this increased accuracy, such as augmented reality, location-based advertising, mobile health and asset management. The raw measurements also make it possible to optimise multi-GNSS solutions and to select satellites or constellations based on their performances or differentiators.

At the Prague workshop, experts from the GSA and the Raw Measurements Taskforce, which includes GNSS experts, scientists and GNSS market players, will share their experience of raw measurements use.

Discussions at the event will cover:

• Contributions from Taskforce members on four following topics:
  • High accuracy position provision,
  • Educational applications,
  • Testing and performance optimization,
  • Robustness increase;
• Google`s vision on advanced location services;
• Future outlook for High accuracy in mass market including Galileo contribution.

If you would like to learn more about the topics mentioned above, come join the experts at GSA HQ in Prague on May 30. To register for the workshop – click here.

The GNSS Raw Measurements Taskforce is dedicated to promoting the wider use of GNSS raw measurements. Membership is open to anybody interested in GNSS raw measurements, to join the Taskforce contact: market@gsa.europa.eu.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

Following the publication of the White Paper Using GNSS Raw Measurements on Android Devices, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) and the Raw Measurements Taskforce will share their experiences around the use of raw measurements at a dedicated workshop - GNSS Raw Measurements: From research to commercial use” - to be held at the GSA headquarters in Prague on May 30.

There are several advantages to using GNSS raw measurements in smartphones and IoT devices. Use of these measurements can lead to increased GNSS performance, as they open the door to more advanced GNSS processing techniques that, until recently, have been restricted to more professional GNSS receivers.

Android GNSS raw measurements in practice

Several application areas stand to profit from this increased accuracy, such as augmented reality, location-based advertising, mobile health and asset management. The raw measurements also make it possible to optimise multi-GNSS solutions and to select satellites or constellations based on their performances or differentiators.

At the Prague workshop, experts from the GSA and the Raw Measurements Taskforce, which includes GNSS experts, scientists and GNSS market players, will share their experience of raw measurements use.

Discussions at the event will cover:

• Contributions from Taskforce members on four following topics:
  • High accuracy position provision,
  • Educational applications,
  • Testing and performance optimization,
  • Robustness increase;
• Google`s vision on advanced location services;
• Future outlook for High accuracy in mass market including Galileo contribution.

If you would like to learn more about the topics mentioned above, come join the experts at GSA HQ in Prague on May 30. To register for the workshop – click here.

The GNSS Raw Measurements Taskforce is dedicated to promoting the wider use of GNSS raw measurements. Membership is open to anybody interested in GNSS raw measurements, to join the Taskforce contact: market@gsa.europa.eu.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

Following the publication of the White Paper Using GNSS Raw Measurements on Android Devices, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) and the Raw Measurements Taskforce will share their experiences around the use of raw measurements at a dedicated workshop - GNSS Raw Measurements: From research to commercial use” - to be held at the GSA headquarters in Prague on May 30.

There are several advantages to using GNSS raw measurements in smartphones and IoT devices. Use of these measurements can lead to increased GNSS performance, as they open the door to more advanced GNSS processing techniques that, until recently, have been restricted to more professional GNSS receivers.

Android GNSS raw measurements in practice

Several application areas stand to profit from this increased accuracy, such as augmented reality, location-based advertising, mobile health and asset management. The raw measurements also make it possible to optimise multi-GNSS solutions and to select satellites or constellations based on their performances or differentiators.

At the Prague workshop, experts from the GSA and the Raw Measurements Taskforce, which includes GNSS experts, scientists and GNSS market players, will share their experience of raw measurements use.

Discussions at the event will cover:

• Contributions from Taskforce members on four following topics:
  • High accuracy position provision,
  • Educational applications,
  • Testing and performance optimization,
  • Robustness increase;
• Google`s vision on advanced location services;
• Future outlook for High accuracy in mass market including Galileo contribution.

If you would like to learn more about the topics mentioned above, come join the experts at GSA HQ in Prague on May 30. To register for the workshop – click here.

The GNSS Raw Measurements Taskforce is dedicated to promoting the wider use of GNSS raw measurements. Membership is open to anybody interested in GNSS raw measurements, to join the Taskforce contact: market@gsa.europa.eu.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

As of 31 March 2018, all new car and light van models sold in the EU have to be fitted with eCall devices that automatically alert rescue services in the event of an accident, sending their position. The aim of the system is to reduce the emergency response time for road accidents and to save lives.

eCall is activated automatically as soon as in-vehicle sensors detect a serious crash. Once activated, the system dials the European emergency number 112 and establishes a telephone link to the appropriate emergency call centre.

Leveraging EGNSS (Galileo and EGNOS), the system sends the time of incident, the accurate position of the crashed vehicle and the direction of travel to the emergency services, enabling the emergency responders to get to the accident site faster. An eCall can also be triggered manually by pushing a button in the car, for example by a witness to a serious accident.

GSA Guidelines

Ahead of the eCall launch, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) and the Joint Research Centre, the European Commission’s in-house science service, published a set of guidelines to help the eCall industry value chain to pre-test the accuracy of their new devices and understand how to reap the benefits of Galileo.

Commenting on the eCall launch, GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides said that knowing the precise location of a road accident would speed up the emergency response. “Thanks also to EGNOS and Galileo, eCall will enable emergency response teams to locate an accident faster and with much greater accuracy, thereby saving more lives, an important day for Europe and Galileo!” he said.

In fact, it is estimated that eCall can speed up emergency response times by 40% in urban areas and 50% in the countryside and can reduce the number of fatalities by at least 4% and the number of severe injuries by 6%.

Background

Over 25,500 people were killed and 135,000 people were seriously injured in road accidents in the EU 2016, according to figures released by the European Commission. In addition to the tragedy of loss of life and injury, this also carries an economic burden of around EUR 130 billion in costs to society every year.

Against this backdrop, the estimated cost of eCall devices of less than EUR 100 per vehicle at the date of entry into force of the proposed regulation does not seem very high. Moreover, this cost is expected to decrease even further in the future, following cost trends for electronic components and also due to economies of scale.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

With European GNSS providing the positioning accuracy that drones need to operate safely, more and more drone-based applications are hitting the market. The GSA highlighted a number of these innovative services during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

The integration of EGNOS and Galileo into drone and UAV technology enhances positioning and opens the door to a wide range of new applications and services. In fact, according to the latest edition of the European GNSS Agency’s (GSA) Market Report, by 2025 the installed base of GNSS devices in drones will reach 70 million – more than twice the sum of other professional market segments combined. But with this growing market comes growing concerns about how to ensure the safe operation of drones.

Luckily, European GNSS offers a solution.

To operate safely, today’s drones are increasingly dependent on the precise positioning and navigation information provided by EGNOS and Galileo. As a result, drones and UAVs are used for applications and services spanning from search and rescue to providing photovoltaic maintenance. They also represent a promising growth market for European GNSS. “Highly precise positioning is key for operating drones, and this is where Galileo and EGNOS can really make a difference - on one hand enhancing the precision in manoeuvring the drone and on the other making flying operations safer,” GSA Market Development Officer Carmen Aguilera said.

This growing role of drones was on full display during the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, where the GSA highlighted a number of Horizon 2020-funded drone and UAV applications that utilise EGNOS and Galileo:  

REAL

Researchers with the REAL project are developing EGNOS-based navigation and surveillance sensors for two Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), one for urgent medical transport and the other for providing linear powerline inspections. “REAL integrates EGNOS positioning in support of aviation and surveillance functions for UAVs,” explains project researcher Santiago Soley. “The idea is to exploit EGNOS’ positioning and, more importantly, the integrity that it provides.” 

EASY-PV

The EASY-PV project has developed a time-efficient and cost-effective maintenance solution for photovoltaic plants. Using a drone equipped with a European GNSS high-accuracy receiver, the system flies over a photovoltaic field and collects such relevant data as visible and thermal images. “This data is then automatically geo-referenced and processed, producing a detailed report on which modules need to be replaced,” explains project coordinator Marco Nisi.

GAUSS

To better regulate drone traffic in Europe, the EU has launched a UAV Traffic Management initiative. “GAUSS integrates EGNOS and Galileo’s navigation and location services into this initiative to provide the level of accuracy needed to safely position drones in the sky,” says project coordinator Jiménez González. 

GEOVISION

To increase emergency response times, GEO-VISION captures images and video streaming from the UAV, which are then sent to the pilot and routed in real-time to a control room. “In emergency search and rescue situations, everything is about time – the quicker you know what is happening, the faster you can respond to it,” says project coordinator Harald Skinnemoen. “GEOVISION results is an increased efficiency in emergency response, leading to more lives being saved.”

MAPKITE

This mapping-based project integrates drones with terrestrial mobile mapping systems to provide surveyors and mappers with an end-to- end solution for 3D high-resolution corridor mapping. “For drone applications such as MAPKITE, EGNOS is the standard for accuracy,” explains project coordinator Pere Molina. “Galileo plays an important role too, adding more satellites in view and by offering some resilience against hacking.”

ARGONAUT

ARGONAUT combines an advanced, multi-constellation GNSS receiver and a powerful navigation data processing cloud service for more accurate and affordable geolocation. “For us, the use of Galileo basically translates into being able to provide a better service,” says project coordinator Xavier Banqué-Casanovas. “Because ARGONAUT is a multi-constellation solution, we can offer drone users a more robust solution for overcoming such adverse scenarios as obstructions.”

Want to learn more about the role of European GNSS in drone applications and services? Stay tuned as our EGNOS, Galileo and Drones series takes a behind-the-scenes look at each of these projects in the coming weeks.  

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

With European GNSS providing the positioning accuracy that drones need to operate safely, more and more drone-based applications are hitting the market. The GSA highlighted a number of these innovative services during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

The integration of EGNOS and Galileo into drone and UAV technology enhances positioning and opens the door to a wide range of new applications and services. In fact, according to the latest edition of the European GNSS Agency’s (GSA) Market Report, by 2025 the installed base of GNSS devices in drones will reach 70 million – more than twice the sum of other professional market segments combined. But with this growing market comes growing concerns about how to ensure the safe operation of drones.

Luckily, European GNSS offers a solution.

To operate safely, today’s drones are increasingly dependent on the precise positioning and navigation information provided by EGNOS and Galileo. As a result, drones and UAVs are used for applications and services spanning from search and rescue to providing photovoltaic maintenance. They also represent a promising growth market for European GNSS. “Highly precise positioning is key for operating drones, and this is where Galileo and EGNOS can really make a difference - on one hand enhancing the precision in manoeuvring the drone and on the other making flying operations safer,” GSA Market Development Officer Carmen Aguilera said.

This growing role of drones was on full display during the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, where the GSA highlighted a number of Horizon 2020-funded drone and UAV applications that utilise EGNOS and Galileo:  

REAL

Researchers with the REAL project are developing EGNOS-based navigation and surveillance sensors for two Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), one for urgent medical transport and the other for providing linear powerline inspections. “REAL integrates EGNOS positioning in support of aviation and surveillance functions for UAVs,” explains project researcher Santiago Soley. “The idea is to exploit EGNOS’ positioning and, more importantly, the integrity that it provides.” 

EASY-PV

The EASY-PV project has developed a time-efficient and cost-effective maintenance solution for photovoltaic plants. Using a drone equipped with a European GNSS high-accuracy receiver, the system flies over a photovoltaic field and collects such relevant data as visible and thermal images. “This data is then automatically geo-referenced and processed, producing a detailed report on which modules need to be replaced,” explains project coordinator Marco Nisi.

GAUSS

To better regulate drone traffic in Europe, the EU has launched a UAV Traffic Management initiative. “GAUSS integrates EGNOS and Galileo’s navigation and location services into this initiative to provide the level of accuracy needed to safely position drones in the sky,” says project coordinator Jiménez González. 

GEOVISION

To increase emergency response times, GEO-VISION captures images and video streaming from the UAV, which are then sent to the pilot and routed in real-time to a control room. “In emergency search and rescue situations, everything is about time – the quicker you know what is happening, the faster you can respond to it,” says project coordinator Harald Skinnemoen. “GEOVISION results is an increased efficiency in emergency response, leading to more lives being saved.”

MAPKITE

This mapping-based project integrates drones with terrestrial mobile mapping systems to provide surveyors and mappers with an end-to- end solution for 3D high-resolution corridor mapping. “For drone applications such as MAPKITE, EGNOS is the standard for accuracy,” explains project coordinator Pere Molina. “Galileo plays an important role too, adding more satellites in view and by offering some resilience against hacking.”

ARGONAUT

ARGONAUT combines an advanced, multi-constellation GNSS receiver and a powerful navigation data processing cloud service for more accurate and affordable geolocation. “For us, the use of Galileo basically translates into being able to provide a better service,” says project coordinator Xavier Banqué-Casanovas. “Because ARGONAUT is a multi-constellation solution, we can offer drone users a more robust solution for overcoming such adverse scenarios as obstructions.”

Want to learn more about the role of European GNSS in drone applications and services? Stay tuned as our EGNOS, Galileo and Drones series takes a behind-the-scenes look at each of these projects in the coming weeks.  

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The last Open Service Quarterly Performance Report of 2017 (from October to December) has been published in the Performance Reports section of the GSC web portal.

The fourth OS Performance Report is available in the Electronic Library, providing the status of the Galileo constellation and the achieved performance over the reporting period (October, November and December 2017).

These quarterly reports provide the public with the latest information on the Galileo Open Service measured performance statistics with respect to their Minimum Performance Levels (MPLs), as declared in the Galileo OS Service Definition Document (OS SDD), in particular, on parameters such as:

• Galileo Initial OS ranging performance,
• Galileo Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) dissemination,
• Galileo to GPS Time Offset (GGTO) determination performance, and
• Timely publication of NAGUs (Notice Advisory to Galileo Users).

Highlights from Q4 2017

As in the preceding three quarters of 2017, the measured Galileo Initial Open Service performance figures generally exceed the MPL targets by significant margins.

Some highlights from the Q4 performance report:

• Availability of both the Galileo Ranging Service at the Worst User Location (WUL) and Healthy Signal has been significantly better than expected: both have achieved values above the threshold (which is 87%).
• Availability of the Galileo UTC Determination and the GGTO Determination Services were achieved, with all monthly values above MPL targets (in particular, 100% in November and December);
• MPLs of the Timely Publication of NAGUs were met during the whole period for both Planned and Unplanned events: target of at least 24 hours before the start of a scheduled event is always achieved, as well as not more than 72 hours after an unscheduled one.

For the most up-to-date information on the Galileo system and constellation, visit the European GNSS Service Centre (GSC) website, in particular, the Galileo constellation status section. For more details on Galileo performance and its Services, do not hesitate to contact the Galileo Help Desk.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

Deployment of the Galileo Public Regulated Service (PRS) has been ongoing in recent years and the European GNSS Agency (GSA) has been actively contributing to the development of all user segments to ensure the widespread uptake of the service. GSA PRS Service Manager Charles Villie gave participants in the Munich Satellite Navigation Summit on March 7 a status update on the Galileo PRS and outlined plans for the future.

The Galileo PRS is an encrypted navigation service that is designed to be more resistant to jamming, involuntary interference and spoofing than other services. The launch of Galileo initial services at the end of 2016 also marked the start of the initial Galileo PRS service phase, during which receivers are being tested and all declared PRS functionalities and infrastructure are functional and operational.

Speaking at the Munich Summit, Villie said that the plan for this year is to move to the PRS enhanced service, during which pre-operational receivers will be tested. In preparation for enhanced delivery, the GSA will continue to update PRS functionalities and procedures and improve the navigation performance of PRS, which will benefit from the new satellites added to the constellation, he said.

This work is being conducted in preparation for the initial operational capability (IOC) phase, which is timed for delivery according to the European Commission Galileo roadmap. “IOC is a very important target for us, because it will be the moment when the service and the functionalities will be completely operational and the user segment will be ready to start using operational receivers,” Villie said.

He said that, ahead of IOC, the GSA is actively contributing to the development of all PRS user segments to ensure that user needs are met. This support is provided in three main axes: technical assistance to Competent PRS Authorities (CPA) in the form of workshops and training; operational demonstration and validation in PRS pilot projects and grants for joint test activities; and, finally, support for the development of user equipment, provided through Horizon 2020 and the Fundamental Elements funding mechanism.

High resilience to threats

Richard Bowden, Programme Manager at UK receiver producer QuinetiQ noted at the Summit session that, as the Galileo PRS moves towards operational capacity, there is recognition of its benefits in the civil sector, but that a number of challenges remain to widespread uptake. He said that positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) would need to be at least as good as Open Service alternatives, with substantially higher resilience to threats.

This was one of the issues addressed by Villie in his presentation. Citing encryption as the main differentiator of the PRS, Villie said that the key differences between PRS and other Galileo services are the fact PRS access is ensured by an access management policy for users, which means that continuity of service to authorised users is ensured even when access to other navigation services is denied.

“In cases of malicious or unintentional interference, the PRS increases the likelihood of continuous availability of the signal-in-space and provides an authenticated position, velocity and timing service,” he said.

High interest among users

One essential pre-requisite for the future adoption of PRS by multiple user communities is the availability of receivers for different applications. In his presentation at the Summit, Alessandro Ambri from Italian receiver producer Leonardo outlined some of the company’s main Galileo PRS receiver projects, including the GSA-funded projects P3RS-2, PRISMA, and DISPATCH.

Ambri said that his company sees the installation of Galileo PRS on its platforms as an opportunity, as it can be used in many sectors - critical infrastructure, in the military, and by emergency and security services. “We are active in all these areas and our customers have expressed an interest in the Galileo PRS,” he said.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

Deployment of the Galileo Public Regulated Service (PRS) has been ongoing in recent years and the European GNSS Agency (GSA) has been actively contributing to the development of all user segments to ensure the widespread uptake of the service. GSA PRS Service Manager Charles Villie gave participants in the Munich Satellite Navigation Summit on March 7 a status update on the Galileo PRS and outlined plans for the future.

The Galileo PRS is an encrypted navigation service that is designed to be more resistant to jamming, involuntary interference and spoofing than other services. The launch of Galileo initial services at the end of 2016 also marked the start of the initial Galileo PRS service phase, during which receivers are being tested and all declared PRS functionalities and infrastructure are functional and operational.

Speaking at the Munich Summit, Villie said that the plan for this year is to move to the PRS enhanced service, during which pre-operational receivers will be tested. In preparation for enhanced delivery, the GSA will continue to update PRS functionalities and procedures and improve the navigation performance of PRS, which will benefit from the new satellites added to the constellation, he said.

This work is being conducted in preparation for the initial operational capability (IOC) phase, which is timed for delivery according to the European Commission Galileo roadmap. “IOC is a very important target for us, because it will be the moment when the service and the functionalities will be completely operational and the user segment will be ready to start using operational receivers,” Villie said.

He said that, ahead of IOC, the GSA is actively contributing to the development of all PRS user segments to ensure that user needs are met. This support is provided in three main axes: technical assistance to Competent PRS Authorities (CPA) in the form of workshops and training; operational demonstration and validation in PRS pilot projects and grants for joint test activities; and, finally, support for the development of user equipment, provided through Horizon 2020 and the Fundamental Elements funding mechanism.

High resilience to threats

Richard Bowden, Programme Manager at UK receiver producer QuinetiQ noted at the Summit session that, as the Galileo PRS moves towards operational capacity, there is recognition of its benefits in the civil sector, but that a number of challenges remain to widespread uptake. He said that positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) would need to be at least as good as Open Service alternatives, with substantially higher resilience to threats.

This was one of the issues addressed by Villie in his presentation. Citing encryption as the main differentiator of the PRS, Villie said that the key differences between PRS and other Galileo services are the fact PRS access is ensured by an access management policy for users, which means that continuity of service to authorised users is ensured even when access to other navigation services is denied.

“In cases of malicious or unintentional interference, the PRS increases the likelihood of continuous availability of the signal-in-space and provides an authenticated position, velocity and timing service,” he said.

High interest among users

One essential pre-requisite for the future adoption of PRS by multiple user communities is the availability of receivers for different applications. In his presentation at the Summit, Alessandro Ambri from Italian receiver producer Leonardo outlined some of the company’s main Galileo PRS receiver projects, including the GSA-funded projects P3RS-2, PRISMA, and DISPATCH.

Ambri said that his company sees the installation of Galileo PRS on its platforms as an opportunity, as it can be used in many sectors - critical infrastructure, in the military, and by emergency and security services. “We are active in all these areas and our customers have expressed an interest in the Galileo PRS,” he said.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

Deployment of the Galileo Public Regulated Service (PRS) has been ongoing in recent years and the European GNSS Agency (GSA) has been actively contributing to the development of all user segments to ensure the widespread uptake of the service. GSA PRS Service Manager Charles Villie gave participants in the Munich Satellite Navigation Summit on March 7 a status update on the Galileo PRS and outlined plans for the future.

The Galileo PRS is an encrypted navigation service that is designed to be more resistant to jamming, involuntary interference and spoofing than other services. The launch of Galileo initial services at the end of 2016 also marked the start of the initial Galileo PRS service phase, during which receivers are being tested and all declared PRS functionalities and infrastructure are functional and operational.

Speaking at the Munich Summit, Villie said that the plan for this year is to move to the PRS enhanced service, during which pre-operational receivers will be tested. In preparation for enhanced delivery, the GSA will continue to update PRS functionalities and procedures and improve the navigation performance of PRS, which will benefit from the new satellites added to the constellation, he said.

This work is being conducted in preparation for the initial operational capability (IOC) phase, which is timed for delivery according to the European Commission Galileo roadmap. “IOC is a very important target for us, because it will be the moment when the service and the functionalities will be completely operational and the user segment will be ready to start using operational receivers,” Villie said.

He said that, ahead of IOC, the GSA is actively contributing to the development of all PRS user segments to ensure that user needs are met. This support is provided in three main axes: technical assistance to Competent PRS Authorities (CPA) in the form of workshops and training; operational demonstration and validation in PRS pilot projects and grants for joint test activities; and, finally, support for the development of user equipment, provided through Horizon 2020 and the Fundamental Elements funding mechanism.

High resilience to threats

Richard Bowden, Programme Manager at UK receiver producer QinetiQ noted at the Summit session that, as the Galileo PRS moves towards operational capacity, there is recognition of its benefits in the civil sector, but that a number of challenges remain to widespread uptake. He said that positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) would need to be at least as good as Open Service alternatives, with substantially higher resilience to threats.

This was one of the issues addressed by Villie in his presentation. Citing encryption as the main differentiator of the PRS, Villie said that the key differences between PRS and other Galileo services are the fact PRS access is ensured by an access management policy for users, which means that continuity of service to authorised users is ensured even when access to other navigation services is denied.

“In cases of malicious or unintentional interference, the PRS increases the likelihood of continuous availability of the signal-in-space and provides an authenticated position, velocity and timing service,” he said.

High interest among users

One essential pre-requisite for the future adoption of PRS by multiple user communities is the availability of receivers for different applications. In his presentation at the Summit, Alessandro Ambri from Italian receiver producer Leonardo outlined some of the company’s main Galileo PRS receiver projects, including the GSA-funded projects P3RS-2, PRISMA, and DISPATCH.

Ambri said that his company sees the installation of Galileo PRS on its platforms as an opportunity, as it can be used in many sectors - critical infrastructure, in the military, and by emergency and security services. “We are active in all these areas and our customers have expressed an interest in the Galileo PRS,” he said.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The four Galileo satellites launched on December 12 have successfully transitioned from Early Orbit Phase to In Orbit Testing.

On December 12, four Galileo satellites started their journey on an Ariane 5 rocket from the European Spaceport in Kourou. Shortly after leaving the rocket, the satellites – named Nicole, Zofia, Alexandre and Irina – reached stable configuration and established first contact with Earth.

This launch marked the first time that the European GNSS Agency (GSA) was responsible for the Early Orbit Phase (EOP) of the mission. EOP is one of the most important phases of a space mission as it positions the satellites into the correct orbits and gradually switches on and tests the first elements. For example, just days after the launch, the four satellites were transitioned from sun acquisition mode to Earth tracking mode, also known as nominal operational mode (NOM). In this mode, the satellites point to the Earth with all antennas oriented towards the ground.

Next, the satellites began moving to their destination Galileo orbit with a set of very precise manoeuvres, with Nicole and Zofia reaching their final target orbits on February 6, and Alexandre and Irina following suit on February 14. With all four satellites in their final slots, EOP came to an end on February 26.

Time for In Orbit Testing

The quartet of Galileo satellites are now starting the In Orbit Testing phase, a comprehensive characterization and evaluation of the satellites’ behaviour in space. Although extensive tests were performed before launch, the space environment cannot be fully represented on ground, and thus extra testing in space is necessary. This includes transmitting test navigation signals, whose performance will be carefully monitored and tested. The performance tests ensure that the satellites’ in-orbit performance is in line with the predictions made during on-ground testing. 

Once the performance testing is concluded and deemed satisfactory, the satellites will enter into service as part of the Galileo constellation – bringing the total number of satellites to 22.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

Europe’s space policy is already delivering results for businesses and citizens. The European Parliament held a conference on 6 March, on how agriculture is the new frontier. The event was hosted by Eric Andrieu MEP, who is the S&D (The Progressives) co-ordinator for Agriculture and Rural Development.

MEP Andrieu believes that Europe should be more ambitious in making use of its extensive data and space infrastructure to drive innovation in the farming sector. This is why he organised this conference with MEP Peillon.

“Space offers the possibility for transformative change in agriculture and wider benefits to rural communities. Europe’s space data and services are world class – and often world leading. The next step is to harness this data and develop applications to optimise Europe’s agriculture industry, making it more precise, sustainable and cost effective,” MEP Peillon said.

The conference comes at a decisive moment. The European Commission has fired the starting shot for the revision of the Common Agricultural Policy post-2020. MEPs say they want a more forward-looking policy; one that offers the opportunity to release the full potential of space.

EGNOS, Galileo and Copernicus

DG GROW Deputy-Director General Pierre Delsaux, who is responsible for European Space Policy, underlined the progress that has already been made: “With Galileo we will have high-accuracy precision within 20 cm, which is extremely accurate. If you apply this to agriculture equipment, it would improve systems. Our Earth Observation system, Copernicus, gives a massive amount of information on the situation of the land – the composition, and where you need to put seeds and fertilizers. We need to combine EGNOS, Galileo and Copernicus to develop services that are useful to agriculture and other sectors.”

Hervé Pillaud, a farmer himself and expert on digital farming, leads a network of French farmers who are using space and digital technologies – he also collaborates with start-ups to help them design the technologies of the future.

Pillaud spoke at the conference and called on Europe to do a better job of incorporating in the future agriculture policy: “A future CAP must be better than today’s. The European Commission must help farmers to make better use of the tools and possibilities available. We need an agricultural system that can feed its citizens, but is equally conscious of environmental concerns, such as carbon capture and the use of renewable energy.”

Pillaud highlighted many areas where better data and tools could make a real difference. He underlined the role of Europe’s space services in mitigating risk: “Risk is an enormous question! Satellite information that allows us to anticipate events are more important as climatic conditions are less predictable. This will help farmers to reduce losses.”

Farming by Satellite Prize

Pillaud also welcomed the launch of the Farming by Satellite Prize targeted at young people: “The involvement of young people in finding solutions is absolutely necessary. The digital generation will not ask the questions in the same way.”

Delsaux added: “The Farming by Satellite Prize will generate new ideas and innovation. We want students from everywhere in Europe to ask what we can develop as new services, strategies and processes to make agriculture more efficient. We need new ideas and imagination. We don’t know what exactly the benefits will be, this is a path on which we cannot go back – it is clear that space will be more fundamental in the future. The farmers are also fully aware of the potential benefits, but we need to keep up and move fast.”

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

Whether it is dual frequency chipsets or new smartphones, European GNSS was behind many of the technology announcements made during Mobile World Congress 2018.

As the world’s premiere mobile technology trade show, the Mobile World Congress (MWC) is traditionally technology driven. But, according to Stuart Carlaw, Chief Research Officer at ABI Research, this is starting to change. “The mobile community continues to peddle technology rather than offer holistic solutions,” he says. “But enterprises want solutions, not an alphabet soup of three letter abbreviations.”

Answering this call for solutions are the GNSS mass market innovations on display in Barcelona during MWC 2018. Whether it is chipsets, smartphones, drones, robots or autonomous vehicles, most depend on GNSS – including Galileo – to translate this technology into actual solutions.  

Here we look at the role European GNSS plays in some of the announcements coming out of MWC 2018. 

Dual frequency chipsets

Although much of the news coming from chipset manufacturers like Intel, Qualcomm and Mediatek was about 5G connectivity plans, several also launched new dual frequency chipsets. Traditionally, mobile, location-based applications have been powered by single-frequency GNSS receivers operating under stringent battery power and footprint constraints. When using a dual frequency chipset, however, mass market devices benefit from better accuracy, ionosphere error cancellation, improved code tracking pseudorange estimates and better multipath resistance – among other benefits.

“With connected cars and autonomous vehicles quickly becoming a reality, there is a clear need for accurate and reliable positioning information,” explains GSA Deputy Head of Market Development Fiammetta Diani. “Dual frequency chipsets are the answer for these types of safety-critical applications.” 

Following Broadcom’s recent launch of the BCM47755 – the world’s first mass-market, dual frequency GNSS receiver device for smartphones – several other manufacturers followed suit by announcing their own dual frequency chipsets at MWC. For example, uBlox launched its F9 chip for industrial and automotive applications. The chip uses GNSS signals in multiple frequency bands (L1/L2/L5) to correct ionosphere-caused positioning errors and deliver a fast time to first fix. By supporting all GNSS constellations, including Galileo, the chipset improves performance by increasing the number of satellites visible at any given time. Last but not least, thanks to on-chip Real Time Kinematic (RTK) technology, the F9 also offers improved levels of accuracy.

Not to be outdone, STM came to MWC to promote a dual-frequency chip dedicated to automotive safety-critical applications. Being developed as part of the GSA-funded ESCAPE project, the Galileo-enabled chip is being enhanced to receive and process the upcoming Galileo Open Service authenticated signals – a key differentiator of European GNSS.

New Galileo-enabled smartphones

Since 2016, when the first Galileo-enabled smartphone was launched, more and more manufacturers have started to include Galileo in their flagship models. “A growing number of premium smartphones are integrating Galileo in order to provide users with better accuracy and availability, especially in difficult environments,” says Justyna Redelkiewicz, GSA’s Market Development Officer in charge of LBS.

In-line with this trend, both Sony and Samsung launched new, Galileo-enabled phones during MWC 2018. Sony’s new flagship Xperia XZ2 and XZ2 Compact smartphones and Samsung’s S9 and S9+ models are each equipped with a Galileo-enabled processor. All four phones are also shipped with Android Oreo 8.0, which gives users access to GNSS raw data.

The GSA highlighted the growing role of European GNSS in smartphones by having a range of Galileo-enabled devices on display at their booth. Visitors who had a smartphone that was already using Galileo received a free ‘I #UseGalileo’ t-shirt to commemorate their MWC experience. 

Want to learn more about the role of European GNSS in drone applications and services? Stay tuned as our EGNOS, Galileo and Drones series takes a behind-the-scenes look at each of these projects in the coming weeks.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The launch of Galileo Initial Services last year has paved the way for new services and applications that can foster the adoption of Galileo in markets outside Europe. Participants at the Munich Satellite Navigation Conference on March 6 discussed support available to European GNSS companies to develop these markets.

Speaking at the Summit, Pieter de Smet, a policy officer with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Growth, Internal market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW), outlined some of the ways in which the European Commission, in strong cooperation with the European GNSS Agency (GSA), is supporting Galileo uptake outside of Europe.

These include multilateral cooperation, through various organisations such as the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), COSPAS SARSAT and others. Bilateral cooperation also plays an important role and there are a number of GNSS cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding in place with countries such as the US, Korea and Ukraine. De Smet also noted the importance of R&D projects under Horizon 2020 and the European GNSS programmes.

Getting a foothold in Asia

One project – BELS - was highlighted in particular by Prof Ta Hai Tung, Director of the NAVIS Centre in Vietnam. The goal of BELS - Building European Links towards Southeast Asia - and its successor BELS+, is to help EU GNSS applications gain a foothold in South East Asia and to develop GNSS markets for EU companies.

The project has had a significant impact. Mark Dumville, Director of the UK-based Nottingham Scientific Limited said that BELS and GNSS Asia were excellent help in getting into the Asian market. “We received even more support than we asked for and achieved levels of dialogue with industry and government that would not have been possible through any other mechanisms,” he said.

Read this: BELS Builds Bridges to Southeast Asia

And in the US

Michael Ritter, President of the US company Hexagon Positioning Intelligence, said that his company had been using Galileo as standard in all of its products since 2010. Ritter said that, in precision agriculture, Galileo offers increased position availability with more signals, which translates into “more up time for growers using Galileo.”

He also said that Galileo offers increased reliability and integrity. “Agriculture has relied on GPS and GLONASS, but if one constellation has an error, which one is correct?” he asked, adding that multiple constellations supports better integrity monitoring.

Highlighting what may be one of the main drivers of Galileo adoption outside of Europe, Ritter noted that nobody can afford not to use multi-constellation. “From ATMs to driverless cars – it is just not safe to use one constellation,” he said.

GNSS Asia

Last year we ran a series of articles to highlight the important work being done across the Asian region to support European businesses in developing GNSS market opportunities in India, China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan and South East Asia. You can read the articles here:

• Connecting Europe and Asia through GNSS
• Opportunities abound in Taiwan
• India: A high-tech partner for European GNSS
• Ample opportunities in Korea
• South East Asia a hotspot for European GNSS
• EU-China cooperation on GNSS gains momentum

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The European GNSS Agency (GSA) hosted the second Fundamental Elements Info Day on March 14, 2018, welcoming 55 participants from 38 organisations to its headquarters in Prague. The info day focused on upcoming FE funding opportunities and provided a status update on the funding programme.

The Fundamental Elements Info Day programme was split into three parts. The day began with a presentation of the two calls currently open under the Fundamental Elements mechanism. Proposals in the first of these, a call for Galileo-based timing receiver for critical infrastructures, should define receiver requirements and design, develop, test and validate a prototype with simulated and real data scenarios. The second open call is for GNSS receiver technologies for the premium and general mass market. Proposals should address either (or both) streams by developing, integrating, testing and demonstrating hardware components, software or firmware filling technology gaps for Premium Mass Market GNSS devices, Internet of Things, or any other general mass market application.

Read this: GSA funding opportunities

During the second part of the day, GSA staff discussed the seven additional grants currently planned for 2018. These are:

• Multi-frequency multipurpose antenna for Galileo;
• Advanced interference detection and mitigation techniques;
• Enhanced RX for autonomous driving/navigation;
• Safety of Life for localisation in train signalling;
• Enhanced GNSS user terminal;
• Commercial Service user terminal;
• Filling the gaps in E-GNSS receivers and associated technologies.

Following this presentation, industrial consortium leaders took the floor to present Fundamental Elements success stories and the current results from the ongoing projects: FANTASTIC, ESCAPE, PATROL and EDG2E. This was also an opportunity to share best practices with new comers interested in participating. Generally, the beneficiaries see Fundamental Elements funding as an enabler to give a further push to GNSS user equipment producers and increase their business in Europe and globally.

And this: GSA announces new funding opportunity for Galileo-based timing receiver

Representatives from the Joint Research Centre – the European Commission’s in-house science service – also presented their test facilities, which were relevant for the timing receiver call, for example.

The day concluded with a presentation of some guidelines and best practices on how to write a successful proposal.

Fundamental Elements at a glance

Fundamental Elements is an EU R&D funding mechanism supporting the development of EGNSS-enabled chipsets, receivers and antennae. Fundamental Elements projects are part of the overall European GNSS strategy for market uptake, led by the GSA. The objectives of the programme can be summarised as follows:

• Facilitate the adoption of EGNSS, building on innovative services and differentiators;
• Improve the competitiveness of EU industry;
• Address user needs in priority market segments;
• Maximise benefits to European citizens.

The total budget for projects to be carried out in 2015-2020 is EUR 111.5 million.

In order to follow the opening of the grants, subscribe to our Newsletter.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

GNSS is just one component of autonomous driving systems, along with other sensors like inertial navigation systems (INS), odometers, radar, cameras, gyroscopes and others. However it is a critical component providing much needed redundancy, according to participants in the Munich Satellite Navigation Conference on March 6.

There is a clear demand for autonomous navigation capability in cars, shipping and in UAVs, with GNSS playing different roles in each of these segments. In autonomous cars, the role of GPS-only solutions was relatively minor so far - mainly route finding – due to the challenging conditions in an urban environment. This may be set to change as robust GNSS signals and services provide increased accuracy, supplying autonomous systems with the necessary reliability.

Speaking at a Munich Summit session on the GNSS needs of autonomous cars and cyber-physical systems, Gian Gherardo Calini, Head of Market Development at the European GNSS Agency (GSA), highlighted Galileo’s critical contribution to autonomous systems. Calini stressed that autonomous applications need accuracy, adding: “Galileo’s double-frequency capability addresses these fundamental needs. This is what will ensure Galileo’s success in autonomous driving.”

GNSS - a key part of the puzzle

Illustrating some of the benefits offered by double-frequency, such as centimetre-level accuracy, better multipath mitigation, and protection against spoofing, Calini presented the final results of INDRIVE project, which uses innovative but close-to-market GNSS-based solutions for semi-automatic driving, and the ongoing ESCAPE project, funded under the European GNSS Agency’s (GSA) Fundamental Elements programme. With respect to the needed homologation and certification process, he also made reference to the lessons learnt from the eCall system, which is aimed at speeding up emergency response services in the event of a road accident, and in which Galileo and EGNOS play a key role.

Read this: ESCAPE completes preliminary design of positioning engine

The benefits of high accuracy GNSS-based positioning in autonomous navigation were also highlighted by Roman Lesjak, a Senior Researcher at the DIGITAL Institute for Information and Communications Technologies in Graz, who noted that GNSS is very good for dynamic state estimation and can contribute to cooperative driving. “GNSS should be an important part of the puzzle, providing increased redundancy,” he said.

Dr Martin Metzner from the Institute of Engineering Geodesy in Stuttgart agreed, noting that, along with digital maps, GNSS is a key component of automated driving, making it possible to correct the measuring errors of positioning sensors.

This was echoed at a later session on the future of precise point positioning for autonomous systems, where Doug Brent, Vice President for Innovation and Technology at US receiver manufacturer Trimble, noted that the availability, integrity and accuracy of GNSS corrections are essential for autonomous driving, but that fusing data from many sensors would always be necessary.

Leveraging Galileo’s past and future

At the opening session of the Munich Summit on the previous day, Matthias Petschke, Director of EU Satellite Navigation Programmes at the European Commission outlined some of the groundwork being carried out by the European Commission in preparation for autonomous driving. Petschke noted that the Commission is currently preparing a set of legislative proposals and guidelines on connected and automated mobility, which will tackle issues from connectivity data management and cyber security, to infrastructure, road safety and liability.

“Our work on autonomous driving leverages on Galileo’s past and future accomplishments,” he said.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

EGNOS and Galileo were at the World Air Traffic Management (ATM) Congress in Madrid from 6 to 8 March to highlight the vital and increasing role of European GNSS (EGNSS) in the aviation sector enabling simplified, safe and integrated ATM for all aircraft from civil airliners to autonomous drones. On 6 March, funding for research, development, innovation and implementation opportunities worth more than €300 million for EGNSS related aviation projects were presented in a special conference session.

For three days in March, Madrid becomes the centre of the ATM world. Now in its sixth edition, the Congress is the largest ATM forum in the world and is a ‘one-stop shop’ for all things ATM. In 2018 it was bigger and better than ever with a record 237 exhibitors registered and thousands of aviation leaders arriving for three days of conference sessions, product demonstrations and launches, contract closures, and networking.

Be part of €300 million

The main feature for EGNSS at Madrid was an awareness-raising session on the afternoon of 6 March co-organised by GSA: ‘Discover EU funding opportunities worth €300 million....and be part of it’.

The event kicked off with a description of current and upcoming EGNSS funding opportunities in aviation: the current EGNOS for Aviation Call and the next Horizon 2020 EGNSS Market Uptake Call.

Carmen Aguilera, of the European GNSS Agency (GSA) moderated the session and gave an overview of the programmes that are worth, in total, €50 million with the aim to further accelerate the use of EGNOS and Galileo in all aviation application areas, including drones.

The Aviation Grant Programme is the basis for the recently launched third call from the GSA for proposals to promote EGNOS operational implementation throughout European airports and among European airspace users. It targets all segments and aims to foster the use of EGNOS for navigation and surveillance applications, increase network effect and maximise public benefits.

“The call is structured to cover six areas of activity,” said Aguilera including the design and operational implementation of EGNOS based LPV/LPV 200 approach procedures, low level routes, the installation of EGNOS-enabled avionics and granting of airworthiness certification, the development of retrofit and forward-fit solutions, and the development of enablers and other EGNOS based operations including, for example, simulators, validation tools, training materials, or drone applications.

The call was published on 12 February and the deadline for submitting applications is 21May with the signature of the first grant agreements foreseen for September – October 2018. Applications can be made by citizens of any EU Member State and Norway or Switzerland.

More information on the call can be found on the GSA website and a series of information sessions about the call is being organised, including a webinar scheduled for 15 March at 11:00 CET. Registration for the webinar is open now.

The second programme is the forthcoming GSA organised Horizon 2020 research and development call. The H2020-SPACE-EGNSS-2019 call will open on 16 October and cover four topics: EGNSS applications to foster sustainable mobility including the use of drones; EGNSS applications fostering digitisation; ENGSS applications for societal resilience and environmental protection; and projects to raise awareness of EGNSS and capacity building.

The total budget for the call is €20 million and the deadline for proposal submission is 5 March 2019

Project success

As an example of a successful EU-funded, GSA-managed research project in H2020, Christian Belleux, Aviation Director at Orolia described the work of the HELIOS project and its subsequent commercialisation.

The project developed a range of Galileo enhanced beacons and associated antennas to exploit the full capability of the MEOSAR COSPAS / SARSAT international programme that operates a global Search and Rescue (SAR) distress alert detection and information distribution system.

EGNOS significantly improves the localisation performance for these beacons, introducing new capabilities and the use of the Galileo SAR service with its return link adds further operational and life-saving features. Two maritime beacons for personal use with Life Jackets and one aviation beacon with an associated high-speed fuselage antenna have been brought to market.

The aviation device will feature remote activation through the Galileo return link service capability and enables accurate location of an aircraft and sharing of critical data. “The device is compatible with recommendations for autonomous distress tracking that will be applicable from January 2021 for all new aircraft builds,” said Bellux.

Transport call

The final presentation of the session was from Isabelle Jagiello of the Innovation and Networks Executive Agency (INEA) on the 2017 Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Transport SESAR call for proposals. This €290 million call, which opened on 6 October 2017 and has a final deadline on 12 April 2018, is exclusively for proposals addressing the priority Single European Sky aka SESAR.

The call is aimed at supporting the effective implementation of the Single European Sky policy and improving overall ATM performance in Europe. Funded projects are studies and pilot activities looking to improve infrastructure or technology.

“All project proposals must clearly improve ATM performance,” said Jagiello. “And use of EGNOS and Galileo is also a general requirement.”

The GSA and INEA coordinate their calls to ensure no dual funding and to ensure maximum use of the available budget in the respective programmes.

EGNOS awards

Following the presentation, participants were invited to a networking drink and the presentation of the 2018 EGNOS awards at the EGNOS stand. The awards were introduced by Sofia Cilla, Service Adoption Manager at ESSP – the EGNOS Service provider - and presented by José Luis Fernandez, Service Provision Unit Manager at ESSP.

The first recipient was Adriana Salmón Fernandez representing FerroNATS, a commercial air traffic control operator in Spain that has just implemented their fifth EGNOS procedure. She praised the smooth coordination of the implementation and looked forward to future collaboration.

Similarly, the second recipient, George Angelou representing the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority, appreciated the cooperation with GSA in the ongoing BlueGNSS programme and looked forward to EGNOS operational approaches in Greece being “up and running” soon.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

A call for proposals has been opened under the Fundamental Elements funding mechanism, targeting the development of GNSS receiver technologies for premium and general mass markets. 

As the Galileo constellation expands, and following the launch of Initial Services, the adoption of the system in the mass market has taken off with most major smartphone manufacturers announcing a series of products in the last eighteen months that will use Galileo.

But the mass market is not limited to smartphones. Two streams have been identified where additional efforts are required for fostering adoption:

1. Premium Mass Market (PMM): the upper segment of mass market applications with respect to general purpose mass-market applications, requiring higher performances than those achievable by popular mass-market products such as trackers or step counters, but less stringent than the professional ones such as GIS receivers.
2. General Mass Market (GMM): the low end of mass market applications, which is mainly cost-driven and for which energy consumption and physical size are key drivers.

Read this: GSA to host Fundamental Elements Info Day in Prague: join us on 14th of March

Proposals in the new call shall address any (or both) streams by developing, integrating, testing and demonstrating hardware components, software or firmware filling technology gaps for Premium Mass Market GNSS devices, Internet of Things, or any other general mass market application. They should also assess or, even better, leverage the several Galileo differentiators such as:

• Multiple carrier frequency, wide bandwidth E-GNSS signals;
• Data-less (pilot) channels;
• The prospect of a Navigation Message Authentication service transmitted over Open Service E1;
• The use of carrier-phase based applications and satellite-based real-time Precise Point Positioning (PPP) products, such as the ones foreseen in the Galileo Commercial Service;
• Integration of miniaturised Galileo SAR beacons with mass market devices such as smartphones.

One of the main characteristics of this call is its openness and flexibility. It constitutes a good opportunity for already-established providers of mass market solutions to improve or expand their product portfolio and for newcomers to facilitate the development of their own solutions and their entry into the market.

At a glance:

Apply here

This call is part of the annual Grant Plan published by the GSA and it follows the recent publication of calls for an Advanced interference detection and mitigation techniques and a Commercial Service User terminal. The 2018 Grant Plan should be published soon.

Furthermore, the GSA plans to hold an Info Day at its headquarters in Prague on March 14 2018, focusing on upcoming opportunities under Fundamental Elements. The event will also provide an update on the status of the programme. Participants in the Info Day will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from the European Commission/GSA, ongoing Fundamental Elements projects and the GNSS industry.

You can register for the Info Day here.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

A call for proposals has been opened under the Fundamental Elements funding mechanism, targeting the development of GNSS receiver technologies for premium and general mass markets. This and other FE projects will be presented at Info Day in Prague on March 14.

As the Galileo constellation expands, and following the launch of Initial Services, the adoption of the system in the mass market has taken off with most major smartphone manufacturers announcing a series of products in the last eighteen months that will use Galileo.

But the mass market is not limited to smartphones. Two streams have been identified where additional efforts are required for fostering adoption:

1. Premium Mass Market (PMM): the upper segment of mass market applications with respect to general purpose mass-market applications, requiring higher performances than those achievable by popular mass-market products such as trackers or step counters, but less stringent than the professional ones such as GIS receivers.
2. General Mass Market (GMM): the low end of mass market applications, which is mainly cost-driven and for which energy consumption and physical size are key drivers.

Read this: GSA to host Fundamental Elements Info Day in Prague: join us on 14th of March

Proposals in the new call shall address any (or both) streams by developing, integrating, testing and demonstrating hardware components, software or firmware filling technology gaps for Premium Mass Market GNSS devices, Internet of Things, or any other general mass market application. They should also assess or, even better, leverage the several Galileo differentiators such as:

• Multiple carrier frequency, wide bandwidth E-GNSS signals;
• Data-less (pilot) channels;
• The prospect of a Navigation Message Authentication service transmitted over Open Service E1;
• The use of carrier-phase based applications and satellite-based real-time Precise Point Positioning (PPP) products, such as the ones foreseen in the Galileo Commercial Service;
• Integration of miniaturised Galileo SAR beacons with mass market devices such as smartphones.

One of the main characteristics of this call is its openness and flexibility. It constitutes a good opportunity for already-established providers of mass market solutions to improve or expand their product portfolio and for newcomers to facilitate the development of their own solutions and their entry into the market.

At a glance:

Apply here

This call is part of the annual Grant Plan published by the GSA and it follows the recent publication of calls for an Advanced interference detection and mitigation techniques and a Commercial Service User terminal. The 2018 Grant Plan should be published soon.

Furthermore, the GSA plans to hold an Info Day at its headquarters in Prague on March 14 2018, focusing on upcoming opportunities under Fundamental Elements. The event will also provide an update on the status of the programme. Participants in the Info Day will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from the European Commission/GSA, ongoing Fundamental Elements projects and the GNSS industry.

You can register for the Info Day here.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The Munich Satellite Navigation Summit opened on March 5 with a discussion about who stands to win from competition and cooperation in satellite navigation. After a lively debate it was decided that, ultimately, the end user will be the winner in what one panellist described as ‘the Golden Age of GNSS.’

Matthias Petschke, Director of EU Satellite Navigation Programmes, European Commission, opened the discussion by stressing that a balanced mix between competition and cooperation is needed in the satellite navigation sector. He said that competition between providers of GNSS services and between industrial players would lead to better services, more innovation and reduced costs. “On the other hand, cooperation will ensure compatibility of signals in terms of radio frequency characteristics and interoperability of systems – allowing multi-constellation to provide better services,” he said.

European GNSS Agency (GSA) Executive Director Carlo des Dorides agreed. He said that cooperation is necessary – and frequency coordination is only one example of this. The GSA director noted that, from a user perspective, GNSS systems provide the best performance when they work together. “Today more than 60% of the chipsets available on the market are multi-system and more than 20% foresee four-satellite-system compatibility.  The market is requesting more reliable, more accurate positioning, and this is what multi-system provides,” he said, adding that within multi-constellation solutions Galileo has a special place thanks to its frequency compatibility with GPS.

Galileo outperforming expectations

Noting that navigation information had become an integral part of our daily lives, Simon Plum, Managing Director for the Galileo Programme at DLR GfR, said that priorities have started to shift from the deployment of infrastructure to service delivery on a global scale. “Europe has proven its capability over the past number of years, and now the system has to grow its reputation of precision and, more importantly, of reliability,” he said.

In this regard, Petschke stressed that Galileo is already delivering much better services than expected and, what’s more, it is transparent about its performance, with quarterly performance reports published on the GSC website. “The market uptake results are impressive, preliminary figures show that some 75 million Galileo-enabled smartphones were sold last year and 95% of the chipsets on the market are already Galileo-enabled. What’s more, as of April 1 this year, all new passenger cars in the EU will be equipped with the eCall rapid assistance systems, which are enhanced by Galileo,” he said.

Read this: GSA publishes eCall guidelines to facilitate GNSS compatibility tests

User-driven

Carlo des Dorides said that the GSA is focusing on ensuring that the current generation of Galileo services, as well as the second generation, are driven by user needs. He said that Galileo will soon offer two unique differentiators that other GNSS are not currently providing: the Open Service Navigation Message Authentication (OS NMA) and worldwide Precise Point Positioning (PPP). “The new services will meet emerging needs, especially in autonomous applications,” he said.

Go Takizawa, Executive Director of QZSS Strategy at the National Space Policy Secretariat in Japan noted that by 2020 there would be more than 100 positioning satellites available in the world and that cooperation, compatibility and interoperability are important to ensure the performance and accuracy of the overall satellite positioning system. “This should bring benefits to GNSS users.  To make sure that the users are the ultimate winners, we need to have friendly competition and ensure compatibility,” he said.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The Munich Satellite Navigation Summit opened on March 5 with a discussion about who stands to win from competition and cooperation in satellite navigation. After a lively debate it was decided that, ultimately, the end user will be the winner in what one panellist described as ‘the Golden Age of GNSS.’

Matthias Petschke, Director of EU Satellite Navigation Programmes, European Commission, opened the discussion by stressing that a balanced mix between competition and cooperation is needed in the satellite navigation sector. He said that competition between providers of GNSS services and between industrial players would lead to better services, more innovation and reduced costs. “On the other hand, cooperation will ensure compatibility of signals in terms of radio frequency characteristics and interoperability of systems – allowing multi-constellation to provide better services,” he said.

European GNSS Agency (GSA) Executive Director Carlo des Dorides agreed. He said that cooperation is necessary – and frequency coordination is only one example of this. The GSA director noted that, from a user perspective, GNSS systems provide the best performance when they work together. “Today more than 60% of the chipsets available on the market are multi-system and more than 20% foresee four-satellite-system compatibility.  The market is requesting more reliable, more accurate positioning, and this is what multi-system provides,” he said, adding that within multi-constellation solutions Galileo has a special place thanks to its frequency compatibility with GPS.

Galileo outperforming expectations

Noting that navigation information had become an integral part of our daily lives, Simon Plum, Managing Director for the Galileo Programme at DLR GfR, said that said that priorities have started to shift from the deployment of infrastructure to service delivery on a global scale. “Europe has proven its capability over the past number of years, and now the system has to grow its reputation of precision and, more importantly, of reliability,” he said.

In this regard, Petschke stressed that Galileo is already delivering much better services than expected and, what’s more, it is transparent about its performance, with quarterly performance reports published on the GSC website. “The market uptake results are impressive, preliminary figures show that some 75 million Galileo-enabled smartphones were sold last year and 95% of the chipsets on the market are already Galileo-enabled. What’s more, as of April 1 this year, all new passenger cars in the EU will be equipped with the eCall rapid assistance systems, which are enhanced by Galileo,” he said.

Read this: GSA publishes eCall guidelines to facilitate GNSS compatibility tests

User-driven

Carlo des Dorides said that the GSA is focusing on ensuring that the current generation of Galileo services, as well as the second generation, are driven by user needs. He said that Galileo will soon offer two unique differentiators that other GNSS are not currently providing: the Open Service Navigation Message Authentication (OS NMA) and worldwide Precise Point Positioning (PPP). “The new services will meet emerging needs, especially in autonomous applications,” he said.

Go Takizawa, Executive Director of QZSS Strategy at the National Space Policy Secretariat in Japan noted that by 2020 there would be more than 100 positioning satellites available in the world and that cooperation, compatibility and interoperability are important to ensure the performance and accuracy of the overall satellite positioning system. “This should bring benefits to GNSS users.  To make sure that the users are the ultimate winners, we need to have friendly competition and ensure compatibility,” he said.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

Registration for the 4th Farming by Satellite Prize was officially opened at the conference “Agriculture: a new frontier for the European space policy” in the European Parliament on March 6. The aim of the prize is to promote Europe’s Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and Earth Observation (EO) services in agriculture.

This year, the ‘Farming by Satellite’ Prize has a top prize of €5,000 and asks the question: “How can we use satellite technologies to improve agriculture and reduce environmental impact?” Launching the competition Pierre Delsaux, Deputy Director-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs at DG Grow, said that the prize was an ideal way to give today’s young generation of farmers the opportunity to shape the future of the sector.

“Young farmers everywhere in Europe just take what is in their hands: the European Space Programmes, EGNOS-Galileo and Copernicus to launch the next agricultural revolution.,” he said. “And we need these young farmers to be innovative, competitive developing a sustainable agriculture in order to feed an ever increasing world population while respecting the environment and the climate changes commitments. Europe is committed to play its part in this crucial endeavour.”

The Farming by Satellite prize is an initiative of the European GNSS Agency (GSA) and the European Environment Agency, and is sponsored by agricultural engineering company CLAAS. Commenting on the launch, GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides said that the community of young farmers and agriculture students was very adaptable, enthusiast and ready to embrace new technologies such as EGNOS/Galileo and Copernicus.

“We need to support young farmers in embracing these technologies - they are the entrepreneurs of tomorrow, showing us how the synergies between our programmes bring real added value to users and support the evolution of agriculture,” des Dorides said.

Read this: European GNSS and Earth Observation

“We’re looking for new ideas and innovations, particularly those relying upon Europe’s satellite navigation services EGNOS, Galileo and the European Earth Observation programme, Copernicus. We’re anticipating submissions featuring hot topics like Big Data, augmented reality, farming 4.0, artificial intelligence and more,” judging panel chair Dr Andrew Speedy said.

And this: European GNSS and Earth Observation

The Farming by Satellite prize was first held in 2012, with previous finalists including young people from Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Italy, Germany, Romania, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom. Topics have ranged from geo-referenced online data platforms, swarm technologies, precision seed planting robots, crop type detection and evaluation systems, and a new forecasting system for rice production. The winners of the most recent competition were a team from ISA Lille in France with a proposal for the optimisation of plant cover properties using satellite imagery.

The competition finalists will be invited to attend the judging and awards ceremony. In the past, this has been held at the SIMA agricultural show in Paris, a Space Solutions conference in Prague and, most recently, International Green Week in Berlin. A similar venue is being arranged for late 2018 and details will be made available on the competition website.

For full details on the competition or to register to participate, go to: www.farmingbysatellite.eu.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

Registration for the 4th Farming by Satellite Prize was officially opened at the conference “Agriculture: a new frontier for the European space policy” in the European Parliament on March 6. The aim of the prize is to promote Europe’s Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and Earth Observation (EO) services in agriculture.

This year, the ‘Farming by Satellite’ Prize has a top prize of €5,000 and asks the question: “How can we use satellite technologies to improve agriculture and reduce environmental impact?” Launching the competition Pierre Delsaux, Deputy Director-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs at DG Grow, said that the prize was an ideal way to give today’s young generation of farmers the opportunity to shape the future of the sector.

“Young farmers everywhere in Europe just take what is in their hands: the European Space Programmes, EGNOS-Galileo and Copernicus to launch the next agricultural revolution.,” he said. “And we need these young farmers to be innovative, competitive developing a sustainable agriculture in order to feed an ever increasing world population while respecting the environment and the climate changes commitments. Europe is committed to play its part in this crucial endeavour.”

The Farming by Satellite prize is an initiative of the European GNSS Agency (GSA) and the European Environment Agency, and is sponsored by agricultural engineering company CLAAS. Commenting on the launch, GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides said that the community of young farmers and agriculture students was very adaptable, enthusiast and ready to embrace new technologies such as EGNOS/Galileo and Copernicus.

“We need to support young farmers in embracing these technologies - they are the entrepreneurs of tomorrow, showing us how the synergies between our programmes bring real added value to users and support the evolution of agriculture,” des Dorides said.

Read this: European GNSS and Earth Observation

“We’re looking for new ideas and innovations, particularly those relying upon Europe’s satellite navigation services EGNOS, Galileo and the European Earth Observation programme, Copernicus. We’re anticipating submissions featuring hot topics like Big Data, augmented reality, farming 4.0, artificial intelligence and more,” judging panel chair Dr Andrew Speedy said.

And this: European GNSS and Earth Observation

The Farming by Satellite prize was first held in 2012, with previous finalists including young people from Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Italy, Germany, Romania, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom. Topics have ranged from geo-referenced online data platforms, swarm technologies, precision seed planting robots, crop type detection and evaluation systems, and a new forecasting system for rice production. The winners of the most recent competition were a team from ISA Lille in France with a proposal for the optimisation of plant cover properties using satellite imagery.

The competition finalists will be invited to attend the judging and awards ceremony. In the past, this has been held at the SIMA agricultural show in Paris, a Space Solutions conference in Prague and, most recently, International Green Week in Berlin. A similar venue is being arranged for late 2018 and details will be made available on the competition website.

For full details on the competition or to register to participate, go to: www.farmingbysatellite.eu.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

Registration for the 4th Farming by Satellite Prize was officially opened at the conference “Agriculture: a new frontier for the European space policy” in the European Parliament on March 6. The aim of the prize is to promote Europe’s Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and Earth Observation (EO) services in agriculture.

This year, the ‘Farming by Satellite’ Prize has a top prize of €5,000 and asks the question: “How can we use satellite technologies to improve agriculture and reduce environmental impact?” Launching the competition Pierre Delsaux, Deputy Director-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs at DG Grow, said that the prize was an ideal way to give today’s young generation of farmers the opportunity to shape the future of the sector.

“Young farmers everywhere in Europe just take what is in their hands: the European Space Programmes, EGNOS-Galileo and Copernicus to launch the next agricultural revolution.,” he said. “And we need these young farmers to be innovative, competitive developing a sustainable agriculture in order to feed an ever increasing world population while respecting the environment and the climate changes commitments. Europe is committed to play its part in this crucial endeavour.”

The Farming by Satellite prize is an initiative of the European GNSS Agency (GSA) and the European Environment Agency, and is sponsored by agricultural engineering company CLAAS. Commenting on the launch, GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides said that the community of young farmers and agriculture students was very adaptable, enthusiast and ready to embrace new technologies such as EGNOS/Galileo and Copernicus.

“We need to support young farmers in embracing these technologies - they are the entrepreneurs of tomorrow, showing us how the synergies between our programmes bring real added value to users and support the evolution of agriculture,” des Dorides said.

Read this: European GNSS and Earth Observation

“We’re looking for new ideas and innovations, particularly those relying upon Europe’s satellite navigation services EGNOS, Galileo and the European Earth Observation programme, Copernicus. We’re anticipating submissions featuring hot topics like Big Data, augmented reality, farming 4.0, artificial intelligence and more,” judging panel chair Dr Andrew Speedy said.

And this: European GNSS and Earth Observation

The Farming by Satellite prize was first held in 2012, with previous finalists including young people from Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Italy, Germany, Romania, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom. Topics have ranged from geo-referenced online data platforms, swarm technologies, precision seed planting robots, crop type detection and evaluation systems, and a new forecasting system for rice production. The winners of the most recent competition were a team from ISA Lille in France with a proposal for the optimisation of plant cover properties using satellite imagery.

The competition finalists will be invited to attend the judging and awards ceremony. In the past, this has been held at the SIMA agricultural show in Paris, a Space Solutions conference in Prague and, most recently, International Green Week in Berlin. A similar venue is being arranged for late 2018 and details will be made available on the competition website.

For full details on the competition or to register to participate, go to: www.farmingbysatellite.eu.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

Five new Fundamental Elements calls have been announced in the Galileo Exploitation Grant Plan for 2018, which has been released by the GSA.

Every year, the GSA publishes on its website a list of the Fundamental Elements calls for proposal planned for the year. The 2018 Grant Plan release follows the recent publication of several announcements of upcoming Fundamental Elements calls: for Advanced interference detection and mitigation techniques; a Commercial Service User terminal; and a call for the development of GNSS receiver technologies for premium and general mass markets. 

Interested in funding opportunities? Join the FE Info Day

During 2018, the GSA will continue to fund the development of E-GNSS receivers and associated technologies in the priority market segments of road (autonomous driving) and mass-market (leveraging I-NAV improvements and OS authentication). A rail project is also planned, with the objective of supporting E-GNSS enabled safety-of-life rail signalling applications. Additionally, an open call will offer the EU GNSS industry the possibility to get funds for further development to fill the gaps in E-GNSS receivers and associated technologies.

A brief look at the upcoming FE grants:

1.    Multi-frequency multipurpose antenna for Galileo

This call is intended to fund up to two projects with the following activities:

• Develop and test a common technology multi-frequency antenna for Galileo professional and mass-market users.
• The advanced antenna shall be multi frequency-capable antennas and adaptive in order to support professional/mass market and potentially governmental applications requiring high accuracy, high robustness and high reliability.
• The antenna shall be commercially ready with a competitive cost.

At a glance

2.    Safety of Life for localisation in train signalling

This call is intended to fund up to one project with the following activities:

• Development and qualification of a Safety of Life multi-constellation receiver for use in safety-critical railway signalling applications according to the user requirements and train positioning system architecture and according to the performance specification, based on previous related projects and initiatives;
• E-GNSS performance test in railway-specific environment and development of Minimum Operational Performance specification.

At a glance

3.    Filling the gaps in E-GNSS receivers and associated technologies

This call for proposals is intended to fund up to five projects with the following activities:

• Identify technology gaps and propose receivers and/or associated technologies to optimally leverage Galileo and EGNOS differentiators;
  Develop and test Galileo-enabled GNSS receivers and/or underlying technology for key user applications not covered by any other Fundamental Elements project;
  The receivers and/or associated technologies shall be aligned with the market trends for the specific user segments and target competitive prices;
  Include a business plan detailing on how the developed technologies will be brought into the market.

At a glance

4.    Enhanced RX for autonomous driving/navigation

The objectives of this call for proposals are to develop an innovative close-to-market GNSS-based On-board-Unit (OBU) suitable for fully automated driving and/or cooperative positioning, integrating a GNSS receiver and possibly additional sensors and communication modem to enable the target applications’ performance.

The call for proposals is intended to fund up to two projects with the following activities:

• Design, development, testing and demonstration of dual- or multi-frequency GNSS OBU for fully autonomous driving and/or cooperative positioning to be embedded on autonomous vehicles.
• Tight integration of the GNSS receiver with other sensors to reach the application needs.

At a glance

5.    Enhanced GNSS user terminal

The objectives of this call are to build close-to-market OS-NMA enabled receivers or terminals suitable for additional target application domains, such as logistics, consumer location-based services and/or specific maritime applications. The receivers and/or terminals shall be fully compliant with the updated ICD also receiving and processing I/NAV improvements data.

The call for proposals is intended to fund up to two projects with the following activities:

• Design, development, test and demonstration of a close-to-market enhanced GNSS user terminal suitable for one or more applications to be selected from a list (proposed by the GSA);
• GNSS user terminal maturity demonstrated in an operational environment;
• Execution of performance tests to assess the actual performance improvement reached by the user terminal;
• Implementation of the user terminal market uptake strategy in the selected applications’ segment.

At a glance

For more information on all of the calls included in the 2018 Galileo Grant Plan, click here.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

Five new Fundamental Elements calls have been announced in the Galileo Exploitation Grant Plan for 2018, which has been released by the GSA.

Every year, the GSA publishes on its website a list of the Fundamental Elements calls for proposal planned for the year. The 2018 Grant Plan release follows the recent publication of several announcements of upcoming Fundamental Elements calls: for Advanced interference detection and mitigation techniques; a Commercial Service User terminal; and a call for the development of GNSS receiver technologies for premium and general mass markets. 

Interested in funding opportunities? Join the FE Info Day

During 2018, the GSA will continue to fund the development of E-GNSS receivers and associated technologies in the priority market segments of road (autonomous driving) and mass-market (leveraging I-NAV improvements and OS authentication). A rail project is also planned, with the objective of supporting E-GNSS enabled safety-of-life rail signalling applications. Additionally, an open call will offer the EU GNSS industry the possibility to get funds for further development to fill the gaps in E-GNSS receivers and associated technologies.

A brief look at the upcoming FE grants:

1.    Multi-frequency multipurpose antenna for Galileo

This call is intended to fund up to two projects with the following activities:

• Develop and test a common technology multi-frequency antenna for Galileo professional and mass-market users.
• The advanced antenna shall be multi frequency-capable antennas and adaptive in order to support professional/mass market and potentially governmental applications requiring high accuracy, high robustness and high reliability.
• The antenna shall be commercially ready with a competitive cost.

At a glance

2.    Safety of Life for localisation in train signalling

This call is intended to fund up to one project with the following activities:

• Development and qualification of a Safety of Life multi-constellation receiver for use in safety-critical railway signalling applications according to the user requirements and train positioning system architecture and according to the performance specification, based on previous related projects and initiatives;
• E-GNSS performance test in railway-specific environment and development of Minimum Operational Performance specification.

At a glance

3.    Filling the gaps in E-GNSS receivers and associated technologies

This call for proposals is intended to fund up to five projects with the following activities:

• Identify technology gaps and propose receivers and/or associated technologies to optimally leverage Galileo and EGNOS differentiators;
  Develop and test Galileo-enabled GNSS receivers and/or underlying technology for key user applications not covered by any other Fundamental Elements project;
  The receivers and/or associated technologies shall be aligned with the market trends for the specific user segments and target competitive prices;
  Include a business plan detailing on how the developed technologies will be brought into the market.

At a glance

4.    Enhanced RX for autonomous driving/navigation

The objectives of this call for proposals are to develop an innovative close-to-market GNSS-based On-board-Unit (OBU) suitable for fully automated driving and/or cooperative positioning, integrating a GNSS receiver and possibly additional sensors and communication modem to enable the target applications’ performance.

The call for proposals is intended to fund up to two projects with the following activities:

• Design, development, testing and demonstration of dual- or multi-frequency GNSS OBU for fully autonomous driving and/or cooperative positioning to be embedded on autonomous vehicles.
• Tight integration of the GNSS receiver with other sensors to reach the application needs.

At a glance

5.    Enhanced GNSS user terminal

The objectives of this call are to build close-to-market OS-NMA enabled receivers or terminals suitable for additional target application domains, such as logistics, consumer location-based services and/or specific maritime applications. The receivers and/or terminals shall be fully compliant with the updated ICD also receiving and processing I/NAV improvements data.

The call for proposals is intended to fund up to two projects with the following activities:

• Design, development, test and demonstration of a close-to-market enhanced GNSS user terminal suitable for one or more applications to be selected from a list (proposed by the GSA);
• GNSS user terminal maturity demonstrated in an operational environment;
• Execution of performance tests to assess the actual performance improvement reached by the user terminal;
• Implementation of the user terminal market uptake strategy in the selected applications’ segment.

At a glance

For more information on all of the calls included in the 2018 Galileo Grant Plan, click here.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

Five new Fundamental Elements calls have been announced in the Galileo Exploitation Grant Plan for 2018, which has been released by the GSA.

Every year, the GSA publishes on its website list of the Fundamental Elements calls for proposal planned for the year. The 2018 Grant Plan release follows the recent publication of several announcements of upcoming Fundamental Elements calls: for Advanced interference detection and mitigation techniques; a Commercial Service User terminal; and a call for the development of GNSS receiver technologies for premium and general mass markets. 

Interested in funding opportunities? Join the FE Info Day

During 2018, the GSA will continue to fund the development of E-GNSS receivers and associated technologies in the priority market segments of road (autonomous driving) and mass-market (leveraging I-NAV improvements and OS authentication). A rail project is also planned, with the objective of supporting E-GNSS enabled safety-of-life rail signalling applications. Additionally, an open call will offer the EU GNSS industry the possibility to get funds for further development to fill the gaps in E-GNSS receivers and associated technologies.

A brief look at the upcoming FE grants:

1.    Multi-frequency multipurpose antenna for Galileo

This call is intended to fund up to two projects with the following activities:

• Develop and test a common technology multi-frequency antenna for Galileo professional and mass-market users.
• The advanced antenna shall be multi frequency-capable antennas and adaptive in order to support professional/mass market and potentially governmental applications requiring high accuracy, high robustness and high reliability.
• The antenna shall be commercially ready with a competitive cost.

At a glance

2.    Safety of Life for localisation in train signalling

This call is intended to fund up to one project with the following activities:

• Development and qualification of a Safety of Life multi-constellation receiver for use in safety-critical railway signalling applications according to the user requirements and train positioning system architecture and according to the performance specification, based on previous related projects and initiatives;
• E-GNSS performance test in railway-specific environment and development of Minimum Operational Performance specification.

At a glance

3.    Filling the gaps in E-GNSS receivers and associated technologies

This call for proposals is intended to fund up to five projects with the following activities:

• Identify technology gaps and propose receivers and/or associated technologies to optimally leverage Galileo and EGNOS differentiators;
  Develop and test Galileo-enabled GNSS receivers and/or underlying technology for key user applications not covered by any other Fundamental Elements project;
  The receivers and/or associated technologies shall be aligned with the market trends for the specific user segments and target competitive prices;
  Include a business plan detailing on how the developed technologies will be brought into the market.

At a glance

4.    Enhanced RX for autonomous driving/navigation

The objectives of this call for proposals are to develop an innovative close-to-market GNSS-based On-board-Unit (OBU) suitable for fully automated driving and/or cooperative positioning, integrating a GNSS receiver and possibly additional sensors and communication modem to enable the target applications’ performance.

The call for proposals is intended to fund up to two projects with the following activities:

• Design, development, testing and demonstration of dual- or multi-frequency GNSS OBU for fully autonomous driving and/or cooperative positioning to be embedded on autonomous vehicles.
• Tight integration of the GNSS receiver with other sensors to reach the application needs.

At a glance

5.    Enhanced GNSS user terminal

The objectives of this call are to build close-to-market OS-NMA enabled receivers or terminals suitable for additional target application domains, such as logistics, consumer location-based services and/or specific maritime applications. The receivers and/or terminals shall be fully compliant with the updated ICD also receiving and processing I/NAV improvements data.

The call for proposals is intended to fund up to two projects with the following activities:

• Design, development, test and demonstration of a close-to-market enhanced GNSS user terminal suitable for one or more applications to be selected from a list (proposed by the GSA);
• GNSS user terminal maturity demonstrated in an operational environment;
• Execution of performance tests to assess the actual performance improvement reached by the user terminal;
• Implementation of the user terminal market uptake strategy in the selected applications’ segment.

At a glance

For more information on all of the calls included in the 2018 Galileo Grant Plan, click here.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

Five new Fundamental Elements calls have been announced in the Galileo Exploitation Grant Plan for 2018, which has been released by the GSA.

Every year, the GSA publishes on its website a list of the Fundamental Elements calls for proposal planned for the year. The 2018 Grant Plan release follows the recent publication of several announcements of upcoming Fundamental Elements calls: for Advanced interference detection and mitigation techniques; a Commercial Service User terminal; and a call for the development of GNSS receiver technologies for premium and general mass markets. 

Interested in funding opportunities? Join the FE Info Day

During 2018, the GSA will continue to fund the development of E-GNSS receivers and associated technologies in the priority market segments of road (autonomous driving) and mass-market (leveraging I-NAV improvements and OS authentication). A rail project is also planned, with the objective of supporting E-GNSS enabled safety-of-life rail signalling applications. Additionally, an open call will offer the EU GNSS industry the possibility to get funds for further development to fill the gaps in E-GNSS receivers and associated technologies.

A brief look at the upcoming FE grants:

1.    Multi-frequency multipurpose antenna for Galileo

This call is intended to fund up to two projects with the following activities:

• Develop and test a common technology multi-frequency antenna for Galileo professional and mass-market users.
• The advanced antenna shall be multi frequency-capable antennas and adaptive in order to support professional/mass market and potentially governmental applications requiring high accuracy, high robustness and high reliability.
• The antenna shall be commercially ready with a competitive cost.

At a glance

2.    Safety of Life for localisation in train signalling

This call is intended to fund up to one project with the following activities:

• Development and qualification of a Safety of Life multi-constellation receiver for use in safety-critical railway signalling applications according to the user requirements and train positioning system architecture and according to the performance specification, based on previous related projects and initiatives;
• E-GNSS performance test in railway-specific environment and development of Minimum Operational Performance specification.

At a glance

3.    Filling the gaps in E-GNSS receivers and associated technologies

This call for proposals is intended to fund up to five projects with the following activities:

• Identify technology gaps and propose receivers and/or associated technologies to optimally leverage Galileo and EGNOS differentiators;
  Develop and test Galileo-enabled GNSS receivers and/or underlying technology for key user applications not covered by any other Fundamental Elements project;
  The receivers and/or associated technologies shall be aligned with the market trends for the specific user segments and target competitive prices;
  Include a business plan detailing on how the developed technologies will be brought into the market.

At a glance

4.    Enhanced RX for autonomous driving/navigation

The objectives of this call for proposals are to develop an innovative close-to-market GNSS-based On-board-Unit (OBU) suitable for fully automated driving and/or cooperative positioning, integrating a GNSS receiver and possibly additional sensors and communication modem to enable the target applications’ performance.

The call for proposals is intended to fund up to two projects with the following activities:

• Design, development, testing and demonstration of dual- or multi-frequency GNSS OBU for fully autonomous driving and/or cooperative positioning to be embedded on autonomous vehicles.
• Tight integration of the GNSS receiver with other sensors to reach the application needs.

At a glance

5.    Enhanced GNSS user terminal

The objectives of this call are to build close-to-market OS-NMA enabled receivers or terminals suitable for additional target application domains, such as logistics, consumer location-based services and/or specific maritime applications. The receivers and/or terminals shall be fully compliant with the updated ICD also receiving and processing I/NAV improvements data.

The call for proposals is intended to fund up to two projects with the following activities:

• Design, development, test and demonstration of a close-to-market enhanced GNSS user terminal suitable for one or more applications to be selected from a list (proposed by the GSA);
• GNSS user terminal maturity demonstrated in an operational environment;
• Execution of performance tests to assess the actual performance improvement reached by the user terminal;
• Implementation of the user terminal market uptake strategy in the selected applications’ segment.

At a glance

For more information on all of the calls included in the 2018 Galileo Grant Plan, click here.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

Five new Fundamental Elements calls have been announced in the Galileo Exploitation Grant Plan for 2018, which has been released by the GSA.

Every year, the GSA publishes on its website a list of the Fundamental Elements calls for proposal planned for the year. The 2018 Grant Plan release follows the recent publication of several announcements of upcoming Fundamental Elements calls: for Advanced interference detection and mitigation techniques; a Commercial Service User terminal; and a call for the development of GNSS receiver technologies for premium and general mass markets. 

Interested in funding opportunities? Join the FE Info Day

During 2018, the GSA will continue to fund the development of E-GNSS receivers and associated technologies in the priority market segments of road (autonomous driving) and mass-market (leveraging I-NAV improvements and OS authentication). A rail project is also planned, with the objective of supporting E-GNSS enabled safety-of-life rail signalling applications. Additionally, an open call will offer the EU GNSS industry the possibility to get funds for further development to fill the gaps in E-GNSS receivers and associated technologies.

A brief look at the upcoming FE grants:

1.    Multi-frequency multipurpose antenna for Galileo

This call is intended to fund up to two projects with the following activities:

• Develop and test a common technology multi-frequency antenna for Galileo professional and mass-market users.
• The advanced antenna shall be multi frequency-capable antennas and adaptive in order to support professional/mass market and potentially governmental applications requiring high accuracy, high robustness and high reliability.
• The antenna shall be commercially ready with a competitive cost.

At a glance

2.    Safety of Life for localisation in train signalling

This call is intended to fund up to one project with the following activities:

• Development and qualification of a Safety of Life multi-constellation receiver for use in safety-critical railway signalling applications according to the user requirements and train positioning system architecture and according to the performance specification, based on previous related projects and initiatives;
• E-GNSS performance test in railway-specific environment and development of Minimum Operational Performance specification.

At a glance

3.    Filling the gaps in E-GNSS receivers and associated technologies

This call for proposals is intended to fund up to five projects with the following activities:

• Identify technology gaps and propose receivers and/or associated technologies to optimally leverage Galileo and EGNOS differentiators;
  Develop and test Galileo-enabled GNSS receivers and/or underlying technology for key user applications not covered by any other Fundamental Elements project;
  The receivers and/or associated technologies shall be aligned with the market trends for the specific user segments and target competitive prices;
  Include a business plan detailing on how the developed technologies will be brought into the market.

At a glance

4.    Enhanced RX for autonomous driving/navigation

The objectives of this call for proposals are to develop an innovative close-to-market GNSS-based On-board-Unit (OBU) suitable for fully automated driving and/or cooperative positioning, integrating a GNSS receiver and possibly additional sensors and communication modem to enable the target applications’ performance.

The call for proposals is intended to fund up to two projects with the following activities:

• Design, development, testing and demonstration of dual- or multi-frequency GNSS OBU for fully autonomous driving and/or cooperative positioning to be embedded on autonomous vehicles.
• Tight integration of the GNSS receiver with other sensors to reach the application needs.

At a glance

5.    Enhanced GNSS user terminal

The objectives of this call are to build close-to-market OS-NMA enabled receivers or terminals suitable for additional target application domains, such as logistics, consumer location-based services and/or specific maritime applications. The receivers and/or terminals shall be fully compliant with the updated ICD also receiving and processing I/NAV improvements data.

The call for proposals is intended to fund up to two projects with the following activities:

• Design, development, test and demonstration of a close-to-market enhanced GNSS user terminal suitable for one or more applications to be selected from a list (proposed by the GSA);
• GNSS user terminal maturity demonstrated in an operational environment;
• Execution of performance tests to assess the actual performance improvement reached by the user terminal;
• Implementation of the user terminal market uptake strategy in the selected applications’ segment.

At a glance

For more information on all of the calls included in the 2018 Galileo Grant Plan, click here.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The European Commission, with the support of the GSA, is launching the EGNOSHA project to determine under what conditions it would be beneficial to implement an EGNOS high accuracy service in 2020-2035.

The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW) has appointed GMV, with support from ALPHA Consult and under the technical supervision of the European GNSS Agency (GSA), to carry out the study, during which users from the road, mapping, surveying and offshore sectors will be consulted, among others.

Read this: Airbus awarded EGNOS V3 contract

The EGNOS high accuracy service could provide centimetre-level accuracy, a fast convergence time and timely warnings in case integrity of the positioning service is lost. The project will identify user requirements, determine service provision requirements and assess how this service could complement the Galileo Commercial Service. GNSS users will be consulted to consolidate and validate user and service requirements for high accuracy. The outcomes of the EGNOSHA study will be available at the end of 2019 and contribute to the definition of potential evolutions of the EGNOS mission.

EGNOS currently provides augmentation to the Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Positioning Service (SPS). EGNOS augments GPS using the L1 Coarse/ Acquisition (C/A) civilian signal function by broadcasting correction data and integrity information for positioning and navigation applications over Europe. The next generation of EGNOS, EGNOS V3, will augment GPS and Galileo constellations in the L1/E1 and L5/E5a bands and will improve the accuracy and reliability of the positioning, navigation and timing information over Europe.

Watch this: EGNOS Satellite Navigation Systems

The study is fully financed by the European Commission under the Horizon 2020 framework programme for research and innovation, within the budget allocated to the evolution of the EGNOS mission.

More information about the EGNOSHA tasks can be found here.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The European GNSS Agency (GSA), in cooperation with the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), has launched the Young GSA – Space Systems Synergy Scholarship, giving students and young professionals the chance to explore synergies between GNSS and Earth Observation.

The competition is a great opportunity for young people to share their views on the possibilities that the integrated use of space infrastructure – global satellite communications, satellite navigation (including Galileo and EGNOS) and Earth Observation (including Copernicus)  – can achieve.

Participants are asked to create a 30-second video complemented by a 400-word essay focused on answering the following question:

• While space programmes are capable of great achievements separately, it is through synergies that their true capabilities are unleashed. The best results will be achieved when telecommunications, satellite navigation and Earth Observation satellites and services collaborate to achieve common goals. How can synergies of these three types of space-based services, in effect ‘a system of systems’, be leveraged to help make our world safer and more sustainable? Use your imagination and give some realistic examples of your vision of what the future holds!

Need inspiration? Read this: European GNSS and Earth Observation: A promising convergence for sustainable development

The winner will receive up to USD 2 000 to be used to attend both the 7th Space Generation Fusion Forum on 15-16 April 2018, and the 34th Space Symposium, on 16-19 April 2018. Both events will be held in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA.

The details

The scholarship is open to European students and young professionals aged 18 to 35. In order to participate, you must be a registered SGAC member. You can register for free membership here.

In addition to the video and essay, applicants must also submit their CV (with date of birth and country of citizenship). All submissions must be in English and must be received via the Scholarship's Submission Form no later than 23.59 GMT on 15 March 2018.

For more information, click here.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The European GNSS Agency (GSA), in cooperation with the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), has launched the Young GSA – Space Systems Synergy Scholarship, giving European students and young professionals the chance to explore synergies between GNSS and Earth Observation.

The competition is a great opportunity for young Europeans to share their views on the possibilities that the integrated use of space infrastructure – global satellite communications, satellite navigation (including Galileo and EGNOS) and Earth Observation (including Copernicus)  – can achieve.

Participants are asked to create a 30-second video complemented by a 400-word essay focused on answering the following question:

• While space programmes are capable of great achievements separately, it is through synergies that their true capabilities are unleashed. The best results will be achieved when telecommunications, satellite navigation and Earth Observation satellites and services collaborate to achieve common goals. How can synergies of these three types of space-based services, in effect ‘a system of systems’, be leveraged to help make our world safer and more sustainable? Use your imagination and give some realistic examples of your vision of what the future holds!

Need inspiration? Read this: European GNSS and Earth Observation: A promising convergence for sustainable development

The winner will receive up to USD 2 000 to be used to attend both the 7th Space Generation Fusion Forum on 15-16 April 2018, and the 34rd Space Symposium, on 16-19 April 2018. Both events will be held in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA.

The details

The scholarship is open to European students and young professionals aged 18 to 35. In order to participate, you must be a registered SGAC member. You can register for free membership here.

In addition to the video and essay, applicants must also submit their CV (with date of birth and country of citizenship). All submissions must be in English and must be received via the Scholarship's Submission Form no later than 23.59 GMT on 10 March 2018. The results will be announced on 15 March, 2018.

For more information, click here.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The European GNSS Agency (GSA), in cooperation with the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), has launched the Young GSA – Space Systems Synergy Scholarship, giving European students and young professionals the chance to explore synergies between GNSS and Earth Observation.

The competition is a great opportunity for young Europeans to share their views on the possibilities that the integrated use of space infrastructure – global satellite communications, satellite navigation (including Galileo and EGNOS) and Earth Observation (including Copernicus)  – can achieve.

Participants are asked to create a 30-second video complemented by a 400-word essay focused on answering the following question:

• While space programmes are capable of great achievements separately, it is through synergies that their true capabilities are unleashed. The best results will be achieved when telecommunications, satellite navigation and Earth Observation satellites and services collaborate to achieve common goals. How can synergies of these three types of space-based services, in effect ‘a system of systems’, be leveraged to help make our world safer and more sustainable? Use your imagination and give some realistic examples of your vision of what the future holds!

Need inspiration? Read this: European GNSS and Earth Observation: A promising convergence for sustainable development

The winner will receive up to USD 2 000 to be used to attend both the 7th Space Generation Fusion Forum on 15-16 April 2018, and the 34th Space Symposium, on 16-19 April 2018. Both events will be held in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA.

The details

The scholarship is open to European students and young professionals aged 18 to 35. In order to participate, you must be a registered SGAC member. You can register for free membership here.

In addition to the video and essay, applicants must also submit their CV (with date of birth and country of citizenship). All submissions must be in English and must be received via the Scholarship's Submission Form no later than 23.59 GMT on 10 March 2018. The results will be announced on 15 March, 2018.

For more information, click here.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The European GNSS Agency (GSA), in cooperation with the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), has launched the Young GSA – Space Systems Synergy Scholarship, giving students and young professionals the chance to explore synergies between GNSS and Earth Observation.

The competition is a great opportunity for young people to share their views on the possibilities that the integrated use of space infrastructure – global satellite communications, satellite navigation (including Galileo and EGNOS) and Earth Observation (including Copernicus)  – can achieve.

Participants are asked to create a 30-second video complemented by a 400-word essay focused on answering the following question:

• While space programmes are capable of great achievements separately, it is through synergies that their true capabilities are unleashed. The best results will be achieved when telecommunications, satellite navigation and Earth Observation satellites and services collaborate to achieve common goals. How can synergies of these three types of space-based services, in effect ‘a system of systems’, be leveraged to help make our world safer and more sustainable? Use your imagination and give some realistic examples of your vision of what the future holds!

Need inspiration? Read this: European GNSS and Earth Observation: A promising convergence for sustainable development

The winner will receive up to USD 2 000 to be used to attend both the 7th Space Generation Fusion Forum on 15-16 April 2018, and the 34th Space Symposium, on 16-19 April 2018. Both events will be held in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA.

The details

The scholarship is open to European students and young professionals aged 18 to 35. In order to participate, you must be a registered SGAC member. You can register for free membership here.

In addition to the video and essay, applicants must also submit their CV (with date of birth and country of citizenship). All submissions must be in English and must be received via the Scholarship's Submission Form no later than 23.59 GMT on 10 March 2018. The results will be announced on 15 March, 2018.

For more information, click here.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The European GNSS Agency (GSA), in cooperation with the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), has launched the Young GSA – Space Systems Synergy Scholarship, giving students and young professionals the chance to explore synergies between GNSS and Earth Observation.

The competition is a great opportunity for young people to share their views on the possibilities that the integrated use of space infrastructure – global satellite communications, satellite navigation (including Galileo and EGNOS) and Earth Observation (including Copernicus)  – can achieve.

Participants are asked to create a 30-second video complemented by a 400-word essay focused on answering the following question:

• While space programmes are capable of great achievements separately, it is through synergies that their true capabilities are unleashed. The best results will be achieved when telecommunications, satellite navigation and Earth Observation satellites and services collaborate to achieve common goals. How can synergies of these three types of space-based services, in effect ‘a system of systems’, be leveraged to help make our world safer and more sustainable? Use your imagination and give some realistic examples of your vision of what the future holds!

Need inspiration? Read this: European GNSS and Earth Observation: A promising convergence for sustainable development

The winner will receive up to USD 2 000 to be used to attend both the 7th Space Generation Fusion Forum on 15-16 April 2018, and the 34th Space Symposium, on 16-19 April 2018. Both events will be held in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA.

The details

The scholarship is open to European students and young professionals aged 18 to 35. In order to participate, you must be a registered SGAC member. You can register for free membership here.

In addition to the video and essay, applicants must also submit their CV (with date of birth and country of citizenship). All submissions must be in English and must be received via the Scholarship's Submission Form no later than 23.59 GMT on 29 March 2018.

For more information, click here.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

With over 30 smartphone models currently on the market being Galileo-enabled – and many more on the way – chances are your phone is already taking advantage of all that Galileo has to offer. But how exactly does it work? Here, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) pulls back the curtain on Galileo functionality in smartphones.  

When it comes to Galileo and smartphones, it all starts with the chip. As the chip is what powers a smartphone, it is often considered the most important part of the phone. The chip inside your phone contains multiple components, each supporting a specific function, such as image processing, graphic processing, and location.

To calculate your position, the chip depends on data provided by GNSS constellations, such as GPS, Galileo and Glonass. Most of the chips in smartphones today are multi-GNSS, meaning they use data from more than one GNSS constellation. If the multi-GNSS chip inside your phone includes Galileo, then your phone will be automatically using Galileo.

Galileo is not an application that you download; Galileo is a native feature of the smartphone itself.

Hint: Not sure if your phone receives Galileo signals? We recommend downloading the GPSTest app to find out. By checking the “status section”, you will find out whether Galileo satellites are used to compute your position (flag “EAU”, highlighted in green in the picture). 

Although some chips only track GPS or Glonass signals, more and more are including Galileo in the mix. Over 95% of the satellite navigation chipset supply market supports Galileo in new products, including the leading manufacturers of smartphone chipsets: Broadcom, Qualcomm and Mediatek. Therefore many smartphones are already using Galileo, such as BQ, Samsung, Huawei, Apple, Asus, Google, LG, Meizu, Motorola, Nokia, OnePlus, Sony and Vernee. You can quickly find out whether or not your smartphone is Galileo-compatible by visiting www.useGalileo.eu.  

Galileo gets you there

When a device is equipped with a Galileo-enabled chip, the phone works with standard applications, such as Google Maps and other location-based services. With a Galileo-enabled phone, the location is calculated using Galileo on top of GPS and other GNSS constellations. Although you will not be able to “see” the difference that this Galileo-capability makes, you will nonetheless benefit from the more accurate and reliable positioning that it provides.     

With Galileo, the positioning information provided by smartphones is more accurate and reliable – particularly in urban environments where narrow streets and tall buildings can block satellite signals and limit the usefulness of many mobile services.

Whether using your phone to find a new restaurant, get to a meeting on time, or navigate to a nearby parking garage, Galileo is working to provide you with the best possible location information. Although you can’t see it, Galileo will get you there.  

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

With over 30 smartphone models currently on the market being Galileo-enabled – and many more on the way – chances are your phone is already taking advantage of all that Galileo has to offer. But how exactly does it work? Here, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) pulls back the curtain on Galileo functionality in smartphones.  

When it comes to Galileo and smartphones, it all starts with the chip. As the chip is what powers a smartphone, it is often considered the most important part of the phone. The chip inside your phone contains multiple components, each supporting a specific function, such as image processing, graphic processing, and location.

To calculate your position, the chip depends on data provided by GNSS constellations, such as GPS, Galileo and Glonass. Most of the chips in smartphones today are multi-GNSS, meaning they use data from more than one GNSS constellation. If the multi-GNSS chip inside your phone includes Galileo, then your phone will be automatically using Galileo.

Galileo is not an application that you download; Galileo is a native feature of the smartphone itself.

Hint: Not sure if your phone receives Galileo signals? We recommend downloading the GPSTest app to find out. By checking the “status section”, you will find out whether Galileo satellites are used to compute your position (flag “EAU”, highlighted in green in the picture). 

Although some chips only track GPS or Glonass signals, more and more are including Galileo in the mix. Over 95% of the satellite navigation chipset supply market supports Galileo in new products, including the leading manufacturers of smartphone chipsets: Broadcom, Qualcomm and Mediatek. Therefore many smartphones are already using Galileo, such as BQ, Samsung, Huawei, Apple, Asus, Google, LG, Meizu, Motorola, Nokia, OnePlus, Sony and Vernee. You can quickly find out whether or not your smartphone is Galileo-compatible by visiting www.useGalileo.eu.  

Galileo gets you there

When a device is equipped with a Galileo-enabled chip, the phone works with standard applications, such as Google Maps and other location-based services. With a Galileo-enabled phone, the location is calculated using Galileo on top of GPS and other GNSS constellations. Although you will not be able to “see” the difference that this Galileo-capability makes, you will nonetheless benefit from the more accurate and reliable positioning that it provides.     

With Galileo, the positioning information provided by smartphones is more accurate and reliable – particularly in urban environments where narrow streets and tall buildings can block satellite signals and limit the usefulness of many mobile services.

Whether using your phone to find a new restaurant, get to a meeting on time, or navigate to a nearby parking garage, Galileo is working to provide you with the best possible location information. Although you can’t see it, Galileo will get you there.  

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

With over 30 smartphone models currently on the market being Galileo-enabled – and many more on the way – chances are your phone is already taking advantage of all that Galileo has to offer. But how exactly does it work? Here, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) pulls back the curtain on Galileo functionality in smartphones.  

When it comes to Galileo and smartphones, it all starts with the chip. As the chip is what powers a smartphone, it is often considered the most important part of the phone. The chip inside your phone contains multiple components, each supporting a specific function, such as image processing, graphic processing, and location.

To calculate your position, the chip depends on data provided by GNSS constellations, such as GPS, Galileo and Glonass. Most of the chips in smartphones today are multi-GNSS, meaning they use data from more than one GNSS constellation. If the multi-GNSS chip inside your phone includes Galileo, then your phone will be automatically using Galileo.

Galileo is not an application that you download; Galileo is a native feature of the smartphone itself.

Hint: Not sure if your phone receives Galileo signals? We recommend downloading the GPSTest app to find out. By checking the “status section”, you will find out whether Galileo satellites are used to compute your position (flag “EAU”, highlighted in green in the picture). 

Although some chips only track GPS or Glonass signals, more and more are including Galileo in the mix. Over 95% of the satellite navigation chipset supply market supports Galileo in new products, including the leading manufacturers of smartphone chipsets: Broadcom, Qualcomm and Mediatek. Therefore many smartphones are already using Galileo, such as BQ, Samsung, Huawei, Apple, Asus, Google, LG, Meizu, Motorola, Nokia, OnePlus, Sony and Vernee. You can quickly find out whether or not your smartphone is Galileo-compatible by visiting www.useGalileo.eu.  

Galileo gets you there

When a device is equipped with a Galileo-enabled chip, the phone works with standard applications, such as Google Maps and other location-based services. With a Galileo-enabled phone, the location is calculated using Galileo on top of GPS and other GNSS constellations. Although you will not be able to “see” the difference that this Galileo-capability makes, you will nonetheless benefit from the more accurate and reliable positioning that it provides.     

With Galileo, the positioning information provided by smartphones is more accurate and reliable – particularly in urban environments where narrow streets and tall buildings can block satellite signals and limit the usefulness of many mobile services.

Whether using your phone to find a new restaurant, get to a meeting on time, or navigate to a nearby parking garage, Galileo is working to provide you with the best possible location information. Although you can’t see it, Galileo will get you there.  

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

With over 30 smartphone models currently on the market being Galileo-enabled – and many more on the way – chances are your phone is already taking advantage of all that Galileo has to offer. But how exactly does it work? Here, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) pulls back the curtain on Galileo functionality in smartphones.  

When it comes to Galileo and smartphones, it all starts with the chip. As the chip is what powers a smartphone, it is often considered the most important part of the phone. The chip inside your phone contains multiple components, each supporting a specific function, such as image processing, graphic processing, and location.

To calculate your position, the chip depends on data provided by GNSS constellations, such as GPS, Galileo and Glonass. Most of the chips in smartphones today are multi-GNSS, meaning they use data from more than one GNSS constellation. If the multi-GNSS chip inside your phone includes Galileo, then your phone will be automatically using Galileo.

Galileo is not an application that you download; Galileo is a native feature of the smartphone itself.

Hint: Not sure if your phone receives Galileo signals? We recommend downloading the GPSTest app to find out. By checking the “status section”, you will find out whether Galileo satellites are used to compute your position (flag “EAU”, highlighted in green in the picture). 

Although some chips only track GPS or Glonass signals, more and more are including Galileo in the mix. Over 95% of the satellite navigation chipset supply market supports Galileo in new products, including the leading manufacturers of smartphone chipsets: Broadcom, Qualcomm and Mediatek. Therefore many smartphones are already using Galileo, such as BQ, Samsung, Huawei, Apple, Asus, Google, LG, Meizu, Motorola, Nokia, OnePlus, Sony and Vernee. You can quickly find out whether or not your smartphone is Galileo-compatible by visiting www.useGalileo.eu.  

Galileo gets you there

When a device is equipped with a Galileo-enabled chip, the phone works with standard applications, such as Google Maps and other location-based services. With a Galileo-enabled phone, the location is calculated using Galileo on top of GPS and other GNSS constellations. Although you will not be able to “see” the difference that this Galileo-capability makes, you will nonetheless benefit from the more accurate and reliable positioning that it provides.     

With Galileo, the positioning information provided by smartphones is more accurate and reliable – particularly in urban environments where narrow streets and tall buildings can block satellite signals and limit the usefulness of many mobile services.

Whether using your phone to find a new restaurant, get to a meeting on time, or navigate to a nearby parking garage, Galileo is working to provide you with the best possible location information. Although you can’t see it, Galileo will get you there.  

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

Airbus has been selected as the main contractor to develop EGNOS V3, the next generation of Europe’s Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS). The company was awarded the contract by the European Space Agency (ESA), which manages EGNOS development under a working arrangement signed with the European GNSS Agency (GSA).

For the next generation of the EGNOS augmentation system, the GSA requested the complete overhaul of the EGNOS ground segment, which was becoming obsolete. This modernisation programme will see the deployment of EGNOS V3 in ground stations at more than 50 sites in Europe, and surrounding countries.

The GSA also requested the development of new EGNOS capabilities to support the augmentation of a second GPS signal (L5) and of the Galileo signals E1-E5. Another requirement is that the system be made more robust, to deal with the increase in user numbers and to reflect their increasing dependence on EGNOS and its ground applications - in some countries (e.g. France) instrument landing systems (ILS) are being decommissioned on several airports because the civil aviation authorities have decided instead to rely on EGNOS.

Comprehensive modernisation programme

Under the contract, which was signed on January 26 2018, the ESA and Airbus will provide the GSA with two EGNOS upgrade versions. EGNOS V3.1 will ensure continuity of EGNOS augmentation of GPS L1, but with a more resilient performance, while EGNOS V3.2 will support a new SBAS service, transmitting on the L5 frequency, which will augment Galileo L1/E1 – L5/E5 along with GPS.

Watch this: EGNOS for Aviation

The GSA’s request for EGNOS V3 development is part of its overall EGNOS modernisation programme that also includes renewal of the space segment. As part of this programme, the GSA has contracted Eutelsat for the preparation and service provision phases of the EGNOS GEO-3 payload, to be hosted on the EUTELSAT 5 West B satellite that is due to be launched this year. Furthermore, the GSA will soon publish a request for information (RFI) on opportunities to deploy future new EGNOS payloads.

The programme also covers Europe’s contribution to the development of new SBAS standards for aviation in coordination with ICAO, RTCA and EUROCAE, and the development of a prototype of the SBAS-DFMC multi-frequency (L1-L5), multi-constellation (Galileo-GPS) receiver for aviation, which is being developed by Thales Avionics. After 2025, SBAS-DFMC users will be able to use the new service thanks to EGNOS L5 geo-stationary signals.

Seamless transition

In parallel with the EGNOS modernisation programme, the GSA, with the support of ESSP, ESA and TAS-F, is maintaining the efficient operation of EGNOS V2 until it is time to move to EGNOS V3. For current EGNOS users, the transition between EGNOS V2 and EGNOS V3 will be seamless, as the new system is being developed with backward compatibility.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

On Friday 9 February 2018, the web portal of the European GNSS Service Centre (GSC) registered its 1000th user. This is a great achievement for the broader GNSS community and for the European GNSS Programmes (EGNOS and Galileo) in particular.

The GSC web portal entered into service in 2013 and, since then, it has received more than 175,000 visits from over 190 different countries around the globe. Every month over 20 new users register on the portal, bringing the current total to more than 1,000 registrations. The most downloaded document from the website is the Galileo IS OS Service Definition Document (SDD).

Read this: GSC showcased at First Galileo User Assembly

If you are not yet registered on the GSC site, we invite you to register so that, among other things, you will be able to subscribe to the Galileo service notifications (NAGUs) as well as gain access to the Galileo official Helpdesk.

GSC at a glance

Located in Madrid, the European GNSS Service Centre is an integral part of the European GNSS infrastructure. It provides a single interface for the Galileo Open Service (OS) and Commercial Service (CS) user communities and offers specific added-value services beyond the Galileo Signal-In-Space (SIS) transmitted by the operational satellites.

The GSC is conceived as a centre of expertise, knowledge sharing, custom performance assessment, and information dissemination. The GSC serves the user community through its web portal. This one-stop-shop portal provides Galileo users with relevant infor¬mation on the system’s status and easy access to the dedicated Helpdesk. In addition, an automatic alert system notifies registered users about events affecting the Galileo services.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The European GNSS Agency (GSA) has published a 3rd call for proposals with a view to awarding grants to promote EGNOS operational implementation in aviation. The goal of this activity is wide-scale implementation of EGNOS-based operations throughout European airports and among European airspace users.

This call is targeting all aviation segments: Commercial, regional, business, general aviation and rotorcraft users interested in EGNOS operational implementation. The objective of the call is to foster the use of EGNOS for navigation and surveillance applications, increase network effect and maximise public benefits.

To achieve the objectives of the call, applicants are expected to conduct one or more of the following activities:

· The design and operational implementation of EGNOS based LPV/LPV 200 approach procedures, PinS, low level IFR routes at different European airports/heliports/routes;

· Design and implementation of other communication, navigation and surveillance applications benefitting from EGNOS for all phases of flight;

· The installation of EGNOS-enabled avionics and granting of airworthiness certification for RNP APCH procedures down to LPV minima, including PinS;

· Development of retrofit and forward-fit solutions including LPV capabilities;

· Development of enablers and other EGNOS based operations such as, but not limited to, simulators, validation tools, training materials, or drones.

3^rd EGNOS Aviation Call – At a Glance

·        

Deadline for submitting applications: 21 May 2018 – at 18:00 CET

·        

Maximum budget allocated for EU financing under this call: EUR 10,000,000.00

·        

Indicative EU financing amount for each project: EUR 800,000.00

·        

Maximum EU financing rate of eligible costs: 60%

·        

Indicative number of projects: 12

GSA is organizing a series of information sessions about the call. The first one will be organised during the ATM World Congress at the FABEC OPS Theatre on 6/03 from 15:15 to 16:15. Interested users are very welcome to join. This session will be held in cooperation with INEA, who will present the open CEF Call 2017. More information is available at: https://www.worldatmcongress.org/fabec-ops-theatre.

 There will be also webinars to explain the call in the coming months. We will publish dates and connection details as soon as dates are defined.

 If you are interested in this call for proposals and have a question you would like answered, you can send it to: gnss.grants@gsa.europa.eu. For more detailed information on the call, check here.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The European GNSS Agency (GSA) has published a 3rd call for proposals with a view to awarding grants to promote EGNOS operational implementation in aviation. The goal of this activity is wide-scale implementation of EGNOS-based operations throughout European airports and among European airspace users.

This call is targeting all aviation segments: Commercial, regional, business, general aviation and rotorcraft users interested in EGNOS operational implementation. The objective of the call is to foster the use of EGNOS for navigation and surveillance applications, increase network effect and maximise public benefits.

To achieve the objectives of the call, applicants are expected to conduct one or more of the following activities:

The design and operational implementation of EGNOS based LPV/LPV 200 approach procedures, PinS, low level IFR routes at different European airports/heliports/routes;

• Design and implementation of other communication, navigation and surveillance applications benefitting from EGNOS for all phases of flight;
• The installation of EGNOS-enabled avionics and granting of airworthiness certification for RNP APCH procedures down to LPV minima, including PinS;
• Development of retrofit and forward-fit solutions including LPV capabilities;
• Development of enablers and other EGNOS based operations such as, but not limited to, simulators, validation tools, training materials, or drones.

3rd EGNOS Aviation Call – At a Glance

• Deadline for submitting applications: 21 May 2018 – at 18:00 CET
• Maximum budget allocated for EU financing under this call: EUR 10,000,000.00
• Indicative EU financing amount for each project: EUR 800,000.00
• Maximum EU financing rate of eligible costs: 60%
• Indicative number of projects: 12

GSA is organizing a series of information sessions about the call. The first one will be organised during the ATM World Congress at the FABEC OPS Theatre on 6/03 from 15:15 to 16:15. Interested users are very welcome to join. This session will be held in cooperation with INEA, who will present the open CEF Call 2017. More information is available at: https://www.worldatmcongress.org/fabec-ops-theatre.

There will be also webinars to explain the call in the coming months. We will publish dates and connection details as soon as dates are defined.

If you are interested in this call for proposals and have a question you would like answered, you can send it to: gnss.grants@gsa.europa.eu. For more detailed information on the call, check here.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The European GNSS Agency (GSA) has published a 3rd call for proposals with a view to awarding grants to promote EGNOS operational implementation in aviation. The goal of this activity is wide-scale implementation of EGNOS-based operations throughout European airports and among European airspace users.

This call is targeting all aviation segments: Commercial, regional, business, general aviation and rotorcraft users interested in EGNOS operational implementation. The objective of the call is to foster the use of EGNOS for navigation and surveillance applications, increase network effect and maximise public benefits.

To achieve the objectives of the call, applicants are expected to conduct one or more of the following activities:

• The design and operational implementation of EGNOS based LPV/LPV 200 approach procedures, PinS, low level IFR routes at different European airports/heliports/routes;
• Design and implementation of other communication, navigation and surveillance applications benefitting from EGNOS for all phases of flight;
• The installation of EGNOS-enabled avionics and granting of airworthiness certification for RNP APCH procedures down to LPV minima, including PinS;
• Development of retrofit and forward-fit solutions including LPV capabilities;
• Development of enablers and other EGNOS based operations such as, but not limited to, simulators, validation tools, training materials, or drones.

3rd EGNOS Aviation Call – At a Glance

• Deadline for submitting applications: 21 May 2018 – at 18:00 CET
• Maximum budget allocated for EU financing under this call: EUR 10,000,000.00
• Indicative EU financing amount for each project: EUR 800,000.00
• Maximum EU financing rate of eligible costs: 60%
• Indicative number of projects: 12

GSA is organizing a series of information sessions about the call. The first one will be organised during the ATM World Congress at the FABEC OPS Theatre on 6/03 from 15:15 to 16:15. Interested users are very welcome to join. This session will be held in cooperation with INEA, who will present the open CEF Call 2017. More information is available at: https://www.worldatmcongress.org/fabec-ops-theatre.

There will be also webinars to explain the call in the coming months. We will publish dates and connection details as soon as dates are defined.

If you are interested in this call for proposals and have a question you would like answered, you can send it to: gnss.grants@gsa.europa.eu. For more detailed information on the call, check here.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The European GNSS Agency (GSA) has published a 3rd call for proposals with a view to awarding grants to promote EGNOS operational implementation in aviation. The goal of this activity is wide-scale implementation of EGNOS-based operations throughout European airports and among European airspace users.

This call is targeting all aviation segments: Commercial, regional, business, general aviation and rotorcraft users interested in EGNOS operational implementation. The objective of the call is to foster the use of EGNOS for navigation and surveillance applications, increase network effect and maximise public benefits.

To achieve the objectives of the call, applicants are expected to conduct one or more of the following activities:

• The design and operational implementation of EGNOS based LPV/LPV 200 approach procedures, PinS, low level IFR routes at different European airports/heliports/routes;
• Design and implementation of other communication, navigation and surveillance applications benefitting from EGNOS for all phases of flight;
• The installation of EGNOS-enabled avionics and granting of airworthiness certification for RNP APCH procedures down to LPV minima, including PinS;
• Development of retrofit and forward-fit solutions including LPV capabilities;
• Development of enablers and other EGNOS based operations such as, but not limited to, simulators, validation tools, training materials, or drones.

3rd EGNOS Aviation Call – At a Glance

• Deadline for submitting applications: 21 May 2018 – at 18:00 CET
• Maximum budget allocated for EU financing under this call: EUR 10,000,000.00
• Indicative EU financing amount for each project: EUR 800,000.00
• Maximum EU financing rate of eligible costs: 60%
• Indicative number of projects: 12

GSA is organizing a series of information sessions about the call. The first one will be organised during the ATM World Congress at the FABEC OPS Theatre on 6/03 from 15:15 to 16:15. Interested users are very welcome to join. This session will be held in cooperation with INEA, who will present the open CEF Call 2017. More information is available at: https://www.worldatmcongress.org/fabec-ops-theatre.

There will be also webinars to explain the call in the coming months.

If you are interested in this call for proposals and have a question you would like answered, you can send it to: gnss.grants@gsa.europa.eu. For more detailed information on the call, check here.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

To reflect the evolution in EGNOS service provision, the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) has approved and published a revision of the CWA 16390 specification for the CORE project (Consistently Optimised Resilient Secure Global Supply-Chains) - this technical specification covers the development of products and applications based on services provided by EGNOS.

The CORE project is a supply chain management and security project co-funded by the European Commission that aims to enhance the efficiency, speed and reliability of trade and logistics while improving the effectiveness of global trade oversight, safeguarding supply chain security, and meeting other societal challenges related to global trade and logistics.

CORE aims to demonstrate how a consistently optimised resilient ecosystem, integrating interoperability, security, resilience and real-time optimisation, can produce cost effective, fast and robust solutions that guarantee the efficient and secure transit of goods through the worldwide Global Supply Chain system.

Reflecting EGNOS development

The project undertook this standardisation activity to review the CEN Workshop Agreement CWA 16390, published in 2012. Under the umbrella of CEN, and with the contribution of Italian CEN member UNI, the standardisation activity was carried out through a CEN Workshop (the CEN/WS CORE). This workshop made the revisions to reflect developments in EGNOS service provision, to include the configuration of chipsets enabling the use of EGNOS/EDAS/multi-GNSS, and to take into account the utilisation of the authentication feature of the Galileo Open Service.

Launched in January 2017, CEN/WS CORE took nine months to complete the revision, including public inquiries and open consultations, and the CWA 16390 revision “Interface control document for provision of EGNOS/EDAS/multi-GNSS based services for tracking and tracing the transport of goods” was finally approved in September 2017. It has been published by CEN and is available here.

Ensuring interoperability, supporting market development

Standards ensure interoperability while preventing the proliferation of proprietary solutions. In the field of telematics, standards lay the foundation for market exploitation, by allowing companies to turn prototypes into products and to move from demonstrations to market implementation.

CWA 16390 is the technical specification for the development of products and applications based on the services provided by the EGNOS, namely EGNOS OS and EDAS, for tracking and tracing the transport of goods. Following its publication, CWA 16390 was adopted by several European industries, and used by Italy’s and France’s ministries of transport in their national/regional systems for the management of dangerous goods transport.

The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Working Group, which periodically updates regulations for the international transport of dangerous goods, is currently defining the introduction of the use of telematics also taking into account CWA 16390:2018.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

Just when he thought bad weather was going to force him to turn his turboprop around and miss giving an important presentation, EGNOS saved the day. General Aviation pilot Julian Scarfe shares his experience of flying with EGNOS. 

“I was recently invited by France’s Directorate General for Civil Aviation (DGAC) to travel to south Paris and give a talk on proportionate regulation for General Aviation. As the co-owner of a 1966 Twin Comanche, it seemed like the appropriate way to travel was to fly myself to Toussus Le Noble airport – just a short taxi ride away from the meeting venue. The only problem with this plan was that Toussus Le Noble is no longer a customs airport, meaning a stop at Le Touquet in northern France was necessary to clear customs en route.

“The timing was tight. Taking off from my home airport of Cambridge when it opened, I had only about an hour to spare to arrive in time for my presentation in the early afternoon. I woke up early as I often do before an interesting trip and checked the automatic weather reports at Le Touquet. Although the general weather forecast for the day was good with clear skies and fair visibility, the temperature had been dropping overnight towards the dewpoint of 11°C, and at 6:00 AM the temperature was 12°C. When temperatures hit the dewpoint, fog is inevitable.

“The last report I received before setting off was that at Le Touquet visibility was 1100 metres with broken cloud at 100 ft. This by itself was not a problem, but my heart sank when I read the Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs): Le Touquet’s instrument landing system (ILS) was out of service. I was just about to send a message to the event organiser with apologies for my absence when I realised that Le Touquet also has a GPS approach that, with the help of EGNOS in the form of LPV, has a decision height of 250 ft – almost as low as the ILS. So I set off, carrying sufficient fuel to fly to Le Touquet, hold for several hours if necessary, and fly back to Cambridge if a landing at Le Touquet proved impossible.

Bad weather ahead

“The flight as far as the Channel was uneventful. As I was handed to Lille Approach I was informed by the controller that the weather at Le Touquet was ‘pretty bad’, with a visibility of 1400 metres and overcast cloud at 200 ft. I knew this was right on the margin for an LPV approach. On the one hand, the approach and runway lighting might just be visible from the 250 ft decision height. On the other hand, it might not be... When I told the controller that I would fly the approach, he warned me that I might need to hold at the initial approach fix TUKVI because an aircraft ahead of me, a larger state aircraft, was also attempting the approach. 

“In the event, no holding was necessary, and I was cleared for the approach. I asked if the preceding aircraft had made a successful approach. ‘No,’ the controller told me, ‘he has gone around on a missed approach.’ Hearing this, I adjusted my expectations to being unable to see the lights and missing the approach too – an important mental discipline for instrument flying.

“As with most approaches in fog, the conditions feel a little strange – one flies in clear air above the thin cloud layer, in my case entering the top of it at about 650 ft in the descent. One then must rapidly adjust to instrument flying for about a minute, as the view outside disappears into the fog. The needles of the LPV indication were delightfully stable and, as I descended into the gloom, I felt confident in the guidance system, even though I knew it might not lead me low enough for a landing.

A successful experience

“At 270 ft in the descent to the decision height of 250 ft the approach and landing lights suddenly came into view. It is difficult to express in words the beauty a pilot sees when these lights come appear. Even at a time of relatively high workload, I couldn’t help but smile.

“The landing was uneventful in the reasonable visibility below cloud. On the tarmac, I taxied in to a deserted apron, walked in to show my passport to the customs officers, and paid my landing fee, which included a €5 extra charge for the approach lights – worth 100 times that to me on this occasion!

“As I was leaving, to my surprise, I heard the engines of an aircraft going around off the approach again, most likely because it was not equipped to benefit from an EGNOS-enabled LPV approach. 

“This was my first experience flying an LPV approach to minima. I found it to be identical to flying a traditional ILS, except that on my equipment the indications are displayed in cyan rather than green, and perhaps that the LPV indications are a little more stable than the ILS. In the years before the EGNOS safety of life service was operational, I would not have had the opportunity to spend the rest of that day enjoying the conference and an evening in Paris.”

EGNOS and aviation

Aviation is a key market segment for European GNSS. EGNOS, which was designed for aviation, has revolutionized the way we fly. It has created more access to small airports, increased safety and facilitated business across Europe. Across the commercial, regional, general and business aviation sectors and from airports to OMES and pilots – everyone is benefiting from EGNOS. You can learn more about all of these benefits here. 

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The new guidelines aim to foster safer and more efficient maritime travel through the use of satellite-based augmentation systems (SBAS). 

Several years ago, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) became a member of the International Association of Maritime Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA). Since then, they have worked together to strengthen dialogue with the maritime sector and better respond to segment-specific requirements and needs.

Today, this work is paying off.

With the aim of fostering safer and more efficient maritime travel through the use of improved and harmonised navigation aids, earlier this month the IALA published Guidelines G-1129 on the Retransmission of SBAS Corrections using MF-Radiobeacon and AIS. “This is a major outcome of the work done by the GSA, who has worked closely with other organisations and the IALA eNav Committee to make this happen,” says GSA Head of Market Development Gian-Gherardo Calini. “The benefits offered by European GNSS, and in particular EGNOS, make a strong case for the integration of these services in multi-system receivers and for an enhanced overall maritime EGNSS market option.”

EGNOS complements marine radio beacon DGNSS

Although GNSS has become the primary means of obtaining Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) information at sea, augmentation is required to ensure that the necessary level of integrity is achieved and accuracies improved over the use of GNSS alone. While such ground-based augmentation systems as marine radio beacon DGNSS have been in use for some time, recent developments enable SBAS, including EGNOS, to be considered for maritime use. Originally developed for aviation users, the use of SBAS by the maritime sector is increasing and these guidelines aim to serve as the cornerstone for its adoption by the sector.

The guidelines provide information for any maritime authority wishing to understand where SBAS information could be used to support the mariner and how to employ such data. While it is expected that mariners will use SBAS directly from Signal in Space (SiS), the document’s main purpose is to describe SBAS use within augmentation services via marine radio beacon and Automatic Identification System (AIS) transmissions. Although the document aims to consider common SBAS functionality, it does refer to specific SBAS services such as EGNOS. Here it includes a detailed explanation on how to transmit differential corrections and local integrity checks for satellite navigation data using the EGNOS Data Access Service (EDAS) via IALA beacons and existing AIS shore stations.

“As the reliance on GNSS increases and  there are indications that the use of so-called traditional navigation skills decreases, the IALA is very keen to establish GNSS backup,” says the IALA Secretary General Francis Zachariae. “These guidelines highlight the options that we feel provide the necessary level of availability, accuracy, continuity and integrity.”

The guidelines can be downloaded free here. 

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The new guidelines aim to foster safer and more efficient maritime travel through the use of satellite-based augmentation systems (SBAS). 

Several years ago, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) became a member of the International Association of Maritime Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA). Since then, they have worked together to strengthen dialogue with the maritime sector and better respond to segment-specific requirements and needs.

Today, this work is paying off.

With the aim of fostering safer and more efficient maritime travel through the use of improved and harmonised navigation aids, earlier this month the IALA published Guidelines G-1129 on the Retransmission of SBAS Corrections using MF-Radiobeacon and AIS. “This is a major outcome of the work done by the GSA, who has worked closely with other organisations and the IALA eNav Committee to make this happen,” says GSA Head of Market Development Gian-Gherardo Calini. “The benefits offered by European GNSS, and in particular EGNOS, make a strong case for the integration of these services in multi-system receivers and for an enhanced overall maritime EGNSS market option.”

EGNOS complements marine radio beacon DGNSS

Although GNSS has become the primary means of obtaining Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) information at sea, augmentation is required to ensure that the necessary level of integrity is achieved and accuracies improved over the use of GNSS alone. While such ground-based augmentation systems as marine radio beacon DGNSS have been in use for some time, recent developments enable SBAS, including EGNOS, to be considered for maritime use. Originally developed for aviation users, the use of SBAS by the maritime sector is increasing and these guidelines aim to serve as the cornerstone for its adoption by the sector.

The guidelines provide information for any maritime authority wishing to understand where SBAS information could be used to support the mariner and how to employ such data. While it is expected that mariners will use SBAS directly from Signal in Space (SiS), the document’s main purpose is to describe SBAS use within augmentation services via marine radio beacon and Automatic Identification System (AIS) transmissions. Although the document aims to consider common SBAS functionality, it does refer to specific SBAS services such as EGNOS. Here it includes a detailed explanation on how to transmit differential corrections and local integrity checks for satellite navigation data using the EGNOS Data Access Service (EDAS) via IALA beacons and existing AIS shore stations.

“As the reliance on GNSS increases and  there are indications that the use of so-called traditional navigation skills decreases, the IALA is very keen to establish GNSS backup,” says the IALA Secretary General Francis Zachariae. “These guidelines highlight the options that we feel provide the necessary level of availability, accuracy, continuity and integrity.”

The guidelines can be downloaded free here. 

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The European GNSS Agency (GSA) will be showcasing Galileo-based innovations during the GSMA Mobile World Congress (MWC).

As the premiere mobile show, the Mobile World Congress (MWC) attracts hundreds of thousands of companies, entrepreneurs and users from around the world. It serves as the global stage for debuting and promoting exiting new innovations – from drones to smart cars, smartphones and even Artificial Intelligence.

MWC 2018, which takes place on 26 February to 1 March in Barcelona, marks the first time that the GSA will be exhibiting at the show. From Stand 8.0G17 in Hall 8, the Agency will be putting Galileo on full display. “With Galileo Initial Services launching in late 2016, this is the first show where we have Galileo products on display at MWC” says Justyna Redelkiewicz, in charge of LBS Market Development at the GSA. “With 75 million Galileo-enabled smartphones sold last year – and more models coming to market all the time – it’s really an exciting time for Galileo.”

The GSA encourages everyone to share in the excitement by visiting their booth and learning more about how Galileo enhances smartphones and other mobile devices. “We will have a range of Galileo-enabled smartphones on display, along with GNSS experts ready to show you how Galileo can improve your phone’s performance,” adds Redelkiewicz. “And if you come with a smartphone that is already using Galileo, we’ll give you a free ‘I #UseGalileo’ t-shirt to commemorate your MWC experience.”

Drones on display

In addition to smartphones, the GSA booth will also serve as a showcase on how Galileo-enabled drones benefit a range of different applications, including surveying, search and rescue and agriculture. The stand will feature displays and presentations on a number of EU-funded drone projects, including selected GSA-managed H2020 projects including 5-lives, EASY-PV, Gauss, Geovision and Mapkite, and the Argonaut solution developed within the Barcelona ESA Business Incubation Centre. 

For instance, the EASY PV project uses remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) to provide a more effective and cost-efficient solution for inspecting photovoltaic (PV) plants. The automated system acquires, geo-references and processes both visual and thermal images using an RPAS equipped with a high-accuracy Galileo receiver.

MapKITE, a mapping-based project exhibiting at the GSA booth, integrates Galileo-capable drones with terrestrial mobile mapping systems to provide surveyors and mappers with an end-to-end solution for 3D high-resolution corridor mapping. “While terrestrial mobile mapping systems are becoming a standard surveying tool, their use is restricted due to their limited and insufficient view from the ground,” says Project Coordinator Pere Molina. “As mapping of small areas via drones is now a reality, this project combines the best of both worlds by incorporating aerial and terrestrial components.”    

According to the GSA, many drone manufacturers see GNSS as the answer to the growing need for highly accurate and reliable performance to ensure safe drone navigation, especially in light of the booming market for professional applications that also involve operations beyond line of sight. Luckily, GNSS offers a solution. “In order to navigate efficiently and safely, drones are becoming increasingly dependent on satellite navigation signals, including Galileo, for their robust positioning and orientation information. Multi-constellation receivers using Galileo increase availability and accuracy, an enabler for demanding operations such as those in urban areas,” says Carmen Aguilera in charge of Aviation Market Development at the GSA. “It is because of this robust navigation that drones and all of the innovations seen at MWC depend on GNSS becoming the essential infrastructure for the technology of tomorrow.”

To learn more about these or any of the other projects that will be on display, please contact market@gsa.europa.eu in advance to schedule an appointment.

MWC 2018 takes place 26 February to 1 March at Barcelona’s Fira Gran Via. The GSA is located in Hall 8, Stand 8.0G17.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The European GNSS Agency (GSA) will be showcasing Galileo-based innovations during the GSMA Mobile World Congress (MWC).

As the premiere mobile show, the Mobile World Congress (MWC) attracts hundreds of thousands of companies, entrepreneurs and users from around the world. It serves as the global stage for debuting and promoting exiting new innovations – from drones to smart cars, smartphones and even Artificial Intelligence.

MWC 2018, which takes place on 26 February to 1 March in Barcelona, marks the first time that the GSA will be exhibiting at the show. From Stand 8.0G17 in Hall 8, the Agency will be putting Galileo on full display. “With Galileo Initial Services launching in late 2016, this is the first show where we have Galileo products on display at MWC” says Justyna Redelkiewicz, in charge of LBS Market Development at the GSA. “With 75 million Galileo-enabled smartphones sold last year – and more models coming to market all the time – it’s really an exciting time for Galileo.”

The GSA encourages everyone to share in the excitement by visiting their booth and learning more about how Galileo enhances smartphones and other mobile devices. “We will have a range of Galileo-enabled smartphones on display, along with GNSS experts ready to show you how Galileo can improve your phone’s performance,” adds Redelkiewicz. “And if you come with a smartphone that is already using Galileo, we’ll give you a free ‘I #UseGalileo’ t-shirt to commemorate your MWC experience.”

Drones on display

In addition to smartphones, the GSA booth will also serve as a showcase on how Galileo-enabled drones benefit a range of different applications, including surveying, search and rescue and agriculture. The stand will feature displays and presentations on a number of EU-funded drone projects, including selected GSA-managed H2020 projects including 5-lives, EASY-PV, Gauss, Geovision and Mapkite, and the Argonaut solution developed within the Barcelona ESA Business Incubation Centre. 

For instance, the EASY PV project uses remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) to provide a more effective and cost-efficient solution for inspecting photovoltaic (PV) plants. The automated system acquires, geo-references and processes both visual and thermal images using an RPAS equipped with a high-accuracy Galileo receiver.

MapKITE, a mapping-based project exhibiting at the GSA booth, integrates Galileo-capable drones with terrestrial mobile mapping systems to provide surveyors and mappers with an end-to-end solution for 3D high-resolution corridor mapping. “While terrestrial mobile mapping systems are becoming a standard surveying tool, their use is restricted due to their limited and insufficient view from the ground,” says Project Coordinator Pere Molina. “As mapping of small areas via drones is now a reality, this project combines the best of both worlds by incorporating aerial and terrestrial components.”    

According to the GSA, many drone manufacturers see GNSS as the answer to the growing need for highly accurate and reliable performance to ensure safe drone navigation, especially in light of the booming market for professional applications that also involve operations beyond line of sight. Luckily, GNSS offers a solution. “In order to navigate efficiently and safely, drones are becoming increasingly dependent on satellite navigation signals, including Galileo, for their robust positioning and orientation information. Multi-constellation receivers using Galileo increase availability and accuracy, an enabler for demanding operations such as those in urban areas,” says Carmen Aguilera in charge of Aviation Market Development at the GSA. “It is because of this robust navigation that drones and all of the innovations seen at MWC depend on GNSS becoming the essential infrastructure for the technology of tomorrow.”

To learn more about these or any of the other projects that will be on display, please contact market@gsa.europa.eu in advance to schedule an appointment.

MWC 2018 takes place 26 February to 1 March at Barcelona’s Fira Gran Via. The GSA is located in Hall 8, Stand 8.0G17.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The European GNSS Agency (GSA) will be showcasing Galileo-based innovations during the GSMA Mobile World Congress (MWC).

As the premiere mobile show, the Mobile World Congress (MWC) attracts hundreds of thousands of companies, entrepreneurs and users from around the world. It serves as the global stage for debuting and promoting exiting new innovations – from drones to smart cars, smartphones and even Artificial Intelligence.

MWC 2018, which takes place on 26 February to 1 March in Barcelona, marks the first time that the GSA will be exhibiting at the show. From Stand 8.0G17 in Hall 8, the Agency will be putting Galileo on full display. “With Galileo Initial Services launching in late 2016, this is the first show where we have Galileo products on display at MWC” says Justyna Redelkiewicz, in charge of LBS Market Development at the GSA. “With 75 million Galileo-enabled smartphones sold last year – and more models coming to market all the time – it’s really an exciting time for Galileo.”

The GSA encourages everyone to share in the excitement by visiting their booth and learning more about how Galileo enhances smartphones and other mobile devices. “We will have a range of Galileo-enabled smartphones on display, along with GNSS experts ready to show you how Galileo can improve your phone’s performance,” adds Redelkiewicz. “And if you come with a smartphone that is already using Galileo, we’ll give you a free ‘I #UseGalileo’ t-shirt to commemorate your MWC experience.”

Drones on display

In addition to smartphones, the GSA booth will also serve as a showcase on how Galileo-enabled drones benefit a range of different applications, including surveying, search and rescue and agriculture. The stand will feature displays and presentations on a number of EU-funded drone projects, including selected GSA-managed H2020 projects including Real, EASY-PV, Gauss, Geovision and Mapkite, and the Argonaut solution developed within the Barcelona ESA Business Incubation Centre. 

For instance, the EASY PV project uses remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) to provide a more effective and cost-efficient solution for inspecting photovoltaic (PV) plants. The automated system acquires, geo-references and processes both visual and thermal images using an RPAS equipped with a high-accuracy Galileo receiver.

MapKITE, a mapping-based project exhibiting at the GSA booth, integrates Galileo-capable drones with terrestrial mobile mapping systems to provide surveyors and mappers with an end-to-end solution for 3D high-resolution corridor mapping. “While terrestrial mobile mapping systems are becoming a standard surveying tool, their use is restricted due to their limited and insufficient view from the ground,” says Project Coordinator Pere Molina. “As mapping of small areas via drones is now a reality, this project combines the best of both worlds by incorporating aerial and terrestrial components.”    

According to the GSA, many drone manufacturers see GNSS as the answer to the growing need for highly accurate and reliable performance to ensure safe drone navigation, especially in light of the booming market for professional applications that also involve operations beyond line of sight. Luckily, GNSS offers a solution. “In order to navigate efficiently and safely, drones are becoming increasingly dependent on satellite navigation signals, including Galileo, for their robust positioning and orientation information. Multi-constellation receivers using Galileo increase availability and accuracy, an enabler for demanding operations such as those in urban areas,” says Carmen Aguilera in charge of Aviation Market Development at the GSA. “It is because of this robust navigation that drones and all of the innovations seen at MWC depend on GNSS becoming the essential infrastructure for the technology of tomorrow.”

To learn more about these or any of the other projects that will be on display, please contact market@gsa.europa.eu in advance to schedule an appointment.

MWC 2018 takes place 26 February to 1 March at Barcelona’s Fira Gran Via. The GSA is located in Hall 8, Stand 8.0G17.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The European GNSS Agency (GSA) will be showcasing Galileo-based innovations during the GSMA Mobile World Congress (MWC).

As the premiere mobile show, the Mobile World Congress (MWC) attracts hundreds of thousands of companies, entrepreneurs and users from around the world. It serves as the global stage for debuting and promoting exiting new innovations – from drones to smart cars, smartphones and even Artificial Intelligence.

MWC 2018, which takes place on 26 February to 1 March in Barcelona, marks the first time that the GSA will be exhibiting at the show. From Stand 8.0G17 in Hall 8, the Agency will be putting Galileo on full display. “With Galileo Initial Services launching in late 2016, this is the first show where we have Galileo products on display at MWC” says Justyna Redelkiewicz, in charge of LBS Market Development at the GSA. “With 75 million Galileo-enabled smartphones sold last year – and more models coming to market all the time – it’s really an exciting time for Galileo.”

The GSA encourages everyone to share in the excitement by visiting their booth and learning more about how Galileo enhances smartphones and other mobile devices. “We will have a range of Galileo-enabled smartphones on display, along with GNSS experts ready to show you how Galileo can improve your phone’s performance,” adds Redelkiewicz. “And if you come with a smartphone that is already using Galileo, we’ll give you a free ‘I #UseGalileo’ t-shirt to commemorate your MWC experience.”

Drones on display

In addition to smartphones, the GSA booth will also serve as a showcase on how Galileo-enabled drones benefit a range of different applications, including surveying, search and rescue and agriculture. The stand will feature displays and presentations on a number of EU-funded drone projects, including selected GSA-managed H2020 projects including Real, EASY-PV, Gauss, Geovision and Mapkite, and the Argonaut solution developed within the Barcelona ESA Business Incubation Centre. 

For instance, the EASY PV project uses remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) to provide a more effective and cost-efficient solution for inspecting photovoltaic (PV) plants. The automated system acquires, geo-references and processes both visual and thermal images using an RPAS equipped with a high-accuracy Galileo receiver.

MapKITE, a mapping-based project exhibiting at the GSA booth, integrates Galileo-capable drones with terrestrial mobile mapping systems to provide surveyors and mappers with an end-to-end solution for 3D high-resolution corridor mapping. “While terrestrial mobile mapping systems are becoming a standard surveying tool, their use is restricted due to their limited and insufficient view from the ground,” says Project Coordinator Pere Molina. “As mapping of small areas via drones is now a reality, this project combines the best of both worlds by incorporating aerial and terrestrial components.”    

According to the GSA, many drone manufacturers see GNSS as the answer to the growing need for highly accurate and reliable performance to ensure safe drone navigation, especially in light of the booming market for professional applications that also involve operations beyond line of sight. Luckily, GNSS offers a solution. “In order to navigate efficiently and safely, drones are becoming increasingly dependent on satellite navigation signals, including Galileo, for their robust positioning and orientation information. Multi-constellation receivers using Galileo increase availability and accuracy, an enabler for demanding operations such as those in urban areas,” says Carmen Aguilera in charge of Aviation Market Development at the GSA. “It is because of this robust navigation that drones and all of the innovations seen at MWC depend on GNSS becoming the essential infrastructure for the technology of tomorrow.”

To learn more about the integration of EGNOS and Galileo in drones and UAVs, we have scheduled a series of short presentations and Q&A sessions, click here to find the programme and the contact details.

MWC 2018 takes place 26 February to 1 March at Barcelona’s Fira Gran Via. The GSA is located in Hall 8, Stand 8.0G17.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The RAIDO and AGILE solutions developed by partners in the project GEO-VISION (GNSS-driven EO and Verifiable Image and Sensor Integration for mission-critical Operational Networks) increase the situational awareness of emergency services and allow first responders to check the integrity of the GNSS signals they receive, increasing the efficiency of the emergency response and helping to save more lives.

For emergency services operating in disaster zones, the ability to obtain and process critical information regarding the physical environment in which they are operating, and to quickly verify the integrity of positioning information that they receive, is of vital importance – allowing them to streamline their efforts and target their response. The RAIDO and AGILE solutions developed within the GEO-VISION project address these very requirements and have commercial applications that extend beyond the project.

Supporting mission-critical communications

The first commercial offer to be generated by the project is the RAIDO solution developed by Norwegian software developer AnsuR. RAIDO is a software system for mission-critical multimedia communications. The system consists of three separate products that work both individually and together. The ASIGN component is used to communicate visual content (photos and videos), which is then streamed over unknown, changing, and bandwidth-limited networks using the ASMIRA tool. Finally, the project’s AIR component is used to route ASIGN and ASMIRA data over various networks.

The optimised communication of visual content, adaptive streaming, smart network management, geo-tagging and mapping offered by RAIDO improves decision-makers’ situational awareness, allowing them to act faster and make better decisions. RAIDO products can be used for a range of stand-alone and integrated solutions. Within the GEO-VISION project, RAIDO will improve the efficiency of crisis and disaster management, but the solution can also be put to good use in other applications, such as photo and video surveillance and security, where better situational awareness can improve operations and cut costs.

“The opportunity of having a H2020 project with the GSA was instrumental for developing mission-critical solutions to provide visual geo-intelligence from ground and aerial cameras for users in crisis and emergency situations and in security operations. We consider the impact of the project to be very high, with global interest, several offers, first sales and the deployment already of unique technologies,” Project Coordinator Harald Skinnemoen said. “We are grateful for the active support of the GSA and their experts, which helped keep focus and momentum up, and we look forward to working with the GSA again in the future."

Checking GNSS integrity

Also developed within the GEO-VISION project, the AGILE solution developed by Italy’s Rina Consulting S.p.A. (formerly D’Appolonia) is a software tool that combines receiver post-correlation anti-jamming techniques with consistency cross-checks with the inertial measurement unit (IMU) on UAVs, to combat spoofing. The AGILE tool is designed as multi-thread application in which signal integrity is checked in two sub-threads.

The first of these - GNSS Spoofing Attack Detection (SAD) – stores the positioning information from the GNSS receiver and the IMU to allow a constant cross-check between the two tracks. The second thread - GNSS Jamming Attack Detection (JAD) - constantly monitors the GNSS receiver signal acquisition log to detect anomalies. Anomalies are flagged whenever parameter values exceed a set threshold for a pre-defined amount of time.

In addition to checking the GNSS signal integrity, the tool also sends notifications to personnel in the Operation Centre about the UAV location as well as a system status message to the pilot. Like the RAIDO solution, the AGILE tool can also be replicated in other applications sensitive to precise location information, such as the transportation of dangerous goods, for example.

Solutions being rolled out

The GEO-VISION project built on existing initiatives, proven concepts, and user requirements to offer a solution that can be used to manage the operational phases of disasters and emergencies, as well as conduct rapid damage assessments as a basis for insurance and cost estimates. Following the project’s completion in December 2016, GEO-VISION’s RAIDO solutions are already being rolled out and are improving the effectiveness of emergency situation management operations by various stakeholders, such as United Nations agencies, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism as well as European police forces and emergency management authorities.

GEO-VISION consolidates Europe’s position at the forefront of both integrated satellite solutions and support for emergency management. The project has made a significant contribution both to new operational procedures in disaster management and related space based technology, specifically with respect to in-situ data access and fusion with the Copernicus programme.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The RAIDO and AGILE solutions developed by partners in the project GEO-VISION (GNSS-driven EO and Verifiable Image and Sensor Integration for mission-critical Operational Networks) increase the situational awareness of emergency services and allow first responders to check the integrity of the GNSS signals they receive, increasing the efficiency of the emergency response and helping to save more lives.

For emergency services operating in disaster zones, the ability to obtain and process critical information regarding the physical environment in which they are operating, and to quickly verify the integrity of positioning information that they receive, is of vital importance – allowing them to streamline their efforts and target their response. The RAIDO and AGILE solutions developed within the GEO-VISION project address these very requirements and have commercial applications that extend beyond the project.

Supporting mission-critical communications

The first commercial offer to be generated by the project is the RAIDO solution developed by Norwegian software developer AnsuR. RAIDO is a software system for mission-critical multimedia communications. The system consists of three separate products that work both individually and together. The ASIGN component is used to communicate visual content (photos and videos), which is then streamed over unknown, changing, and bandwidth-limited networks using the ASMIRA tool. Finally, the project’s AIR component is used to route ASIGN and ASMIRA data over various networks.

The optimised communication of visual content, adaptive streaming, smart network management, geo-tagging and mapping offered by RAIDO improves decision-makers’ situational awareness, allowing them to act faster and make better decisions. RAIDO products can be used for a range of stand-alone and integrated solutions. Within the GEO-VISION project, RAIDO will improve the efficiency of crisis and disaster management, but the solution can also be put to good use in other applications, such as photo and video surveillance and security, where better situational awareness can improve operations and cut costs.

“The opportunity of having a H2020 project with the GSA was instrumental for developing mission-critical solutions to provide visual geo-intelligence from ground and aerial cameras for users in crisis and emergency situations and in security operations. We consider the impact of the project to be very high, with global interest, several offers, first sales and the deployment already of unique technologies,” Project Coordinator Harald Skinnemoen said. “We are grateful for the active support of the GSA and their experts, which helped keep focus and momentum up, and we look forward to working with the GSA again in the future."

Checking GNSS integrity

Also developed within the GEO-VISION project, the AGILE solution developed by Italy’s D’Appolonia S.p.A. is a software tool that combines receiver post-correlation anti-jamming techniques with consistency cross-checks with the inertial measurement unit (IMU) on UAVs, to combat spoofing. The AGILE tool is designed as multi-thread application in which signal integrity is checked in two sub-threads.

The first of these - GNSS Spoofing Attack Detection (SAD) – stores the positioning information from the GNSS receiver and the IMU to allow a constant cross-check between the two tracks. The second thread - GNSS Jamming Attack Detection (JAD) - constantly monitors the GNSS receiver signal acquisition log to detect anomalies. Anomalies are flagged whenever parameter values exceed a set threshold for a pre-defined amount of time.

In addition to checking the GNSS signal integrity, the tool also sends notifications to personnel in the Operation Centre about the UAV location as well as a system status message to the pilot. Like the RAIDO solution, the AGILE tool can also be replicated in other applications sensitive to precise location information, such as the transportation of dangerous goods, for example.

Solutions being rolled out

The GEO-VISION project built on existing initiatives, proven concepts, and user requirements to offer a solution that can be used to manage the operational phases of disasters and emergencies, as well as conduct rapid damage assessments as a basis for insurance and cost estimates. Following the project’s completion in December 2016, GEO-VISION’s RAIDO solutions are already being rolled out and are improving the effectiveness of emergency situation management operations by various stakeholders, such as United Nations agencies, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism as well as European police forces and emergency management authorities.

GEO-VISION consolidates Europe’s position at the forefront of both integrated satellite solutions and support for emergency management. The project has made a significant contribution both to new operational procedures in disaster management and related space based technology, specifically with respect to in-situ data access and fusion with the Copernicus programme.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The European GNSS Agency (GSA) discusses how using European GNSS (i.e., Galileo and EGNOS) with Copernicus, Europe’s Earth Observation programme, can help the world meet its Sustainable Development Goals as set out by the United Nations.

On paper, Europe’s flagship space programmes – Galileo and Copernicus – serve very different functions. Whereas Galileo provides users with high accuracy positioning and navigation, Copernicus, an Earth Observation system, analyses and provides the characteristics of a given area. Both programmes create an array of opportunities for new applications and business ideas individually, but perhaps their true potential is found within their synergies. 

Although the joint use of Galileo and Copernicus creates opportunities in nearly every market segment, it is set to play a particularly important role in sustainable development. “While Galileo and EGNOS determine a precise position anytime, anywhere on the globe, Copernicus provides information on the Earth’s surface, its atmosphere and marine systems,” says GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides. “The joint use of both programmes unleashes an array of synergies that will undoubtedly have a substantial impact on sustainable development.”

Des Dorides’ remarks were made during his presentation at the United Nations’ High Level Forum on Space as a Driver for Socio-Economic Sustainable Development, held 6 – 9 November in Dubai, UAE. Jointly organised by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the United Arab Emirates Space Agency, the forum’s focus was on the use of space technology and, in particular, the combined use of European GNSS and Copernicus, in helping the world meet its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as set out in the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The goals include ending poverty and hunger, ensuring healthy lives and quality education, promoting sustainable growth and reducing inequality – among others.

“Although Europe’s two flagship space programmes are capable of great achievements separately, it is through synergies that their true capabilities are unleashed,” says UNOOSA Director Simonetta Di Pippo. “The best results will be achieved when telecommunications, GNSS and Earth Observation satellites and services collaborate to achieve common goals and meet clearly stated user requirements.”

Supporting users across market many segments

The UN recognises the important role that Earth Observation and geolocation (provided by GNSS) play in supporting the achievement of its development goals. These services support a continuously increasing number of users in many different market segments. For example, one area already benefiting from their combined use is precision agriculture.

As farmers’ needs become increasingly sophisticated, they turn towards precision agriculture as a solution for higher productivity and farm profitability. While the technology has a variety of uses, the main application for precision agriculture is tractor guidance, where GNSS-based positioning applications can be used to guide a tractor around a field and minimise the effort exerted by a farmer. Moreover, Earth Observation satellites provide imagery of agricultural fields, along with radar, topographical and altimetry information. “When used together, the farmer benefits from an increase in efficiency and a decrease in labour costs,” explains des Dorides.

From providing the maps needed for finding the best locations for renewable energy infrastructure to outlining the most fuel-efficient flight paths, optimising road transportation routes and monitoring CO2 emissions, applications using both European GNSS and Earth Observation (such as Copernicus) provide the answer. However, according to des Dorides, the potential of this convergence goes far beyond the application level. “Integrated actions targeting application developers, data resellers, hardware manufacturers and end-users will further stimulate innovation and increase the use of space technology,” he says.

“This is where our focus now turns,” adds des Dorides. “I look forward to working with the UN as we enhance the convergence of European GNSS and Earth Observation data to create new solutions that will help us achieve our mutual sustainable development goals.”  

Joint study now available

The presentation served as a preface to a study on the role of European GNSS and Earth Observation in supporting the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The study, “EGNSS and COPERNICUS: Supporting the Sustainable Development Goals. Building blocks towards the 2030 Agenda”, has been jointly prepared by GSA and UNOOSA in the frame of the Memorandum of Understanding signed in July 2016 to develop common activities towards increased use of space data at application level. Specifically, the study investigates how EU space technologies support the fulfilment of the UN SDGs by means of examples and use cases. The analysis shows that all the SDGs are positively impacted by the benefits stemming from the use of EGNSS and Copernicus applications and that almost 40% of the associated indicators directly benefit from using the EGNSS and Copernicus services, either supporting the monitoring of the status of achievement of a given SDG or actively contributing to their fulfilment.

The study has recently been published, and is available for download here.

GEO-VISION: A Case Study in Synergy

Precise and up-to-date information on damage and needs during emergencies is key to plan and conduct response and rehabilitation efforts in areas affected by disasters. In this context, technology enables responders to better coordinate rescue missions and work efficiently as soon as they arrive in a disaster zone.

The Horizon 2020 project GEO-VISION aims to save lives and to protect critical infrastructures during emergencies and disasters by optimizing the use of satellite data ranging from satellite communication and navigation to earth observation.

How does it work?

The core of the project is a mission-critical visual communication software solution wherein the end users upload imagery of disaster-struck areas to disaster response and emergency management operators. Data from the crisis site are sent to the control centre using satellite communications or mobile networks, depending on availability.

Within the system, the operational pictures can be taken from Earth Observation satellites providing large scale aerial situation, from UAVs monitoring more in detail the affected infrastructures or from other sources such as smartphones of the crisis response teams. GNSS is used to provide trust in the data and in the communications by geo-localizing and time-stamping picture information. Trust countermeasures includes Galileo signal authentication for spoofing and jamming.

The project already resulted in the creation of three smartphone apps available for iOS and Android, with the end user group encompassing the United Nations, EU, World Bank and insurance companies.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The second day of the Tenth Conference on European Space Policy in Brussels saw a significant contribution from GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides on the role of European GNSS and other EU space systems in the future of Europe, digitalisation and competitiveness. The conference, which has become Europe’s premier annual forum for space policy debate, took place on 23 and 24 January 2018 with the overall theme of ‘More Space for more Europe – stronger together’.

Des Dorides’ contribution followed opening remarks for the second day from Mariya Gabriel, European Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society, who emphasised the positive links between space and digital policy and the need to ensure a “fair and correct” digital infrastructure that served the needs of all European citizens. “Space has a major role to play in a digital Europe,” she said. And GSA, Galileo and EGNOS have a key role.

Space is an increasingly important component for a prosperous Europe and an asset for a more connected society and economy. The European GNSS Agency (GSA) and the flagship Galileo programme are essential elements of the EU’s space programme. But how does this fit with the digital agenda?

"Space is enabling the digitally connected world that we are only starting to appreciate now, but that will be the world of future generations,” said Carlo des Dorides. “Satellite navigation, positioning and timing enables ubiquitous connectivity between people, services and infrastructures."

The World is changing fast. There are now more than five billion smartphones in use in the World – in the EU there are more smartphones than humans. These devices place in citizens’ hands powerful sensors and computing. Geolocation is becoming ubiquitous and where the smartphone goes, internet goes too. And for this, two components - content and connectivity – were developing in parallel, said des Dorides.

Today, as the physical limits of Moore’s law on computing power are being reached, computing is moving into invisible infrastructure such as embedded computing and cloud computing. Satellite technologies were part of this invisible infrastructure offering added security from cyber-attacks compared to terrestrial systems.

Knowledge is key 

“Knowledge building is crucial for the future of Europe,” said des Dorides. “And investing in innovation is key to shaping this fast-changing world.” Europe needs to ensure that it can access the right talent to ensure continuing prosperity.

Galileo is providing excellent infrastructure for jobs and growth in Europe. “Today some 50 000 jobs in Europe are linked to the implementation of Galileo and EGNOS in downstream industries,” claimed des Dorides. “This compares to some 3 000 jobs in upstream industries.”

“By switching from a satellite launch model to a business service model, the GSA has enabled the Galileo application market to grow and contribute to a more prosperous and successful Europe,” concluded des Dorides.

Christian Ehler, MEP and member of the European Parliament’s industry (ITRE) Committee reinforced the value of satellite technologies to EU competitiveness, jobs and growth and said that his party, the European Peoples Party (EPP), would be supporting the space budget in the forthcoming Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF) discussions to ensure full implementation of the EU’s flagship satellite programmes: Galileo and Copernicus.

In later panel discussions on ‘Space for security and defence in Europe: beyond the dual-use’ Tomasz Husak, Head of Cabinet for European Commissioner Bieńkowska praised the progress made during 2017 and that Galileo was now delivering the most precise signal on Earth: “at the room level rather than just the house” he claimed. And he looked forward to the launch of Galileo’s PRS secure signal.

Jorge Domecq, Chief Executive, European Defence Agency, also emphasised the dual use capabilities of both the Copernicus and Galileo satellite systems.

Roberto Battiston, President of the Italian Space Agency reminded the conference that if the EU wanted to become the reliable global space power for peace and development, it needed to build up its workforce and capability, reinforcing the point made earlier by Carlo des Dorides.

Closing praise

In his closing remarks, Jerzy Buzek, MEP, Chair of the European Parliament’s ITRE Committee, also highlighted the MFF debate and underlined the need for adequate funding to “carry on the success of Galileo, Copernicus and EGNOS” and take on the emerging issues, such as cyber security.

In particular, he felt that the GSA required more resources. “This is a potential risk to one of our flagship projects,” he claimed and called on the European Commission to ensure adequate funding for the agency. “The ITRE Committee was ready to support this,” he said.

Finally, Emil Karanikolov, the Bulgarian Minister of Economy, concluded the conference on behalf of the European Council Presidency. He said the presidency was “convinced of the strategic nature of the sector” and the need to “take the possibilities given by space policy.”

He praised the EU flagship satellite programmes, Galileo and Copernicus, calling them undoubted successes. He said that the Bulgarian Presidency would support the success of these leading EU programmes, adding that their development and continuity were of paramount importance as drivers of jobs, growth and competitiveness.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

Six weeks ago, four new Galileo satellites were successfully launched from the European spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. A lot has happened since then, as the satellites move towards their final orbit and prepare for the first transmission of navigation signals.

At exactly 19:36:08 CET on December 12, an Ariane 5 rocket lifted-off from Kourou carrying four Galileo satellites: Nicole, Zofia, Alexandre, and Irina. Four hours later, the satellites established first contact with Earth, unfolded their solar panels and reached a stable configuration. However, the story does not end there, as the satellites go through a number of crucial stages between their launch and reaching their final position.

Days after their launch, the four satellites transited from sun acquisition mode to Earth tracking mode, also called nominal operational mode (NOM), where they point to the Earth and all antennas are orientated towards the ground. After transition to NOM, the satellites began moving up to Galileo orbit, and Nicole and Zofia made the first and second manoeuvres.

Watch this: Ariane 5 ES launches Galileo FOC-M7 satellites

Nicole was first to finish all of its manoeuvres and control of the satellite was transferred from the EOP team in Toulouse to the Galileo Control Centres in Fucino and Oberpfaffenhofen, leaving the remaining three satellites under the control of the EOP team. At this stage the launch NAGU was published on the GSC website. Then, control of Zofia was transferred to the Galileo Control Centre and Alexandre and Irina started their manoeuvres - control of these satellites was later transferred to the GCC.

What next?

The four satellites are currently in the correct orbit and are drifting, in pairs, to their final slots. As soon as they reach their final position, they will be ready to start payload testing. After payload testing starts, it will still be several months before the satellites go into service.
GSA oversees EOP

This launch was the first mission in which the European GNSS Agency (GSA) was responsible for the Early Orbit Phase (EOP). GSA worked hand-in-hand with ESA, responsible for the launch phase, oversaw Spaceopal (joint venture between Telespazio and DLR-GfR) in their new role as Galileo Service Operator, and French Space Agency (CNES)- responsible for EOP operations. The EOP is one of the most important phases of a space mission as it positions the spacecraft into the correct orbits after launch, and gradually switches on and tests the first satellite elements.

The EOP activities were led by a team of specialists from GSA which oversaw the operations teams of Spaceopal and CNES. EOP operations were conducted from a dedicated control room in the CNES Centre Spatial de Toulouse, from which the team monitored and controlled all of the main EOP stages.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

Six weeks ago, four new Galileo satellites were successfully launched from the European spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. A lot has happened since then, as the satellites move towards their final orbit and prepare for the first transmission of navigation signals.

At exactly 19:36:08 CET on December 12, an Ariane 5 rocket lifted-off from Kourou carrying four Galileo satellites: Nicole, Zofia, Alexandre, and Irina. Four hours later, the satellites established first contact with Earth, unfolded their solar panels and reached a stable configuration. However, the story does not end there, as the satellites go through a number of crucial stages between their launch and reaching their final position.

Days after their launch, the four satellites transited from sun acquisition mode to Earth tracking mode, also called nominal operational mode (NOM), where they point to the Earth and all antennas are orientated towards the ground. After transition to NOM, the satellites began moving up to Galileo orbit, and Nicole and Zofia made the first and second manoeuvres.

Watch this: Ariane 5 ES launches Galileo FOC-M7 satellites

Nicole was first to finish all of its manoeuvres and control of the satellite was transferred from the EOP team in Toulouse to the Galileo Control Centres in Fucino and Oberpfaffenhofen, leaving the remaining three satellites under the control of the EOP team. At this stage the launch NAGU was published on the GSC website. Then, control of Zofia was transferred to the Galileo Control Centre and Alexandre and Irina started their manoeuvres - control of these satellites was later transferred to the GCC.

What next?

The four satellites are currently in the correct orbit and are drifting, in pairs, to their final slots. As soon as they reach their final position, they will be ready to start payload testing. After payload testing starts, it will still be several months before the satellites go into service.

GSA oversees EOP

This launch was the first mission in which the European GNSS Agency (GSA) was responsible for the Early Orbit Phase (EOP). GSA worked hand-in-hand with ESA, responsible for the launch phase, oversaw Spaceopal (joint venture between Telespazio and DLR-GfR) in their new role as Galileo Service Operator, and French Space Agency (CNES)- responsible for EOP operations. The EOP is one of the most important phases of a space mission as it positions the spacecraft into the correct orbits after launch, and gradually switches on and tests the first satellite elements.

The EOP activities were led by a team of specialists from GSA which oversaw the operations teams of Spaceopal and CNES. EOP operations were conducted from a dedicated control room in the CNES Centre Spatial de Toulouse, from which the team monitored and controlled all of the main EOP stages.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

Six weeks ago, four new Galileo satellites were successfully launched from the European spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. A lot has happened since then, as the satellites move towards their final orbit and prepare for the first transmission of navigation signals.

At exactly 19:36:08 CET on December 12, an Ariane 5 rocket lifted-off from Kourou carrying four Galileo satellites: Nicole, Zofia, Alexandre, and Irina. Four hours later, the satellites established first contact with Earth, unfolded their solar panels and reached a stable configuration. However, the story does not end there, as the satellites go through a number of crucial stages between their launch and reaching their final position.

Days after their launch, the four satellites transited from sun acquisition mode to Earth tracking mode, also called nominal operational mode (NOM), where they point to the Earth and all antennas are orientated towards the ground. After transition to NOM, the satellites began moving up to Galileo orbit, and Nicole and Zofia made the first and second manoeuvres.

Watch this: Ariane 5 ES launches Galileo FOC-M7 satellites

Nicole was first to finish all of its manoeuvres and control of the satellite was transferred from the EOP team in Toulouse to the Galileo Control Centres in Fucino and Oberpfaffenhofen, leaving the remaining three satellites under the control of the EOP team. At this stage the launch NAGU was published on the GSC website. Then, control of Zofia was transferred to the Galileo Control Centre and Alexandre and Irina started their manoeuvres - control of these satellites was later transferred to the GCC.

What next?

The four satellites are currently in the correct orbit and are drifting, in pairs, to their final slots. As soon as they reach their final position, they will be ready to start payload testing. After payload testing starts, it will still be several months before the satellites go into service.

GSA oversees EOP

This launch was the first mission in which the European GNSS Agency (GSA) was responsible for the Early Orbit Phase (EOP). GSA worked hand-in-hand with ESA, responsible for the launch phase, oversaw Spaceopal (joint venture between Telespazio and DLR-GfR) in their new role as Galileo Service Operator, and French Space Agency (CNES)- responsible for EOP operations. The EOP is one of the most important phases of a space mission as it positions the spacecraft into the correct orbits after launch, and gradually switches on and tests the first satellite elements.

The EOP activities were led by a team of specialists from GSA which oversaw the operations teams of Spaceopal and CNES. EOP operations were conducted from a dedicated control room in the CNES Centre Spatial de Toulouse, from which the team monitored and controlled all of the main EOP stages.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The European GNSS Agency (GSA) is to host the second Fundamental Elements Info Day at its headquarters in Prague on March 14, 2018. The info day will focus on upcoming FE funding opportunities, as well as providing an update on the status of the programme.

Participating in the Info Day will be representatives from the European Commission/GSA, in addition to stakeholders from ongoing projects and from the GNSS industry. The event will provide a brief update of the status of the Galileo constellation and services, an overview of the Fundamental Elements funding scheme as well as many opportunities for networking.

The detailed agenda for the Info Day includes the priority topics that GSA is financing under Fundamental Elements. Part of the programme is a presentation of calls for proposals open for submission and of upcoming calls in 2018, including the calls for enhanced mass-market devices and IoT receivers and for Galileo multi-frequency multipurpose antennae. The most recent call opened under the FE scheme is for proposals targeting the development of a Galileo-based timing receiver for critical infrastructures such as telecommunications, power distribution networks and the financial sector. The deadline for the submission of proposals in this call is 28 March 2018.

There will also be a follow-up on the implementation of feedback from the 1st Fundamental Elements Info Day, held in March 2016.

The Info Day will end with an introduction to Fundamental Elements projects that are currently ongoing and projects that are about to start, and with a presentation from the GSA Market Development and Legal departments on what you need to know to write a successful proposal.

If you would like to attend the Fundamental Elements Info Day, you can register here.

What is Fundamental Elements?

Fundamental Elements is an EU R&D funding mechanism supporting the development of EGNSS-enabled chipsets, receivers and antennae. Fundamental Elements projects are part of the overall European GNSS strategy for market uptake, led by the GSA. The objectives of the programme can be summarised as follows:

• Facilitate the adoption of EGNSS, building on innovative services and differentiators;
• Improve the competitiveness of EU industry ;
• Address user needs in priority market segments ;
• Maximise benefits to European citizens.

The total budget for projects to be carried out in 2015-2020 is EUR 111.5 million.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

As photovoltaic plants age, their efficiency often falls due to the underperformance of one component or another, requiring PV plant owners to conduct expensive and time-consuming thermal inspections to get to the bottom of the problem. EASY PV, a GSA-funded Horizon 2020 project, is using remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) to provide a more effective and cost-efficient solution.

As Europe’s older PV plants start to reach over ten years of continuous operations, some of their individual modules and components are reaching the end of their design life span. The associated failures and breakdowns mean that plant owners are now paying a lot of attention to maintenance technologies and processes in order to enhance energy production at their plants.

High-quality EGNSS receiver

Thermographic analysis is the best and most effective way to locate defective cells and modules in PV arrays. However, thermal inspections, currently performed by operators with handheld cameras, are time consuming and can be expensive, due to the associated safety procedures required for those conducting the tests.

The current state of the art solutions exploit RPAS technology to gather thermal images. This reduces the time, costs and risks for personnel involved in maintenance operations. However, these solutions do not normally use geo-referencing techniques. This means that a huge amount of post processing work is required to get a PV plant status synthesis that is viable for the plant owners.

Responding to this need for a more efficient PV plant inspection solution, EASY PV (EGNSS High-Accuracy System Improving Photovoltaic Plant Maintenance) is building an automated system for acquiring, geo-referencing and processing images, both visual and thermal, using an RPAS equipped with a high-accuracy EGNSS receiver.

Marco Nisi, Head of Integrated GNSS Solutions at Sistematica S.p.A., the coordinator of the project, said that recent tests had shown extremely encouraging results. “The EASY-PV solution has had the experience of monitoring a dozen selected PV plants in Italy, mainly in Terni, Caserta and Cuneo. More than 98% of faulty panels were correctly recognised and a final report was generated in a very short period of time. This gives us the confidence to confirm our presence on the Italian market and paves the way to introduce the service all over Europe, thanks to our growing RPAS pilots’ and PV maintainers’ affiliation network,” he said.

Engaging with stakeholders

EASY-PV was presented at two energy events at the end of last year. At the first of these - the Key Energy trade fair in Rimini on 7-10 November - the GSA supported EASY-PV, attending as its main sponsor. At the event, the GSA also presented upcoming Galileo services that support energy-related applications to stakeholders in the energy value chain.

The second event was the O&M and Asset Management Conference in London in December, which was organised by the Solar Trade Association and SolarPower Europe (formerly the European Photovoltaic Industry Association – EPIA). The EASY-PV solution was presented as a case study at this event, which facilitated networking with peers, clients and suppliers. Galileo was introduced as a key element of the EASY-PV solution, with the GSA acting as a partner - promoting O&M best practice guidelines across Europe, increasing awareness and encouraging industry uptake.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

As photovoltaic plants age, their efficiency often falls due to the underperformance of one component or another, requiring PV plant owners to conduct expensive and time-consuming thermal inspections to get to the bottom of the problem. EASY PV, a GSA-funded Horizon 2020 project, is using remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) to provide a more effective and cost-efficient solution.

As Europe’s older PV plants start to reach over ten years of continuous operations, some of their individual modules and components are reaching the end of their design life span. The associated failures and breakdowns mean that plant owners are now paying a lot of attention to maintenance technologies and processes in order to enhance energy production at their plants.

High-quality EGNSS receiver

Thermographic analysis is the best and most effective way to locate defective cells and modules in PV arrays. However, thermal inspections, currently performed by operators with handheld cameras, are time consuming and can be expensive, due to the associated safety procedures required for those conducting the tests.

The current state of the art solutions exploit RPAS technology to gather thermal images. This reduces the time, costs and risks for personnel involved in maintenance operations. However, these solutions do not normally use geo-referencing techniques. This means that a huge amount of post processing work is required to get a PV plant status synthesis that is viable for the plant owners.

Responding to this need for a more efficient PV plant inspection solution, EASY PV (EGNSS High-Accuracy System Improving Photovoltaic Plant Maintenance) is building an automated system for acquiring, geo-referencing and processing images, both visual and thermal, using an RPAS equipped with a high-accuracy EGNSS receiver.

Marco Nisi, Head of Integrated GNSS Solutions at Sistematica S.p.A., the coordinator of the project, said that recent tests had shown extremely encouraging results. “The EASY-PV solution has had the experience of monitoring a dozen selected PV plants in Italy, mainly in Terni, Caserta and Cuneo. More than 98% of faulty panels were correctly recognised and a final report was generated in a very short period of time. This gives us the confidence to confirm our presence on the Italian market and paves the way to introduce the service all over Europe, thanks to our growing RPAS pilots’ and PV maintainers’ affiliation network,” he said.

Engaging with stakeholders

EASY-PV was presented at two energy events at the end of last year. At the first of these - the Key Energy trade fair in Rimini on 7-10 November - the GSA supported EASY-PV, attending as its main sponsor. At the event, the GSA also presented upcoming Galileo services that support energy-related applications to stakeholders in the energy value chain.

The second event was the O&M and Asset Management Conference in London in December, which was organised by the Solar Trade Association and SolarPower Europe (formerly the European Photovoltaic Industry Association – EPIA). The EASY-PV solution was presented as a case study at this event, which facilitated networking with peers, clients and suppliers. Galileo was introduced as a key element of the EASY-PV solution, with the GSA acting as a partner - promoting O&M best practice guidelines across Europe, increasing awareness and encouraging industry uptake.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The ESCAPE project, funded under the European GNSS Agency’s (GSA) Fundamental Elements programme, has completed the preliminary design of its ESCAPE GNSS Engine (EGE), an innovative positioning engine that leverages the Galileo signal to provide a critical positioning component in autonomous vehicles.

To navigate autonomously and safely, vehicles require perception systems that locate, recognise, identify, and classify objects around them. The more complex the navigation functions, the more sensors are needed to achieve the degree of robustness required to drive safely in complex traffic conditions. This is where GNSS-based absolute location estimates come in.

Robust and safe positioning

The EGE prototype design includes several major components: a novel multi-frequency, multi-constellation GNSS receiver chipset for automotive use; the hardware and software architectures; and the algorithms for data fusion, positioning and integrity. It also covers a safety analysis of all the elements of the positioning engine. Consequently, the EGE will enable vehicles to navigate in high automation modes (SAE level 4) in various operational environments.

The positioning capability of the EGE is based on a complex algorithm produced by the GNSS sensor. Its measurements are integrated with those from an inertial unit (IMU) to provide the baseline standard point positioning function. A second positioning level is provided by precise point positioning, which gets sets of precise corrections from the Internet for the GNSS measurements. Finally, camera-based positioning, enabled by the processing of high-definition maps with lane markings and merged with other vehicle sensors, offers a third level of positioning, enhancing the other levels to achieve maximum possible accuracy.

The whole architecture of the EGE hardware has been conceived based the most recent practices in the design of automotive electronic control units, so that all the interfaces, configurations and form factors are compliant with widely recognised sector trends.

The GNSS receiver

The main distinguishing feature of the ESCAPE automotive-grade GNSS receiver is its ability to simultaneously process signals from two different GNSS bands and from different satellite constellations. Although this capability is common in high-end professional receivers, it is cutting-edge in the automotive Tier-2 panorama.

The receiver is also a first-of-a-kind device in its segment to support the new Navigation Message Authentication (NMA) service of Galileo, the additional anti-spoofing service to be offered by Galileo on the open E1 signal starting from 2018. Finally, the new GNSS receiver comes with several core signal-processing enhancements: better receiver sensitivity and tracking capability, multipath mitigation, more IF channels and flexibility in routing IF samples, jamming detection and mitigation, and optimisation of the GNSS data flow.

The result is an ESCAPE GNSS sensor that combines in a unique device a high-end GNSS technology traditionally reserved for professional applications, innovative dual-band Galileo processing, as well as all the hardware and software safety aspects that are needed to certify the component for the automotive market.

Fundamental information

Launched in October 2016, the ESCAPE project is led by the Spanish company FICOSA in collaboration with GMV, Renault, IFSTTAR, STMicroelectronics and the Istituto Superiore Mario Boella. The project is funded under the European GNSS Agency’s (GSA) Fundamental Elements programme, a research and development (R&D) funding mechanism supporting the development of GNSS-enabled chipsets, receivers and antennas.

The project has now entered its second year, during which the first EGE hardware samples will be released, along with a sequence of three integration steps and tests distributed throughout the year. The second and final hardware release is expected during the project’s third year.

For more information, see: http://www.gnss-escape.eu/

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

A newly published White Paper provides developers with in-depth information on accessing and using GNSS raw measurements with Android, to implement advanced GNSS techniques in mass-market devices. 

Google’s announcement that GNSS raw measurements would be made available from Android 7.0 devices (i.e., Nougat) marked the first-time developers had access to carrier and code measurements and decoded navigation messages from a mass-market device.

The advantages of using these measurements are many. For instance, developers can use this information to implement advanced GNSS techniques in mass-market devices and to compute a position using selected satellites/constellations, optimizing the use of Galileo. When combined with external sensors, raw measurements increase the time when position, velocity and time (PVT) can be computed. More so, Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring provides another layer of integrity in mass-market devices using raw measurements.

“We believe these raw measurements are a real game changer, re-defining the GNSS on our smartphones,” says Lukasz Bonenberg from the University of Nottingham and a member of the GSA’s GNSS Raw Measurements Task Force. “Not only does it allow us to work directly with GNSS data – for post-processing, testing and teaching – but also to find new ways of using GNSS on smartphones, which will lead to new applications that add value to smartphone-based services.”

Despite these advantages, the use of GNSS raw measurements remains limited to testing by GNSS experts. In fact, there are only a handful of smartphone apps that currently use raw measurements. This is, in part, due to the fact that Java coders are usually not GNSS experts, meaning they need help understanding Android raw measurements. Furthermore, the GNSS community typically works with standard formats, such as RINEX and NMEA. As neither of these are available for an Android platform, developers must learn new, non-standard formats.   

The reference for using raw measurements

To help bridge this knowledge gap and facilitate the use of GNSS Raw Measurements in mass market applications, the GSA’s GNSS Raw Measurement Task Force has published a White Paper entitled Using GNSS Raw Measurements on Android Devices: Towards better location performance in mass market applications. As the de facto international reference for accessing and using raw measurements, the White Paper aims to present raw measurements to the GNSS community, demonstrate their use through practical examples and increase awareness and use of GNSS in general.

“In the White Paper we present some examples of the main mass-market application areas that could benefit from increased accuracy,” says Gian Gherardo Calini, Head of Market Development Department at GSA. “This represents the starting point, one that should stimulate application developers – and even GNSS experts – to explore using raw measurements and at the same time help optimize the use of Galileo.”

The White Paper includes an in-depth description of raw measurements and how to use them, along with numerous case studies and information on user benefits. It is divided into four parts:

• Part I: overview of the theoretical basics needed to reconstruct GNSS raw measurements using Android, including a basic overview of GNSS, GNSS time references, pseudoranges, navigation messages and position estimation.
• Part II: information on how to access and use raw measurements, including generating pseudoranges and Doppler.
• Part III: a look at the most promising techniques and discussion on the benefits and limitations of each technique.
• Part IV: use cases that may benefit from the increased accuracy and integrity obtained with the use of GNSS raw measurements.

The paper is free of charge and can be downloaded here.

About the GNSS Raw Measurements Task Force

Launched in June 2017 and coordinated by the European GNSS Agency (GSA), the GNSS Raw Measurements Task Force aims to share knowledge and expertise on Android raw measurements and its use, including its potential for high accuracy positioning techniques relevant to mass market applications. The Task Force includes GNSS experts, scientists and market players, all of whom are dedicated to promoting a wider use of these raw measurements.

More information on the Task Force, its members and their work can be found here.

Opportunity for Galileo

Galileo stands to play a big role in the use of GNSS raw measurements. For example, a recent experiment compared the performance of two PVT solutions, one that included Galileo measurements and one that did not. Both solutions were based on raw measurements coming from a smartphone. With raw measurements, users can select which constellation the PVT uses and which satellites are filtered out. This experiment showed that by opting to include Galileo in the PVT solution through the raw measurements, users can easily experience the added accuracy and availability it provides.

“Thanks to the raw measurements, we could compute the Galileo only fix in our lab,” says Airbus’ Moises Navarro Gallardo, who is also a Task Force member. “Smartphone application developers finally have access to more detailed data by satellite, and the White Paper fully describes how to work with this data.”

The experiment, which is further described in the White Paper, also shows how raw measurements enable other GNSS differentiators. For example, Galileo’s Open Service Authentication, a unique feature not found in other constellations, is included in raw measurements. As a result, developers can use this to authenticate navigation messages.

“After testing some of the smartphones that support GNSS raw measurements, it is clear we can further demonstrate the added value of the Galileo constellation in a multi-GNSS mass-market receiver,” adds Task Force member Paolo Crosta from the European Space Agency (ESA).

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The European GNSS Agency (GSA) and the Joint Research Centre, the European Commission’s in-house science service, have published a joint report containing a set of guidelines to facilitate the implementation of eCall testing in compliance with the EU Regulation 2017/79 by technical centres in charge of issuing the EC type-approval for eCall On-Board Units (OBU).

In March 2017, the GSA officially launched a Galileo and EGNOS test campaign, which allowed eCall device manufacturers to pre-test Galileo and EGNOS compatibility. eCall device manufacturers, such as tier-1 suppliers, were invited to participate and assess their devices’ capability to support the reception and processing of the Galileo and EGNOS signals.

This testing initiative followed the publication, on 17 January 2017, of European Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/79, which stipulates that all new models of passenger cars (M1) and light duty vehicles (N1) types must be equipped with eCall in-vehicle systems as of 31 March 2018.

Commenting on the motivation behind the eCall guidelines, GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides said that, thanks to its in depth GNSS market knowledge and the support of the entire user community, the GSA identified the need for the eCall industry value chain to pre-test the accuracy of their new devices and understand how to reap the benefits of Galileo.

“Many leading industry players, from chipsets to on-board-system manufacturers and car-makers, joined GSA and JRC in this initiative. They fully appreciated the support offered to enhance their products, which by 2021 will reach cumulative sales of 13 million units, representing about 90% of newly sold cars in Europe. Based on the outcome of this  testing, we are now publishing these Guidelines for manufacturers,  a resource that will facilitate and accelerate the adoption of Galileo in all new models of cars in Europe, contributing to faster emergency response and ultimately saving lives,” des Dorides said.

The campaign, being conducted in cooperation with the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC), aimed to pre-test eCall in-vehicle models and evaluate their compatibility with the positioning services provided by Galileo and EGNOS in accordance with the test procedures established by the EU Regulation. The tests made it possible to thoroughly review the requirements and the test procedures, assessing a wide range of different testing implementation options. Among others, the tests assessed:

• Positioning accuracy under static and dynamic conditions;
• Cold start time-to-first-fix;
• Re-acquisition performance following signal outages;
• Receiver sensitivity.

Elżbieta Bieńkowska, Commissioner for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, said: “Knowing the precise location of an accident is crucial for saving lives. Using Europe's own satellite navigation system Galileo, which is operational for a year now, will enable the emergency response teams to locate the accident with much greater accuracy. The mandatory eCall system is a puzzle piece of how our mobility will look like in the future: connected and automated driving with low and zero-emission cars. With the roll-out of eCall in April 2018, we are taking a major step forward for adoption of Galileo in the automotive market."

Lessons learned

Based on the extensive tests, which were conducted at the JRC’s GNSS laboratory in Ispra, Italy, a number of recommendations were made, which are relevant to one or more test procedures Some recommendations with the potential to substantially affect the final result of the testing include:

• The “test object” may or may not include a low noise amplifier (LNA), depending on the actual commercial configuration of the eCall On-Board Unit.
• The setting of the power levels for the right components of the GNSS signals is of utmost importance. Also, the calibration of the eCall test bed cannot be neglected.
• The relative geometry of the GNSS satellites with respect to the user location is very important to perform the tests. Meeting the Point Dilution Of Precision (PDOP) requirement is a key element to be carefully assessed.
•  The eCall DUT must be able to use SBAS corrections, therefore the GNSS simulator has to be set in such a way that the corrections are enabled in the region where the test scenario is located.

The guidelines aim to illustrate how the requirements stated in the eCall Regulation might be translated in practice into a suite of test scenarios, acknowledging that several alternative testing configurations and implementations can be compliant with the EU Regulation. The full list of recommendations is available in the report.

An opportunity not to be missed

The test campaign is still ongoing. Manufacturers are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity, which is completely free-of-charge and voluntary, to support their preparation for type approval. All results will be kept confidential and covered by individual non-disclosure agreements.

For more information, contact the GSA Market Development Department (market@gsa.europa.eu).

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

Developers use the SpaceTech2017 Hackathon to demonstrate the many ways that LBS applications can benefit users of every kind.

GNSS-enabled location-based services comprise a multitude of applications tailor-made to satisfy different uses and needs. These applications are supported by a range of devices, including smartphones and tablets, personal tracking devices, wearables, digital cameras and portable computers. The uses of these LBS applications are infinite and include everything from navigation to mapping, geo-marketing, advertising, safety response, sports, gaming, augmented reality, social networking and mobile health – to name only a few.

The full spectrum of LBS applications was on display at the recent SpaceTech2017 Hackathon, held in Tartu, Estonia. Organised by Estonian event planning company Garage48 and with the support of the GSA and the European Space Agency (ESA), the hackathon brought together 122 developers, engineers, data scientists, designers and marketers from 23 different countries. Teams were challenged with coming up with exciting ideas using different elements from different streams to create location-based solutions that integrated GNSS – all within just 48 hours. 

A travel journal for the digital age

At the end of the 48-hour hackathon, a number of impressive applications were presented. One of those was SIGHTVEL, an intuitive application that allows users to create ‘memory maps’ of their travels. As one travels, the app uses the user’s location to geotag the images and notes that a traveller takes. These are then added to the route map. The result is a ready-made travel-log that can be easily shared with family and friends, who can then follow along with your travels in real-time.

“My grandfather was a truck driver, and I remember him using a little atlas book to record each of the places he went,” says project leader Papuna Janashvili. “It was this memory that inspired me to create an atlas book for the digital age.”

A lifeline for the elderly

LIFELINE, another application developed during the hackathon, functions as an intelligent lifestyle assistance and safety monitoring system for the elderly and disabled. It features mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) that employs advanced GNSS capabilities and Earth Observation data.

“LIFELINE uses Copernicus data, for example, to predict when environmental conditions could be hazardous to an older person’s health,” explains project leader Jeffrey Wallace. Using such devices as Amazon’s Alexis, the application then provides audio suggestions, such as: “It will be very hot this afternoon, would you like to go to the shopping centre to relax and visit your friends?” Based on the user’s response, the application then schedules a bus or other mode of transport to pick the user up.

The full spectrum

These are just a couple of the many LBS applications that came out of the hackathon. Others included the TeamONGrid application, which uses Military Grid Reference System (MGRS) maps for tracking military endurance competitions. Meanwhile, the Run Me If You Can game is a fun social fitness app that lets runners interact and compete in real time with other runners from around the world.

There was even an app idea for beer lovers. SpaceBeer is a high-altitude balloon that follows the user who is, for example, hiking down below. When the user gets thirsty, they simply click a button on their smartphone and the balloon releases a beer that is delivered via parachute. Needless to say, this app is more of a concept than a reality, but iDoBalloon, another balloon-based application, is the real deal. At the hackathon, the team built an educational DIY high altitude balloon that can be sent to the stratosphere, where it provides science students with a unique point of view and a one-of-a-kind learning opportunity.

So whether it’s for fun or to provide a lifesaving service, as we saw during the SpaceTech2017 Hackathon, if there’s not an app for it yet, chances are, there soon will be. The next opportunity to test your GNSS app-dev skills will be at ActinSpace 2018.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

Following the expansion of the Galileo constellation and the declaration of Initial Services, the availability of Galileo Timing & Synchronisation solutions has become of strategic importance. Moreover, the European Commission has pre-announced the introduction of Galileo in critical infrastructures.

Against this backdrop, the GSA is launching a call for proposals, the main objective of which is to develop a Galileo-based timing receiver for these infrastructures.

Proposals should define the user’s and timing receiver requirements; design, develop, test and validate the prototype with simulated and real data scenarios; and contain the following essential elements:

• The prototype receiver should include, as a minimum, a mode of operation to obtain the Galileo System Time and UTC based on Galileo signals only, both in single and multiple frequency;
• Robust receiver solutions should be implemented;
• The interfaces to be implemented are: PTP, NTP, SyncE, PPS, 10 MHz, and IRIG-B.

A webinar will be held on the 11 January 2018 to inform applicants on how to prepare a successful proposal. To register for the webinar, click here. Potential applicants can also address questions related to the content of this call directly to the GSA at this e-mail: gnss.grants@gsa.europa.eu. Responses will be posted on the call page on the GSA website.

Furthermore, the GSA also plans to hold an Info Day at its headquarters in Prague on 14 March 2018, focusing on upcoming opportunities under Fundamental Elements. The event will also provide an update on the status of the programme. Participants in the Info Day will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from the European Commission/GSA, ongoing Fundamental Elements projects and the GNSS industry. Registration for the Info Day will open in the first week of January – so stay tuned!

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link the article back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu)
.

Following the expansion of the Galileo constellation and the declaration of Initial Services, the availability of Galileo Timing & Synchronisation solutions has become of strategic importance. Moreover, the European Commission has pre-announced the introduction of Galileo in critical infrastructures.

Against this backdrop, the GSA is launching a call for proposals, the main objective of which is to develop a Galileo-based timing receiver for these infrastructures.

Proposals should define the user’s and timing receiver requirements; design, develop, test and validate the prototype with simulated and real data scenarios; and contain the following essential elements:

• The prototype receiver should include, as a minimum, a mode of operation to obtain the Galileo System Time and UTC based on Galileo signals only, both in single and multiple frequency;
• Robust receiver solutions should be implemented;
• The interfaces to be implemented are: PTP, NTP, SyncE, PPS, 10 MHz, and IRIG-B.

A webinar will be held on the 11 January 2018 to inform applicants on how to prepare a successful proposal. To register for the webinar, click here. Potential applicants can also address questions related to the content of this call directly to the GSA at this e-mail: gnss.grants@gsa.europa.eu. Responses will be posted on the call page on the GSA website.

Furthermore, the GSA also plans to hold an Info Day at its headquarters in Prague on 14 March 2018, focusing on upcoming opportunities under Fundamental Elements. The event will also provide an update on the status of the programme. Participants in the Info Day will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from the European Commission/GSA, ongoing Fundamental Elements projects and the GNSS industry. Registration for the Info Day will open in the first week of January – so stay tuned!

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link the article back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu)
.

Following the expansion of the Galileo constellation and the declaration of Initial Services, the availability of Galileo Timing & Synchronisation solutions has become of strategic importance. Moreover, the European Commission has pre-announced the introduction of Galileo in critical infrastructures.

Against this backdrop, the GSA is launching a call for proposals, the main objective of which is to develop a Galileo-based timing receiver for these infrastructures.

Proposals should define the user’s and timing receiver requirements; design, develop, test and validate the prototype with simulated and real data scenarios; and contain the following essential elements:

• The prototype receiver should include, as a minimum, a mode of operation to obtain the Galileo System Time and UTC based on Galileo signals only, both in single and multiple frequency;
• Robust receiver solutions should be implemented;
• The interfaces to be implemented are: PTP, NTP, SyncE, PPS, 10 MHz, and IRIG-B.

A webinar will be held on the 11 January 2018 to inform applicants on how to prepare a successful proposal. To register for the webinar, click here. Potential applicants can also address questions related to the content of this call directly to the GSA at this e-mail: gnss.grants@gsa.europa.eu. Responses will be posted on the call page on the GSA website.

Furthermore, the GSA also plans to hold an Info Day at its headquarters in Prague on 14 March 2018, focusing on upcoming opportunities under Fundamental Elements. The event will also provide an update on the status of the programme. Participants in the Info Day will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from the European Commission/GSA, ongoing Fundamental Elements projects and the GNSS industry. Registration for the Info Day will open in the first week of January – so stay tuned!

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link the article back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu)
.

Following the expansion of the Galileo constellation and the declaration of Initial Services, the availability of Galileo Timing & Synchronisation solutions has become of strategic importance. Moreover, the European Commission has pre-announced the introduction of Galileo in critical infrastructures.

Against this backdrop, the GSA is launching a call for proposals, the main objective of which is to develop a Galileo-based timing receiver for these infrastructures.

Proposals should define the user’s and timing receiver requirements; design, develop, test and validate the prototype with simulated and real data scenarios; and contain the following essential elements:

• The prototype receiver should include, as a minimum, a mode of operation to obtain the Galileo System Time and UTC based on Galileo signals only, both in single and multiple frequency;
• Robust receiver solutions should be implemented;
• The interfaces to be implemented are: PTP, NTP, SyncE, PPS, 10 MHz, and IRIG-B.

A webinar will be held on the 11 January 2018 to inform applicants on how to prepare a successful proposal. To register for the webinar, click here. Potential applicants can also address questions related to the content of this call directly to the GSA at this e-mail: gnss.grants@gsa.europa.eu. Responses will be posted on the call page on the GSA website.

Furthermore, the GSA also plans to hold an Info Day at its headquarters in Prague on 14 March 2018, focusing on upcoming opportunities under Fundamental Elements. The event will also provide an update on the status of the programme. Participants in the Info Day will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from the European Commission/GSA, ongoing Fundamental Elements projects and the GNSS industry. Registration for the Info Day will open in the first week of January – so stay tuned!

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link the article back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu)
.

A great year for Galileo, and the GSA

2017 was a year marked with milestones. Following the Declaration of Initial Services last December, on July 1 the GSA officially took responsibility for the Galileo operations and service provision. In June, we formally received the keys to the new Galileo Reference Centre (GRC) in The Netherlands, a facility that plays a pivotal role, with independent monitoring of and reporting on Galileo’s performance. Furthermore, as of July 1, the Galileo Security Monitoring Centre (GSMC) began delivering services 24/7, supporting the configuration of Initial Services.

In parallel, additional satellites are being added to the Galileo constellation. Just last week we saw the successful launch of four more satellites, bringing the constellation to a total of 22. This satellite launch was special for the GSA, as it was the first time the GSA played a role with responsibility for the Early Orbit Phase of the mission and overseeing Spaceopal GmbH in their new role as the Galileo Service Operator (GSOp). This role is essential to ensuring proper system performance and a related return on investment from Galileo in the form of value-added services and applications.

The GSA’s achievements have also been highlighted in a mid-term review performed by the EC, and endorsed by the Parliament and Council. This is an important recognition of the hard work and commitment of the entire European GNSS community.

Last but not least, the GSA ISO-9001 re-certification reconfirmed that the Agency is growing on a solid foundation of quality.

Bringing value to the market

Throughout the year, the GSA made headway in maximising Galileo user adoption. In November, we welcomed nearly 280 users to the 1st Galileo User Assembly – with many more joining in remotely. Here we inaugurated another important milestone for the Galileo programme: the User Consultation Platform (UCP). Through this innovative platform, users from a wide range of market segments can share information on needs and market trends and define their Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) user requirements.

We also continued our close work with chipset and receiver manufacturers, as they are essential to Galileo’s success. A highlight here was Broadcom’s launch of the BCM47755 – the world’s first mass-market, dual frequency GNSS receiver device for smartphones.  Indeed our market development efforts are paying off. When Apple unveiled its much-anticipated iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X earlier this year, it announced that each was Galileo-enabled. The new iPhones join a growing list of top smartphone brands that support Galileo, including a range of phones from BQ, Huawei, Samsung, Meizu and Sony.

Moving EGNOS forward

Even though Galileo dominated much of the headlines this year, 2017 was also another banner year for EGNOS, which has been providing an excellent performance to users. The highlight was the signing of the EGNOS GEO 3 contract, which marks a major milestone in the programme’s development. We are also making real progress on EGNOS Version 3, and I am hopeful that the contract will be signed soon.

New year, new achievements

But enough about the past, it’s time to look ahead! With 2018 on the horizon, I see improved performance for both Galileo and EGNOS and ever-increasing market uptake. A particular focus will be on ensuring that we achieve the Enhanced Services milestone for Galileo in 2018. As we quickly move towards Full Operational Capability (FOC), I have no doubt that Galileo is poised to become the second GNSS constellation of choice – supporting billions of users worldwide.  

As 2017 draws to a close, my heartfelt thanks go to the GSA staff for their hard work and commitment, and special thanks go to the European GNSS community for their trust and support throughout the year.

Happy Holidays to all of you.  

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

A great year for Galileo, and the GSA

2017 was a year marked with milestones. Following the Declaration of Initial Services last December, on July 1 the GSA officially took responsibility for the Galileo operations and service provision.

In June, we formally received the keys to the new Galileo Reference Centre (GRC) in The Netherlands, a facility that plays a pivotal role, with independent monitoring of and reporting on Galileo’s performance. Furthermore, as of July 1, the Galileo Security Monitoring Centre (GSMC) began delivering services 24/7, supporting the configuration of Initial Services.

In parallel, additional satellites are being added to the Galileo constellation. Just last week we saw the successful launch of four more satellites, bringing the constellation to a total of 22. This satellite launch was special for the GSA, as it was the first time the GSA played a role with responsibility for the Early Orbit Phase of the mission and overseeing Spaceopal GmbH in their new role as the Galileo Service Operator (GSOp). This role is essential to ensuring proper system performance and a related return on investment from Galileo in the form of value-added services and applications.

The GSA’s achievements have also been highlighted in a mid-term review performed by the EC, and endorsed by the Parliament and Council. This is an important recognition of the hard work and commitment of the entire European GNSS community.

Last but not least, the GSA ISO-9001 re-certification reconfirmed that the Agency is growing on a solid foundation of quality.

Bringing value to the market

Throughout the year, the GSA made headway in maximising Galileo user adoption. In November, we welcomed nearly 280 users to the 1st Galileo User Assembly – with many more joining in remotely. Here we inaugurated another important milestone for the Galileo programme: the User Consultation Platform (UCP). Through this innovative platform, users from a wide range of market segments can share information on needs and market trends and define their Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) user requirements.

We also continued our close work with chipset and receiver manufacturers, as they are essential to Galileo’s success. A highlight here was Broadcom’s launch of the BCM47755 – the world’s first mass-market, dual frequency GNSS receiver device for smartphones.  Indeed our market development efforts are paying off. When Apple unveiled its much-anticipated iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X earlier this year, it announced that each was Galileo-enabled. The new iPhones join a growing list of top smartphone brands that support Galileo, including a range of phones from BQ, Huawei, Samsung, Meizu and Sony.

Moving EGNOS forward

Even though Galileo dominated much of the headlines this year, 2017 was also another banner year for EGNOS, which has been providing an excellent performance to users. The highlight was the signing of the EGNOS GEO 3 contract, which marks a major milestone in the programme’s development. We are also making real progress on EGNOS Version 3, and I am hopeful that the contract will be signed soon.

New year, new achievements

But enough about the past, it’s time to look ahead! With 2018 on the horizon, I see improved performance for both Galileo and EGNOS and ever-increasing market uptake. A particular focus will be on ensuring that we achieve the Enhanced Services milestone for Galileo in 2018. As we quickly move towards Full Operational Capability (FOC), I have no doubt that Galileo is poised to become the second GNSS constellation of choice – supporting billions of users worldwide.  

As 2017 draws to a close, my heartfelt thanks go to the GSA staff for their hard work and commitment, and special thanks go to the European GNSS community for their trust and support throughout the year.

Happy Holidays to all of you.  

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The Assembly had three main parts together with ample opportunities for the Galileo user community to network. The launch of the Galileo User Consultation Platform (see separate article) and a visit to the GSC itself (see separate article) were complemented by the first Galileo Service Provision Workshop. This had its main session on the morning of 29 November and presented the observed performance of the system over its first year of service operation and plans for the evolution of the services.

Service provision workshop

The first ever Galileo Service Provision Workshop was opened by Flores Diaz Pulido from European Commission DG Grow. She had worked with Commissioner Loyola de Palacio in the early years of Galileo and was happy to see that Galileo was now a functioning reality.

Rodrigo da Costa, Galileo Services Programme Manager at the GSA, updated users on the status of the Galileo Services and the GSA. Currently, Initial Services are provided to users around the globe, with relevant information to the users published on the GSC website in real time and detailed performance of Open Service and Search and Rescue Service provided quarterly.

In addition, new ground infrastructure was in place across Europe including the Galileo Reference Centre in the Netherlands, The Galileo Search and Rescue (SAR) Centre in Toulouse and the Galileo Integrated Logistics Centre that opens 1 December in Belgium, he noted.

He also anticipated the launch of enhanced services and activities on high accuracy and authentication.

The actual performance of Galileo during Initial Service was described by Alberto Madrazo of the GSA. Overall the system had displayed high signal availability, excellent ranging accuracy – managing an average ranging accuracy during August of 0.3 metres, and a timing accuracy averaging at 9.3 nanoseconds. This compares to the Initial Services target of 30 nanoseconds. In general, the performance of the system was consistently far exceeding its defined minimum performance levels.

“The performance of Galileo, with its partial constellation and less than one year’s operational experience, is already at least as good as GPS, with its full constellation and 25 years operational experience,” claimed Madrazo.

In terms of the future he saw that the trends showed “continuous improvement that will pave the way to enhanced services.”

Reference measure

Peter Buist, Manager of the Galileo Reference Centre (GRC), also supported the quality of Galileo’s performance. The role of the GRC is to provide independent performance monitoring of Galileo and other GNSS with reporting based around a set of key performance indicators (KPIs). The GRC represented a fully independent system based at Noordwijk in The Netherlands and also receives monitoring data from other Member States.

“The GRC helps ensure that Galileo users are provided with very high-quality signals for use with an array of new navigation applications,” said Buist.

The GRC has also been nominated by the European Commission to act as the European Monitoring and Analysis Centre for Galileo as part of a joint United Nations project monitoring GNSS.

Alvaro Mozo, GSA’s Galileo Service Engineering Manager declared that “Galileo is here and working well but challenges remain.” He gave an overview of the next steps to improve the services, which rely on continuous monitoring, further infrastructure deployment and validation campaigns, while assuring service continuity at the same time.

Closing the Assembly, Flores Diaz Pulido praised the innovative, thorough and committed nature of the event participants. “The two days have exceeded my expectations,” she said. There was still much work to be done, but she was “sure that with Galileo in your hands – all of you - it will be a success.”

For news, images and presentations from the Galileo User Assembly, click here.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link the article back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The Assembly had three main parts together with ample opportunities for the Galileo user community to network. The launch of the Galileo User Consultation Platform (see separate article) and a visit to the GSC itself (see separate article) were complemented by the first Galileo Service Provision Workshop. This had its main session on the morning of 29 November and presented the observed performance of the system over its first year of service operation and plans for the evolution of the services.

Service provision workshop

The first ever Galileo Service Provision Workshop was opened by Flores Diaz Pulido from European Commission DG Grow. She had worked with Commissioner Loyola de Palacio in the early years of Galileo and was happy to see that Galileo was now a functioning reality.

Rodrigo da Costa, Galileo Services Programme Manager at the GSA, updated users on the status of the Galileo Services and the GSA. Currently, Initial Services are provided to users around the globe, with relevant information to the users published on the GSC website in real time and detailed performance of Open Service and Search and Rescue Service provided quarterly.

In addition, new ground infrastructure was in place across Europe including the Galileo Reference Centre in the Netherlands, The Galileo Search and Rescue (SAR) Centre in Toulouse and the Galileo Integrated Logistics Centre that opens 1 December in Belgium, he noted.

He also anticipated the launch of enhanced services and activities on high accuracy and authentication.

The actual performance of Galileo during Initial Service was described by Alberto Madrazo of the GSA. Overall the system had displayed high signal availability, excellent ranging accuracy – managing an average ranging accuracy during August of 0.3 metres, and a timing accuracy averaging at 9.3 nanoseconds. This compares to the Initial Services target of 30 nanoseconds. In general, the performance of the system was consistently far exceeding its defined minimum performance levels.

“The performance of Galileo, with its partial constellation and less than one year’s operational experience, is already at least as good as GPS, with its full constellation and 25 years operational experience,” claimed Madrazo.

In terms of the future he saw that the trends showed “continuous improvement that will pave the way to enhanced services.”

Reference measure

Peter Buist, Manager of the Galileo Reference Centre (GRC), also supported the quality of Galileo’s performance. The role of the GRC is to provide independent performance monitoring of Galileo and other GNSS with reporting based around a set of key performance indicators (KPIs). The GRC represented a fully independent system based at Noordwijk in The Netherlands and also receives monitoring data from other Member States.

“The GRC helps ensure that Galileo users are provided with very high-quality signals for use with an array of new navigation applications,” said Buist.

The GRC has also been nominated by the European Commission to act as the European Monitoring and Analysis Centre for Galileo as part of a joint United Nations project monitoring GNSS.

Alvaro Mozo, GSA’s Galileo Service Engineering Manager declared that “Galileo is here and working well but challenges remain.” He gave an overview of the next steps to improve the services, which rely on continuous monitoring, further infrastructure deployment and validation campaigns, while assuring service continuity at the same time.

Closing the Assembly, Flores Diaz Pulido praised the innovative, thorough and committed nature of the event participants. “The two days have exceeded my expectations,” she said. There was still much work to be done, but she was “sure that with Galileo in your hands – all of you - it will be a success.”

For news, images and presentations from the Galileo User Assembly, click here.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link the article back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The Assembly had three main parts together with ample opportunities for the Galileo user community to network.

The launch of the Galileo User Consultation Platform (see separate article) and a visit to the GSC itself (see separate article) were complemented by the first Galileo Service Provision Workshop. This had its main session on the morning of 29 November and presented the observed performance of the system over its first year of service operation and plans for the evolution of the services.

Service provision workshop

The first ever Galileo Service Provision Workshop was opened by Flores Diaz Pulido from European Commission DG Grow. She had worked with Commissioner Loyola de Palacio in the early years of Galileo and was happy to see that Galileo was now a functioning reality.

Rodrigo da Costa, Galileo Services Programme Manager at the GSA, updated users on the status of the Galileo Services and the GSA. Currently, Initial Services are provided to users around the globe, with relevant information to the users published on the GSC website in real time and detailed performance of Open Service and Search and Rescue Service provided quarterly.

In addition, new ground infrastructure was in place across Europe including the Galileo Reference Centre in the Netherlands, The Galileo Search and Rescue (SAR) Centre in Toulouse and the Galileo Integrated Logistics Centre that opens 1 December in Belgium, he noted.

He also anticipated the launch of enhanced services and activities on high accuracy and authentication.

The actual performance of Galileo during Initial Service was described by Alberto Madrazo of the GSA. Overall the system had displayed high signal availability, excellent ranging accuracy – managing an average ranging accuracy during August of 0.3 metres, and a timing accuracy averaging at 9.3 nanoseconds. This compares to the Initial Services target of 30 nanoseconds. In general, the performance of the system was consistently far exceeding its defined minimum performance levels.

“The performance of Galileo, with its partial constellation and less than one year’s operational experience, is already at least as good as GPS, with its full constellation and 25 years operational experience,” claimed Madrazo.

In terms of the future he saw that the trends showed “continuous improvement that will pave the way to enhanced services.”

Reference measure

Peter Buist, Manager of the Galileo Reference Centre (GRC), also supported the quality of Galileo’s performance. The role of the GRC is to provide independent performance monitoring of Galileo and other GNSS with reporting based around a set of key performance indicators (KPIs). The GRC represented a fully independent system based at Noordwijk in The Netherlands and also receives monitoring data from other Member States.

“The GRC helps ensure that Galileo users are provided with very high-quality signals for use with an array of new navigation applications,” said Buist.

The GRC has also been nominated by the European Commission to act as the European Monitoring and Analysis Centre for Galileo as part of a joint United Nations project monitoring GNSS.

Alvaro Mozo, GSA’s Galileo Service Engineering Manager declared that “Galileo is here and working well but challenges remain.” He gave an overview of the next steps to improve the services, which rely on continuous monitoring, further infrastructure deployment and validation campaigns, while assuring service continuity at the same time.

Closing the Assembly, Flores Diaz Pulido praised the innovative, thorough and committed nature of the event participants. “The two days have exceeded my expectations,” she said. There was still much work to be done, but she was “sure that with Galileo in your hands – all of you - it will be a success.”

For news, images and presentations from the Galileo User Assembly, click here.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link the article back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The Assembly had three main parts together with ample opportunities for the Galileo user community to network.

The launch of the Galileo User Consultation Platform and a visit to the GSC itself were complemented by the first Galileo Service Provision Workshop. This had its main session on the morning of 29 November and presented the observed performance of the system over its first year of service operation and plans for the evolution of the services.

Service provision workshop

The first ever Galileo Service Provision Workshop was opened by Flores Diaz Pulido from European Commission DG Grow. She had worked with Commissioner Loyola de Palacio in the early years of Galileo and was happy to see that Galileo was now a functioning reality.

Rodrigo da Costa, Galileo Services Programme Manager at the GSA, updated users on the status of the Galileo Services and the GSA. Currently, Initial Services are provided to users around the globe, with relevant information to the users published on the GSC website in real time and detailed performance of Open Service and Search and Rescue Service provided quarterly.

In addition, new ground infrastructure was in place across Europe including the Galileo Reference Centre in the Netherlands, The Galileo Search and Rescue (SAR) Centre in Toulouse and the Galileo Integrated Logistics Centre that opens 1 December in Belgium, he noted.

He also anticipated the launch of enhanced services and activities on high accuracy and authentication.

The actual performance of Galileo during Initial Service was described by Alberto Madrazo of the GSA. Overall the system had displayed high signal availability, excellent ranging accuracy – managing an average ranging accuracy during August of 0.3 metres, and a timing accuracy averaging at 9.3 nanoseconds. This compares to the Initial Services target of 30 nanoseconds. In general, the performance of the system was consistently far exceeding its defined minimum performance levels.

“The performance of Galileo, with its partial constellation and less than one year’s operational experience, is already at least as good as GPS, with its full constellation and 25 years operational experience,” claimed Madrazo.

In terms of the future he saw that the trends showed “continuous improvement that will pave the way to enhanced services.”

Reference measure

Peter Buist, Manager of the Galileo Reference Centre (GRC), also supported the quality of Galileo’s performance. The role of the GRC is to provide independent performance monitoring of Galileo and other GNSS with reporting based around a set of key performance indicators (KPIs). The GRC represented a fully independent system based at Noordwijk in The Netherlands and also receives monitoring data from other Member States.

“The GRC helps ensure that Galileo users are provided with very high-quality signals for use with an array of new navigation applications,” said Buist.

The GRC has also been nominated by the European Commission to act as the European Monitoring and Analysis Centre for Galileo as part of a joint United Nations project monitoring GNSS.

Alvaro Mozo, GSA’s Galileo Service Engineering Manager declared that “Galileo is here and working well but challenges remain.” He gave an overview of the next steps to improve the services, which rely on continuous monitoring, further infrastructure deployment and validation campaigns, while assuring service continuity at the same time.

Closing the Assembly, Flores Diaz Pulido praised the innovative, thorough and committed nature of the event participants. “The two days have exceeded my expectations,” she said. There was still much work to be done, but she was “sure that with Galileo in your hands – all of you - it will be a success.”

For news, images and presentations from the Galileo User Assembly, click here.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link the article back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

Today, December 15, marks the first anniversary of the declaration of Galileo Initial Services. This is an ideal opportunity to look back at what has proven to be an exciting year full of achievements for Galileo, as well as the European GNSS Agency (GSA).

The most recent milestone, falling almost on the anniversary of the Galileo Initial Services declaration, was the successful launch, on December 12, of four new Galileo satellites from the European spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, bringing the Galileo constellation to a total of 22 satellites and reinforcing the provision of Galileo services. This mission was the first for which the GSA was part of the launch team and responsible for the Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP), overseeing Spaceopal in its role as Galileo Service Operator (GSOp) and LEOP Mission Director.

Watch this: Galileo Initial Services – one year on

An eventful year

Responsibility for the LEOP mission came as a result of the July 1 handover to the GSA of oversight of operations and service provision for Galileo. This was a milestone for the programme and the agency, as this responsibility includes overseeing the operation of key Galileo service facilities, ensuring a return on investment in Galileo in the form of across-the-board services and applications, and maximising Galileo adoption across user segments.

Since the declaration of Initial Services, many device and chip manufacturers have taken steps to incorporate Galileo into their products. In September, Apple launched its latest iPhone offering, which included, for the first time, built-in support for Galileo, among other GNSS. This announcement completed the list of major smartphones brands compatible with Galileo.

Also in September, Broadcom Limited, a leading developer of digital and analogue semiconductor connectivity solutions, announced the launch of the world’s first mass-market, dual frequency GNSS receiver device for smartphones, the BCM47755, enabling a new suite of high-precision LBS applications. The expanded availability of L1/E1 and L5/E5 frequencies in satellite constellations, in particular thanks to Galileo, makes it possible to use both frequencies to compute position much more accurately.

And this: Galileo in your pocket

To keep track of the ever-expanding range of Galileo-enabled devices serving a variety of needs as they become available, check out: USE.GALILEO.EU.

Feedback from users

These expanded opportunities for using Galileo fed into the discussions at the 1st Galileo User Assembly, held in Madrid on November 28-29. This event brought together 280 Galileo users to participate in the first EGNSS User Consultation Platform and share their experience, discuss their needs and provide feedback on Galileo performance, one year after the launch of Galileo Initial Services. This feedback and user experience is a valuable tool in fine-tuning and improving the provision of Galileo services – so we invite you to participate in our Galileo user satisfaction survey here.

“Thanks to the hard work and teamwork of the European Commission, the European Space Agency, the GSA, and a network of excellent industrial partners across Europe, Galileo has truly taken positive strides forward since last December’s milestone,” says Carlo des Dorides, GSA Executive Director. “The future is bright for Galileo and satellite navigation users around the globe.”

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

On December 1 the Galileo Integrated Logistic Support (ILS) Centre, built to the highest environmental standards, was inaugurated at the GALAXIA European Space Applications Park in Transinne, Belgium, in the presence of Belgian Mobility Minister François Bellot.

Galileo’s satellites communicate with 16 ground stations and these, in turn, ensure that the Galileo constellation continues to deliver reliable accurate and secure positioning and timing. To allow these stations operate to the highest standards, they need to have easy access to highly specialised parts that can be rapidly delivered to where they are needed. The Galileo ILS Centre will be the go-to point for those managing ground stations and will be staffed with highly qualified engineers specialised in robotics, aeronautics and IT.

Central location

From its central location in Transinne, the Galileo ILS Centre will support an efficient spare part and repair provisioning service for Galileo ground infrastructure. The Centre will be in charge of guaranteeing the proper spare part stock for corrective and preventive maintenance. It will also reset and update equipment received from the stations, or ship it to the manufacturers for more comprehensive retrofits, should this be necessary.

The Galileo ILS Centre will ensure that Galileo ground stations get all the specialised parts they need, when they need them.

The Galileo ILS Centre is located close to major transport hubs; it is highly secured and can generate most of the electricity it needs to operate. The GSA is in charge of the centre, which is run by the Galileo Service Operator (GSOp) under a EUR 1.5 billion contract signed in December 2016.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides said that the Galileo ILS Centre would allow the GSA, through the Galileo Service Operator and its logistics partner Vitrociset, to efficiently manage material stocks, conduct repairs and support operational requirements. “This is a fundamental component of the Galileo system,” he said.

Bellot said the project was important for Belgium: “Belgium has invested a lot in space technology and Galileo. We have a lot of large companies working in this area. Galileo is a European project par excellence that will provide great added value. I’m thinking, for example, of autonomous vehicles that will need the high precision provided by the Galileo system.”

IDELUX President Elie Deblire, who led the project, outlined the centre’s state-of-the-art features. The building has two separate and independent fibre-optic networks, 3,000 sensors measuring everything from humidity to security, 228 solar panels, as well as five geothermal sources of energy.

Watch this: Galileo Integrated Logistics Support Centre

DG GROW Deputy Director General Pierre Delsaux underlined how important it is to celebrate Europe’s successes. He said that Galileo was a great European project and that “Europe needs great projects”. Delsaux had met with European ministers with responsibility for competitiveness that morning to discuss the EU's space programmes. Estonia Entrepreneurship and Information Technology Minister Urve Palo said after the meeting: "Today we have two EU's space flagship programmes, Galileo and Copernicus, that are delivering significant value to European citizens and to the economy. […] The world has become digital and the EU's space policy is an essential instrument for moving towards a digitalised and data-driven economy in Europe."
The Galileo ILS project is another important part of the flagship programme.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

Four new Galileo satellites were successfully launched on December 12 from the European spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. This launch brings the Galileo constellation to a total of 22 satellites.

Taking place on the 1st anniversary of the launch of Galileo Initial Services last December, and a week after the first Galileo User Assembly in Madrid, the successful launch marks the culmination of a milestone year for Galileo and the GSA. The four new satellites will reinforce the provision of Galileo Initial Services, with additional satellites to be launched over the coming years until the constellation reaches full operational capability in 2020.

GSA oversees LEOP

For the first time, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is responsible for the Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP) of this mission, overseeing Spaceopal - a joint venture between Telespazio and DLR-GfR - in their new role as Galileo Service Operator and LEOP Mission Director, and CNES as responsible for LEOP operations and Operations Director.

Speaking at the launch event, GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides said: “Today’s successful launch is another positive step forward for Galileo and the GSA. The fact that leaders from five of the world’s major chipset and receiver manufacturers attended the launch for the first time is testament to the growing industry support and confidence being placed in Galileo and a realisation of what it has to offer the market.”

The GSA-led Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP) Team working in Toulouse on 12 December

Successful teamwork

The LEOP activities were overseen by a team of specialists from the GSA, Spaceopal and the operations team of the French Space Agency (CNES). LEOP operations were conducted from a dedicated control room in the CNES Centre Spatial de Toulouse, from which the team is overseeing all of the main LEOP stages.

”Following a precise injection from Ariane, the early operations phase began as planned. The GSA team, working together with SpaceOpal, CNES, ESA, and its contractors, is responsible for this phase.  Operations will be controlled from Kourou for the next couple weeks, after which command and control will be handed over to the Galileo Control Centres,” explained Rodrigo Da Costa, Galileo Services Programme Manager at the GSA. “It’s great to work with such a competent team of specialists to bring the new satellites into the constellation and deliver services to users worldwide,” he said.

Galileo is Europe’s own global navigation satellite system, providing a highly accurate, guaranteed global positioning service under civilian control. Galileo is interoperable with GPS and Glonass, the US and Russian global satellite navigation systems. By offering dual frequencies as standard, Galileo is set to deliver real-time positioning accuracy down to the meter range.

To keep track of Galileo-enabled devices serving a variety of needs as they become available, check out: USE.GALILEO.EU

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

Four new Galileo satellites were successfully launched on December 12 from the European spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. This launch brings the Galileo constellation to a total of 22 satellites.

Taking place on the 1st anniversary of the launch of Galileo Initial Services last December, and a week after the first Galileo User Assembly in Madrid, the successful launch marks the culmination of a milestone year for Galileo and the GSA. The four new satellites will reinforce the provision of Galileo Initial Services, with additional satellites to be launched over the coming years until the constellation reaches full operational capability in 2020.

GSA oversees LEOP

For the first time, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is responsible for the Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP) of this mission, overseeing Spaceopal - a joint venture between Telespazio and DLR-GfR - in their new role as Galileo Service Operator and LEOP Mission Director, and CNES as responsible for LEOP operations and Operations Director.

The LEOP is one of the most important phases of a space mission as it launches the spacecraft, puts it into the correct orbit, and gradually switches on and tests the first satellite elements. For a quadruple Ariane 5 launch such as Galileo Launch 9, this phase will take about 14 days.

Speaking at the launch event, GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides said: “Today’s successful launch is another positive step forward for Galileo and the GSA. The fact that leaders from five of the world’s major chipset and receiver manufacturers attended the launch for the first time is testament to the growing industry support and confidence being placed in Galileo and a realisation of what it has to offer the market.”

Successful teamwork

The LEOP activities were overseen by a team of specialists from the GSA, Spaceopal and the operations team of the French Space Agency (CNES). LEOP operations were conducted from a dedicated control room in the CNES Centre Spatial de Toulouse, from which the team is overseeing all of the main LEOP stages.

”Following a precise injection from Ariane, the early operations phase began as planned. The GSA team, working together with SpaceOpal, CNES, ESA, and its contractors, is responsible for this phase.  Operations will be controlled from Kourou for the next couple weeks, after which command and control will be handed over to the Galileo Control Centres,” explained Rodrigo Da Costa, Galileo Services Programme Manager at the GSA. “It’s great to work with such a competent team of specialists to bring the new satellites into the constellation and deliver services to users worldwide,” he said.

Galileo is Europe’s own global navigation satellite system, providing a highly accurate, guaranteed global positioning service under civilian control. Galileo is interoperable with GPS and Glonass, the US and Russian global satellite navigation systems. By offering dual frequencies as standard, Galileo is set to deliver real-time positioning accuracy down to the meter range.

To keep track of Galileo-enabled devices serving a variety of needs as they become available, check out: USE.GALILEO.EU

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

Four new Galileo satellites were successfully launched on December 12 from the European spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. This launch brings the Galileo constellation to a total of 22 satellites.

Taking place on the 1st anniversary of the launch of Galileo Initial Services last December, and a week after the first Galileo User Assembly in Madrid, the successful launch marks the culmination of a milestone year for Galileo and the GSA. The four new satellites will reinforce the provision of Galileo Initial Services, with additional satellites to be launched over the coming years until the constellation reaches full operational capability in 2020.

GSA oversees LEOP

For the first time, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is responsible for the Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP) of this mission, overseeing Spaceopal - a joint venture between Telespazio and DLR-GfR - in their new role as Galileo Service Operator and LEOP Mission Director, and CNES as responsible for LEOP operations and Operations Director.

The LEOP is one of the most important phases of a space mission as it launches the spacecraft, puts it into the correct orbit, and gradually switches on and tests the first satellite elements. For a quadruple Ariane 5 launch such as Galileo Launch 9, this phase will take about 14 days.

Speaking at the launch event, GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides said: “Today’s successful launch is another positive step forward for Galileo and the GSA. The fact that leaders from five of the world’s major chipset and receiver manufacturers attended the launch for the first time is testament to the growing industry support and confidence being placed in Galileo and a realisation of what it has to offer the market.”

The GSA-led Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP) Team working in Toulouse on 12 December

Successful teamwork

The LEOP activities were overseen by a team of specialists from the GSA, Spaceopal and the operations team of the French Space Agency (CNES). LEOP operations were conducted from a dedicated control room in the CNES Centre Spatial de Toulouse, from which the team is overseeing all of the main LEOP stages.

”Following a precise injection from Ariane, the early operations phase began as planned. The GSA team, working together with SpaceOpal, CNES, ESA, and its contractors, is responsible for this phase.  Operations will be controlled from Kourou for the next couple weeks, after which command and control will be handed over to the Galileo Control Centres,” explained Rodrigo Da Costa, Galileo Services Programme Manager at the GSA. “It’s great to work with such a competent team of specialists to bring the new satellites into the constellation and deliver services to users worldwide,” he said.

Galileo is Europe’s own global navigation satellite system, providing a highly accurate, guaranteed global positioning service under civilian control. Galileo is interoperable with GPS and Glonass, the US and Russian global satellite navigation systems. By offering dual frequencies as standard, Galileo is set to deliver real-time positioning accuracy down to the meter range.

To keep track of Galileo-enabled devices serving a variety of needs as they become available, check out: USE.GALILEO.EU

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

Four Galileo satellites are to be launched on an Ariane 5 launcher from the Guyana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guyana at 18:36 UTC (19:36 CET) on December 12. For the first time, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) will be responsible for the Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP) of this mission (L9), overseeing Spaceopal GmbH in their new role as Galileo Service Operator.

The LEOP is one of the most important phases of a space mission as it launches the spacecraft, puts it into the correct orbit, and gradually switches on and tests the first satellite elements. For a quadruple Ariane 5 launch such as Galileo Launch 9, this phase will take about 14 days, beginning a few hours before the launch and ending when the satellites are in a safe and pre-defined configuration for the execution of final drift orbit manoeuvres.

The December 12 Galileo launch will be the second launch performed by an Ariane 5 and will bring the Galileo constellation to a total of 22 satellites launched so far: 4 in-orbit validation (IOV) satellites and 18 full operational capability (FOC) satellites. The LEOP falls within the remit of the GSA, following the handover to the Agency of responsibility for Galileo operations and service provision on July 1, 2017.

Tightly-knit team

The LEOP activities will be overseen by a tightly-knit team of specialists from the GSA, the mission director, and other experts from Spaceopal (a joint venture between DLR GfR mbH and Italy’s Telespazio S.p.A), and the operations director and specialists of the French Space Agency (CNES), supported by the Project Support Team. This team brings a wealth of experience in areas such as mission control, on board systems, flight dynamics, telecommunications and security. The LEOP team will operate according to pre-defined procedures and mission rules and follow the escalation criteria defined in the Galileo Chain of Command.

GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides said that in working with Spaceopal on the Galileo L9 mission, the GSA is helping to ensure that Galileo’s signal in space is translated into tangible services for users. “This launch will be an impressive accomplishment for the team, but Galileo is about more than manufacturing and launching satellites. The ultimate aim is to ensure that European citizens benefit from the services made possible by satellite technology,” he said.

The LEOP operations are being conducted from a dedicated control room in the CNES Centre Spatial de Toulouse. An S-band link with the Galileo satellites is maintained by a network of TT&C stations distributed around the world. From this centre, the team will oversee all of the main LEOP stages.

Soon after the satellite separates from the launcher, an initialisation sequence is automatically triggered by the On-Board Data Handling software to bring the satellite to a stable ‘breathing point’. This is the point at which the satellite’s attitude is stable and pointing towards the sun, and solar arrays are deployed to provide full power. At this point the satellite is thermally stable, ensuring adequate temperature ranges for all units, and has a stable link to the ground.

The LEOP phase ends with the Command and Control Handover (C&C HO) of all 4 satellites from the LEOP Control Centre in Toulouse to the Galileo Control Centre (GCC-D) in Oberpfaffenhofen in Germany. The C&C HO follows a pre-defined and validated procedure with parallel operations from both centres and takes place while the satellite is in drift orbit in a selected pass, ensuring that both control centres will have adequate duration, visibility and access to the satellite to complete the hand-over. The hand-over takes place once the positioning manoeuvres have been completed and the final orbit has been determined, which will require approximately 2 measurement orbits after the last fine positioning manoeuvre.

Galileo Service Operator

The GSA awarded the Galileo Service Operator (GSOp) contract, with a value of up to EUR 1.5 billion, to Spaceopal at a special event in Brussels in December 2016, following a complex tendering process that started in January 2015.

The contract awarded to Spaceopal includes:

• Service provision of the Galileo Core System Operations, ILS and maintenance, including security monitoring from two mission control centres (GCC), located in Germany and Italy;
• GNSS Service Centre (GSC) operations and maintenance for user support services in Spain;
• Monitoring of system performance;
• Support to system deployment and evolutions including the LEOP & IOT services;
• Provision of Galileo Data Dissemination Network (GDDN) services;
• Hosting and maintenance of remote sites distributed worldwide.

For more information on the launch, click here.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

Four Galileo satellites are to be launched on an Ariane 5 launcher from the Kourou Space Centre in French Guyana at 18:36 UTC (19:36 CET) on December 12. For the first time, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) will be responsible for the Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP) of this mission (L9), overseeing Spaceopal GmbH in their new role as Galileo Service Operator.

The LEOP is one of the most important phases of a space mission as it launches the spacecraft, puts it into the correct orbit, and gradually switches on and tests the first satellite elements. For a quadruple Ariane 5 launch such as Galileo Launch 9, this phase will take about 14 days, beginning a few hours before the launch and ending when the satellites are in a safe and pre-defined configuration for the execution of final drift orbit manoeuvres.

The December 12 Galileo launch will be the second launch performed by an Ariane 5 and will bring the Galileo constellation to a total of 22 satellites launched so far: 4 in-orbit validation (IOV) satellites and 18 full operational capability (FOC) satellites. The LEOP falls within the remit of the GSA, following the handover to the Agency of responsibility for Galileo operations and service provision on July 1, 2017.

Tightly-knit team

The LEOP activities will be overseen by a tightly-knit team of specialists from the GSA, the mission director, and other experts from Spaceopal (a joint venture between DLR GfR mbH and Italy’s Telespazio S.p.A), and the operations team of the French Space Agency (CNES). This team brings a wealth of experience in areas such as mission control, on board systems, flight dynamics and telecommunications. The LEOP team will operate according to pre-defined procedures and mission rules and follow the escalation criteria defined in the Galileo Chain of Command.

GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides said that in working with Spaceopal on the Galileo L9 mission, the GSA is helping to ensure that Galileo’s signal in space is translated into tangible services for users. “This launch will be an impressive accomplishment for the team, but Galileo is about more than manufacturing and launching satellites. The ultimate aim is to ensure that European citizens benefit from the services made possible by satellite technology,” he said.

The LEOP operations are being conducted from a dedicated control room in the CNES Centre Spatial de Toulouse. An S-band link with the Galileo satellites is maintained by a network of TT&C stations distributed around the world. From this centre, the team will oversee all of the main LEOP stages.

Soon after the satellite separates from the launch vehicle, an initialisation sequence is carried out by the On-Board Data Handling software to bring the satellite to a stable ‘breathing point’. This is the point at which the satellite’s attitude is stable and pointing towards the sun, and solar arrays are deployed to provide full power. At this point the satellite is thermally stable, ensuring adequate temperature ranges for all units, and has a stable link to the ground.

The LEOP phase ends with the Command and Control Handover (C&C HO) of all 4 satellites from the LEOP Control Centre in Toulouse to the Galileo Control Centre (GCC-D) in Oberpfaffenhofen in Germany. The C&C HO follows a pre-defined and validated procedure with parallel operations from both centres and takes place while the spacecraft is in drift orbit in a selected pass, ensuring that both control centres will have adequate duration, visibility and access to the spacecraft to complete the hand-over. The hand-over takes place once the positioning manoeuvres have been completed and the final orbit has been determined, which will require approximately 2 measurement orbits after the last fine positioning manoeuvre.

Galileo Service Operator

The GSA awarded the Galileo Service Operator (GSOp) contract, with a value of up to EUR 1.5 billion, to Spaceopal at a special event in Brussels in December 2016, following a complex tendering process that started in January 2015.

The contract awarded to Spaceopal includes:

• Service provision of the Galileo Core System Operations, ILS and maintenance, including security monitoring from two mission control centres (GCC), located in Germany and Italy;
• GNSS Service Centre (GSC) operations and maintenance for user support services in Spain;
• Monitoring of system performance;
• Support to system deployment and evolutions including the LEOP & IOT services;
• Provision of Galileo Data Dissemination Network (GDDN) services;
• Hosting and maintenance of remote sites distributed worldwide.

For more information on the launch, click here.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

Four Galileo satellites are to be launched on an Ariane 5 launcher from the Guyana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guyana at 18:36 UTC (19:36 CET) on December 12. For the first time, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) will be responsible for the Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP) of this mission (L9), overseeing Spaceopal GmbH in their new role as Galileo Service Operator.

The LEOP is one of the most important phases of a space mission as it launches the spacecraft, puts it into the correct orbit, and gradually switches on and tests the first satellite elements. For a quadruple Ariane 5 launch such as Galileo Launch 9, this phase will take about 14 days, beginning a few hours after the launch and ending when the satellites are in a safe and pre-defined configuration for the execution of final drift orbit manoeuvres.

The December 12 Galileo launch will be the second launch performed by an Ariane 5 and will bring the Galileo constellation to a total of 22 satellites launched so far: 4 in-orbit validation (IOV) satellites and 18 full operational capability (FOC) satellites. The LEOP falls within the remit of the GSA, following the handover to the Agency of responsibility for Galileo operations and service provision on July 1, 2017.

Tightly-knit team

The LEOP activities will be overseen by a tightly-knit team of specialists from the GSA, the mission director, and other experts from Spaceopal (a joint venture between DLR GfR mbH and Italy’s Telespazio S.p.A), and the operations director and specialists of the French Space Agency (CNES), supported by the Project Support Team. This team brings a wealth of experience in areas such as mission control, on board systems, flight dynamics, telecommunications and security. The LEOP team will operate according to pre-defined procedures and mission rules and follow the escalation criteria defined in the Galileo Chain of Command.

GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides said that in working with Spaceopal on the Galileo L9 mission, the GSA is helping to ensure that Galileo’s signal in space is translated into tangible services for users. “This launch will be an impressive accomplishment for the team, but Galileo is about more than manufacturing and launching satellites. The ultimate aim is to ensure that European citizens benefit from the services made possible by satellite technology,” he said.

The LEOP operations are being conducted from a dedicated control room in the CNES Centre Spatial de Toulouse. An S-band link with the Galileo satellites is maintained by a network of TT&C stations distributed around the world. From this centre, the team will oversee all of the main LEOP stages.

Soon after the satellite separates from the launcher, an initialisation sequence is automatically triggered by the On-Board Data Handling software to bring the satellite to a stable ‘breathing point’. This is the point at which the satellite’s attitude is stable and pointing towards the sun, and solar arrays are deployed to provide full power. At this point the satellite is thermally stable, ensuring adequate temperature ranges for all units, and has a stable link to the ground.

The LEOP phase ends with the Command and Control Handover (C&C HO) of all 4 satellites from the LEOP Control Centre in Toulouse to the Galileo Control Centre (GCC-D) in Oberpfaffenhofen in Germany. The C&C HO follows a pre-defined and validated procedure with parallel operations from both centres and takes place while the satellite is in drift orbit in a selected pass, ensuring that both control centres will have adequate duration, visibility and access to the satellite to complete the hand-over. The hand-over takes place once the positioning manoeuvres have been completed and the final orbit has been determined, which will require approximately 2 measurement orbits after the last fine positioning manoeuvre.

Galileo Service Operator

The GSA awarded the Galileo Service Operator (GSOp) contract, with a value of up to EUR 1.5 billion, to Spaceopal at a special event in Brussels in December 2016, following a complex tendering process that started in January 2015.

The contract awarded to Spaceopal includes:

• Service provision of the Galileo Core System Operations, ILS and maintenance, including security monitoring from two mission control centres (GCC), located in Germany and Italy;
• GNSS Service Centre (GSC) operations and maintenance for user support services in Spain;
• Monitoring of system performance;
• Support to system deployment and evolutions including the LEOP & IOT services;
• Provision of Galileo Data Dissemination Network (GDDN) services;
• Hosting and maintenance of remote sites distributed worldwide.

For more information on the launch, click here.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

Less than one year on from the launch of Galileo Initial Services (IS) in December 2016, the European GNSS Service Centre (GSC) near Madrid was the venue for the very first Galileo User Assembly jointly organised by the European Commission and the European GNSS Agency (GSA). During this highly successful gathering of the Galileo community, the European GNSS User Consultation Platform (UCP) was officially launched to provide an open forum for users to discuss their needs, share experiences and provide feedback on the performance of European GNSS (EGNSS).

The First Galileo User Assembly was held on 28 and 29 November at the European GNSS Service Centre (GSC). Established within the secure site of Spain’s INTA (Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial) close to Madrid, the GSC welcomed more than 200 of Galileo users and stakeholders from all market segments and involved institutions.

In his opening speech Carlo des Dorides, Executive Director of the GSA, said the Assembly and the inauguration of the UCP marked a very special milestone for the Galileo programme: “The User Consultation Platform demonstrates the maturity of the programme,” he said before adding “Galileo is here and performing well.”

The UCP was introduced by Gian-Gherardo Calini, Head of Market Development at the GSA. “The UCP will have very high value and importance for all users and the Galileo community as a whole – creating concrete benefits for all,” he said. “Galileo and EGNOS must work in a user driven environment and interaction with users is imperative for the success of the programmes.”

The key concept of the UCP is to bring together as wide a range of users as possible in order to ensure that the community defines the strongest possible set of Position, Navigation, and Time (PNT) user requirements in their specific market segments. The UCP also allows users to share information on needs and market trends, and builds a strong and sustainable platform to exchange user perspectives.

More information and material available here.

Linking space to user needs

“This will ensure that the GSA is truly fulfilling its mission to link space to user needs,” Calini concluded.

Fiammetta Diani of the GSA introduced the main working sessions of the UCP. She described how the Galileo User Requirements documentation is intended to serve as a reference for E-GNSS developments, emphasising that these were “living, dynamic documents”.

The main work of the UCP took place through nine parallel workshop sessions grouping users by market segment. The transport sector was split into four segments: Rail, Road, Maritime and Aviation. Professional and High Precision users were divided in three sessions: Agriculture, Surveying and Timing. In addition, one large group was convened for Mass Market and consumer applications and a specific session discussed issues around Research and Development.

Each session was given a set of tasks to complete and nominated a chairperson or spokesperson to report back to a final plenary session.

The topics tackled by each group included discussing and validating the user requirements for their market area or thematic topic, providing inputs to enhance EGNSS services both in general and specifically in their area, providing feedback on GSC user support, and identifying specific R&D priorities by market segment.

User input

On the afternoon of 29 November, the nominated chairs reported back on the conclusions from the nine thematic sessions providing a substantial amount of ideas and input for the GSA team to work with.

Three panellists - Gian Gherardo Calini and Aitor Alvarez Rodriguez, GSC Coordinator, for GSA and María de las Flores Diaz Pulido for the European Commission commented on the presentations. At the end of the session each panellist was presented with a CD containing the User Requirements Documents.

All feedback will be considered and was recorded in comprehensive minutes of the meeting for all nine thematic sessions. The minutes will be distributed to the participants at the UCP along with the full set of presentations delivered at the event.

This information will feed a review of the EGNSS User Requirements Documents that will be shared widely during Q1 of 2018. At the 2018 UCP the GSA will report back on the implementation status of all the agreed actions.

Concluding the final session Justyna Redelkiewicz Musial from the GSA accurately commented that the atmosphere of the first UCP was that of a true family gathering. “This is just the start of the dialogue,” she said. “We can improve, and we look forward to the second UCP in 2018 with even more users and the wider community.”

This first UCP was clearly a success with all participants contributing in a truly collaborative and enthusiastic manner to ensure Galileo and other EGNSS can deliver substantial benefits and opportunities to society.

See you in 2018!

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

On 28 and 29 November the First Galileo User Assembly was jointly hosted by the European GNSS Service Centre (GSC) based within Spain’s Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA) just outside Madrid. As the main interface for European GNSS and its users the GSC featured heavily in the Assembly with briefings on its performance and future service plans. Assembly participants also had the opportunity to visit the main operations centre within this secure facility.

On the evening of the 28 November a reception for Assembly participants was held at the GSC where Matthias Petschke, Director of EU Satellite Navigation Programmes, European Commission said: “Today Galileo is coming home.”

The full name of the GSC building is the Loyola de Palacio Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Service Centre and is named in memory of the Spanish Commissioner and Vice President of the European Commission who was a strong supporter of Galileo in its early years.

“Her vision of Galileo has now become a reality,” he continued.  “GSC is a great place to work and a great place for Galileo’s first user platform less than one year after the declaration of Initial Services.”

Carlo des Dorides, Executive Director, European GNSS Agency (GSA) agreed saying: “It is not by chance that we are holding the first user forum here. The GSC is core to future client service. The GSC is the entry door to the system for Galileo users with the number of registered users substantially increasing every year.”

GSC is working to implement the next version of the real-time system interface, which will be the first step towards the provision of the Galileo Commercial Service and the Open Service signal authentication, he continued.

Carmen Librero Pintado, Spanish Secretary of State for Transport said that “Spain has always supported the EGNOS and Galileo programmes” and looked forward to continuing cooperation as the implementation and exploitation of the system grows.

Jean-Yves Le Gall, Chairman of the GSA Administrative Board and President of the French Space Agency (CNES) concluded the speeches saying the performance of Galileo since the launch of Initial Services had proved that it had been the right decision. “We are entering a new era for Galileo – the exploitation phase,” he said praising the advances made over the past year.

More information and material available here.

Window on GSC

During the reception, User Assembly participants were able to take a short tour of the GSC and learn about its operation and services.

The GSC aims to be the centre of the user community and is the single user interface for the Open Service and Commercial Service. In addition, it supports Safety of Life applications and is home to the Search and Rescue (SAR) service server.

Visitors were told that GSC wants to fully understand all user needs across the full spectrum of Galileo application domains to ensure it can provide the most appropriate service and products for users.

A key current initiative is to define advanced product needs for Galileo. This process should be as open as possible to ensure that the best global Galileo products are provided.

Watch this: The Galileo Integrated Logistics Support Centre opens in Transinnes, Belgium

One stop shop

The visit and briefing were followed up with a presentation from Aitor Alvarez, GSC Manager for the GSA during the User Assembly sessions on 29 November.

“Galileo was specifically designed for civilian purposes, so a user focus is a key element of its operation – and the GSC is the centre of this focus,” he said. “But this was a bidirectional interface that needs and promotes feedback with its users.”

He described GSC as a “One stop shop for Galileo public information status, performance, documentation and help desk support to developers”. The main Galileo user interface was the website and the number of users and sessions visitors were increasing year on year. He hoped to reach 1000 registered users before the first anniversary of initial services.

The GSC provides continuous updates on the Galileo system status including NAGUs (Notice Advisory to Galileo Users) that can be subscribed to via email.

The GSC helpdesk responds to increasing numbers of questions, mainly on technical issues, each year and monitors user incident reports. “For independent monitoring – having millions of users is the best solution,” said Alvarez. Most reported incidents were due to ‘local effects’ rather than any issues with the system, he remarked.

“Galileo is constantly evolving,” concluded Alvarez. “And GSC is evolving to support Open Service and Commercial Service implementation plans, to satisfy user needs, cope with new functions and to disseminate extra data as a means to provide users with additional information.”

Earlier Manuela Rossi from Spaceopal the contracted Galileo Service Operator at GSC talked about the service delivery experience at GSC. “The focus was very much on service delivery with an emphasis on service performance improvement,” she said.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

With the 2017 EGNOS User Satisfaction Survey, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) aims to gain a clearer picture of the requirements of EGNOS users so it can improve EGNOS service delivery.

The GSA, along with the European Satellite Services Provider (ESSP), has launched the 2017 edition of its EGNOS User Satisfaction Survey. In conducting this survey, the GSA and ESSP aim to gain a better understanding of EGNOS’ value to users, with a view to providing better customer service.

The survey will be open to EGNOS users until December 15 and only takes a few moments to complete.

You can access the survey here.

The survey covers all market segments and services, including the Open Service, the Safety of Life Service and the EGNOS Data Access Service (EDAS). It also assesses the ESSP’s management of EGNOS User Support Services. All EGNOS users are strongly encouraged to participate, regardless of the market segment in which they operate.

The 2016 EGNOS User Satisfaction Survey showed a positive trend, with user satisfaction increased substantially compared with 2015. These results will be presented in full at the EGNOS Workshop, which is to be held in Athens, Greece, on 3-4 October, 2017.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

In a recent article published by Geospatial World, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) discusses how the EGNOS Open Service and the EGNOS Data Access Service (EDAS) help provide users with improved location performance.

Location plays an important role in many of our day-to-day activities. “Every day we need to locate various points, such as places, businesses, customers and resources,” says GSA Market Development Officer and article author Reinhard Blasi. “Maps are the means we use to place these points into a geographic context, and to create maps, these points need to be positioned.”

In Europe, the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) helps locate these points with sub-meter accuracy in an easy, affordable and flexible way and in real time. It can also boost the data capture, which is usually the most time-consuming process in the development of a mapping or GIS application.

EGNOS was designed to improve GPS performance in Europe. “The EGNOS Open Service provides this improved performance to users of general-purpose applications,” says Blasi. “It is freely accessible through a GPS/SBAS compatible receiver within the area of coverage, and no specific authorisation is required.”

The EGNOS Data Access Service (EDAS), on the other hand, is EGNOS’ internet-based service. It provides free-of-charge access to all the data generated and collected by the EGNOS infrastructure. EDAS gathers all the raw data coming from the GPS, GLONASS and EGNOS GEO satellites collected by all the receivers located at the EGNOS stations, which are mainly distributed over Europe and North Africa. Once the data is received, EDAS disseminates it over the internet in real time and through an FTP archive, resulting in the different services, depending on the protocol and format used and the type of information available to users.

“With EDAS, users equipped with compatible software applications and/or GNSS receivers and having access to the internet can obtain improved accuracy with respect to GPS standalone by implementing advanced positioning techniques,” says Blasi in the article.

This is an excerpt from the 1 September 2017 article entitled European SBAS: EGNOS offers free sub-metre accuracy in Europe published by Geospatial World. You can read the full article here.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

Now that surveyors worldwide are able to use Galileo positioning, following the declaration of Galileo Initial Services, all major Precise Point Positioning (PPP) providers in Europe have upgraded to Galileo and more than 50% of real time kinematic (RTK) network providers have already upgraded or have started to upgrade.

At the latest Council of European Geodetic Surveyors (CLGE) General Assembly, which was held in Potsdam in Germany on 29 September 2017, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) organised the second edition of the workshop “Integrating Galileo in RTK networks: success stories and open challenges”, at which industry representatives shared their experience and results received from Galileo performance testing.

At the event, Roberto Capua from Italian public augmentation service provider Sogei and Paul Chambon from French private RTK service provider Terria spoke about the technicalities, challenges and benefits of Galileo inclusion into RTK networks. The two service providers noted in particular that field tests had shown the benefits of Galileo inclusion into the RTK networks.

“The results confirm the usability of the Galileo constellation in high-precision RTK applications and show improved availability, reliability, accuracy and time-to-fix in difficult measuring environments such as urban canyons and under tree canopies,” they said.

New markets, new chipsets

Both service providers highlighted that there are new emerging markets for high precision services, especially in the mass market domain. One such promising sector is autonomous driving, which is slowly becoming a reality due to enhanced positioning systems and the evolution of augmentation services (RTK, PPP, PPP/RTK, etc.).

Capua also underlined the availability of new dual-frequency mass market chipsets using L1/L5 frequencies, which will allow increased positioning accuracy with mass market devices such as smartphones, tablets, wearables. “With E5/L5 capability added to the E1/L1, chipsets and receivers benefit from better accuracy, ionosphere error cancellation, improved code tracking pseudorange estimates, and faster transition from code tracking to phase tracking, among other benefits,” he said.

GSA questionnaire

During the workshop, the GSA also launched a real-time questionnaire that aimed to gain a better understanding of Galileo’s value to end-users, the needs of surveyors and reference network providers, the level of Galileo adoption and challenges users may face when upgrading to Galileo.

The survey showed that end-users have a good understanding of Galileo’s added value, with 69% of the respondents declaring that are convinced that Galileo will improve their work. On the other hand, the survey confirmed there is still an issue with inter-operability between the different brands of RX manufacturers within the RTK-network and that the inclusion of Galileo into the RTK network is expensive.

1st Galileo User Assembly

Information received from the Galileo questionnaire will feed into the discussion at the 1st Galileo User Assembly, which is set to take place next week (28-29 November). Hosted by the GSC at its premises in Madrid, the Assembly will give Galileo users the opportunity to discuss their needs, share their experience, and provide feedback on Galileo performance.

The Assembly will include:

• A Galileo User Consultation Platform (UCP) in 4 thematic groups (transport, mass market, professional and R&D);
• A general update on the Galileo programme;
• Presentations on Galileo Initial Services performance, the Galileo Services Roadmap and the Galileo User Interfaces; and
• A Galileo User Satisfaction Survey.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

Now that surveyors worldwide are able to use Galileo positioning, following the declaration of Galileo Initial Services, all major Precise Point Positioning (PPP) providers in Europe have upgraded to Galileo and more than 50% of real time kinematic (RTK) network providers have already upgraded or have started to upgrade.

At the latest Council of European Geodetic Surveyors (CLGE) General Assembly, which was held in Potsdam in Germany on 29 September 2017, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) organised the second edition of the workshop “Integrating Galileo in RTK networks: success stories and open challenges”, at which industry representatives shared their experience and results received from Galileo performance testing.

At the event, Roberto Capua from Italian public augmentation service provider Sogei and Paul Chambon from French private RTK service provider Terria spoke about the technicalities, challenges and benefits of Galileo inclusion into RTK networks. The two service providers noted in particular that field tests had shown the benefits of Galileo inclusion into the RTK networks.

“The results confirm the usability of the Galileo constellation in high-precision RTK applications and show improved availability, reliability, accuracy and time-to-fix in difficult measuring environments such as urban canyons and under tree canopies,” they said.

New markets, new chipsets

Both service providers highlighted that there are new emerging markets for high precision services, especially in the mass market domain. One such promising sector is autonomous driving, which is slowly becoming a reality due to enhanced positioning systems and the evolution of augmentation services (RTK, PPP, PPP/RTK, etc.).

Capua also underlined the availability of new dual-frequency mass market chipsets using L1/L5 frequencies, which will allow increased positioning accuracy with mass market devices such as smartphones, tablets, wearables. “With E5/L5 capability added to the E1/L1, chipsets and receivers benefit from better accuracy, ionosphere error cancellation, improved code tracking pseudorange estimates, and faster transition from code tracking to phase tracking, among other benefits,” he said.

GSA questionnaire

During the workshop, the GSA also launched a real-time questionnaire that aimed to gain a better understanding of Galileo’s value to end-users, the needs of surveyors and reference network providers, the level of Galileo adoption and challenges users may face when upgrading to Galileo.

The survey showed that end-users have a good understanding of Galileo’s added value, with 69% of the respondents declaring that are convinced that Galileo will improve their work. On the other hand, the survey confirmed there is still an issue with inter-operability between the different brands of RX manufacturers within the RTK-network and that the inclusion of Galileo into the RTK network is expensive.

1st Galileo User Assembly

Information received from the Galileo questionnaire will feed into the discussion at the 1st Galileo User Assembly, which is set to take place next week (28-29 November). Hosted by the GSC at its premises in Madrid, the Assembly will give Galileo users the opportunity to discuss their needs, share their experience, and provide feedback on Galileo performance.

The Assembly will include:

• A Galileo User Consultation Platform (UCP) in 4 thematic groups (transport, mass market, professional and R&D);
• A general update on the Galileo programme;
• Presentations on Galileo Initial Services performance, the Galileo Services Roadmap and the Galileo User Interfaces; and
• A Galileo User Satisfaction Survey.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

Last time we checked in with the JOHAN project, the team was finalising the final testing phase. Just a couple years later, they’re on the verge of going global.

Winner of the GSA Special Prize at the 2013 European Satellite Navigation Competition (ESNC), JOHAN Sports develops motion sensors for location determination and performance measurement of team athletes, especially football and hockey players.

“JOHAN Sports provides data-driven insights and advice to teams, trainers and players to improve performance and prevent injuries,” explains founder Robin van Kappel. “With JOHAN, you can see who is training too hard and who has a higher chance of injury, as well as who is strong in which performance aspects, such as endurance, sprint, agility and recovery.”

The wearable motion sensors are integrated with heart rate and recovery forms and an online platform based on data science, sports science and customer needs. The GNSS tracker – which is Galileo capable – can determine positioning up to 1.5 metres of a player’s location. By combining this data with measurements from inertial sensors, accuracy becomes even higher.

After each use, players and coaches can monitor workload, performance, tactical information and event analysis, allowing players to spot weaknesses and improve their game over time. Coaches can also use the analysis to better capitalise on certain players’ strengths to the team’s advantage. “The measured data is visualised online via a personalised analysis environment for coaches and players that is backed by live support,” adds van Kappel.

According to van Kappel, JOHAN stands apart from the competition in that it offers a user-friendly and affordable performance analysis system for mid-market sports teams. “Targeting professional and semi-professional teams with relatively small and non-specialised staff, our solution is easy to use and every level of trainer can understand it – which differentiates us from the competition,” he says. “By continuously investing in the research and development of the online platform, we are able to offer state-of-the-art but practical products.”

Growth mode

Since final testing was completed in 2015, the project has been busy. Its team has grown from two to 12. The GSA prize provided finance for JOHAN incubation at any incubation centre, and the project decided to cooperate with the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Business Innovation Centre in Noordwijk. Working from this centre, the company has been ramping up development, adding customers and raising funds. For example, in April 2016 they raised EUR 150,000 in investment to start production work towards the product’s official commercial launch in the Netherlands. In May of this year, the company secured an additional EUR 650,000 in capital, which has been earmarked for scaling up sales, expanding the organisation and launching new hardware.

According to van Kappel, the sports market is growing rapidly (see table, below), making the potential market for JOHAN huge and largely untapped. “Sports are becoming more scientific, meaning that more scientific staff are involved and the approach and methodologies are becoming increasingly based on validated sports science,” he says. “Furthermore, broadcasting media are becoming more stats-based, which requires more and more technologies like JOHAN that can monitor players.” 

With team solutions starting from EUR 400 per month, today JOHAN is already used by 30 sports teams, including PEC Zwolle (Eredivisie), NEC (First division), Feyenoord Academy, SD Feirense (Primeira Liga Portugal) and the Royal Dutch Hockey Association. However, in order to grow, the company knows it must look further afield, both to the European and US markets. “The US market is important to us because the value of sports there is very high, with lots of colleges, universities and professional sport clubs having high revenues and budgets,” says van Kappel.

To serve this market, JOHAN’s current products are completely English based, scalable, ready for rapid growth and are usable by everybody on the team – including trainers, players, staff and even directors. “This technology is now easily adoptable by ambitious teams searching for a competitive edge,” adds van Kappel. “As technology and sports are very much embraced in the US, it is a very attractive market for JOHAN.”

To continue to capitalise on these market opportunities, this year JOHAN is launching its next generation system, which will feature real-time analysis, almost full autonomy and automatic data analysis provided by machine learning technology. Players and trainers can use dedicated mobile apps for continuous interaction with the system, both on the field, between training and matches and at home. Furthermore, the system’s compatibility with third party products makes integration with video, heart rate monitoring and tactical tools even richer.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The European GNSS Agency (GSA) recently sponsored the 23rd Ka and Broadband Communications Conference and the 35th AIAA International Communications Satellite Systems Conference (ICSSC), two of the most influential technical conferences on satellite systems, which were held jointly in Trieste, Italy, on 16-19 October 2017.

Under the theme Commercial Space Applications: Transformation, Fusion and Competition, participants examined the competitive market transformations arising from the development of new low Earth orbit (LEO) systems and small satellites, in addition to stratospheric platforms and geostationary (GEO) systems, among other technological developments.

This rapid technological revolution and the resulting large scale integration of services are driving a major transformation in satellite systems. The attendees examined these developments, discussed new uses of the technologies, and explored the economic, marketing, technical and regulatory issues that need to be addressed for the technological developments to reach their full potential.

Technological advances to change how people live

At the conference, GSA Head of Market Development Gian-Gherardo Calini participated in a panel discussion on New Markets Emerging from Aviation and Autonomy, in which the participants discussed how new uses of airspace coupled with recent advances in autonomy will change how people live and work. It was noted, moreover, that the enormous amount of research taking place in autonomy, and its use in self-driving cars and drone operations, would result in exciting new opportunities for satellite technology.

Calini also chaired a thematic session on Navigation Systems and Applications, which he closed by pointing out the economic, marketing, technical and regulatory challenges that need to be overcome.

Next year’s joint conference - the 24th Ka and Broadband Communications Conference and the 36th AIAA International Communications Satellite Systems Conference - will be held in Niagara Falls, Canada, on 15-18 October 2018.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The SpaceTech2017 Hackathon, part of Estonian Space Week, challenged hardware and software developers to utilise the synergies between Galileo and Copernicus to create innovative applications.

Although Galileo and Copernicus serve different functions – with Galileo being a GNSS system and Copernicus an Earth Observation system – there are a number of important synergies between the two. The challenge, however, is developing innovative applications that make full use of these synergies – which was the exact challenge presented to the teams competing at the SpaceTech2017 Hackathon in Tartu, Estonia.

“The idea behind the Hackathon is to bring together software and hardware developers and provide them the opportunity to combine the unprecedented volume of data made available by Galileo and Copernicus,” says Paul Liias, Expert in Space Technologies at the Economic Development Department of Estonia’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, who hosted the event as part of European Space Week.

Organised by Estonian event planning company Garage48 and with the support of the GSA and the European Space Agency (ESA), the hackathon brought together 122 developers, engineers, data scientists, designers and marketers from 23 different countries – including India, the Middle East, Europe and the US. The ESA provided participants with an API containing access to Copernicus data, while the GSA provided Galileo-enabled hardware featuring GNSS raw measurements, and access to a set of location APIs through Here Technologies - its partner for the event.

“We were happy to be able to bring together the GSA and ESA – two of the biggest players in space technology – to one hackathon,” says Garage48’s Kai Isand. “As a result, participants not only had access to Galileo and Copernicus data, but also top-notch mentors from each organisation who supported the teams during the event.”

Winning ideas

Each team was challenged to come up with exciting ideas using different elements from different streams to create integrated solutions – all within just 48 hours. Applications were judged based on their level of innovation and creativity, use of space technology and data, level of teamwork, business potential and vision for the future.

The winner of the GSA prize, which was awarded to Location Based Services (LBS) and Geo-IoT applications, was the Run Me If You Can game. The fun social fitness app lets runners interact and compete in real time with other runners from around the world. Matched runners race equal distances, crossing geo-placed checkpoints, and the first one back is declared the winner.

“The Hackathon was a great opportunity to learn more about the huge amount of data made available to developers through Copernicus and the incredible accuracy of Galileo positioning,” says Run Me If You Can team leader Francesco Renzi. “I think the ideas created at this event are just the tip of the iceberg, and that there are lots of yet-to-be-thought of real-world applications that will soon benefit from these European space technologies.” 

The overall winning idea came from the iDoBalloon team, who built an educational DIY High Altitude Balloon Kit. The balloon, which can be sent to the stratosphere, will provide science students with a unique point of view and a one-of-a-kind learning opportunity. “The whole process was a big challenge for our team – one filled with a lot of emotions and very little sleep,” says iDoBalloon team leader. “But thanks in large part to the on-site mentors and the support we received from the event organisers, we were able to reach our goal by the end of the hackathon.”

Taking home the prize for best GNSS/Copernicus integration was TeamONGrid and their application for tracking military endurance competitions using Military Grid Reference System (MGRS) maps. The app lets teams easily share location data with their support detail, designate upcoming team service points, and use digital breadcrumbs to simplify navigation on paper-based MGRS maps. TeamONGrid was also the overall runner up and the runner up on the GSA Prize.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The European GNSS Agency (GSA) has successfully qualified its ISO 9001: 2015-compliant management system as part of this year's re-certification audit. The audit revealed that quality management processes at the agency have improved as a result of being adapted and developed since the previous audit.

In this year’s recertification audit, the Lloyds Register (LRQA) auditors paid particular attention to the effectiveness of the GSA quality management system, and found that there were no deviations from the requirements of the standard.

Commenting on the audit results, GSA Executive Director Carlo Des Dorides said that ISO certification, complemented by ECSS (European Cooperation for Space Standardisation) and ITIL best practices for IT service management,   was not only important proof of the agency’s services, processes and customer orientation, but also evidence that the GSA is ready to implement operations in a sustainable manner. “In this respect, we are very happy about the confirmation of the certificate, also against the background of GSA now being the Galileo service provider," he said.

Appreciation of new tools and processes

During the re-certification, the GSA performed well and fulfilled all the criteria. As a special strength, it was emphasised that that GSA had been able to further improve its definition of operational processes. The audit also found that the GSA implements risk management at best practice levels and has developed an agency-wide work breakdown structure.

"The successful ISO 9001 re-certification is good news for GSA, as we have worked hard in the past few months to adapt our quality management to the role of being a service operator," said Patrick Hamilton, Head of the Project Control Department. "The fact that the audit has confirmed this so positively confirms our efforts and is also an incentive to continually evaluate and optimise our services and processes."

About ISO 9001

The International Standards Organisation (ISO) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is carried out through ISO technical committees, in liaison with international organisations, governmental and non-governmental bodies.

The ISO 9001 certification is the most widely used and most important standard in quality management at national and international level. It sets standards that ensure transparency of operational procedures and increase customer satisfaction, as well as ensuring optimal operational structures. After a re-certification, the certification is valid for three years, but is checked annually in the context of so-called monitoring audits.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The European GNSS Agency (GSA) has successfully qualified its ISO 9001: 2015-compliant management system as part of this year's re-certification audit. The audit revealed that quality management processes at the agency have improved as a result of being adapted and developed since the previous audit.

In this year’s recertification audit, the Lloyds Register (LRQA) auditors paid particular attention to the effectiveness of the GSA quality management system, and found that there were no deviations from the requirements of the standard.

Commenting on the audit results, GSA Executive Director Carlo Des Dorides said that ISO certification, complemented by ECSS (European Cooperation for Space Standardisation) and ITIL best practices for IT service management,   was not only important proof of the agency’s services, processes and customer orientation, but also evidence that the GSA is ready to implement operations in a sustainable manner. “In this respect, we are very happy about the confirmation of the certificate, also against the background of GSA now being the Galileo service provider," he said.

Appreciation of new tools and processes

During the re-certification, the GSA performed well and fulfilled all the criteria. As a special strength, it was emphasised that that GSA had been able to further improve its definition of operational processes. The audit also found that the GSA implements risk management at best practice levels and has developed an agency-wide work breakdown structure.

"The successful ISO 9001 re-certification is good news for GSA, as we have worked hard in the past few months to adapt our quality management to the role of being a service operator," said Patrick Hamilton, Head of the Project Control Department. "The fact that the audit has confirmed this so positively confirms our efforts and is also an incentive to continually evaluate and optimise our services and processes."

About ISO 9001

The International Standards Organisation (ISO) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is carried out through ISO technical committees, in liaison with international organisations, governmental and non-governmental bodies.

The ISO 9001 certification is the most widely used and most important standard in quality management at national and international level. It sets standards that ensure transparency of operational procedures and increase customer satisfaction, as well as ensuring optimal operational structures. After a re-certification, the certification is valid for three years, but is checked annually in the context of so-called monitoring audits.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The European GNSS Agency (GSA) has successfully qualified its ISO 9001: 2015-compliant management system as part of this year's re-certification audit. The audit revealed that quality management processes at the agency have improved as a result of being adapted and developed since the previous audit.

In this year’s recertification audit, the Lloyds Register (LRQA) auditors paid particular attention to the effectiveness of the GSA quality management system, and found that there were no deviations from the requirements of the standard.

Commenting on the audit results, GSA Executive Director Carlo Des Dorides said that ISO certification, complemented by ECSS (European Cooperation for Space Standardisation) and ITIL best practices for IT service management,   was not only important proof of the agency’s services, processes and customer orientation, but also evidence that the GSA is ready to implement operations in a sustainable manner. “In this respect, we are very happy about the confirmation of the certificate, also against the background of GSA now being the Galileo service provider," he said.

Appreciation of new tools and processes

During the re-certification, the GSA performed well and fulfilled all the criteria. As a special strength, it was emphasised that that GSA had been able to further improve its definition of operational processes. The audit also found that the GSA implements risk management at best practice levels and has developed an agency-wide work breakdown structure.

"The successful ISO 9001 re-certification is good news for GSA, as we have worked hard in the past few months to adapt our quality management to the role of being a service operator," said Patrick Hamilton, Head of the Project Control Department. "The fact that the audit has confirmed this so positively confirms our efforts and is also an incentive to continually evaluate and optimise our services and processes."

About ISO 9001

The International Standards Organisation (ISO) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is carried out through ISO technical committees, in liaison with international organisations, governmental and non-governmental bodies.

The ISO 9001 certification is the most widely used and most important standard in quality management at national and international level. It sets standards that ensure transparency of operational procedures and increase customer satisfaction, as well as ensuring optimal operational structures. After a re-certification, the certification is valid for three years, but is checked annually in the context of so-called monitoring audits.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

Scientists and researchers participating at the final event of the EU-funded SaPPART COST Action ('Satellite Positioning Performance Assessment for Road Transport') discussed the potential of GNSS to deliver necessary high-integrity and high-precision positioning capabilities for autonomous road vehicles. A robust centralised on-board GNSS unit could deliver the requisite levels of performance for a variety of in-vehicle applications.

Ifsttar's François Peyret, who served as Chairman of SaPPART, opened the event organised jointly with ERTICO, laying out a core emerging premise for autonomous road transport: "These automatic driving cars will definitely need absolute positioning. They will need a kind of 'box', a GNSS technology, that will provide you with your positioning, with all the required performances. And this will then be hybridised with other kinds of sensors."

SaPPART has been described by organisers as a framework for trans-national cooperation among European researchers, engineers and scholars working in the GNSS and ITS domains, with the common goal of defining requirements for positioning integrity in the road sector. Key areas of interest have included the standardisation and certification of vehicle positioning technologies, the attainment of which is expected to accelerate the uptake of GNSS-based ITS and mobility applications.

SaPPART Science officer Pierre-Yves Gilliéron said, "Positioning is playing a key role for many road and ITS applications such as road user charging. "Our COST Action has been a fantastic tool," he added, "a framework that has been very useful in gathering together researchers and scientists. With SaPPART we have created an international network where we can share knowledge and ideas."

The real challenge, Gilliéron said, was to get the diverse GNSS and ITS communities on the same page, all speaking the same language and understanding each other’s needs. "We received funding for four years and in that time we were able to come closer together and develop a number of clear ideas for common research."

In terms of concrete deliverables, SaPPART has already issued some key reference documents, including a White Paper outlining the basics of GNSS for the ITS audience, as well as a more technically detailed SaPPART Handbook.

"We collected real data sets, carried out testing on-board vehicles, including different GNSS receivers and high-end equipment," said Gilliéron. "In addition to our other publications, the White Paper and the Handbook, a set of Guidelines is now also under preparation on how to assess the quality of positioning in different contexts and for different applications. Those Guidelines will be available by the end of this year."

One thing all seem to be in agreement about – the deployment of autonomous vehicles will soon become a reality on European road networks, and most driving-related decisions will be based, one way or another, on the location of the vehicle and of other vehicles and objects in its vicinity. So vehicle location and positioning will be a critical component for the effective transportation of people and goods by self-driving road vehicles. That positioning will be enabled mainly by GNSS technologies, including Europe’s Galileo, which is expected to offer significant benefits in terms of accuracy and authentication compared to the other satellite-based navigation systems.

View of the European GNSS Agency

"We believe that GNSS is a core technology," said GSA officer Alberto Fernández-Wyttenbach. "It will have to be complimented with other technologies in order to get to the integrity level that we need in 100% of environmental situations, but we also believe GNSS can do more than just navigation. We expect to use it in a very robust way to enable or compliment many other applications."

Fernández said the GSA sees GNSS as an 'engine' for a range of uses within a vehicle: "In commercial vehicles, for example, today there are many applications for which the use of GNSS is particularly relevant."

He also referenced the GNSS-driven smart tachograph, with its enhanced security features, which allows users to pinpoint the geographic location of the vehicle, making compliance easier for operators and facilitating targeted enforcement by authorities throughout the EU.

"We see the convergence with road tolling and fleet management systems that are designed to control the deployment of trucks," Fernández said. "Now instead of having a separate GNSS unit for each of these applications, we understand that you could have one single on-board GNSS monitoring system that could provide positioning for all of them. And you would thereby save on costs."

There are barriers, he said, including the fact that commercial GNSS equipment manufacturers are not necessarily using the best quality chipsets at this time. "That means we may need to rely on more expensive sensor technologies to give us the required precision and integrity," Fernández said. "On the other hand, if we can push for a more advanced, more precise GNSS receiver, such as a multi-constellation and multi-frequency receiver, we could save some of the money that would otherwise go to other types of sensors."

Regardless of what kind of GNSS device finds its way into autonomous vehicles, there will always be some inherent weaknesses associated with satellite-based navigation, Fernández acknowledged. GNSS signals are comparatively weak and do not penetrate buildings such as multi-story car parks or inside tunnels, and there are issues of reflectivity and satellite visibility in built-up urban areas. Other potential problems include vulnerability to intentional and unintentional signal interferences.

These potential problems can be overcome, as already suggested, by hybridization with other positioning sensors and highly accurate digital maps. These techniques, it is hoped, will ultimately provide a seamless position fixing capability while moving between outdoor and indoor environments.

"Ubiquitous positioning is a serious challenge if you want to be able to work in different environments and keep the same level of integrity," said Fernández. "But the combination of GNSS with other technologies, such as simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) and also inertial systems will allow us to overcome these problems."

And there will be more high-accuracy GNSS services, he said. "We have in front of us the Galileo Commercial Service that is going to provide, starting at the beginning, high accuracy positioning. Then, in a second phase, the CS will provide an extra authentication feature that will tell you whether the signal is actually coming from a satellite or from some other source."

Cyber security is also being addressed, he said: "The basic message is if you want to go for the use of GNSS, in a regulated way, in autonomous driving, we need to think about the cyber security aspects and the industry will demand solutions that are providing authentication of the satellite signal."

Seeking more input

In an important announcement, Fernández said the European Commission, along with the GSA, has decided to create a new European consultation platform for GNSS applications. "In the United States you have the so-called Civil GPS Service Interface Committee that basically is providing the opinion of the different communities. So in this same way we have designed the concept of the 'European GNSS User Consultation Platform', which will systematically gather opinions, not just from the transport modes but also in the professional market."

The platform, he said, will be divided into subgroups represent the mass market, the professional market and other segments, with a plenary to bring them all together. "There will of course be a panel for transport, including a section on road transport," said Fernandez.

"We need and want to know what the user's needs in the market are, in order to improve our services and develop our thinking about future evolutions. And really that’s the aim of this group, to contribute on the future of GNSS and the Galileo system."

The first meeting of the new European GNSS User Consultation Platform is set to take place on 28 November in Madrid, and the GSA says it is hoping to hear much more from, among others, the participants who worked with so much energy under the SaPPART initiative.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

Ongoing discussions between stakeholders of the Galileo Programme have outlined the opportunity to consider offering the High Accuracy Commercial Service (HA CS) to all interested users on a free of charge basis, with content and format of data publicly and openly available on a global scale. This approach would increase the public benefit delivered by Galileo, contributing to its positioning in the market as the first GNSS system offering high accuracy services on a free of charge basis. At the same time, since departing from the scheme originally foreseen by Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/2243 of 8 February 2017, the possibility to provide HA CS on a free of charge and global basis needs to be carefully assessed in many respects. The results of the consultation may be used to support the change of the Implementing Decision. On this basis, preparation and conduct of a procurement procedure for Commercial Service provision may be initiated by the GSA. For the avoidance of doubt this stakeholder consultation shall not create any obligation on the GSA as to possible follow-up procurements.

All organisations, economic operators and members of the public with a personal or professional interest in Galileo Commercial Service, are invited to express their opinion, experience and expectations with the various aspects of the Galileo Commercial Service provision.

Further information on the Consultation is provided here.

Deadline for submission : 30 November 2017

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

Ongoing discussions between stakeholders of the Galileo Programme have outlined the opportunity to consider offering the High Accuracy Commercial Service (HA CS) to all interested users on a free of charge basis, with content and format of data publicly and openly available on a global scale.

This approach would increase the public benefit delivered by Galileo, contributing to its positioning in the market as the first GNSS system offering high accuracy services on a free of charge basis. At the same time, since departing from the scheme originally foreseen by Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/2243 of 8 February 2017, the possibility to provide HA CS on a free of charge and global basis needs to be carefully assessed in many respects. The results of the consultation may be used to support the change of the Implementing Decision. On this basis, preparation and conduct of a procurement procedure for Commercial Service provision may be initiated by the GSA. For the avoidance of doubt this stakeholder consultation shall not create any obligation on the GSA as to possible follow-up procurements.

All organisations, economic operators and members of the public with a personal or professional interest in Galileo Commercial Service, are invited to express their opinion, experience and expectations with the various aspects of the Galileo Commercial Service provision.

Further information on the Consultation is provided here.

Deadline for submission : 30 November 2017

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

Ongoing discussions between stakeholders of the Galileo Programme have outlined the opportunity to consider offering the High Accuracy Commercial Service (HA CS) to all interested users on a free of charge basis, with content and format of data publicly and openly available on a global scale.

This approach would increase the public benefit delivered by Galileo, contributing to its positioning in the market as the first GNSS system offering high accuracy services on a free of charge basis. At the same time, since departing from the scheme originally foreseen by Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/2243 of 8 February 2017, the possibility to provide HA CS on a free of charge and global basis needs to be carefully assessed in many respects. The results of the consultation may be used to support the change of the Implementing Decision. On this basis, preparation and conduct of a procurement procedure for Commercial Service provision may be initiated by the GSA. For the avoidance of doubt this stakeholder consultation shall not create any obligation on the GSA as to possible follow-up procurements.

All organisations, economic operators and members of the public with a personal or professional interest in Galileo Commercial Service, are invited to express their opinion, experience and expectations with the various aspects of the Galileo Commercial Service provision.

Further information on the Consultation is provided here.

Deadline for submission : 7 December 2017

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

Ongoing discussions between stakeholders of the Galileo Programme have outlined the opportunity to consider offering the High Accuracy Commercial Service (HA CS) to all interested users on a free of charge basis, with content and format of data publicly and openly available on a global scale.

This approach would increase the public benefit delivered by Galileo, contributing to its positioning in the market as the first GNSS system offering high accuracy services on a free of charge basis. At the same time, since departing from the scheme originally foreseen by Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/2243 of 8 February 2017, the possibility to provide HA CS on a free of charge and global basis needs to be carefully assessed in many respects. The results of the consultation may be used to support the change of the Implementing Decision. On this basis, preparation and conduct of a procurement procedure for Commercial Service provision may be initiated by the GSA. For the avoidance of doubt this stakeholder consultation shall not create any obligation on the GSA as to possible follow-up procurements.

All organisations, economic operators and members of the public with a personal or professional interest in Galileo Commercial Service, are invited to express their opinion, experience and expectations with the various aspects of the Galileo Commercial Service provision.

Further information on the Consultation is provided here.

Deadline for submission : 7 December 2017

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

Ongoing discussions between stakeholders of the Galileo Programme have outlined the opportunity to consider offering the High Accuracy Commercial Service (HA CS) to all interested users on a free of charge basis, with content and format of data publicly and openly available on a global scale. This approach would increase the public benefit delivered by Galileo, contributing to its positioning in the market as the first GNSS system offering high accuracy services on a free of charge basis. At the same time, since departing from the scheme originally foreseen by Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/2243 of 8 February 2017, the possibility to provide HA CS on a free of charge and global basis needs to be carefully assessed in many respects. The results of the consultation may be used to support the change of the Implementing Decision. On this basis, preparation and conduct of a procurement procedure for Commercial Service provision may be initiated by the GSA. For the avoidance of doubt this stakeholder consultation shall not create any obligation on the GSA as to possible follow-up procurements.

All organisations, economic operators and members of the public with a personal or professional interest in Galileo Commercial Service, are invited to express their opinion, experience and expectations with the various aspects of the Galileo Commercial Service provision.

Further information on the Consultation is provided here.

Deadline for submission : 30 November 2017

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

GSA is reaching out to receivers manufactures with a Galileo test campaign for GIS grade receivers.  Receivers will be tested using Signal in Space, and comparing GNSS constellations or their combinations both in a single frequency and dual frequency mode.

The European GNSS Agency (GSA) has officially launched the Galileo test campaign for GIS grade receivers with the main objective to evaluate the receivers` performance, highlighting the added value of Galileo system for GIS Data Collection.

Testing with GSA provides, among others, the following advantages:

• Independent tests: GSA will conduct neutral tests and provide objective results.
• Flexible test cases: GSA can modify or add new test cases depending on the manufacturer's needs.
• Two facilities equipped with state-of-the-art tools and instruments: GSA is collaborating with two laboratories (one at Thales Alenia Space Italy and the other at Airbus Defense and Space) to carry out the test cases.
• Free of cost: The tests are completely free of charge to the manufacturers as the aim of the campaign is to support to the industry to leverage the benefits of Galileo.
• Anonymous comparison of results: GSA provides the opportunity to compare results with other manufacturers in an anonymous way.

The scenarios of interest will be tested comparing the different GNSS constellations and their combinations both in a single frequency and dual frequency mode. All receivers will be tested using GNSS Signal in Space, so the test execution will be performed in parallel running all the receivers under test at the same time for each test case.

The tests will assess:

• positioning accuracy under different conditions
• time-to-first-fix
• tracking capability

Sign up today!

Manufacturers are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity, which is completely free-of-charge and on a voluntary basis. All results will be kept confidential and covered by individual non-disclosure agreements. For more information, contact the GSA Market Development Department (market@gsa.europa.eu) no later than 1 December 2017.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).