European GNSS Agency

The Galileo Reference Centre (GRC), to be located in the Netherlands, will play a crucial role in monitoring Galileo’s performance. The European GNSS Agency (GSA) made the announcement during this week’s European Space Solutions conference in The Hague. 

This week during the 4th European Space Solutions conference in The Hague, the GSA announced the establishment of the Galileo Reference Centre (GRC) in Noordwijk, the Netherlands. The GRC’s core mission is to perform independent monitoring of Galileo’s performance and report on its findings. 

European Commissioner for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs Elżbieta Bieńkowska and Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and the Environment Melanie Schultz van Haegen joined GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides to officially sign the GRC hosting agreement during the conference’s opening session.  

“The use of space data is becoming more urgent and relevant in many areas, for example in maritime safety and smart mobility,” says Minister Schultz van Haegen. “The Galileo Reference Centre will help ensure the provision of high quality satellite data so users can better rely on and benefit from Galileo.”

With Galileo Initial Services set to be declared this year, the GRC will play a pivotal role in the programme’s operations. “When operational, the GRC will provide the GSA with an independent system to evaluate the performance of the Galileo Service Operator and the quality of the signals in space,” says des Dorides. 

GRC’s core facility in Noordwijk will also actively integrate contributions from the EU Member States, Norway and Switzerland. The core facility is charged with generating performance evaluation products, reporting and performing dedicated campaign-based analyses. It will also rely on a range of facilities and expertise available in the Member States. 

The GRC will be implemented using a versioning approach. The first step is expected to be in place at the time of declaration of Galileo Initial Services. The core facility is set to become operational in 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).

French start-up UBISCALE was named the winner of the first GSA “IoT Solutions empowered by GNSS” award at the 2016 GEO IoT conference.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is everywhere, connecting smartphones, tablets and industrial and home appliances, and making roads, cities, factories and appliances smarter. In every sector of the economy, IoT is enabling objects to exchange data with manufacturers, operators and other devices to create a vast integrated network of connected things and services that is expected to surpass a volume of 50 billion by 2020.

Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) such as Galileo and EGNOS play a key role in IoT, providing the positioning, velocity and timing information required by an increasing number of context-aware applications.

To raise awareness of the integral role that GNSS plays in IoT, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) sponsored the IoT Solutions empowered by GNSS award within the GEO IoT World conference on 25-26 May in Brussels.

“Galileo brings IoT better accuracy and availability due to its signal strength in such difficult environments as in the city, as well as an authenticated open signal,” says GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides. “With this award, the GSA was looking for the most innovative IoT applications that rely on GNSS and leverage the enhanced possibilities offered by Galileo – and we found such an application in UBISCALE, this year’s winning company.”

Power saving solution

At the centre of this winning concept is the UbiGNSS™ technology and service that enables true low‐power GNSS‐based IoT services. The UbiGNSS™ solution’s essential insight is that for tracking applications, the device itself does not need to know its position, although the service side tracking applications does.

“From this assessment, we achieved power‐optimised GNSS pre‐processing for end‐devices and shifted the actual calculation of the position to a cloud‐based server, while sustaining the low data rate of Low‐Power Wide‐Area Networking (LPWAN),” says UBISCALE General Manager Samuel Ryckewaert who, along with CTO Mikaël Guenais, received the award during a special ceremony in Brussels. “In comparison to architecture based on GNSS computing the position at the device, the combination of GNSS and LPWAN used in UbiGNSS™ can cut power consumption by ten times, which enables unprecedented battery‐operated and truly cost‐effective tracking applications.”

UbiGNSS™ technology has been engineered to be compatible with all major GNSS systems, but the company anticipates that Galileo, thanks to its modulations and signal strength, will provide additional benefits, especially in terms of urban and other challenging environments.

The company is also anticipating a swift entry into the market. “With the advent of LPWAN networks, we believe our entry is arriving at the right time on the market,” says Guenais. “LPWAN networks are expected to represent 25% of total IoT connectivity by 2020 and will unleash a large volume of opportunities in lower-end devices.”

As well as working with new tracking devices, the UbiGNSS™ solution can also be applied to existing trackers as a firmware upgrade.

In reaching their verdict, the jury, which included GSA Market Development Officer for IoT and LBS Justyna Redelkiewicz and other industry experts, praised the UBISCALE solution, saying: “Power consumption is one of the main barriers for GNSS adoption in IoT.  As this project tackles this problem, we think it will have a huge impact on the market.”

In recognition of their achievement, the company received a GSA ‘prism’ trophy and certificate. In addition, UBISCALE will be funded for a business incubation period tailored around their needs, which could include market analysis, business strategy and business plan development, resource mobilisation strategy and international positioning. Furthermore, the company will have access to networking opportunities with industry and investors, investor relations and investor scouting, a dedicated team of GSA-accredited consultants and coaches, along with an extensive network of industry and institutions – all specialised in the GEO IoT market.

EAGLE award

In addition to the main prize, the GSA also announced a special prize awarded to the EAGLE (Enhanced Authentication with GaLileo dEvice) device, entered by Italian venture SpaceEXE. This concept integrates a high‐precision GNSS receiver with the capability of authenticating position through the GNSS satellite signal recording, the I.D. satellite tracked, and their position in orbit.

The application will enable local authorities to create ‘Fluid Limited Traffic Zones’ to dynamically regulate access to city centres, thus setting a new standard for city mobility. The technological novelty of the product is the civil use of authentication of the Galileo GNSS signal, paired with a massive cloud based system capable of monitoring multiple vehicles in real time. “The idea of this project is very interesting since it provides flexibility for city traffic management while leveraging Galileo Open Service authentication,” says Redelkiewicz.

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).

Speaking at this week’s Geospatial World Forum in Rotterdam, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) discussed the many benefits that EGNOS and Galileo offer the geospatial sector and, specifically, the surveying and mapping domains.

Speaking at the Geospatial World Forum, the premiere event for the geospatial sector, the GSA highlighted the multiple benefits that such European GNSS programmes as Galileo and EGNOS bring to European surveyors, as well as illustrating synergies with the EU Earth Observation programme Copernicus. Topics discussed included how to increase industry adoption of GNSS, how to better meet user needs, and the integration of E-GNSS into geospatial equipment and end products.

Although all of these topics are of interest to surveyors, the topic on the top of everyone’s mind was the status of Galileo – and the GSA came bringing good news.

As two additional Galileo satellites were launched just that morning, Galileo satellites 13 and 14 will be followed by the launch of four more satellites later this year, with the declaration of Galileo Initial Services expected in the autumn. “Currently 80% of all GNSS receivers for surveying and mapping are EGNOS enabled and 45% are already Galileo enabled. This confirmed that the sector is well-positioned to benefit from of the Galileo services” says the GSA.

Galileo’s improved signal robustness, varying levels of authentication and its Commercial Service’s high-accuracy receiver error below one decimetre are all features that will greatly benefit geospatial users. According to a recent GSA survey, 78% of respondents say they will be ready to use Galileo signals by 2017.

    Read also: EGNOS – A cost effective solution for GIS

As a prelude to what is in store for surveyors, the Swedish Cartographic Society reported that the Swedish surveyors are already anticipating how Galileo will help them for surveying in cities and other difficult environments. Most of the reference stations of SWEPOS, the Swedish national reference network provider, are fully equipped with Galileo-capable receivers.

However, Galileo will not operate in a vacuum. Not only is it interoperable with other GNSS systems, it also offers numerous synergies with the EU’s Copernicus Earth Observation system – particularly for the geospatial sector. “There is a huge potential for synergies between geopositioning and surface imaging,” says Dufourmont, Project Manager Copernicus Land Monitoring Services of the European Environment Agency. “For example, the sector is currently using both systems to track animals and monitor migration paths before making development decisions.”

Collaboration and support

To ensure the surveying community takes full advantage of all that Galileo and EGNOS have to offer, the GSA and the Council of European Geodetic Surveyors (CLGE) continue to collaborate. For example, GSA awards the special Galileo prize in the framework of the annual CLGE Young Surveyor Prize. Last year’s winner, Laura van de Vyvere of M3 Systems in Belgium, made innovative use of Galileo's unique four frequency signals to improve positioning in harsh ionospheric conditions.

GSA aims at responding to end-users’ needs and it therefore established a unique interface Galileo systems and users: the GSC (European GNSS Service Centre). The GSC is the platform where users can get information about the Galileo system status and performances, system documents and it includes a helpdesk.

The GSA is further supporting the uptake of European GNSS in the surveying sector via various funding mechanisms. For example, the Horizon 2020 LARA project is bringing together GNSS, augmented reality and 3D GIS geo-databases to show utility workers operating in the field what lies below the service – allowing them to know where it is safe to dig. MapKITE, another Horizon 2020 project, is bringing together terrestrial and aerial mapping systems, such remote payloads as LIDAR and GNSS systems for simultaneous geodata acquisition. 

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 Netherlands’ renowned biking culture and the upcoming summer European cycling season, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is talking GNSS and biking during the European Space Expo, part of the 2016 European Space Solutions Conference in The Hague.

In celebration of the Netherland’s vibrant biking culture and the upcoming start of such grand European bicycle races as the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia, the European Space Expo will feature a special exhibition about the use of global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) in biking during its stop in The Hague.

During the expo, Space Solutions for Biking: Empowering Smart 2-Wheels! will highlight innovative applications powered by satellite navigation and Earth observation technologies that enhance the experience, increase the accessibility and safety of biking, and connect bikes to the Internet of Things (IoT). The event is being held in conjunction with the 2016 European Space Solutions Conference, co-hosted by the European Commission and the GSA, under the auspices of Dutch Presidency of the Council of the EU. It will showcase innovative solutions for smart bike sharing, smart bike riding, smart motorbike riders, and smart IoT for bikes.

With the upcoming declaration of Galileo Initial Services, the role of GNSS in biking is set to increase, as will be seen by such exhibiting projects as BikePredict, a mobile application that makes self-service bike riding easy by giving information on the number of available bikes and docks both in real-time and the near future. Another exhibiting company is Bike Citizens, an app designed by bike couriers to cater to the needs of cyclists in cities, favouring cycle paths and side streets over busy main streets. REALRIDER®, who will also be exhibiting during the expo, is a motorcycle app that keeps riders safe and connected and includes built-in lifesaving crash detection technology linked to emergency services. Last but not least, Satsafe™, a GNSS-based security application for bikers, will also be featured.

GNSS for the biking commuter

With more than two-thirds of Europe’s population living in cities, cycling provides a viable, sustainable solution to such challenges as congestion, air and noise pollution, accidents, infrastructure expenses and road maintenance. For this reason, non-motorised transport such as cycling is seen as a key factor to guaranteeing mobility for all and overcoming these urban challenges. 

One EU-funded project, Space-tech for cycling, is helping to better position cycling as a viable form of transport in the public eye. To do this, it is developing an integrated solution that includes weather forecasts and a GNSS-tracks-analysis tool. The project utilises GNSS technology to track a cyclist’s routes and speed, obtain information regarding distance travelled and altitude variations, and identify the mode of transportation used. The system also makes use of Earth observation technology to provide the user with accurate weather forecasting and monitoring. The system combines these two space technologies in one easy-to-use app, which converts the gathered data into a ‘bike impact score’ that qualifies the user for such prizes as event vouchers and discounts at participating retail outlets.

Learn more at the European Space Expo

To learn more about the many ways European GNSS is impacting how Europe bikes, be sure to visit the European Space Expo in The Hague from 27 May to 5 June. The Space Solutions for Biking event takes place on Tuesday, 31 May, from 17:30 to 19:30.

Over 900 000 European citizens from across Europe have already visited the European Space Expo, learning how European space policy and space-based technologies benefit our everyday lives, support the European economy and create jobs.

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 Horizon 2020-funded BELS project is inviting European GNSS companies to come to South East Asia and visit the NAVIS Centre. 

According to the most recent edition of the European GNSS Agency’s (GSA) GNSS market report, Asia is the ‘hot spot’ for global navigation satellite systems (GNSS). In fact, it is currently the primary region of global market growth in terms of in-use GNSS devices. The region is forecasted to grow 11 % per year, from 1.7 billion devices in 2014 to 4.1 billion in 2023 – more than the EU and North America combined. Furthermore, the GSA notes that the region is becoming increasingly active in chipset manufacturing, along with building their own constellations.

In other words, Asia is an important market for GNSS, and the GSA is dedicated to ensuring European businesses are in a position to benefit from it.

Building bridges

Spearheading this effort is the Horizon 2020-funded BELS project. Committed to bringing European GNSS (E-GNSS) companies to South East Asia, the project aims to facilitate the breakthrough of E-GNSS technology by conducting a set of coordinated activities for raising awareness and capacity building. The BELS consortium is gathering the top GNSS universities and research institutes together to offer doctorate (PhD) partnering programmes, training opportunities, and placements for students at EU and Asian companies.

For companies seeking to collaborate on GNSS research and development (R&D), BELS also operates NAVIS, a dedicated GNSS R&D centre located in Hanoi, Vietnam. The facility is available for both testing and research activities, and as a hub for establishing new links with regional GNSS stakeholders. A motivated young team of researchers, which has regular exchanges with European universities, completes the picture.

A unique invitation

Although several EU receiver manufacturers have used the opportunity to co-locate their receivers at NAVIS, as the location is particularly suitable for testing the multi-constellation function, there’s plenty of room for more. To promote this unique opportunity, the project has launched its first call for expressions of interest, where European GNSS companies can receive vouchers to visit the NAVIS Centre. The purpose of the visit is to provide a company with the opportunity to experience the centre and all that it offers in terms of serving as a testbed for their GNSS equipment and solutions prior to making a commitment to relocate some of their activities to the centre.

“This first call is the perfect opportunity for a company to come to the NAVIS centre and see if it’s a good fit for them,” says Baerbel Deisting, one of the project’s coordinators. “This will be followed by a second call, where these companies can apply to receive vouchers to conduct testing of their GNSS solutions at the centre and network with stakeholders here in South East Asia.”  

The details

The call is open to any EU-based company working with E-GNSS equipment and solutions and with a commercial interest in South East Asia. Successful applicants will receive financial support via a voucher worth up to EUR 2 500. Applicants can apply at any time during the year, with applications being evaluated every 3 months. The call will be closed once the available budget has been fully allocated. The first evaluation will occur in May. In order to be considered, companies should provide a short company profile, proof of activity in the field of E-GNSS, a letter of motivation, CV and suggested timeframe for the visit.

More information 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 Horizon 2020-funded BELS project is inviting European GNSS companies to come to South East Asia and visit the NAVIS Centre. 

According to the most recent edition of the European GNSS Agency’s (GSA) GNSS market report, Asia is the ‘hot spot’ for global navigation satellite systems (GNSS). In fact, it is currently the primary region of global market growth in terms of in-use GNSS devices. The region is forecasted to grow 11 % per year, from 1.7 billion devices in 2014 to 4.1 billion in 2023 – more than the EU and North America combined. Furthermore, the GSA notes that the region is becoming increasingly active in chipset manufacturing, along with building their own constellations.

In other words, Asia is an important market for GNSS, and the GSA is dedicated to ensuring European businesses are in a position to benefit from it.

Building bridges

Spearheading this effort is the Horizon 2020-funded BELS project. Committed to bringing European GNSS (E-GNSS) companies to South East Asia, the project aims to facilitate the breakthrough of E-GNSS technology by conducting a set of coordinated activities for raising awareness and capacity building. The BELS consortium is gathering the top GNSS universities and research institutes together to offer doctorate (PhD) partnering programmes, training opportunities, and placements for students at EU and Asian companies.

For companies seeking to collaborate on GNSS research and development (R&D), BELS also operates NAVIS, a dedicated GNSS R&D centre located in Hanoi, Vietnam. The facility is available for both testing and research activities, and as a hub for establishing new links with regional GNSS stakeholders. A motivated young team of researchers, which has regular exchanges with European universities, completes the picture.

A unique invitation

Although several EU receiver manufacturers have used the opportunity to co-locate their receivers at NAVIS, as the location is particularly suitable for testing the multi-constellation function, there’s plenty of room for more. To promote this unique opportunity, the project has launched its first call for expressions of interest, where European GNSS companies can receive vouchers to visit the NAVIS Centre. The purpose of the visit is to provide a company with the opportunity to experience the centre and all that it offers in terms of serving as a testbed for their GNSS equipment and solutions prior to making a commitment to relocate some of their activities to the centre.

“This first call is the perfect opportunity for a company to come to the NAVIS centre and see if it’s a good fit for them,” says Baerbel Deisting, one of the project’s coordinators. “This will be followed by a second call, where these companies can apply to receive vouchers to conduct testing of their GNSS solutions at the centre and network with stakeholders here in South East Asia.”  

The details

The call is open to any EU-based company working with E-GNSS equipment and solutions and with a commercial interest in South East Asia. Successful applicants will receive financial support via a voucher worth up to EUR 2 500. Applicants can apply at any time during the year, with applications being evaluated every 3 months. The call will be closed once the available budget has been fully allocated. The first evaluation will occur in May. In order to be considered, companies should provide a short company profile, proof of activity in the field of E-GNSS, a letter of motivation, CV and suggested timeframe for the visit.

More information 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 Horizon 2020-funded BELS project is inviting European GNSS companies to come to South East Asia and visit the NAVIS Centre. 

According to the most recent edition of the European GNSS Agency’s (GSA) GNSS market report, Asia is the ‘hot spot’ for global navigation satellite systems (GNSS). In fact, it is currently the primary region of global market growth in terms of in-use GNSS devices. The region is forecasted to grow 11 % per year, from 1.7 billion devices in 2014 to 4.1 billion in 2023 – more than the EU and North America combined. Furthermore, the GSA notes that the region is becoming increasingly active in chipset manufacturing, along with building their own constellations.

In other words, Asia is an important market for GNSS, and the GSA is dedicated to ensuring European businesses are in a position to benefit from it.

Building bridges

Spearheading this effort is the Horizon 2020-funded BELS project. Committed to bringing European GNSS (E-GNSS) companies to South East Asia, the project aims to facilitate the breakthrough of E-GNSS technology by conducting a set of coordinated activities for raising awareness and capacity building. The BELS consortium is gathering the top GNSS universities and research institutes together to offer doctorate (PhD) partnering programmes, training opportunities, and placements for students at EU and Asian companies.

For companies seeking to collaborate on GNSS research and development (R&D), BELS also operates NAVIS, a dedicated GNSS R&D centre located in Hanoi, Vietnam. The facility is available for both testing and research activities, and as a hub for establishing new links with regional GNSS stakeholders. A motivated young team of researchers, which has regular exchanges with European universities, completes the picture.

A unique invitation

Although several EU receiver manufacturers have used the opportunity to co-locate their receivers at NAVIS, as the location is particularly suitable for testing the multi-constellation function, there’s plenty of room for more. To promote this unique opportunity, the project has launched its first call for expressions of interest, where European GNSS companies can receive vouchers to visit the NAVIS Centre. The purpose of the visit is to provide a company with the opportunity to experience the centre and all that it offers in terms of serving as a testbed for their GNSS equipment and solutions prior to making a commitment to relocate some of their activities to the centre.

“This first call is the perfect opportunity for a company to come to the NAVIS centre and see if it’s a good fit for them,” says Baerbel Deisting, one of the project’s coordinators. “This will be followed by a second call, where these companies can apply to receive vouchers to conduct testing of their GNSS solutions at the centre and network with stakeholders here in South East Asia.”  

The details

The call is open to any EU-based company working with E-GNSS equipment and solutions and with a commercial interest in South East Asia. Successful applicants will receive financial support via a voucher worth up to EUR 2 500. Applicants can apply at any time during the year, with applications being evaluated every 3 months. The call will be closed once the available budget has been fully allocated. The first evaluation will occur in May. In order to be considered, companies should provide a short company profile, proof of activity in the field of E-GNSS, a letter of motivation, CV and suggested timeframe for the visit.

More information 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 Service Centre recently played host to a delegation of US and EU officials dedicated to promoting cooperation on the design and development of the next generation of GNSS systems.

The European GNSS Service Centre (GSC) recently hosted the 13th meeting of the European Union and the United States Working Group C (EU-US WG-C) on next GNSS generation. The group, which promotes cooperation on the design and development of the next generation of civil satellite-based navigation and timing systems, makes recommendations to ensure that GPS and Galileo services are interoperable for the benefit of civil users around the world.

One of the WG-C’s current objectives is the development of integrated applications for Safety-of-Life services. To meet this objective, the group established the Advanced Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring Technical Subgroup (ARAIM TSG). Two full days were dedicated to the subgroup and its focus on the development of the ARAIM system.

In addition to the ARAIM TSG meeting, the WG-C agenda included a plenary session on the status of system interoperability, along with a dedicated session on best practices in SBAS service delivery (EGNOS in Europe and WAAS in the US).

Over 30 participants from both sides of the Atlantic participated in the meeting, which took place at the GSC facility near Madrid – the first official meeting to be held at the new premises. The next EU-US WG-C meeting is scheduled for 25-27 October 2017 at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California.

About the GSC

The GSC is run by the European GNSS Agency (GSC). It was created to provide an interface between the Galileo system and its end users. The aim of the GSC is to provide system users with relevant information on Galileo. Through the easy to use GSC web portal, Galileo users can access a Helpdesk dedicated to addressing a wide range of questions on Galileo status and use. The Centre also actively provides support to R&D and industry from its centre of expertise, as well as hosts workshops and training sessions.

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 Service Centre recently played host to a delegation of US and EU officials dedicated to promoting cooperation on the design and development of the next generation of GNSS systems.

The European GNSS Service Centre (GSC) recently hosted the 13th meeting of the European Union and the United States Working Group C (EU-US WG-C) on next GNSS generation. The group, which promotes cooperation on the design and development of the next generation of civil satellite-based navigation and timing systems, makes recommendations to ensure that GPS and Galileo services are interoperable for the benefit of civil users around the world.

One of the WG-C’s current objectives is the development of integrated applications for Safety-of-Life services. To meet this objective, the group established the Advanced Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring Technical Subgroup (ARAIM TSG). Two full days were dedicated to the subgroup and its focus on the development of the ARAIM system.

In addition to the ARAIM TSG meeting, the WG-C agenda included a plenary session on the status of system interoperability, along with a dedicated session on best practices in SBAS service delivery (EGNOS in Europe and WAAS in the US).

Over 30 participants from both sides of the Atlantic participated in the meeting, which took place at the GSC facility near Madrid – the first official meeting to be held at the new premises. The next EU-US WG-C meeting is scheduled for 25-27 October 2016 at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California.

About the GSC

The GSC is run by the European GNSS Agency (GSA). It was created to provide an interface between the Galileo system and its end users. The aim of the GSC is to provide system users with relevant information on Galileo. Through the easy to use GSC web portal, Galileo users can access a Helpdesk dedicated to addressing a wide range of questions on Galileo status and use. The Centre also actively provides support to R&D and industry from its centre of expertise, as well as hosts workshops and training sessions.

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).

This week, the International Maritime Organisation recognised Galileo as part of the World Wide Radio Navigation System.

With the declaration of Initial Services just months away, the Galileo programme received an important recognition this week from the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). The IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) voted to recognise the Galileo Open and Search and Rescue (SAR) services as part of the World Wide Radio Navigation System (WWRNS). 
According to the European GNSS Agency (GSA), this recognition marks an important milestone for the adoption of Galileo for use in commercial shipping. Not only does it encourage a broader use of multi-constellation solutions for all users, by doing so, it also improves safety at sea. “This recognition is the result of a coordinated effort at the European level, involving the European Commission and the GSA, along with strong support from the Member States,” says GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides. “The GSA played an important role in supporting the European Commission in the preparation of the rationale and the technical support.” 

With this recognition, Galileo joins the ranks of GPS, GLONASS and Beidou as being a part of the WWRNS. “This is a real milestone for the market uptake of Galileo in the maritime sector, and we are now ready to continue with EGNOS,” adds des Dorides.

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).

European GNSS Agency Executive Director Carlo des Dorides recently spoke about the important role that Galileo and EGNOS play in the equipment that powers civil aviation.

The European GNSS Agency (GSA) recently joined over 130 delegates at the European Organisation for Civil Aviation Equipment (EUROCAE) Symposium in Vienna, Austria. The event included several keynote addresses, along with policy sessions focused on five key topics: flight tracking, runway safety, cyber security, remotely piloted air systems (RPASs) and space travel.

“The environment is changing and the demand on developing standards is increasing,” said EUROCAE Secretary General Christian Schleifer-Heingärtner. “International regulations from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and regional regulations from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) are becoming more performance-based and standards developing organisations (SDOs) are called in to provide the ‘how to comply’ with these performance-based regulations.” As a result, Schleifer-Heingärtner says that EUROCAE has expanded its domain of activities from only electronic on-board equipment to a much wider range of ground equipment, aerodromes, MET/AIM, RPAS, security, system-wide information management (SWIM) and fuel cells.

During his keynote address, GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides highlighted the important role that the GSA’s focus on user needs plays within the EUROCAE mission. “The GSA is leading the EUROCAE Galileo working group, which is focused on the development of standards for satellite-based augmentation systems [SBAS],” he said. “This work is key to allowing us to directly meet with the receiver manufacturing industry and other international partners to make sure we can be part of producing the right standards for aviation satellite navigation receivers.”

He further noted how the GSA and EUROCAE are working to build a win-win strategy for Europe. For example, as Europe was the first to deploy new technology using SBAS to augment both Galileo and GPS, it gives the continent a unique opportunity to set the standard and for European industry to become the first to provide this technology for aviation receivers. He specifically noted that other regions, including China and Japan, are working on deploying similar SBAS systems. It means  that the ‘first out of the gate’ on standards will have a better chance of securing important market share.

“We are aware that it takes time for industry to develop safety equipment and that the return-on-investment for this equipment is a long-term vision,” he said. “Thus, we have to set up ways to incentivise aviation receiver manufacturers, such as through the various tenders and grants issued by the GSA, to start prototyping now.”

Sending out a SAR

Des Dorides noted that with Galileo Initial Services set to be declared later this year, further opportunities will be created via the Galileo Search and Rescue (SAR) service, which serves as Europe’s contribution to the international COSPAS-SARSAT cooperative effort on humanitarian SAR activities. In fact, Galileo will be the first constellation providing SAR services as part of the Medium Earth Orbit Search and Rescue (MEOSAR) satellite system, thus increasing the efficiency of SAR activities and, ultimately, saving more lives.

“The GSA is actively fostering the adoption of Galileo SAR capabilities by contributing to the development of MEOSAR technologies and specialty beacons,” he said. “The GSA has already funded four Galileo SAR projects under the Horizon 2020 funding initiative, and a call for proposals on MEOSAR beacon prototyping will be launched in October 2016, with a total budget of EUR 4 million, under the GSA’s Fundamental Elements funding programme.”

Partnering for opportunities   

In conclusion, des Dorides noted that there are many opportunities for civil aviation equipment manufacturers through both the EGNOS and Galileo programmes. “We see our relationship with EUROCAE as a partnership that will allow us to bring the benefits of satellite navigation to aviation for the foreseeable future.”

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) announces that the first LPV-200 approaches were implemented at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (LFPG) on 3 May – the first such approaches to be implemented in Europe.

The GSA announces that the first LPV-200 approaches were implemented at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (LFPG) on 3 May – the first such approaches to be implemented in Europe. LPV-200 enables aircraft approach procedures that are operationally equivalent to CAT I instrument landing system (ILS) procedures. This allows for lateral and angular vertical guidance during the final approach segment (FAS) without requiring visual contact with the ground until reaching a decision height (DH) of only 200 feet above the runway. (The minima for localiser performance with vertical guidance, or LPV, are as low as 200 feet.)

These EGNOS (European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service)-based approaches are considered ILS look-alikes, as the LPV-200 service level is compliant with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Annex 10 Category I precision approach performance requirements, but without the need for the expensive ground infrastructure required for ILS.

“EGNOS LPV-200 is now the most cost-effective and safest solution for airports requiring CAT I approach procedures,” says GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides. “The involvement of major aircraft manufacturers confirms that this service is a real added-value for civil aviation, setting the basis for a better rationalisation of nav-aids in European airports.”

The announcement of the approach implementation follows the publication of the EGNOS-based procedures on 28 April. 

An important milestone

“The LPV-200 service provides European airports with the means to implement the most demanding precision-based navigation operations as defined by the ICAO,” explains EGNOS Service Provider (ESSP) CEO Thierry Racaud.

DSNA, the French Air Navigation Service Provider, pioneered the procedures as an outcome of the work that was co-financed by the European Union and carried out since the GSA declared the EGNOS LPV-200 service operational on 29 September 2015.

“The new LPV-200 approach procedures now implemented at LFPG aim to demonstrate that the satellite-based augmentation systems [SBAS], such as EGNOS in Europe, is a Category I performance approach solution that is reliable,” says Maurice Georges, DSNA CEO. “We are convinced that SBAS is a fundamental technology to modernise our navigation infrastructure and, following this first implementation, LPV-200 approach procedures will be progressively deployed over our IFR runway-ends network."

Pilot approved

The approach has been flown by an ATR 42-600, Dassault Falcon 2000 and Airbus A350, with positive pilot feedback.  “The LPV system is much more stable and more reliable in terms of safety, but also more efficient than the ILS approach,” says ATR Chief Pilot Eric Delesalle after completing the first LPV-200 landing on runway 26L at LFPG. “It really makes a difference.”

According to Delesalle, LPV approaches offer pilots several distinct advantages over an ILS approach. For instance, the LPV system allows one to land at more runways, even in low visibility conditions, and LPV gives a pilot the accuracy of an ILS without the problems of localiser or glide slope interference. “With LPV, pilots can use GPS navigation during all phases of an approach, meaning they do not have to switch between autopilot modes while preparing the approach, thus our overall workload is reduced and room for human error is reduced” he adds.

“Airbus is pleased to have demonstrated that the A350 XWB complies with the new RNAV (GNSS) approaches with satellite-based augmentation, as implemented at Paris Charles de Gaulle,” adds Airbus Experimental Test Pilot Jean-Christophe Lair. “These approaches will be a valuable back-up to the airport’s traditional ILS approaches and will maximise runway availability for the A350 by maintaining CAT 1 capability, down to a 200 feet decision height, even when the ILS ground station is not available.”

View more images in our Image Gallery.

According to Dassault Flight Test Pilot Jean-Louis Dumas, from a pilot point of view, there is no difference between ILS and LPV approaches as the design of the Falcon EASY cockpit and the overall workload is exactly the same for both. “The accuracy and stability of the LPV guidance is really amazing,” says Dumas. “Lowering the LPV minima down to 200 feet in Europe is a great improvement enabled by EGNOS, and is very valuable for business aviation operations.”

In order to take advantage of LPV approaches, a pilot must undergo a specific initial training to learn all GPS-related navigation specifications, including LPV 200 procedures. However, as all three test pilots confirmed, as LPV approaches were intentionally developed as ILS look-alike, pilots are able to quickly transfer and adjust their skills to the new generation of LPV approaches.

Paving the way for future implementation

The GSA expects that by launching the first LPV-200 procedure at such an international hub as Charles de Gaulle will pave the way for the publication of additional LPV-200 service-level procedures at other European airports. In fact, it is already confirmed that Vienna International (LOWW) is set to be the next airport to publish LPV-200 procedures.

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) announces that the first LPV-200 approaches were implemented at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (LFPG) on 3 May – the first such approaches to be implemented in Europe.

The GSA announces that the first LPV-200 approaches were implemented at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (LFPG) on 3 May – the first such approaches to be implemented in Europe. LPV-200 enables aircraft approach procedures that are operationally equivalent to CAT I instrument landing system (ILS) procedures. This allows for lateral and angular vertical guidance during the final approach segment (FAS) without requiring visual contact with the ground until reaching a decision height (DH) of only 200 feet above the runway. (The minima for localiser performance with vertical guidance, or LPV, are as low as 200 feet.)

These EGNOS (European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service)-based approaches are considered ILS look-alikes, as the LPV-200 service level is compliant with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Annex 10 Category I precision approach performance requirements, but without the need for the expensive ground infrastructure required for ILS.

“EGNOS LPV-200 is now the most cost-effective and safest solution for airports requiring CAT I approach procedures,” says GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides. “The involvement of major aircraft manufacturers confirms that this service is a real added-value for civil aviation, setting the basis for a better rationalisation of nav-aids in European airports.”

The announcement of the approach implementation follows the publication of the EGNOS-based procedures on 28 April. 

An important milestone

“The LPV-200 service provides European airports with the means to implement the most demanding precision-based navigation operations as defined by the ICAO,” explains EGNOS Service Provider (ESSP) CEO Thierry Racaud.

DSNA, the French Air Navigation Service Provider, pioneered the procedures as an outcome of the work that was co-financed by the European Union and carried out since the GSA declared the EGNOS LPV-200 service operational on 29 September 2015.

“The new LPV-200 approach procedures now implemented at LFPG aim to demonstrate that the satellite-based augmentation systems [SBAS], such as EGNOS in Europe, is a Category I performance approach solution that is reliable,” says Maurice Georges, DSNA CEO. “We are convinced that SBAS is a fundamental technology to modernise our navigation infrastructure and, following this first implementation, LPV-200 approach procedures will be progressively deployed over our IFR runway-ends network."

Pilot approved

The approach has been flown by an ATR 42-600, Dassault Falcon 2000 and Airbus A350, with positive pilot feedback.  “The LPV -200 system is much more stable and more reliable in terms of safety, but also more efficient than the ILS approach,” says ATR Chief Pilot Eric Delesalle after completing the first LPV-200 landing on runway 26L at LFPG. “It really makes a difference.”

According to Delesalle, LPV approaches offer pilots several distinct advantages over an ILS approach. For instance, the LPV system allows one to land at more runways, even in low visibility conditions, and LPV gives a pilot the accuracy of an ILS without the problems of localiser or glide slope interference. “With LPV, pilots can use GPS navigation during all phases of an approach, meaning they do not have to switch between autopilot modes while preparing the approach, thus our overall workload is reduced and room for human error is reduced” he adds.

“Airbus is pleased to have demonstrated that the A350 XWB complies with the new RNAV (GNSS) approaches with satellite-based augmentation, as implemented at Paris Charles de Gaulle,” adds Airbus Experimental Test Pilot Jean-Christophe Lair. “These approaches will be a valuable back-up to the airport’s traditional ILS approaches and will maximise runway availability for the A350 by maintaining CAT 1 capability, down to a 200 feet decision height, even when the ILS ground station is not available.”

View more images in our Image Gallery.

According to Dassault Flight Test Pilot Jean-Louis Dumas, from a pilot point of view, there is no difference between ILS and LPV approaches as the design of the Falcon EASY cockpit and the overall workload is exactly the same for both. “The accuracy and stability of the LPV guidance is really amazing,” says Dumas. “Lowering the LPV minima down to 200 feet in Europe is a great improvement enabled by EGNOS, and is very valuable for business aviation operations.”

In order to take advantage of LPV approaches, a pilot must undergo a specific initial training to learn all GPS-related navigation specifications, including LPV 200 procedures. However, as all three test pilots confirmed, as LPV approaches were intentionally developed as ILS look-alike, pilots are able to quickly transfer and adjust their skills to the new generation of LPV approaches.

Paving the way for future implementation

The GSA expects that by launching the first LPV-200 procedure at such an international hub as Charles de Gaulle will pave the way for the publication of additional LPV-200 service-level procedures at other European airports. In fact, it is already confirmed that Vienna International (LOWW) is set to be the next airport to publish LPV-200 procedures.

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) announces that the first LPV-200 approaches were implemented at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (LFPG) on 3 May – the first such approaches to be implemented in Europe.

The GSA announces that the first LPV-200 approaches were implemented at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (LFPG) on 3 May – the first such approaches to be implemented in Europe. LPV-200 enables aircraft approach procedures that are operationally equivalent to CAT I instrument landing system (ILS) procedures. This allows for lateral and angular vertical guidance during the final approach segment (FAS) without requiring visual contact with the ground until reaching a decision height (DH) of only 200 feet above the runway. (The minima for localiser performance with vertical guidance, or LPV, are as low as 200 feet.)

These EGNOS (European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service)-based approaches are considered ILS look-alikes, as the LPV-200 service level is compliant with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Annex 10 Category I precision approach performance requirements, but without the need for the expensive ground infrastructure required for ILS.

“EGNOS LPV-200 is now the most cost-effective and safest solution for airports requiring CAT I approach procedures,” says GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides. “The involvement of major aircraft manufacturers confirms that this service is a real added-value for civil aviation, setting the basis for a better rationalisation of nav-aids in European airports.”

The announcement of the approach implementation follows the publication of the EGNOS-based procedures on 28 April. 

An important milestone

“The LPV-200 service provides European airports with the means to implement the most demanding precision-based navigation operations as defined by the ICAO,” explains EGNOS Service Provider (ESSP) CEO Thierry Racaud.

DSNA, the French Air Navigation Service Provider, pioneered the procedures as an outcome of the work that was co-financed by the European Union and carried out since the GSA declared the EGNOS LPV-200 service operational on 29 September 2015.

“The new LPV-200 approach procedures now implemented at LFPG aim to demonstrate that the satellite-based augmentation systems [SBAS], such as EGNOS in Europe, is a Category I performance approach solution that is reliable,” says Maurice Georges, DSNA CEO. “We are convinced that SBAS is a fundamental technology to modernise our navigation infrastructure and, following this first implementation, LPV-200 approach procedures will be progressively deployed over our IFR runway-ends network."

Pilot approved

The approach has been flown by an ATR 42-600, Dassault Falcon 2000 and Airbus A350, with positive pilot feedback.  “The LPV -200 system is much more stable and more reliable in terms of safety, but also more efficient than the ILS approach,” says ATR Chief Pilot Eric Delesalle after completing the first LPV-200 landing on runway 26L at LFPG. “It really makes a difference.”

According to Delesalle, LPV approaches offer pilots several distinct advantages over an ILS approach. For instance, the LPV system allows one to land at more runways, even in low visibility conditions, and LPV gives a pilot the accuracy of an ILS without the problems of localiser or glide slope interference. “With LPV, pilots can use GPS navigation during all phases of an approach, meaning they do not have to switch between autopilot modes while preparing the approach, thus our overall workload is reduced and room for human error is reduced” he adds.

“Airbus is pleased to have demonstrated that the A350 XWB complies with the new RNAV (GNSS) approaches with satellite-based augmentation, as implemented at Paris Charles de Gaulle,” adds Airbus Experimental Test Pilot Jean-Christophe Lair. “These approaches will be a valuable back-up to the airport’s traditional ILS approaches and will maximise runway availability for the A350 by maintaining CAT 1 capability, down to a 200 feet decision height, even when the ILS ground station is not available.”

View more images in our Image Gallery.

According to Dassault Flight Test Pilot Jean-Louis Dumas, from a pilot point of view, there is no difference between ILS and LPV approaches as the design of the Falcon EASY cockpit and the overall workload is exactly the same for both. “The accuracy and stability of the LPV guidance is really amazing,” says Dumas. “Lowering the LPV minima down to 200 feet in Europe is a great improvement enabled by EGNOS, and is very valuable for business aviation operations.”

In order to take advantage of LPV approaches, a pilot must undergo a specific initial training to learn all GPS-related navigation specifications, including LPV 200 procedures. However, as all three test pilots confirmed, as LPV approaches were intentionally developed as ILS look-alike, pilots are able to quickly transfer and adjust their skills to the new generation of LPV approaches.

Paving the way for future implementation

The GSA expects that by launching the first LPV-200 procedure at such an international hub as Charles de Gaulle will pave the way for the publication of additional LPV-200 service-level procedures at other European airports. In fact, it is already confirmed that Vienna International (LOWW) is set to be the next airport to publish LPV-200 procedures.

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).

Have an innovative idea or application that leverages Galileo Initial Services? Then be sure to apply today for the GSA Special Prize – part of the 2016 European Satellite Navigation Competition.

On the eve of the historic declaration of Galileo Initial Services, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) has announced that it is now accepting applications for its GSA Special Prize for the most innovative application idea for Galileo Initial Services. Within the scope of the prize, the GSA is looking for the best ideas and applications that leverage Galileo’s Initial Services and the power of a multi-constellation environment in order to provide new and more robust benefits to the end-user across an array of sectors. The GSA Special Prize is part of the annual European Satellite Navigation Competition (ESNC).

Proposals must meet certain basic criteria, including:

• innovation versus existing solutions;
• commercial feasibility;
• use of European GNSS signals and services as a primary means of positioning;
• contribution to Galileo market uptake;
• technical/operational feasibility, including maturity of the idea;
• demonstrations/market trials for technology validation.

The winner will have the opportunity to develop their idea at an incubation centre of their choice within the EU-28 for six months, with the possibility of a further six months according to progress. Furthermore, for the first time, the winning idea will be showcased at the official Galileo Service Declaration Ceremony in Brussels, when Initial Services are announced to the world.

Supporting innovative applications

The 2015 edition of the ESNC received a record-breaking 192 entries from 29 different countries. Entries came from both individuals and start-up companies and covered such topics as location-based services (LBS), smart mobility, and safety and security. The winner, Rafael Olmedo and his KYNEO project, focused on the Internet of Things (IoT) and involved the development of cheap, flexible Galileo and EGNOS-enabled modules that allow for ubiquitous positioning data for IoT-related applications.

         Also Read: ESNC Success Stories

“The GSA Special Prize nicely complements the Agency’s focus of getting closer to the end-user and helping them benefit from European space technology and, in particular, Galileo,” says GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides. “Whether through competitions like this or through such funding programmes as Horizon 2020 and Fundamental Elements, it’s by supporting innovative applications like KYNEO that the GSA will be able to succeed in its mission.”
As the Galileo programme transitions from a system in development to being operational, efforts to promote corresponding applications will become increasingly important. For this reason, competition organisers say they are looking forward to seeing the creative and innovative Galileo-based applications submitted this year.

         Also Read: GNSS-enabled Sports Tracker Moves into Final Testing Phase

The ESNC offers a prize pool worth EUR 1 million, including cash prizes and in-kind services. All winners of the 30 regional and special prizes will be in the running for the overall prize of EUR 20 000 and a six-month incubation programme (which can be extended to one year) in a region of their choice. The deadline for applications is 30 June.

Also Read: ESNC Flyer

Further information on this year’s prizes, partners and terms of participation can be found on the ESNC 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 European GNSS Agency (GSA) talks EGNOS-based procedures during Aero Friedrichshafen – one of the world’s largest general aviation tradeshows.

Although many think of April in Paris, for the general aviation crowd, April means Germany. More specifically, April is Aero Friedrichshafen time – one of the world’s largest general aviation (GA) trade shows. Once again, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) joined the international GA crowd to discuss the many benefits that the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) provides this important sector.

At the front of everybody’s mind was the GSA’s recent declaration of the LPV 200 (localiser performance with vertical guidance) service. Using EGNOS, LPV-200 provides pilots with more accurate guidance for safer aircraft landings, even in poor weather conditions.

The service level enables aircraft approaches that are operationally equivalent to instrument landing system (ILS) CAT I, providing lateral and vertical guidance without the need for visual contact with the ground until a decision height (DH) of only 200 feet above the runway as minimum.

All EGNOS-based approaches, both LPV and the new LPV-200, are considered ILS look-alikes but without the expensive ground infrastructure required for ILS. “We received great feedback from pilots who say that landing with EGNOS is more comfortable, easy to follow and often more stable than with conventional ILS approaches,” says GSA Market Development Officer . “Because of the increasing number of EGNOS-enabled airports throughout Europe, there is growing enthusiasm among the European general aviation community for the use of satellite-based approach systems (SBAS) and, as a result, many general aviation aircraft are now SBAS capable.”

Although the GSA’s EGNOS-based LPV service is free and requires no upgrade to an airport’s ground infrastructure or to existing certified EGNOS receivers, in order to fly LPV one does need procedures, a certified aircraft and a properly trained pilot. “In taking this EGNOS message forward within the GA community, we must continue to focus on its relation to three core pillars: approaches, equipment and pilot training,” says PPL/IR Europe Chairman Paul Sherry.

Pillar I: Procedures

As to the procedures, the GSA and the EGNOS Service Provider (ESSP) work directly with Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSP) to establish EGNOS Working Agreements, the legal tool that defines the working arrangements between ESSP and the ANSP in charge of the LPV procedure.

To help with this process in the UK, the GSA-is supporting LPV approaches for General Aviation. One of the projects, called GAGA, is working to increase the availability of LPV approach procedures, with a specific focus on GA airports in the UK. “General aviation competes for airspace with commercial aviation, which places severe limitations on the sector’s access to airports,” explains Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) UK CEO Martin Robinson. “Yet at the same time GA contributes GBP 3 billion of gross value added and is responsible for more than 38 000 jobs, so it is important that we support the GA industry.”

Pillar II: Equipment

Many of the latest GA aircraft come EGNOS-ready, including models from Cessna, Diamond, Piper and Cirrus. For legacy aircraft, the GSA notes they have a complete list of forward and retrofit solutions. 

“GNSS approaches (also known as RNP APCH) are great news for light GA aircraft,” says Sherry. “It’s really the first opportunity to put this PBN avionics equipment into the types of aircraft it was originally built for.”

What this means for GA aircraft and the GA pilot is a greater expectation of automation, less vectors and more procedural approaches. According to Sherry, PBN technology has rapidly evolved over the past decade. “From 1950 to 2000, IFR approach technology was fairly stable, ground-based and involved pretty much the same operation between different manufacturers and different installations,” he says. “But this changed with PBN, which is a complex combination of procedures, infrastructure, air traffic control (ATC), aircraft, avionics and aircrew.”

The GSA facilitates the use of EGNOS for GA in conjunction with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). For example, one major achievement of this collaboration is the development of a multi model list for avionics approved for the most widely used avionics by GA pilots, Garmin GNS430W and GNS530W. Recognising that GA demands cost-effective avionics, having these models approved for LPV capability helps bring the cost down from EUR 10 000 per aircraft registration to just EUR 300 – making EGNOS a realistic option for GA operators.

Pillar III: Training

However, it’s more than just having the right equipment in an aircraft. As the type of equipment is diverse, it is essential that the pilot knows how the technology and equipment in the aircraft works together. “When flying PBN, more reliance is placed on the aircraft and the pilot, as opposed to air traffic control,” adds PPL/IR Europe Director Julian Scarfe. “In other words, with PBN it becomes absolutely crucial that the pilot understands the equipment, procedures and obligations.”

Which leads us to the last point: the pilots themselves. In order to take advantage of LPV procedures, operators typically need specific approval to fly them. This is because LPVs are a relatively new concept that require not only that the aircraft and its cockpit avionics have the corresponding airworthiness approval, but also that pilots have appropriate training, checking standards and operational procedures in place.

Although EASA is currently working to amend some of these regulations, eliminating the burden of having to apply for SPA, all operators will still be required to follow the necessary operational procedures and CAT operators will have to amend their operational manual accordingly as part of their air operator approval from their authorities. On this point, the GSA provides EGNOS training materials via the EGNOS user support website. From August 2018, the core training syllabus for the instrument rating will include PBN concepts, many reliant on EGNOS.

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) talks EGNOS-based procedures during Aero Friedrichshafen – one of the world’s largest general aviation tradeshows.

Although many think of April in Paris, for the general aviation crowd, April means Germany. More specifically, April is Aero Friedrichshafen time – one of the world’s largest general aviation (GA) trade shows. Once again, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) joined the international GA crowd to discuss the many benefits that the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) provides this important sector.

At the front of everybody’s mind was the GSA’s recent declaration of the LPV 200 (localiser performance with vertical guidance) service. Using EGNOS, LPV-200 provides pilots with more accurate guidance for safer aircraft landings, even in poor weather conditions.

The service level enables aircraft approaches that are operationally equivalent to instrument landing system (ILS) CAT I, providing lateral and vertical guidance without the need for visual contact with the ground until a decision height (DH) of only 200 feet above the runway as minimum.

All EGNOS-based approaches, both LPV and the new LPV-200, are considered ILS look-alikes but without the expensive ground infrastructure required for ILS. “We received great feedback from pilots who say that landing with EGNOS is more comfortable, easy to follow and often more stable than with conventional ILS approaches,” says GSA Market Development Officer Katerina Strelcova. “Because of the increasing number of EGNOS-enabled airports throughout Europe, there is growing enthusiasm among the European general aviation community for the use of satellite-based approach systems (SBAS) and, as a result, many general aviation aircraft are now SBAS capable.”

Although the GSA’s EGNOS-based LPV service is free and requires no upgrade to an airport’s ground infrastructure or to existing certified EGNOS receivers, in order to fly LPV one does need procedures, a certified aircraft and a properly trained pilot. “In taking this EGNOS message forward within the GA community, we must continue to focus on its relation to three core pillars: approaches, equipment and pilot training,” says PPL/IR Europe Chairman Paul Sherry.

Pillar I: Procedures

As to the procedures, the GSA and the EGNOS Service Provider (ESSP) work directly with Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSP) to establish EGNOS Working Agreements, the legal tool that defines the working arrangements between ESSP and the ANSP in charge of the LPV procedure.

To help with this process in the UK, the GSA-is supporting LPV approaches for General Aviation. One of the projects, called GAGA, is working to increase the availability of LPV approach procedures, with a specific focus on GA airports in the UK. “General aviation competes for airspace with commercial aviation, which places severe limitations on the sector’s access to airports,” explains Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) UK CEO Martin Robinson. “Yet at the same time GA contributes GBP 3 billion of gross value added and is responsible for more than 38 000 jobs, so it is important that we support the GA industry.”

Pillar II: Equipment

Many of the latest GA aircraft come EGNOS-ready, including models from Cessna, Diamond, Piper and Cirrus. For legacy aircraft, the GSA notes they have a complete list of forward and retrofit solutions. 

“GNSS approaches (also known as RNP APCH) are great news for light GA aircraft,” says Sherry. “It’s really the first opportunity to put this PBN avionics equipment into the types of aircraft it was originally built for.”

What this means for GA aircraft and the GA pilot is a greater expectation of automation, less vectors and more procedural approaches. According to Sherry, PBN technology has rapidly evolved over the past decade. “From 1950 to 2000, IFR approach technology was fairly stable, ground-based and involved pretty much the same operation between different manufacturers and different installations,” he says. “But this changed with PBN, which is a complex combination of procedures, infrastructure, air traffic control (ATC), aircraft, avionics and aircrew.”

The GSA facilitates the use of EGNOS for GA in conjunction with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). For example, one major achievement of this collaboration is the development of a multi model list for avionics approved for the most widely used avionics by GA pilots, Garmin GNS430W and GNS530W. Recognising that GA demands cost-effective avionics, having these models approved for LPV capability helps bring the cost down from EUR 10 000 per aircraft registration to just EUR 300 – making EGNOS a realistic option for GA operators.

Pillar III: Training

However, it’s more than just having the right equipment in an aircraft. As the type of equipment is diverse, it is essential that the pilot knows how the technology and equipment in the aircraft works together. “When flying PBN, more reliance is placed on the aircraft and the pilot, as opposed to air traffic control,” adds PPL/IR Europe Director Julian Scarfe. “In other words, with PBN it becomes absolutely crucial that the pilot understands the equipment, procedures and obligations.”

Which leads us to the last point: the pilots themselves. In order to take advantage of LPV procedures, operators typically need specific approval to fly them. This is because LPVs are a relatively new concept that require not only that the aircraft and its cockpit avionics have the corresponding airworthiness approval, but also that pilots have appropriate training, checking standards and operational procedures in place.

Although EASA is currently working to amend some of these regulations, eliminating the burden of having to apply for SPA, all operators will still be required to follow the necessary operational procedures and CAT operators will have to amend their operational manual accordingly as part of their air operator approval from their authorities. On this point, the GSA provides EGNOS training materials via the EGNOS user support website. From August 2018, the core training syllabus for the instrument rating will include PBN concepts, many reliant on EGNOS.

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) talks EGNOS-based procedures during Aero Friedrichshafen – one of the world’s largest general aviation tradeshows.

Although many think of April in Paris, for the general aviation crowd, April means Germany. More specifically, April is Aero Friedrichshafen time – one of the world’s largest general aviation (GA) trade shows. Once again, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) joined the international GA crowd to discuss the many benefits that the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) provides this important sector.

At the front of everybody’s mind was the GSA’s recent declaration of the LPV 200 (localiser performance with vertical guidance) service. Using EGNOS, LPV-200 provides pilots with more accurate guidance for safer aircraft landings, even in poor weather conditions.

The service level enables aircraft approaches that are operationally equivalent to instrument landing system (ILS) CAT I, providing lateral and vertical guidance without the need for visual contact with the ground until a decision height (DH) of only 200 feet above the runway as minimum.

All EGNOS-based approaches, both LPV and the new LPV-200, are considered ILS look-alikes but without the expensive ground infrastructure required for ILS. “We received great feedback from pilots who say that landing with EGNOS is more comfortable, easy to follow and often more stable than with conventional ILS approaches,” says GSA Market Development Officer Katerina Strelcova. “Because of the increasing number of EGNOS-enabled airports throughout Europe, there is growing enthusiasm among the European general aviation community for the use of satellite-based approach systems (SBAS) and, as a result, many general aviation aircraft are now SBAS capable.”

Although the GSA’s EGNOS-based LPV service is free and requires no upgrade to an airport’s ground infrastructure or to existing certified EGNOS receivers, in order to fly LPV one does need procedures, a certified aircraft and a properly trained pilot. “In taking this EGNOS message forward within the GA community, we must continue to focus on its relation to three core pillars: approaches, equipment and pilot training,” says PPL/IR Europe Chairman Paul Sherry.

Pillar I: Procedures

As to the procedures, the GSA and the EGNOS Service Provider (ESSP) work directly with Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSP) to establish EGNOS Working Agreements, the legal tool that defines the working arrangements between ESSP and the ANSP in charge of the LPV procedure.

To help with this process in the UK, the GSA-is supporting LPV approaches for General Aviation. One of the projects, called GAGA, is working to increase the availability of LPV approach procedures, with a specific focus on GA airports in the UK. “General aviation competes for airspace with commercial aviation, which places severe limitations on the sector’s access to airports,” explains Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) UK CEO Martin Robinson. “Yet at the same time GA contributes GBP 3 billion of gross value added and is responsible for more than 38 000 jobs, so it is important that we support the GA industry.”

Pillar II: Equipment

Many of the latest GA aircraft come EGNOS-ready, including models from Cessna, Diamond, Piper and Cirrus. For legacy aircraft, the GSA notes they have a complete list of forward and retrofit solutions. 

“GNSS approaches (also known as RNP APCH) are great news for light GA aircraft,” says Sherry. “It’s really the first opportunity to put this PBN avionics equipment into the types of aircraft it was originally built for.”

What this means for GA aircraft and the GA pilot is a greater expectation of automation, less vectors and more procedural approaches. According to Sherry, PBN technology has rapidly evolved over the past decade. “From 1950 to 2000, IFR approach technology was fairly stable, ground-based and involved pretty much the same operation between different manufacturers and different installations,” he says. “But this changed with PBN, which is a complex combination of procedures, infrastructure, air traffic control (ATC), aircraft, avionics and aircrew.”

The GSA facilitates the use of EGNOS for GA in conjunction with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). For example, one major achievement of this collaboration is the development of a multi model list for avionics approved for the most widely used avionics by GA pilots, Garmin GNS430W and GNS530W. Recognising that GA demands cost-effective avionics, having these models approved for LPV capability helps bring the cost down from EUR 10 000 per aircraft registration to just EUR 300 – making EGNOS a realistic option for GA operators.

Pillar III: Training

However, it’s more than just having the right equipment in an aircraft. As the type of equipment is diverse, it is essential that the pilot knows how the technology and equipment in the aircraft works together. “When flying PBN, more reliance is placed on the aircraft and the pilot, as opposed to air traffic control,” adds PPL/IR Europe Director Julian Scarfe. “In other words, with PBN it becomes absolutely crucial that the pilot understands the equipment, procedures and obligations.”

Which leads us to the last point: the pilots themselves. In order to take advantage of LPV procedures, operators typically need specific approval to fly them. This is because LPVs are a relatively new concept that require not only that the aircraft and its cockpit avionics have the corresponding airworthiness approval, but also that pilots have appropriate training, checking standards and operational procedures in place.

Although EASA is currently working to amend some of these regulations, eliminating the burden of having to apply for SPA, all operators will still be required to follow the necessary operational procedures and CAT operators will have to amend their operational manual accordingly as part of their air operator approval from their authorities. On this point, the GSA provides EGNOS training materials via the EGNOS user support website. From August 2018, the core training syllabus for the instrument rating will include PBN concepts, many reliant on EGNOS.

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) talks EGNOS-based procedures during Aero Friedrichshafen – one of the world’s largest general aviation tradeshows.

Although many think of April in Paris, for the general aviation crowd, April means Germany. More specifically, April is Aero Friedrichshafen time – one of the world’s largest general aviation (GA) trade shows. Once again, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) joined the international GA crowd to discuss the many benefits that the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) provides this important sector.

At the front of everybody’s mind was the GSA’s recent declaration of the LPV 200 (localiser performance with vertical guidance) service. Using EGNOS, LPV-200 provides pilots with more accurate guidance for safer aircraft landings, even in poor weather conditions.

The service level enables aircraft approaches that are operationally equivalent to instrument landing system (ILS) CAT I, providing lateral and vertical guidance without the need for visual contact with the ground until a decision height (DH) of only 200 feet above the runway as minimum.

All EGNOS-based approaches, both LPV and the new LPV-200, are considered ILS look-alikes but without the expensive ground infrastructure required for ILS. “We received great feedback from pilots who say that landing with EGNOS is more comfortable, easy to follow and often more stable than with conventional ILS approaches,” says GSA Market Development Officer . “Because of the increasing number of EGNOS-enabled airports throughout Europe, there is growing enthusiasm among the European general aviation community for the use of satellite-based approach systems (SBAS) and, as a result, many general aviation aircraft are now SBAS capable.”

Although the GSA’s EGNOS-based LPV service is free and requires no upgrade to an airport’s ground infrastructure or to existing certified EGNOS receivers, in order to fly LPV one does need procedures, a certified aircraft and a properly trained pilot. “In taking this EGNOS message forward within the GA community, we must continue to focus on its relation to three core pillars: approaches, equipment and pilot training,” says PPL/IR Europe Chairman Paul Sherry.

Pillar I: Procedures

As to the procedures, the GSA and the EGNOS Service Provider (ESSP) work directly with Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSP) to establish EGNOS Working Agreements, the legal tool that defines the working arrangements between ESSP and the ANSP in charge of the LPV procedure.

To help with this process in the UK, the GSA-is supporting LPV approaches for General Aviation. One of the projects, called GAGA, is working to increase the availability of LPV approach procedures, with a specific focus on GA airports in the UK. “General aviation competes for airspace with commercial aviation, which places severe limitations on the sector’s access to airports,” explains Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) UK CEO Martin Robinson. “Yet at the same time GA contributes GBP 3 billion of gross value added and is responsible for more than 38 000 jobs, so it is important that we support the GA industry.”

Pillar II: Equipment

Many of the latest GA aircraft come EGNOS-ready, including models from Cessna, Diamond, Piper and Cirrus. For legacy aircraft, the GSA notes they have a complete list of forward and retrofit solutions. 

“GNSS approaches (also known as RNP APCH) are great news for light GA aircraft,” says Sherry. “It’s really the first opportunity to put this PBN avionics equipment into the types of aircraft it was originally built for.”

What this means for GA aircraft and the GA pilot is a greater expectation of automation, less vectors and more procedural approaches. According to Sherry, PBN technology has rapidly evolved over the past decade. “From 1950 to 2000, IFR approach technology was fairly stable, ground-based and involved pretty much the same operation between different manufacturers and different installations,” he says. “But this changed with PBN, which is a complex combination of procedures, infrastructure, air traffic control (ATC), aircraft, avionics and aircrew.”

The GSA facilitates the use of EGNOS for GA in conjunction with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). For example, one major achievement of this collaboration is the development of a multi model list for avionics approved for the most widely used avionics by GA pilots, Garmin GNS430W and GNS530W. Recognising that GA demands cost-effective avionics, having these models approved for LPV capability helps bring the cost down from EUR 10 000 per aircraft registration to just EUR 300 – making EGNOS a realistic option for GA operators.

Pillar III: Training

However, it’s more than just having the right equipment in an aircraft. As the type of equipment is diverse, it is essential that the pilot knows how the technology and equipment in the aircraft works together. “When flying PBN, more reliance is placed on the aircraft and the pilot, as opposed to air traffic control,” adds PPL/IR Europe Director Julian Scarfe. “In other words, with PBN it becomes absolutely crucial that the pilot understands the equipment, procedures and obligations.”

Which leads us to the last point: the pilots themselves. In order to take advantage of LPV procedures, operators typically need specific approval to fly them. This is because LPVs are a relatively new concept that require not only that the aircraft and its cockpit avionics have the corresponding airworthiness approval, but also that pilots have appropriate training, checking standards and operational procedures in place.

Although EASA is currently working to amend some of these regulations, eliminating the burden of having to apply for SPA, all operators will still be required to follow the necessary operational procedures and CAT operators will have to amend their operational manual accordingly as part of their air operator approval from their authorities. On this point, the GSA provides EGNOS training materials via the EGNOS user support website. From August 2018, the core training syllabus for the instrument rating will include PBN concepts, many reliant on EGNOS.

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) talks EGNOS-based procedures during Aero Friedrichshafen – one of the world’s largest general aviation tradeshows.

Although many think of April in Paris, for the general aviation crowd, April means Germany. More specifically, April is Aero Friedrichshafen time – one of the world’s largest general aviation (GA) trade shows. Once again, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) joined the international GA crowd to discuss the many benefits that the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) provides this important sector.

At the front of everybody’s mind was the GSA’s recent declaration of the LPV 200 (localiser performance with vertical guidance) service. Using EGNOS, LPV-200 provides pilots with more accurate guidance for safer aircraft landings, even in poor weather conditions.

The service level enables aircraft approaches that are operationally equivalent to instrument landing system (ILS) CAT I, providing lateral and vertical guidance without the need for visual contact with the ground until a decision height (DH) of only 200 feet above the runway as minimum.

All EGNOS-based approaches, both LPV and the new LPV-200, are considered ILS look-alikes but without the expensive ground infrastructure required for ILS. “We received great feedback from pilots who say that landing with EGNOS is more comfortable, easy to follow and often more stable than with conventional ILS approaches,” says GSA Market Development Officer . “Because of the increasing number of EGNOS-enabled airports throughout Europe, there is growing enthusiasm among the European general aviation community for the use of satellite-based approach systems (SBAS) and, as a result, many general aviation aircraft are now SBAS capable.”

Although the GSA’s EGNOS-based LPV service is free and requires no upgrade to an airport’s ground infrastructure or to existing certified EGNOS receivers, in order to fly LPV one does need procedures, a certified aircraft and a properly trained pilot. “In taking this EGNOS message forward within the GA community, we must continue to focus on its relation to three core pillars: approaches, equipment and pilot training,” says PPL/IR Europe Chairman Paul Sherry.

Pillar I: Procedures

As to the procedures, the GSA and the EGNOS Service Provider (ESSP) work directly with Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSP) to establish EGNOS Working Agreements, the legal tool that defines the working arrangements between ESSP and the ANSP in charge of the LPV procedure.

To help with this process in the UK, the GSA-is supporting LPV approaches for General Aviation. One of the projects, called GAGA, is working to increase the availability of LPV approach procedures, with a specific focus on GA airports in the UK. “General aviation competes for airspace with commercial aviation, which places severe limitations on the sector’s access to airports,” explains Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) UK CEO Martin Robinson. “Yet at the same time GA contributes GBP 3 billion of gross value added and is responsible for more than 38 000 jobs, so it is important that we support the GA industry.”

Pillar II: Equipment

Many of the latest GA aircraft come EGNOS-ready, including models from Cessna, Diamond, Piper and Cirrus. For legacy aircraft, the GSA notes they have a complete list of forward and retrofit solutions. 

“GNSS approaches (also known as RNP APCH) are great news for light GA aircraft,” says Sherry. “It’s really the first opportunity to put this PBN avionics equipment into the types of aircraft it was originally built for.”

What this means for GA aircraft and the GA pilot is a greater expectation of automation, less vectors and more procedural approaches. According to Sherry, PBN technology has rapidly evolved over the past decade. “From 1950 to 2000, IFR approach technology was fairly stable, ground-based and involved pretty much the same operation between different manufacturers and different installations,” he says. “But this changed with PBN, which is a complex combination of procedures, infrastructure, air traffic control (ATC), aircraft, avionics and aircrew.”

The GSA facilitates the use of EGNOS for GA in conjunction with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). For example, one major achievement of this collaboration is the development of a multi model list for avionics approved for the most widely used avionics by GA pilots, Garmin GNS430W and GNS530W. Recognising that GA demands cost-effective avionics, having these models approved for LPV capability helps bring the cost down from EUR 10 000 per aircraft registration to just EUR 300 – making EGNOS a realistic option for GA operators.

Pillar III: Training

However, it’s more than just having the right equipment in an aircraft. As the type of equipment is diverse, it is essential that the pilot knows how the technology and equipment in the aircraft works together. “When flying PBN, more reliance is placed on the aircraft and the pilot, as opposed to air traffic control,” adds PPL/IR Europe Director Julian Scarfe. “In other words, with PBN it becomes absolutely crucial that the pilot understands the equipment, procedures and obligations.”

Which leads us to the last point: the pilots themselves. In order to take advantage of LPV procedures, operators typically need specific approval to fly them. This is because LPVs are a relatively new concept that require not only that the aircraft and its cockpit avionics have the corresponding airworthiness approval, but also that pilots have appropriate training, checking standards and operational procedures in place.

Although EASA is currently working to amend some of these regulations, eliminating the burden of having to apply for SPA, all operators will still be required to follow the necessary operational procedures and CAT operators will have to amend their operational manual accordingly as part of their air operator approval from their authorities. On this point, the GSA provides EGNOS training materials via the EGNOS user support website. From August 2018, the core training syllabus for the instrument rating will include PBN concepts, many reliant on EGNOS.

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) held a workshop at the CLGE General Assembly to complete the understanding of surveyor and reference network-provider needs with regard to EGNOS and Galileo.

In 2015, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) in cooperation with the Council of European Geodetic Surveyors (CLGE) launched a questionnaire to better understand the unique global navigation satellite system (GNSS) needs of surveyors and reference network providers. What they found is a sector that is mostly Galileo-ready.

Of all reference network providers surveyed, nearly half are currently Galileo-ready, with 78 % of those not Galileo-equipped planning to do so by 2017. As for professional surveyors, almost 25 % from the public sector and 20 % from the private sector are using Galileo-equipped GNSS receivers. Furthermore, the majority of the surveying-related GNSS receivers now entering the market are Galileo-capable, meaning one can expect nearly full Galileo adoption in Europe within the coming years.

    Mark your calendars: E-GNSS workshop at Geospatial World Forum

The results were presented and discussed with surveyors from various EU and non-EU countries during a dedicated Galileo workshop held within the CLGE General Assembly in Tirana, Albania. During the workshop, particular attention was given to the upcoming declaration of Galileo Initial Services. According to the GSA, this, along with the accelerated Galileo satellite launches, will provide immediate benefits and improvements to mapping and surveying activities already from the Initial Services phase, planned to start in late 2016. The surveyors are welcoming the advantages of multi-constellation (including better GNSS coverage in Northern latitudes) as well as Galileo’s improved performance in harsh environments.  Other topics discussed included unmanned aerial systems (UASs), and such new phenomena as ‘democratisation’ of mapping/surveying and envisioning future GNSS applications.

An ongoing partnership

As the surveying community demands highly accurate positioning services, it was naturally one of the early adopters of GNSS technology. The GSA is continuously tightening its connection with the European surveying community: as an example, the Surveying department of the SWECO, a Swedish manufacturer of industrial equipment (http://sweco.com/) visited the GSA Headquarters on  22 April 2016.

On 26 April , GSA Market Development team participated to the Swedish Mapping Days in Gävle, discussed the imminent upgrade to full Galileo capability with the representatives of the Swedish reference network providers (SWEPOS - Swedish Positioning RTK Network, Swedish Maritime Administration, who runs a DGNSS network).

Standing out is the partnership of GSA with the CLGE that also includes sponsorship of the CLGE Annual Young Surveyor’s Prize, participation to events (e.g., the president of CLGE, Maurice Barbieri, is an invited speaker at the E-GNSS workshop at the Geospatial World Forum).  

The CLGE represents and promotes the interests of its members in both Europe’s private and public sectors, and serves as a permanent forum for European geodetic surveyors committed to European cooperation. CLGE’s activities aim to promote the exchange of technical, scientific, educational and organisational know-how among its Member States, along with providing assistance to governments, national associations and EU institutions.

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) held a workshop at the CLGE General Assembly to complete the understanding of surveyor and reference network-provider needs with regard to EGNOS and Galileo.

In 2015, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) in cooperation with the Council of European Geodetic Surveyors (CLGE) launched a questionnaire to better understand the unique global navigation satellite system (GNSS) needs of surveyors and reference network providers. What they found is a sector that is mostly Galileo-ready.

Of all reference network providers surveyed, nearly half are currently Galileo-ready, with 78 % of those not Galileo-equipped planning to do so by 2017. As for professional surveyors, almost 25 % from the public sector and 20 % from the private sector are using Galileo-equipped GNSS receivers. Furthermore, the majority of the surveying-related GNSS receivers now entering the market are Galileo-capable, meaning one can expect nearly full Galileo adoption in Europe within the coming years.

    Mark your calendars: E-GNSS workshop at Geospatial World Forum

The results were presented and discussed with surveyors from various EU and non-EU countries during a dedicated Galileo workshop held within the CLGE General Assembly in Tirana, Albania. During the workshop, particular attention was given to the upcoming declaration of Galileo Initial Services. According to the GSA, this, along with the accelerated Galileo satellite launches, will provide immediate benefits and improvements to mapping and surveying activities already from the Initial Services phase, planned to start in late 2016. The surveyors are welcoming the advantages of multi-constellation (including better GNSS coverage in Northern latitudes) as well as Galileo’s improved performance in harsh environments.  Other topics discussed included unmanned aerial systems (UASs), and such new phenomena as ‘democratisation’ of mapping/surveying and envisioning future GNSS applications.

An ongoing partnership

As the surveying community demands highly accurate positioning services, it was naturally one of the early adopters of GNSS technology. The GSA is continuously tightening its connection with the European surveying community: as an example, the Surveying department of the SWECO, a Swedish manufacturer of industrial equipment (http://www.sweco.se/en/) visited the GSA Headquarters on  22 April 2016.

On 26 April , GSA Market Development team participated to the Swedish Mapping Days in Gävle, discussed the imminent upgrade to full Galileo capability with the representatives of the Swedish reference network providers (SWEPOS - Swedish Positioning RTK Network, Swedish Maritime Administration, who runs a DGNSS network).

Standing out is the partnership of GSA with the CLGE that also includes sponsorship of the CLGE Annual Young Surveyor’s Prize, participation to events (e.g., the president of CLGE, Maurice Barbieri, is an invited speaker at the E-GNSS workshop at the Geospatial World Forum).  

The CLGE represents and promotes the interests of its members in both Europe’s private and public sectors, and serves as a permanent forum for European geodetic surveyors committed to European cooperation. CLGE’s activities aim to promote the exchange of technical, scientific, educational and organisational know-how among its Member States, along with providing assistance to governments, national associations and EU institutions.

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), along with the European GNSS Service Centre (GSC), announce the commissioning of two additional Galileo satellites, increasing the total number of signals available for testing as the programme moves towards Galileo Initial Services.

Today, the European GNSS Agency (GSA), along with the European GNSS Service Centre (GSC), announce that the latest two Galileo satellites launched have successfully completed a four month long in-orbit testing campaign. Galileo satellites 11 (GSAT0208) and 12 (GSAT0209) are now officially commissioned for use in the Galileo constellation.

The two satellites were launched from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana on 17 December 2015. Following extensive testing campaigns by European Space Agency, the GSA and GSC confirm that both are performing as planned and are successfully integrated with the Galileo ground network.

This milestone, along with the deployment of the next two satellites scheduled for launch in May, helps pave the way for the declaration of Galileo Initial Services later this year. The May launch will be followed by an additional launch of four satellites in the autumn – the first launch to use a single customised Ariane-5 launcher.

About Galileo

Galileo is Europe's civilian global satellite navigation system. Galileo will allow users worldwide to know their exact position in time and space with great precision and reliability. Once complete, the Galileo system will consist of 30 satellites and the necessary ground infrastructure to enable the provision of positioning, navigation and timing services.

The Galileo programme is funded and owned by the European Union. The European Commission has the overall responsibility for the Galileo programme, it manages and oversees the implementation of all programme activities.

Galileo's deployment, the design and development of the new generation of systems and the technical development of infrastructure are entrusted to the European Space Agency. The definition, development and in-orbit validation phases of the Galileo programme were carried out by ESA, and co-funded by ESA and the European Commission.

The European GNSS Agency (GSA) is ensuring the uptake and security of Galileo. From 2017 Galileo operations and provision of Galileo services will be entrusted to the GSA.

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), along with the European GNSS Service Centre (GSC), announce the commissioning of two additional Galileo satellites, increasing the total number of signals available for testing as the programme moves towards Galileo Initial Services.

Today, the European GNSS Agency (GSA), along with the European GNSS Services Centre (GSC), announce that the latest two Galileo satellites to have been launched successfully completed a four month long in-orbit testing campaign. Galileo satellites 11 (GSAT0208) and 12 (GSAT0209) are now officially commissioned for use in Galileo constellation.

The two satellites were launched from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana on 17 December 2015. Following extensive testing campaigns by European Space Agency, the GSA and GSC confirm that both are performing as planned and are successfully integrated with the Galileo ground network.

This news, along with the deployment of the next two satellites scheduled for launch in May, help pave the way for the declaration of Galileo Initial Services later this year. The May launch will be followed by an additional launch of four satellites in the autumn – the first launch to use a single customised Ariane-5 launcher.

About Galileo

Galileo is Europe's civilian global satellite navigation system. Galileo will allow users worldwide to know their exact position in time and space with great precision and reliability. Once complete, the Galileo system will consist of 30 satellites and the necessary ground infrastructure to enable the provision of positioning, navigation and timing services.

The Galileo programme is funded and owned by the European Union. The European Commission has the overall responsibility for the Galileo programme, it manages and oversees the implementation of all programme activities.

Galileo's deployment, the design and development of the new generation of systems and the technical development of infrastructure are entrusted to the European Space Agency. The definition, development and in-orbit validation phases of the Galileo programme were carried out by ESA, and co-funded by ESA and the European Commission.

The European GNSS Agency (GSA) is ensuring the uptake and security of Galileo. From 2017 Galileo operations and provision of Galileo services will be entrusted to the GSA.

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 2016 Farming by Satellite Prize, sponsored by the European GNSS Agency (GSA), is open to students and young farmers with innovative ideas for using satellite technology to improve agricultural production, efficiency and profit.

With a cash prize of EUR 13 000, the 2016 edition of the Farming by Satellite Prize is now open for submissions. The prize, an initiative of the European GNSS Agency (GSA), is open to students and young farmers across Europe and Africa with innovative ideas for using satellite technology to improve agricultural production, efficiency and profit, or to reduce the sector’s environmental impact. This year’s edition is sponsored by CLAAS and Bayer CropScience.

Launched in 2012, the Farming by Satellite Prize is held every 2 years. The last edition saw submissions from over 29 countries covering such topics as geo-referenced online data platforms, swarm technologies, precision seed-planting robots, selective olive harvesting and using drones for early famine warning systems in Africa. The first prize in 2014 went to Daniel Hege of Geisenheim University in Germany, whose successful project used satellite-guided steering during the cultivation of mixed vegetables to both increase productivity by reducing planting gaps and reduce time spent in the field by increasing the speed of accurate weed control.

“With this prize, we want young people to actively think about imaginative solutions that employ such satellite technologies as the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) and Galileo, which can help farmers around the world,” says GSA Head of Market Development Gian-Gherardo Calini.

Promoting precision

Precision agriculture is a highly effective farming strategy that allows farmers to better allocate inputs, such as seeds and fertilisers, to increase productivity, lower costs and minimise the environmental impact. Traditionally, the main obstacle to wide-scale application of precision agriculture has been the substantial investment required. EGNOS and Galileo fundamentally change the equation by offering high precision at low cost.

The main advantages of satellite technologies in agriculture include high accuracy and the repeatability of the same action year on year. These two fundamental advantages lead to valuable benefits, including:
reduced waste through the over-application of fertilisers and herbicides;

• reduced seed consumption;
• fuel and time savings;
• lower fatigue;
• extended equipment life;
• optimised crop yields.

Register today

The Farming by Satellite Prize is open to both individuals and teams from universities or commercial organisations. To compete, one must submit case studies, new ideas or innovations that rely on EGNOS, Galileo or Copernicus. Registration closes 30 October 2016, with final submissions due by 15 December 2016.  More information can be found at 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).

The 2016 Farming by Satellite Prize, sponsored by the European GNSS Agency (GSA), is open to students and young farmers with innovative ideas for using satellite technology to improve agricultural production, efficiency and profit.

With a cash prize of EUR 13 000, the 2016 edition of the Farming by Satellite Prize is now open for submissions. The prize, an initiative of the European GNSS Agency (GSA), is open to students and young farmers across Europe and Africa with innovative ideas for using satellite technology to improve agricultural production, efficiency and profit, or to reduce the sector’s environmental impact. This year’s edition is sponsored by CLAAS and Bayer CropScience.

Launched in 2012, the Farming by Satellite Prize is held every 2 years. The last edition saw submissions from over 29 countries covering such topics as geo-referenced online data platforms, swarm technologies, precision seed-planting robots, selective olive harvesting and using drones for early famine warning systems in Africa. The first prize in 2014 went to Daniel Hege of Geisenheim University in Germany, whose successful project used satellite-guided steering during the cultivation of mixed vegetables to both increase productivity by reducing planting gaps and reduce time spent in the field by increasing the speed of accurate weed control.

“With this prize, we want young people to actively think about imaginative solutions that employ such satellite technologies as the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) and Galileo, which can help farmers around the world,” says GSA Head of Market Development Gian-Gherardo Calini.

Promoting precision

Precision agriculture is a highly effective farming strategy that allows farmers to better allocate inputs, such as seeds and fertilisers, to increase productivity, lower costs and minimise the environmental impact. Traditionally, the main obstacle to wide-scale application of precision agriculture has been the substantial investment required. EGNOS and Galileo fundamentally change the equation by offering high precision at low cost.

The main advantages of satellite technologies in agriculture include high accuracy and the repeatability of the same action year on year. These two fundamental advantages lead to valuable benefits, including:
reduced waste through the over-application of fertilisers and herbicides;

• reduced seed consumption;
• fuel and time savings;
• lower fatigue;
• extended equipment life;
• optimised crop yields.

Register today

The Farming by Satellite Prize is open to both individuals and teams from universities or commercial organisations. To compete, one must submit case studies, new ideas or innovations that rely on EGNOS, Galileo or Copernicus. Registration closes 30 October 2016, with final submissions due by 15 December 2016.  More information can be found at 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).

The 2016 Farming by Satellite Prize, sponsored by the European GNSS Agency (GSA), is open to students and young farmers with innovative ideas for using satellite technology to improve agricultural production, efficiency and profit.

With a cash prize of EUR 13 000, the 2016 edition of the Farming by Satellite Prize is now open for submissions. The prize, an initiative of the European GNSS Agency (GSA), is open to students and young farmers across Europe and Africa with innovative ideas for using satellite technology to improve agricultural production, efficiency and profit, or to reduce the sector’s environmental impact. This year’s edition is sponsored by CLAAS and Bayer CropScience.

Launched in 2012, the Farming by Satellite Prize is held every 2 years. The last edition saw submissions from over 29 countries covering such topics as geo-referenced online data platforms, swarm technologies, precision seed-planting robots, selective olive harvesting and using drones for early famine warning systems in Africa. The first prize in 2014 went to Daniel Hege of Geisenheim University in Germany, whose successful project used satellite-guided steering during the cultivation of mixed vegetables to both increase productivity by reducing planting gaps and reduce time spent in the field by increasing the speed of accurate weed control.

“With this prize, we want young people to actively think about imaginative solutions that employ such satellite technologies as the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) and Galileo, which can help farmers around the world,” says GSA Head of Market Development Gian-Gherardo Calini.

Promoting precision

Precision agriculture is a highly effective farming strategy that allows farmers to better allocate inputs, such as seeds and fertilisers, to increase productivity, lower costs and minimise the environmental impact. Traditionally, the main obstacle to wide-scale application of precision agriculture has been the substantial investment required. EGNOS and Galileo fundamentally change the equation by offering high precision at low cost.

The main advantages of satellite technologies in agriculture include high accuracy and the repeatability of the same action year on year. These two fundamental advantages lead to valuable benefits, including:
reduced waste through the over-application of fertilisers and herbicides;

• reduced seed consumption;
• fuel and time savings;
• lower fatigue;
• extended equipment life;
• optimised crop yields.

Register today

The Farming by Satellite Prize is open to both individuals and teams from universities or commercial organisations. To compete, one must submit case studies, new ideas or innovations that rely on EGNOS, Galileo or Copernicus. Registration closes 30 October 2016, with final submissions due by 15 December 2016.  More information can be found at 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).

As the declaration of Galileo Initial Services approaches, the International Committee on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (ICG) is holding a special side event on multi-GNSS cooperation during the 2016 European Space Solutions conference.

With the declaration of Galileo Initial Services set for later this year, it will soon join the ranks of GPS and GLONASS, among others, as part of a multi-constellation environment. To learn more about the importance of multi-global navigation satellite system (GNSS) cooperation, the International Committee on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (ICG) is hosting a half-day side event during the European Space Solutions Conference. The event, entitled ‘The ICG, multifunction GNSS signals, and how to protect them’ is scheduled for 1 June.

Although Galileo is a European Union project, cooperation with non-EU partners is essential for its success. As satellite navigation systems expand globally, the goal of the ICG is to ensure they remain fully compatible and interoperable – and for this, international cooperation is crucial.

“As the Executive Secretariat of the ICG, it is our hope that collaboration among GNSS providers and user communities will continue to grow in the future, said Sharafat Gadimova from the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs. “We support the broader objective of integrating GNSS and their augmentations into the infrastructure of developing nations, at governmental, scientific and commercial level.”

The future power of GNSS will not come from a single system, but from systems working together to achieve a common goal. “With a ‘system of systems’, users will benefit from better coverage and accuracy with greater positioning confidence,” says European GNSS Agency (GSA) Executive Director, Carlo des Dorides. “Although the range of applications is already large, with the new accuracy, reliability and confidence offered by Galileo, this will only grow.”

Protecting against interference

The ICG session at European Space Solutions will cover such important topics as interference detection and mitigation, among others.

The spoofing and jamming of GNSS signals is becoming an increasing concern, especially as the technology becomes more and more embedded in critical infrastructures. In fact, it is estimated that nearly 6 % of EU gross domestic product (GDP) – worth EUR 80 billion – relies on satellite navigation. Hence, an increased reliability and trustworthiness of position and timing information becomes critical.  In this capacity, Galileo’s authenticated services will provide major benefits to users and help protect the global GNSS village.

The details

Scientists, developers, entrepreneurs, policy-makers and end-users can join thought leaders from the ICG, various national satellite navigation agencies and academia to share technical expertise and experiences, and to put forth recommendations to the ICG and its working groups.

The ICG was established in 2005 under the umbrella of the United Nations and is charged with promoting voluntary cooperation on matters of mutual interest related to civil satellite-based positioning, navigation, timing and value-added services. Among its core missions is the coordination among providers of GNSS, regional systems and augmentations in order to ensure greater compatibility, interoperability and transparency – and to promote the introduction and utilisation of these services and their future enhancements, including in developing countries.

More information and how to register 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).

When it comes to GNSS, authentication is one of the most important topics. At the 13th Munich Satellite Navigation Summit, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) discussed authentication within the framework of Galileo.

GNSS applications are vulnerable to both voluntary and involuntary interferences, meaning that providing at least some level of authentication is a complex task. To address this important topic, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) recently participated in a dedicated session on GNSS authentication services – and in particular Galileo’s authentication capabilities – as part of the Munich Satellite Navigation Summit.

GSA Market Development Officer Reinhard Blasi discussed the different levels of authentication in Galileo’s Open, Commercial and PRS services – all of which will soon be available. In particular he stressed the authentication capabilities of the Galileo Open Service and Commercial Service, a unique feature that only the Galileo constellation can provide. “These are complementary services catering to differentiated market with specific needs for certain level of authentication,” he said. “Based on a recent consultation with industry, we know that authentication is a feature they are willing to implement and the GSA is supporting its implementation in order to add value to the various value chains and markets.”

An example of this support is the GSA’s Fundamental Elements programme, a new research and development funding mechanism supporting the development of chipsets and receivers. The programme will run through 2020 and has a projected budget of EUR 100 million. The main objective of the initiative is to facilitate the development of such fundamental elements as Galileo-enabled chipsets and receivers. Already several projects covering authentication have received funding, including a safety critical European GNSS engine, liability critical European GNSS engine, Commercial Service user terminal, Open Service authentication user terminals and a timing receiver for critical infrastructure.

Major benefits to users

According to the Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG Growth) Project Officer, Service Provision and Exploitation Ignacio Fernandez Hernandez, 6% of EU gross domestic product (GDP) – worth EUR 80 billion – relies on satellite navigation. Hence, an increased reliability and trustworthiness of position and timing information is critical. 

“The proposed Galileo authenticated services will provide major benefits to users at a very low additional cost to the programme,” he said. Galileo will start to transmit the Open Service Navigation Message Authentication (NMA) as of 2018, and it will be included in the full operational capability in 2020. “NMA capability can be added to receivers with low impact and no reduction in performance,” added Hernandez. “So authentication can be a reality, providing a service that is useful and helps protect the global GNSS village.”

The Galileo Commercial Service recently underwent the first authentication test of the Galileo E6 signal, which demonstrated low levels of error. The next step is a full demonstration using simulated testing environments at the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC). Once a robust Signal in Space is available, real environment testing will take place to characterise performance in both adversarial and non-adversarial conditions.

Update from the US

On the US side of the equation no civil signal authentication is currently available via GPS and, according to Director of the US National Coordination Office for Space-Based Positioning, Navigation and Timing Harold Martin, there are no plans to change this in the next generation GPSIII. Martin did note, however, that the US remains interested in EU developments in this area and continues to explore possibilities for future authentication, possibly via a WAAS data channel.

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).

When it comes to GNSS, authentication is one of the most important topics. At the 13th Munich Satellite Navigation Summit, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) discussed authentication within the framework of Galileo.

GNSS applications are vulnerable to both voluntary and involuntary interferences, meaning that providing at least some level of authentication is a complex task. To address this important topic, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) recently participated in a dedicated session on GNSS authentication services – and in particular Galileo’s authentication capabilities – as part of the Munich Satellite Navigation Summit.

GSA Market Development Officer Reinhard Blasi discussed the different levels of authentication in Galileo’s Open, Commercial and PRS services – all of which will soon be available. In particular he stressed the authentication capabilities of the Galileo Open Service and Commercial Service, a unique feature that only the Galileo constellation can provide. “These are complementary services catering to differentiated market with specific needs for certain level of authentication,” he said. “Based on a recent consultation with industry, we know that authentication is a feature they are willing to implement and the GSA is supporting its implementation in order to add value to the various value chains and markets.”

An example of this support is the GSA’s Fundamental Elements programme, a new research and development funding mechanism supporting the development of chipsets and receivers. The programme will run through 2020 and has a projected budget of EUR 100 million. The main objective of the initiative is to facilitate the development of such fundamental elements as Galileo-enabled chipsets and receivers. Already several projects covering authentication have received funding, including a safety critical European GNSS engine, liability critical European GNSS engine, Commercial Service user terminal, Open Service authentication user terminals and a timing receiver for critical infrastructure.

Major benefits to users

According to the Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG Growth) Project Officer, Service Provision and Exploitation Ignacio Fernandez Hernandez, 6% of EU gross domestic product (GDP) – worth EUR 80 billion – relies on satellite navigation. Hence, an increased reliability and trustworthiness of position and timing information is critical. 

“The proposed Galileo authenticated services will provide major benefits to users at a very low additional cost to the programme,” he said. Galileo will start to transmit the Open Service Navigation Message Authentication (NMA) as of 2018, and it will be included in the full operational capability in 2020. “NMA capability can be added to receivers with low impact and no reduction in performance,” added Hernandez. “So authentication can be a reality, providing a service that is useful and helps protect the global GNSS village.”

The Galileo Commercial Service recently underwent the first authentication test of the Galileo E6 signal, which demonstrated low levels of error. The next step is a full demonstration using simulated testing environments at the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC). Once a robust Signal in Space is available, real environment testing will take place to characterise performance in both adversarial and non-adversarial conditions.

Update from the US

On the US side of the equation no civil signal authentication is currently available via GPS and, according to Director of the US National Coordination Office for Space-Based Positioning, Navigation and Timing Harold Martin, there are no plans to change this in the next generation GPSIII. Martin did note, however, that the US remains interested in EU developments in this area and continues to explore possibilities for future authentication, possibly via a WAAS data channel.

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).

When it comes to GNSS, authentication is one of the most important topics. At the 13th Munich Satellite Navigation Summit, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) discussed authentication within the framework of Galileo.

GNSS applications are vulnerable to both voluntary and involuntary interferences, meaning that providing at least some level of authentication is a complex task. To address this important topic, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) recently participated in a dedicated session on GNSS authentication services – and in particular Galileo’s authentication capabilities – as part of the Munich Satellite Navigation Summit.

GSA Market Development Officer Reinhard Blasi discussed the different levels of authentication in Galileo’s Open, Commercial and PRS services – all of which will soon be available. In particular he stressed the authentication capabilities of the Galileo Open Service and Commercial Service, a unique feature that only the Galileo constellation can provide. “These are complementary services catering to differentiated market with specific needs for certain level of authentication,” he said. “Based on a recent consultation with industry, we know that authentication is a feature they are willing to implement and the GSA is supporting its implementation in order to add value to the various value chains and markets.”

An example of this support is the GSA’s Fundamental Elements programme, a new research and development funding mechanism supporting the development of chipsets and receivers. The programme will run through 2020 and has a projected budget of EUR 100 million. The main objective of the initiative is to facilitate the development of such fundamental elements as Galileo-enabled chipsets and receivers. Already several projects covering authentication have received funding, including a safety critical European GNSS engine, liability critical European GNSS engine, Commercial Service user terminal, Open Service authentication user terminals and a timing receiver for critical infrastructure.

Major benefits to users

According to the Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG Growth) Project Officer, Service Provision and Exploitation Ignacio Fernandez Hernandez, 6% of EU gross domestic product (GDP) – worth EUR 80 billion – relies on satellite navigation. Hence, an increased reliability and trustworthiness of position and timing information is critical. 

“The proposed Galileo authenticated services will provide major benefits to users at a very low additional cost to the programme,” he said. Galileo will start to transmit the Open Service Navigation Message Authentication (NMA) as of 2018, and it will be included in the full operational capability in 2020. “NMA capability can be added to receivers with low impact and no reduction in performance,” added Hernandez. “So authentication can be a reality, providing a service that is useful and helps protect the global GNSS village.”

The Galileo Commercial Service recently underwent the first authentication test of the Galileo E6 signal, which demonstrated low levels of error. The next step is a full demonstration using simulated testing environments at the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC). Once a robust Signal in Space is available, real environment testing will take place to characterise performance in both adversarial and non-adversarial conditions.

Update from the US

On the US side of the equation no civil signal authentication is currently available via GPS and, according to Director of the US National Coordination Office for Space-Based Positioning, Navigation and Timing Harold Martin, there are no plans to change this in the next generation GPSIII. Martin did note, however, that the US remains interested in EU developments in this area and continues to explore possibilities for future authentication, possibly via a WAAS data channel.

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).

How can agriculture-focused organisations benefit from European satellite navigation and Earth observation information? You can get the answer to this and more on 1 June at a 1-day workshop on space solutions for feeding a growing population during the European Space Solutions conference.

By 2050, the world’s population is predicted to have increased by 2 billion, reaching a total population of 9 billion people. To cope with this reality, the agriculture industry must maximise the use of available resources. Precision agriculture, which uses satellite navigation to help increase crop yields and improve efficiency, will play an important role in this effort. In fact, the role of geospatial data, Earth observation and positioning as applied to agriculture has been brought to the forefront by the 2015 United Nations Millennium Development Goals Report.

According to the report, Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) such as Galileo, the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS), along with Earth observation programmes like Copernicus, are not only helpful in boosting agribusiness productivity, but are also key to achieving the kind of food production necessary to sustain the planet’s growing population. Furthermore, these programmes support the implementation of various EU agricultural policies – particularly with regards to market transparency, control and evaluation of direct payments, and the establishment of an improved common agricultural policy (CAP). 

An array of applications

As European and worldwide farmers’ needs have become increasingly sophisticated, they were early adopters of 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 positioning applications can be used to guide a tractor around a field and minimise the effort exerted by a farmer. More so, Earth observation satellites provide imagery of agricultural fields, along with radar, topographical and altimetry information. The results are an increase in efficiency and a decrease in labour costs. EGNOS especially can be used to help farmers enhance crop management and improve position-based tasks like spraying insecticides and pesticides and harvesting crops. In turn, this increases yields and helps provide the world with a much-needed food supply.

    Read more: EGNOS for agriculture

The crop insurance industry can also benefit from positioning and earth observation tools, as the technology creates better models to predict weather patterns and determine crop yields. With this information, crop insurance companies can set predictable rates and mange profits.

As precision agriculture technology becomes more widely available, farmers are demanding advanced applications of satellite technology and are looking for entire farm management solutions. In other words, farmers want technology that allows them to make better decisions and secure more predictable outcomes. To meet this demand, an array of European GNSS Agency (GSA)-supported applications and services are already being developed, enabling business opportunities for companies. For example, the H2020 project GeoPal provides an advanced logistics system for the harvesting and distribution functions of bio-related supply chains. The CLAAS Group has developed GeoPal into a field-route optimisation system that optimises working passes for every field and accurately forecasts the required processing time – resulting in an average cost reduction of 6%.  Another example comes from the Mistrale project, which seeks to provide soil moisture maps using GNSS reflectometry, helping farmers maximise water efficiency.

Another company benefiting from GNSS technology is AGCO, which currently uses EGNOS – and soon Galileo – for precision mapping for harvest yield. Farmnet 365 also uses EGNOS in its food traceability technology, which currently saves 5 % of working time for farmers and EUR 10-15 per hectare.

Ample opportunities

This cutting-edge technology has grabbed the attention of businesses, industry, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs around Europe and beyond, looking to secure a share of this growing market. According to the latest edition of the GSA GNSS market report, from 2013 to 2023, annual shipments of GNSS devices are expected to increase fivefold – up to almost 1.2 million units worldwide. Overall, GNSS penetration is foreseen to experience a steady increase over the next decade, reaching 50 % by 2023. Specifically, variable rate technologies will progressively gain momentum, with revenues increasing from EUR 135 million in 2013 to EUR 723 million in 2023. Likewise, revenues from asset management will grow from EUR 11 million in 2013 to EUR 102 million by 2023. Of the total revenue associated with the agriculture sector, automatic steering will generate the largest share and remain the most expansive application in terms of average price per device. 

In summary, the GNSS market as it applies to agriculture represents a massive opportunity for European businesses, SMEs and entrepreneurs. To help European industry better understand – and access – this lucrative market, the European Commission and the GSA, under the auspices of the Dutch Council Presidency, are organising a special session on GNSS and agriculture as part of the European Space Solutions Conference.

Register today!

The Agriculture and Food Focus Session will address a wide range of applications for agriculture companies, including crop and soil monitoring, production forecasting, and land and irrigation management. The session will cover both state-of-the-art solutions and the latest research and development (R&D) innovations, with the objective of further promoting dialogue between the agribusiness and space sectors, with a focus on highlighting the many opportunities available for European businesses.

Users from both the public and private domains will be present, including speakers from the European Commission, European agriculture associations, the GSA, European and non-European agri-businesses and equipment manufacturers, including the CLAAS Group, Ariespace s.r.l. and Copa Cogeca, among others. The workshop will discuss the use of Galileo, EGNOS and Copernicus in such arenas as crop classification, CAP, logistics and land monitoring – among others. A round table discussion is an integrative part of the day, addressing the needs of agriculture businesses and how they can benefit from the EU space solutions.

The all-day workshop will take place on 1 June 2016 as part of the European Space Solutions Conference in The Hague, The Netherlands. To ensure your business doesn’t miss out on this unique opportunity to get first-hand insights into how space offers real solutions to agriculture and food production, secure your place by registering today.

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 2 June, the 2016 European Space Solutions event features a workshop on how the health and safety sectors can benefit from European satellite navigation and Earth observation information.

Space solutions can play a significant role in addressing a number of key health and safety-related challenges currently facing society. From emergency caller location to the monitoring of elderly patients, European global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) and Earth observation programmes, including Galileo, the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) and Copernicus, are already having a substantial impact on our health and safety – and their role will only increase in the near future.  

An array of applications

In the field of health and safety, space technology has the potential to usher in paradigm shifts in prevention and independence, improving the management of health conditions, meeting the needs of an ageing population and improving environmental conditions for the well-being of society. Examples of space-derived applications for this sector include emergency-caller location, search and rescue operations, disaster management, telemedicine, guidance for the visually and physically impaired, and patient monitoring and management.

The H&S session foresees an opening keynote speaker from ARM, the multinational semiconductor and software design company listed in top 10 innovation companies in the world, to set the tone of the session and present a vision of the future solutions of geolocation in healthcare. The first part of the session will feature consumer applications for sports, fitness, ageing well and healthcare. The silver economy and solutions for location-aware assisted living will be some of the topics covered. Top level experts from STMicro representing the chipset industry, leading IT solution provider Comarch and device supplier Tom Tom as well as other innovative SMEs will share their perspective on this promising and dynamic industry.

In the second part the focus will be put on emergency response and disaster management applications. The important role of Galileo in the e112 initiative, EGNOS in emergency operations and Copernicus as part of solutions for emergency management services will be showcased. This part will serve as a prelude to the afternoon workshop on Galileo Search and Rescue which will bring together beacon manufacturers and other industrial and research players involved in SAR operations.

Register today!

The dynamic market of healthcare and safety is opening a huge opportunity for European businesses, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs, thanks also to Space solutions. To help European industry better understand – and access – this fast growing market, the European Commission and the European GNSS Agency (GSA), under the auspices of the Dutch Council Presidency, are organising a special session on GNSS and health and safety as part of the European Space Solutions Conference.

The workshop will take place on 2 June 2016 as part of the European Space Solutions Conference in The Hague, The Netherlands. To ensure your business doesn’t miss out on this unique opportunity to get first-hand insights into how space offers real solutions to the health and safety sector, secure your place by registering today.

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 raise awareness of the integral role that Galileo plays in the Internet of Things, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) announces its IoT solutions empowered by GNSS award. Apply today!

The Internet of Things (IoT) is everywhere. It’s connecting your personal cell phone, tablet computer and PC, and it’s making roads, signage and appliances smarter. In every sector of the economy, IoT is enabling objects to exchange data with manufacturers, operators and other devices – creating a vast integrated network of connected things and services that is expected to surpass 50 billion by 2020.

Global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), including Galileo, play a key role in the Internet of Things, providing the positioning, velocity and timing information required by an increasing number of context-aware applications. However, despite this important contribution to IoT, the role of GNSS is often downplayed as an element within smart applications. 

Innovation wanted

To raise awareness of the integral role that GNSS plays in IoT and to ensure that European GNSS programmes are considered important players in this potentially massive global market, the GSA is sponsoring the IoT Solutions empowered by GNSS award – part of the 2016 Geo IoT Awards.  

“Galileo brings IoT better accuracy and availability due to its signal strength in such difficult environments as in the city, as well as an authenticated open signal,” says GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides. “With this award, the GSA is looking for the most innovative IoT applications that rely on GNSS and leverage the enhanced possibilities offered by Galileo.”

Whether you operate in the automotive sector, or in consumer electronics, smart cities, public transport, manufacturing, supply chain logistics, retail, leisure or healthcare, submit your innovative idea today.

The tailored support you need

The IoT Solutions empowered by GNSS award is specifically designed to take your innovative IoT idea to the next level. The award consists of an incubation period tailored around the needs and maturity of the winning idea. The award winner can expect:

• Tailored support such as: market analysis, business strategy and business plan development, resource mobilisation strategy and international positioning.
• Networking opportunities with industry and investors, investor relations and investor scouting.
• Access to a dedicated team of GSA-accredited consultants and coaches, along with an extensive network of industry and institutions, all specialised in the GEO IoT market.
• Promotion and visibility opportunities, including during the 25 May award ceremony.

Actual support provided depends on actual needs, with the ultimate objective of taking the project to market.

The details

The GSA’s IoT solutions empowered by GNSS award is part of the Geo IoT World Awards, which are open to all participants and celebrate innovation and innovators in geo-aware technologies. The objective of the award is to promote the development of applications that both create demand for Galileo and provide direct economic and social benefits to European society. As such, the GSA is looking for innovative ideas for IoT applications aligned with the evolving needs of the end-users. More information on the evaluation criteria can be found here.

All submissions must be received by 14 May 2016.

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 raise awareness of the integral role that Galileo plays in the Internet of Things, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) announces its IoT solutions empowered by GNSS award. Apply today!

The Internet of Things (IoT) is everywhere. It’s connecting your personal cell phone, tablet computer and PC, and it’s making roads, signage and appliances smarter. In every sector of the economy, IoT is enabling objects to exchange data with manufacturers, operators and other devices – creating a vast integrated network of connected things and services that is expected to surpass 50 billion by 2020.

Global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), including Galileo, play a key role in the Internet of Things, providing the positioning, velocity and timing information required by an increasing number of context-aware applications. However, despite this important contribution to IoT, the role of GNSS is often downplayed as an element within smart applications. 

Innovation wanted

To raise awareness of the integral role that GNSS plays in IoT and to ensure that European GNSS programmes are considered important players in this potentially massive global market, the GSA is sponsoring the IoT Solutions empowered by GNSS award – part of the 2016 Geo IoT Awards.  

“Galileo brings IoT better accuracy and availability due to its signal strength in such difficult environments as in the city, as well as an authenticated open signal,” says GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides. “With this award, the GSA is looking for the most innovative IoT applications that rely on GNSS and leverage the enhanced possibilities offered by Galileo.”

Whether you operate in the automotive sector, or in consumer electronics, smart cities, public transport, manufacturing, supply chain logistics, retail, leisure or healthcare, submit your innovative idea today.

The tailored support you need

The IoT Solutions empowered by GNSS award is specifically designed to take your innovative IoT idea to the next level. The award consists of an incubation period tailored around the needs and maturity of the winning idea. The award winner can expect:

• Tailored support such as: market analysis, business strategy and business plan development, resource mobilisation strategy and international positioning.
• Networking opportunities with industry and investors, investor relations and investor scouting.
• Access to a dedicated team of GSA-accredited consultants and coaches, along with an extensive network of industry and institutions, all specialised in the GEO IoT market.
• Promotion and visibility opportunities, including during the 25 May award ceremony.

Actual support provided depends on actual needs, with the ultimate objective of taking the project to market.

The details

The GSA’s IoT solutions empowered by GNSS award is part of the Geo IoT World Awards, which are open to all participants and celebrate innovation and innovators in geo-aware technologies. The objective of the award is to promote the development of applications that both create demand for Galileo and provide direct economic and social benefits to European society. As such, the GSA is looking for innovative ideas for IoT applications aligned with the evolving needs of the end-users. More information on the evaluation criteria can be found here.

All submissions must be received by 5 May 2016.

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).

At the 13th Munich Satellite Navigation Summit, the European GNSS Agency (GSA joined in to debate three of the hottest issues: GNSS timing services, Galileo’s unique Public Regulated Service (PRS) and GNSS for autonomous vehicles.

The timing services supplied by GNSS are an increasingly important, but often unrecognised, part of today’s modern infrastructure. This is because the vital role of space-based timing is only exposed when it fails. To shed some light on just how important these services are, this year the Munich Satellite Summit’s legal session focused on the timing aspects of GNSS.

“Many sophisticated timing applications rely on GNSS signals,” said BHO legal partner Dr Oliver Heinrich. “However, they tend to be taken for granted and are only noticed when things go wrong, such as what happened on 26 January when a software upload to GPS satellites induced a 13 millisecond misalignment – a small difference that had a big global impact.”

         Also read: EGNOS protects GNSS timing

According to Meinberg Funkuhren GmbH & Co.’s managing director Heiko Gerstung, this glitch caused Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers to exhibit different and unwanted behaviour that led to a loss of synchronisation across a number of systems, including power grids and financial markets. Although the issue was quickly detected and resolved in a few hours, it nonetheless had a real global impact, with numerous digital TV and radio networks failing and some financial customers reporting issues. “Trust is good, reality checks and consistency checks are better,” said Gerstung. “Back-up reference sources are important for [these] highly critical systems.”

The Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG Growth) Deputy Head of Unit, Galileo and EGNOS – Applications and Security, Christoph Kautz, noted a number of other events that demonstrate the critical nature of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) timing. “Reliance on GNSS timing will only increase as smarter power grids are developed and more sophisticated mobile communication networks, such as 5G, are deployed in support of the Internet of Things and other sensor networks,” he said. “All of these will require more and better synchronisation.”

As part of the new Space Strategy for Europe, a Galileo roadmap will identify possible measures to support market uptake by the EU economy in all areas, including timing. “This will be a strategic approach based on a set of technical, sector-based initiatives that are selected for maximum impact,” said Kautz. 

Diamond service?

Another area where Galileo is likely to have maximum impact is the Public Regulated Service (PRS). The PRS will provide a robust and encrypted positioning and timing capability restricted to governmental authorised users. Speaking at the event, DG Growth Head of Unit, Galileo Directorate Philippe Jean described the service and the access control mechanisms that will minimise interfering threats and so offer continuity of service in times of crisis. “The PRS signal structure has better resilience to jamming and interference,” he said. Jean also said that the Member States and the Commission are considering how to allow secure access to PRS by third-party countries.

         Read also: 2016 – the Year of Galileo

“Active contributions from all the different stakeholders involved in PRS is required to ensure delivery of service to authorised users,” added GSA PRS Officer Marco Detratti. “Competent PRS authorities (CPAs) are being established at the national level, but to build trust, the system and equipment must deliver a truly robust service that grants unlimited and uninterrupted access worldwide.”

Every Member State that uses PRS must establish a CPA. According to French Competent PRS Authority Colonel Philippe Bertrand, the French CPA is part of an inter-ministerial department for defence and security. The legal decree to regulate PRS in France is in development, and he believes there is no doubt that the PRS community will come when PRS is available. “PRS is a diamond – a beautiful object – when it meets performances continuously and worldwide,” he concluded.

The German perspective came from Kai Herrmann from the German CPA, who agreed that PRS is a key technology for the digital society. He noted that Germany was collaborating with Sweden to prepare an area to demonstrate PRS. Salvatore Viviano of the Agenzia Spaziale Italiana added that Italy is committed to providing PRS users with effective access control and a high level of service continuity. He also promised manufacturers support for production and export of receivers and other equipment.

Perhaps the most enthusiastic promoter of PRS at the Summit was UK Space Agency Head of Galileo Policy Imogen Ormerod. “PRS is unique: the ability to have confidence in the signal is ground breaking,” she said. “If done right, PRS has unique and unchallenged potential and the opportunity to be the jewel in Galileo’s crown.” She further noted that although the future market will be extensive as there is no real competition, the provision of timely initial services will be key.

GNSS driving autonomy?

Speaking at a session completely dedicated to autonomous vehicles, GSA Head of Market Development Gian-Gherardo Calini said that accurate and reliable positioning information is a clear enabler for autonomous vehicles. “With its dual frequencies, better reliability and ability to cope with multi-path characteristics in urban environments, Galileo could be a big differentiator in this potentially huge market,” he said.

However, implementing the technologies is challenging. For example, according to Centro Ricerche Fiat Programme Manager Luisa Andreone, the higher you moved up the automation levels in vehicles, the more accurate the positioning requirements are. Other key elements are signal availability, integrity, affordability and regulations. Furthermore, complementary techniques for positioning are also important. According to the ISMB Head of Research Area, Multi-Layer Wireless Solutions, Dr Riccardo Scopigno, more precise, absolute and authenticated position data is needed at higher levels of automation. He is confident, however, that this can be obtained using Galileo signals in an intelligent data fusion with information from other sensor systems.

BASELABS GmbH project specialist and GNSS researcher Marcus Obst agreed, saying that integration of data reduced ambiguities and allowed the definition of robust and safe autonomous processes. Magneti Marelli S.p.A. professional expert Evaldo Bruci added that precise positioning must work hand-in-hand with image processing and also with accurate maps. He estimated that to achieve reliable and safe autonomous driving, a minimum of 20-centimetre position accuracy was needed. In addition, technical solutions for mass-market implementation must not significantly add to the current cost of a vehicle.

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 3 June, the 2016 European Space Solutions event features a workshop on how the energy sector can benefit from European satellite navigation and Earth observation information.

Energy – and in particular sustainable energy – is one of the most challenging topics of our time. Questions such as ‘how can we realise a sustainable energy system within the constraints of climate change and increasing resource scarcity?’ and ‘how can we accomplish the transition to a low-carbon economy?’ have no easy answers. Furthermore, the ongoing transition to sustainable energy involves a large number of stakeholders, users and providers, all coming to the table from a variety of disciplines, which makes finding an agreeable solution all the more challenging.

Space solutions can play a significant role in addressing a number of these energy-related challenges. From providing data and better understanding regional and global conditions to influencing smart grids, transmitting electricity and protecting critical infrastructure, the European global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) and Earth observation programmes, including Galileo, the European Geostationary Navigational Overlay Service (EGNOS) and Copernicus, are already having a substantial impact on energy production, transportation and conservation.

An array of applications

In the field of energy, space technology has the potential to have a substantial impact. Already Earth observation and satellite navigation applications are aiding energy supply and management professionals and users in consumer-orientated markets in promoting products and services. For example, the Horizon 2020-funded EASY PV project is using GNSS to address the growing need for photovoltaic (PV) field owners to enhance the energy production of their plants. The project is building an automatic system for acquiring, geo-referencing and processing both visible and thermal images captured by a remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) equipped with a Galileo/EGNOS high-accuracy receiver flying over a PV field – making it possible to easily detect and replace defective modules.

Likewise, the LARA project is using state-of-the-art GNSS technologies and interactive computer graphics to allow utility workers to ‘see’ 3D models of underground water, gas and electric grids – with no random digging required. With such precise information available from a mobile, hand-held device, maintenance costs are reduced, as well as the economic, social and environmental implications of lengthy service.

Register today!

As a significant share of the energy market involves GNSS applications and services such as the ones highlighted here, there is a huge opportunity for European businesses, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs. To help European industry better understand – and access – this lucrative market, the European Commission and the European GNSS Agency (GSA), under the auspices of the Dutch Council Presidency, are organising a special session on GNSS and energy as part of the European Space Solutions Conference. 

The Energy Focus Session is a unique opportunity to hear first-hand about the role of GNSS within this dynamic sector. Topics include renewable energy technologies, early-warning systems and risk management, tools for impact assessment and monitoring, using Earth observation to maintain offshore wind farms, satellite-based plant monitoring and GNSS-based timing for power grids – among others.

Users from both public and private sectors will be present, including speakers from the European Union, national energy agencies and organisations, the GSA, and a range of various research institutions and related businesses. The workshop will take place on 3 June 2016 as part of the European Space Solutions Conference in The Hague, The Netherlands. To ensure your business doesn’t miss out on this unique opportunity to get first-hand insights into how space offers real solutions to the energy sector, secure your place by registering today.

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 3 June, the 2016 European Space Solutions event features a workshop on how the energy sector can benefit from European satellite navigation and Earth observation information.

Energy – and in particular sustainable energy – is one of the most challenging topics of our time. Questions such as ‘how can we realise a sustainable energy system within the constraints of climate change and increasing resource scarcity?’ and ‘how can we accomplish the transition to a low-carbon economy?’ have no easy answers. Furthermore, the ongoing transition to sustainable energy involves a large number of stakeholders, users and providers, all coming to the table from a variety of disciplines, which makes finding an agreeable solution all the more challenging.

Space solutions can play a significant role in addressing a number of these energy-related challenges. From providing data and better understanding regional and global conditions to influencing smart grids, transmitting electricity and protecting critical infrastructure, the European global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) and Earth observation programmes, including Galileo, the European Geostationary Navigational Overlay Service (EGNOS) and Copernicus, are already having a substantial impact on energy production, transportation and conservation.

An array of applications

In the field of energy, space technology has the potential to have a substantial impact. Already Earth observation and satellite navigation applications are aiding energy supply and management professionals and users in consumer-orientated markets in promoting products and services. For example, the Horizon 2020-funded EASY PV project is using GNSS to address the growing need for photovoltaic (PV) field owners to enhance the energy production of their plants. The project is building an automatic system for acquiring, geo-referencing and processing both visible and thermal images captured by a remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) equipped with a Galileo/EGNOS high-accuracy receiver flying over a PV field – making it possible to easily detect and replace defective modules.

Likewise, the LARA project is using state-of-the-art GNSS technologies and interactive computer graphics to allow utility workers to ‘see’ 3D models of underground water, gas and electric grids – with no random digging required. With such precise information available from a mobile, hand-held device, maintenance costs are reduced, as well as the economic, social and environmental implications of lengthy service.

Register today!

As a significant share of the energy market involves GNSS applications and services such as the ones highlighted here, there is a huge opportunity for European businesses, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs. To help European industry better understand – and access – this lucrative market, the European Commission and the European GNSS Agency (GSA), under the auspices of the Dutch Council Presidency, are organising a special session on GNSS and energy as part of the European Space Solutions Conference. 

The Energy Focus Session is a unique opportunity to hear first-hand about the role of GNSS within this dynamic sector. Topics include renewable energy technologies, early-warning systems and risk management, tools for impact assessment and monitoring, using Earth observation to maintain offshore wind farms, satellite-based plant monitoring and GNSS-based timing for power grids – among others.

Users from both public and private sectors will be present, including speakers from the European Union, national energy agencies and organisations, the GSA, and a range of various research institutions and related businesses. The workshop will take place on 3 June 2016 as part of the European Space Solutions Conference in The Hague, The Netherlands. To ensure your business doesn’t miss out on this unique opportunity to get first-hand insights into how space offers real solutions to the energy sector, secure your place by registering today.

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 3 June, the 2016 European Space Solutions event features a workshop on how river deltas and related areas can benefit from European satellite navigation and Earth observation information.

There’s a lot happening at the world’s busy river deltas. On the one hand, these areas are hotspots for trade, industry, agriculture and urbanisation. On the other hand, they often exhibit both a high level of biodiversity and a fragile ecosystem. As the sea and waterways continue to serve as a popular mode of transporting goods around the world, to accommodate this traffic river deltas are often characterised by rapid development that, because of their fragile ecosystems, leads to flooding, land subsidence and environmental degradation. Trying to balance the need to protect the environment while maintaining the utility of river deltas is an ongoing challenge.

Space solutions can play a significant role in addressing a number of these specific river delta challenges. From providing interoperability across navigational areas and corresponding positioning, to monitoring land erosion and pollution, detecting illegal discharge and tracking environmental emergencies such as floods or oil spills, European global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) and Earth observation programmes, including Galileo, the European Geostationary Navigational Overlay Service (EGNOS) and Copernicus, are already having a substantial impact on the development and management of Europe’s river deltas.

An array of applications

When it comes to river deltas, space technology has the potential to have a substantial impact. Already, Earth observation and satellite navigation applications are aiding an array of activities happening in these unique areas. For example, the Horizon 2020-funded spyGLASS project is developing a Passive Bistatic Radar (PBR) based on Galileo transmissions for maritime surveillance.  The use of existing transmissions for PBR applications is already becoming increasingly popular due to their low costs, covert operation and minimal level of pollution – benefits that will all be enhanced with the addition of Galileo. 

Likewise, the Mobile Underwater Positioning System (MUPS), winner of the DLR Special Prize at the 2015 European Satellite Navigation Competition, is using GNSS to explore the bottoms of lakes, seas and oceans. The system aids in discovering what is hidden in the depths of water reservoirs by supporting navigation and positioning. Based on GNSS signals and pseudolites with transmitters of modulated acoustic signals, MUPS makes it possible to determine the position of submerged objects. More so, unlike existing systems, MUPS is completely mobile, thus enabling users to change areas without any problem – an ideal feature for divers, environmentalists, archaeologists, marine engineers, researchers, submarines and anyone else working at the bottom of water reservoirs.

Register today!

As a significant share of the business and activities happening around Europe’s river deltas involves GNSS applications and services, such as the ones highlighted here, there is a huge opportunity for European businesses, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs. To help European industry better understand – and access – this lucrative market, the European Commission and the European GNSS Agency (GSA), under the auspices of the Dutch Council Presidency, are organising a special session on GNSS and river deltas as part of the European Space Solutions Conference. 

The River Deltas Focus Session is a unique opportunity to hear first-hand about the role of GNSS within this dynamic sector. Topics include river observation, the latest in international waterway policy, using Earth observation to maintain large river deltas, case studies from the Netherlands and Venice, underwater positioning, river traffic surveillance and soil moisture observations – among others.

Users from both the public and private sectors will be present, including speakers from the European Union, national river and waterway agencies and organisations, the GSA, and a range of various research institutions and related businesses. The workshop will take place on 3 June 2016 as part of the European Space Solutions Conference in The Hague, The Netherlands. To ensure your business doesn’t miss out on this unique opportunity to get first-hand insights into how space offers real solutions to river deltas, secure your place by registering today.

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 3 June, the 2016 European Space Solutions event features a workshop on how river deltas and related areas can benefit from European satellite navigation and Earth observation information.

There’s a lot happening at the world’s busy river deltas. On the one hand, these areas are hotspots for trade, industry, agriculture and urbanisation. On the other hand, they often exhibit both a high level of biodiversity and a fragile ecosystem. As the sea and waterways continue to serve as a popular mode of transporting goods around the world, to accommodate this traffic river deltas are often characterised by rapid development that, because of their fragile ecosystems, leads to flooding, land subsidence and environmental degradation. Trying to balance the need to protect the environment while maintaining the utility of river deltas is an ongoing challenge.

Space solutions can play a significant role in addressing a number of these specific river delta challenges. From providing interoperability across navigational areas and corresponding positioning, to monitoring land erosion and pollution, detecting illegal discharge and tracking environmental emergencies such as floods or oil spills, European global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) and Earth observation programmes, including Galileo, the European Geostationary Navigational Overlay Service (EGNOS) and Copernicus, are already having a substantial impact on the development and management of Europe’s river deltas.

An array of applications

When it comes to river deltas, space technology has the potential to have a substantial impact. Already, Earth observation and satellite navigation applications are aiding an array of activities happening in these unique areas. For example, the Horizon 2020-funded spyGLASS project is developing a Passive Bistatic Radar (PBR) based on Galileo transmissions for maritime surveillance.  The use of existing transmissions for PBR applications is already becoming increasingly popular due to their low costs, covert operation and minimal level of pollution – benefits that will all be enhanced with the addition of Galileo. 

Likewise, the Mobile Underwater Positioning System (MUPS), winner of the DLR Special Prize at the 2015 European Satellite Navigation Competition, is using GNSS to explore the bottoms of lakes, seas and oceans. The system aids in discovering what is hidden in the depths of water reservoirs by supporting navigation and positioning. Based on GNSS signals and pseudolites with transmitters of modulated acoustic signals, MUPS makes it possible to determine the position of submerged objects. More so, unlike existing systems, MUPS is completely mobile, thus enabling users to change areas without any problem – an ideal feature for divers, environmentalists, archaeologists, marine engineers, researchers, submarines and anyone else working at the bottom of water reservoirs.

Register today!

As a significant share of the business and activities happening around Europe’s river deltas involves GNSS applications and services, such as the ones highlighted here, there is a huge opportunity for European businesses, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs. To help European industry better understand – and access – this lucrative market, the European Commission and the European GNSS Agency (GSA), under the auspices of the Dutch Council Presidency, are organising a special session on GNSS and river deltas as part of the European Space Solutions Conference. 

The River Deltas Focus Session is a unique opportunity to hear first-hand about the role of GNSS within this dynamic sector. Topics include river observation, the latest in international waterway policy, using Earth observation to maintain large river deltas, case studies from the Netherlands and Venice, underwater positioning, river traffic surveillance and soil moisture observations – among others.

Users from both the public and private sectors will be present, including speakers from the European Union, national river and waterway agencies and organisations, the GSA, and a range of various research institutions and related businesses. The workshop will take place on 3 June 2016 as part of the European Space Solutions Conference in The Hague, The Netherlands. To ensure your business doesn’t miss out on this unique opportunity to get first-hand insights into how space offers real solutions to river deltas, secure your place by registering today.

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).

There’s a lot happening at the world’s busy river deltas. On the one hand, these areas are hotspots for trade, industry, agriculture and urbanisation. On the other hand, they often exhibit both a high level of biodiversity and a fragile ecosystem. As the sea and waterways continue to serve as a popular mode of transporting goods around the world, to accommodate this traffic river deltas are often characterised by rapid development that, because of their fragile ecosystems, leads to flooding, land subsidence and environmental degradation. Trying to balance the need to protect the environment while maintaining the utility of river deltas is an ongoing challenge.

Space solutions can play a significant role in addressing a number of these specific river delta challenges. From providing interoperability across navigational areas and corresponding positioning, to monitoring land erosion and pollution, detecting illegal discharge and tracking environmental emergencies such as floods or oil spills, European global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) and Earth observation programmes, including Galileo, the European Geostationary Navigational Overlay Service (EGNOS) and Copernicus, are already having a substantial impact on the development and management of Europe’s river deltas.

An array of applications

When it comes to river deltas, space technology has the potential to have a substantial impact. Already, Earth observation and satellite navigation applications are aiding an array of activities happening in these unique areas. For example, the Horizon 2020-funded spyGLASS project is developing a Passive Bistatic Radar (PBR) based on Galileo transmissions for maritime surveillance.  The use of existing transmissions for PBR applications is already becoming increasingly popular due to their low costs, covert operation and minimal level of pollution – benefits that will all be enhanced with the addition of Galileo. 

Likewise, the Mobile Underwater Positioning System (MUPS), winner of the DLR Special Prize at the 2015 European Satellite Navigation Competition, is using GNSS to explore the bottoms of lakes, seas and oceans. The system aids in discovering what is hidden in the depths of water reservoirs by supporting navigation and positioning. Based on GNSS signals and pseudolites with transmitters of modulated acoustic signals, MUPS makes it possible to determine the position of submerged objects. More so, unlike existing systems, MUPS is completely mobile, thus enabling users to change areas without any problem – an ideal feature for divers, environmentalists, archaeologists, marine engineers, researchers, submarines and anyone else working at the bottom of water reservoirs.

Register today!

As a significant share of the business and activities happening around Europe’s river deltas involves GNSS applications and services, such as the ones highlighted here, there is a huge opportunity for European businesses, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs. To help European industry better understand – and access – this lucrative market, the European Commission and the European GNSS Agency (GSA), under the auspices of the Dutch Council Presidency, are organising a special session on GNSS and river deltas as part of the European Space Solutions Conference. 

The River Deltas Focus Session is a unique opportunity to hear first-hand about the role of GNSS within this dynamic sector. Topics include river observation, the latest in international waterway policy, using Earth observation to maintain large river deltas, case studies from the Netherlands and Venice, underwater positioning, river traffic surveillance and soil moisture observations – among others.

Users from both the public and private sectors will be present, including speakers from the European Union, national river and waterway agencies and organisations, the GSA, and a range of various research institutions and related businesses. The workshop will take place on 3 June 2016 as part of the European Space Solutions Conference in The Hague, The Netherlands. To ensure your business doesn’t miss out on this unique opportunity to get first-hand insights into how space offers real solutions to river deltas, secure your place by registering today.

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).

On 3 June, the 2016 European Space Solutions event features a workshop on how river deltas and related areas can benefit from European satellite navigation and Earth observation information.

There’s a lot happening at the world’s busy river deltas. On the one hand, these areas are hotspots for trade, industry, agriculture and urbanisation. On the other hand, they often exhibit both a high level of biodiversity and a fragile ecosystem. As the sea and waterways continue to serve as a popular mode of transporting goods around the world, to accommodate this traffic river deltas are often characterised by rapid development that, because of their fragile ecosystems, leads to flooding, land subsidence and environmental degradation. Trying to balance the need to protect the environment while maintaining the utility of river deltas is an ongoing challenge.

Space solutions can play a significant role in addressing a number of these specific river delta challenges. From providing interoperability across navigational areas and corresponding positioning, to monitoring land erosion and pollution, detecting illegal discharge and tracking environmental emergencies such as floods or oil spills, European global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) and Earth observation programmes, including Galileo, the European Geostationary Navigational Overlay Service (EGNOS) and Copernicus, are already having a substantial impact on the development and management of Europe’s river deltas.

An array of applications

When it comes to river deltas, space technology has the potential to have a substantial impact. Already, Earth observation and satellite navigation applications are aiding an array of activities happening in these unique areas. For example, the Horizon 2020-funded spyGLASS project is developing a Passive Bistatic Radar (PBR) based on Galileo transmissions for maritime surveillance.  The use of existing transmissions for PBR applications is already becoming increasingly popular due to their low costs, covert operation and minimal level of pollution – benefits that will all be enhanced with the addition of Galileo. 

Likewise, the Mobile Underwater Positioning System (MUPS), winner of the DLR Special Prize at the 2015 European Satellite Navigation Competition, is using GNSS to explore the bottoms of lakes, seas and oceans. The system aids in discovering what is hidden in the depths of water reservoirs by supporting navigation and positioning. Based on GNSS signals and pseudolites with transmitters of modulated acoustic signals, MUPS makes it possible to determine the position of submerged objects. More so, unlike existing systems, MUPS is completely mobile, thus enabling users to change areas without any problem – an ideal feature for divers, environmentalists, archaeologists, marine engineers, researchers, submarines and anyone else working at the bottom of water reservoirs.

Register today!

As a significant share of the business and activities happening around Europe’s river deltas involves GNSS applications and services, such as the ones highlighted here, there is a huge opportunity for European businesses, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs. To help European industry better understand – and access – this lucrative market, the European Commission and the European GNSS Agency (GSA), under the auspices of the Dutch Council Presidency, are organising a special session on GNSS and river deltas as part of the European Space Solutions Conference. 

The River Deltas Focus Session is a unique opportunity to hear first-hand about the role of GNSS within this dynamic sector. Topics include river observation, the latest in international waterway policy, using Earth observation to maintain large river deltas, case studies from the Netherlands and Venice, underwater positioning, river traffic surveillance and soil moisture observations – among others.

Users from both the public and private sectors will be present, including speakers from the European Union, national river and waterway agencies and organisations, the GSA, and a range of various research institutions and related businesses. The workshop will take place on 3 June 2016 as part of the European Space Solutions Conference in The Hague, The Netherlands. To ensure your business doesn’t miss out on this unique opportunity to get first-hand insights into how space offers real solutions to river deltas, secure your place by registering today.

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).

On 2 June, the 2016 European Space Solutions event features a 1-day workshop on how environment-focused businesses and organisations can benefit from European satellite navigation and Earth observation information.

One of the most pressing issues impacting every aspect of our lives is climate change and the environment. From individuals to businesses, public policy to academia, climate change is a multi-faceted challenge that demands global solutions.

Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and Earth observation technology, including Galileo, the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) and Copernicus, are poised to play a key role in creating sustainable solutions to climate change. For example, both Galileo and Copernicus use satellite signals and data to help develop a better understanding of climate change and environmental issues via the accurate observation and measurement of, for instance, the state of the oceans or the chemical composition of the atmosphere.

Ample opportunities

Many European businesses operating in fields of climate change and the environment are looking to secure a share of the massive GNSS global market. According to the latest edition of the GSA GNSS market report, in 2014 there were 3.6 billion GNSS devices in use around the world. By 2019, this is forecasted to increase to over 7 billion. Furthermore, the global core GNSS downstream market is forecasted to increase by 8.3 % annually between 2013 and 2019. In other words, this downstream market is expected to grow, on average, much faster than the forecasted global gross domestic product (GDP) during the same period.

The downstream industry is characterised by a few very large companies and a plethora of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with European companies accounting for one quarter of the global GNSS market.

A significant share of this market involves GNSS applications and services, addressing issues relating to climate change and the environment – thus presenting a huge opportunity for European businesses, SMEs and entrepreneurs. To help European industry better understand – and access – this lucrative market, the European Commission and the GSA, under the auspices of the Dutch Council Presidency are organising a special session on ‘Space Solutions for climate change and the environment’ as part of the European Space Solutions Conference.

Register today!

The Climate Change and Environment Focus Session will address satellite data, information products and services related to the environment, climate change and air quality, with a focus on the impact these programmes will have on end-users and the opportunities available for European businesses.

Users from both the public and private domains will be present, including speakers from the European Commission, national environmental agencies, the GSA, the European Space Agency (ESA), the European Environmental Agency (EEA), and a range of research institutions and related businesses. The workshop will discuss the use of Galileo, EGNOS and Copernicus in such arenas as the marine environment, atmospheric monitoring, air quality control and climate change, with a focus on the integration of space-based programmes with traditional ground-based measurements.

The all-day workshop will take place on 2 June 2016 as part of the European Space Solutions Conference in The Hague, The Netherlands. To ensure your business doesn’t miss out on this unique opportunity to get first-hand insights into how space offers real solutions to climate change and the environment, secure your place by registering today.

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 2 June, the 2016 European Space Solutions event features a 1-day workshop on how environment-focused businesses and organisations can benefit from European satellite navigation and Earth observation information.

One of the most pressing issues impacting every aspect of our lives is climate change and the environment. From individuals to businesses, public policy to academia, climate change is a multi-faceted challenge that demands global solutions.

Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and Earth observation technology, including Galileo, the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) and Copernicus, are poised to play a key role in creating sustainable solutions to climate change. For example, both Galileo and Copernicus use satellite signals and data to help develop a better understanding of climate change and environmental issues via the accurate observation and measurement of, for instance, the state of the oceans or the chemical composition of the atmosphere.

Ample opportunities

Many European businesses operating in fields of climate change and the environment are looking to secure a share of the massive GNSS global market. According to the latest edition of the GSA GNSS market report, in 2014 there were 3.6 billion GNSS devices in use around the world. By 2019, this is forecasted to increase to over 7 billion. Furthermore, the global core GNSS downstream market is forecasted to increase by 8.3 % annually between 2013 and 2019. In other words, this downstream market is expected to grow, on average, much faster than the forecasted global gross domestic product (GDP) during the same period.

The downstream industry is characterised by a few very large companies and a plethora of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with European companies accounting for one quarter of the global GNSS market.

A significant share of this market involves GNSS applications and services, addressing issues relating to climate change and the environment – thus presenting a huge opportunity for European businesses, SMEs and entrepreneurs. To help European industry better understand – and access – this lucrative market, the European Commission and the GSA, under the auspices of the Dutch Council Presidency are organising a special session on ‘Space Solutions for climate change and the environment’ as part of the European Space Solutions Conference.

Register today!

The Climate Change and Environment Focus Session will address satellite data, information products and services related to the environment, climate change and air quality, with a focus on the impact these programmes will have on end-users and the opportunities available for European businesses.

Users from both the public and private domains will be present, including speakers from the European Commission, national environmental agencies, the GSA, the European Space Agency (ESA), the European Environmental Agency (EEA), and a range of research institutions and related businesses. The workshop will discuss the use of Galileo, EGNOS and Copernicus in such arenas as the marine environment, atmospheric monitoring, air quality control and climate change, with a focus on the integration of space-based programmes with traditional ground-based measurements.

The all-day workshop will take place on 2 June 2016 as part of the European Space Solutions Conference in The Hague, The Netherlands. To ensure your business doesn’t miss out on this unique opportunity to get first-hand insights into how space offers real solutions to climate change and the environment, secure your place by registering today.

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 1 June, the 2016 European Space Solutions event features a 1-day workshop on how the road and traffic management sectors can benefit from European satellite navigation and Earth observation information.

Space and satellite navigation are key enablers for the delivery of the next generation of mobility – and European Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) offers the precision, robustness and reliability needed for autonomous and connected vehicles, fleet management and payment-related applications.

In fact, navigation is one of the most common ways that GNSS programmes such as Galileo, the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) and Copernicus can be used in smart mobility applications. For example, satellites help provide turn-by-turn information to drivers, cyclists and even pedestrians. They can be used in fleet management on-board units and road traffic monitoring services. GNSS also plays a critical role in providing smart emergency services, with Europe’s eCall system using GNSS to automatically communicate a vehicle’s exact location to emergency services whenever an accident occurs.

    Also read: GNSS applications in the road sector

Furthermore, the positioning data provided by liability applications are linked to legal and economic liabilities, including Road User Charging (RUC) and insurance telematics. Thanks to its flexibility, satellite navigation has become the preferred solution for electronic tolling, with countries like Germany, Slovakia, Switzerland and Hungary having already successfully implemented GNSS-based tolling schemes.

An array of applications

Many companies and projects are already developing GNSS-based applications to serve the growing demands for smart mobility solutions. For instance, the Horizon 2020-funded Saturn project  has demonstrated how the open basis availability of Earth observation (EO) data, combined with public or crowd-sourced GNSS-based transport data, can help urban and regional authorities implement more efficient transportation and urban planning. Also in the public transport domain, Kordis JMK, the operator of public transport in the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic, uses GNSS surveillance to guarantee passenger connections for those changing between different modes of transport.  Other innovative examples come from entrepreneurs like Geoimagine, whose network optimiser solution for fleet management uses mobile sensors to optimise itineraries to drive taxis towards areas with a higher potential number of clients depending on the time of day.   

As a relatively new phenomenon, autonomous and connected vehicles are positioning themselves as the way of the future. Major vehicle manufactures are already delivering autonomous cars with such connected driver services as weather reports, and accident and traffic warnings. As the sophistication of these applications increases, GNSS will play a substantial role in providing accurate information for these vehicles. For example, Galileo is set to provide an even stronger service that is more resistant to multipath interference in urban canyons and will provide an authenticated signal capable of detecting spoofing attacks.

Ample opportunities

With growing cities and increased public transport, it is clear that GNSS services will become more and more important, and applications such as these are looking to secure a share of the massive GNSS global market. According to the latest edition of the GSA GNSS market report, GNSS receivers and services will have an estimated core revenue of EUR 36 billion by 2018, showing that EGNOS and Galileo-related road applications are in demand and will assist in optimising mobility for years to come.

A significant share of this market involves GNSS applications and services addressing issues relating to smart mobility – thus presenting a huge opportunity for European businesses, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs. To help European industry better understand – and access – this lucrative market, the European Commission and the European GNSS Agency (GSA), under the auspices of the Dutch Council Presidency, are organising a special session on GNSS and smart mobility as part of the European Space Solutions Conference.

Register today!

The Smart Mobility Focus Session will address a wide range of applications for road and traffic management companies, including liability-critical applications, public transportation, smart cities and the driverless car. The session will highlight both state-of-the-art solutions and innovation, where the latest research and development (R&D) will demonstrate exciting ways in which space applications can influence the next generation of transport systems.  

Users from both the public and private domains will be present, including speakers from the European Commission, national transportation agencies, the GSA, and a range of various research institutions and related businesses, including Fiat automaker. The all-day workshop will take place on 1 June 2016 as part of the European Space Solutions Conference in The Hague, The Netherlands. To ensure your business doesn’t miss out on this unique opportunity to get first-hand insights into how space offers real solutions to road and traffic management, secure your place by registering today.

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 1 June, the 2016 European Space Solutions event features a 1-day workshop on how the road and traffic management sectors can benefit from European satellite navigation and Earth observation information.

Space and satellite navigation are key enablers for the delivery of the next generation of mobility – and European Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) offers the precision, robustness and reliability needed for autonomous and connected vehicles, fleet management and payment-related applications.

In fact, navigation is one of the most common ways that GNSS programmes such as Galileo, the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) and Copernicus can be used in smart mobility applications. For example, satellites help provide turn-by-turn information to drivers, cyclists and even pedestrians. They can be used in fleet management on-board units and road traffic monitoring services. GNSS also plays a critical role in providing smart emergency services, with Europe’s eCall system using GNSS to automatically communicate a vehicle’s exact location to emergency services whenever an accident occurs.

    Also read: GNSS applications in the road sector

Furthermore, the positioning data provided by liability applications are linked to legal and economic liabilities, including Road User Charging (RUC) and insurance telematics. Thanks to its flexibility, satellite navigation has become the preferred solution for electronic tolling, with countries like Germany, Slovakia, Switzerland and Hungary having already successfully implemented GNSS-based tolling schemes.

An array of applications

Many companies and projects are already developing GNSS-based applications to serve the growing demands for smart mobility solutions. For instance, the Horizon 2020-funded Saturn project  has demonstrated how the open basis availability of Earth observation (EO) data, combined with public or crowd-sourced GNSS-based transport data, can help urban and regional authorities implement more efficient transportation and urban planning. Also in the public transport domain, Kordis JMK, the operator of public transport in the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic, uses GNSS surveillance to guarantee passenger connections for those changing between different modes of transport.  Other innovative examples come from entrepreneurs like Geoimagine, whose network optimiser solution for fleet management uses mobile sensors to optimise itineraries to drive taxis towards areas with a higher potential number of clients depending on the time of day.   

As a relatively new phenomenon, autonomous and connected vehicles are positioning themselves as the way of the future. Major vehicle manufactures are already delivering autonomous cars with such connected driver services as weather reports, and accident and traffic warnings. As the sophistication of these applications increases, GNSS will play a substantial role in providing accurate information for these vehicles. For example, Galileo is set to provide an even stronger service that is more resistant to multipath interference in urban canyons and will provide an authenticated signal capable of detecting spoofing attacks.

Ample opportunities

With growing cities and increased public transport, it is clear that GNSS services will become more and more important, and applications such as these are looking to secure a share of the massive GNSS global market. According to the latest edition of the GSA GNSS market report, GNSS receivers and services will have an estimated core revenue of EUR 36 billion by 2018, showing that EGNOS and Galileo-related road applications are in demand and will assist in optimising mobility for years to come.

A significant share of this market involves GNSS applications and services addressing issues relating to smart mobility – thus presenting a huge opportunity for European businesses, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs. To help European industry better understand – and access – this lucrative market, the European Commission and the European GNSS Agency (GSA), under the auspices of the Dutch Council Presidency, are organising a special session on GNSS and smart mobility as part of the European Space Solutions Conference.

Register today!

The Smart Mobility Focus Session will address a wide range of applications for road and traffic management companies, including liability-critical applications, public transportation, smart cities and the driverless car. The session will highlight both state-of-the-art solutions and innovation, where the latest research and development (R&D) will demonstrate exciting ways in which space applications can influence the next generation of transport systems.  

Users from both the public and private domains will be present, including speakers from the European Commission, national transportation agencies, the GSA, and a range of various research institutions and related businesses, including Fiat automaker. The all-day workshop will take place on 1 June 2016 as part of the European Space Solutions Conference in The Hague, The Netherlands. To ensure your business doesn’t miss out on this unique opportunity to get first-hand insights into how space offers real solutions to road and traffic management, secure your place by registering today.

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 1 June, the 2016 European Space Solutions event features a 1-day workshop on how the road and traffic management sectors can benefit from European satellite navigation and Earth observation information.

Space and satellite navigation are key enablers for the delivery of the next generation of mobility – and European Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) offers the precision, robustness and reliability needed for autonomous and connected vehicles, fleet management and payment-related applications.

In fact, navigation is one of the most common ways that GNSS programmes such as Galileo, the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) and Copernicus can be used in smart mobility applications. For example, satellites help provide turn-by-turn information to drivers, cyclists and even pedestrians. They can be used in fleet management on-board units and road traffic monitoring services. GNSS also plays a critical role in providing smart emergency services, with Europe’s eCall system using GNSS to automatically communicate a vehicle’s exact location to emergency services whenever an accident occurs.

    Also read: GNSS applications in the road sector

Furthermore, the positioning data provided by liability applications are linked to legal and economic liabilities, including Road User Charging (RUC) and insurance telematics. Thanks to its flexibility, satellite navigation has become the preferred solution for electronic tolling, with countries like Germany, Slovakia, Switzerland and Hungary having already successfully implemented GNSS-based tolling schemes.

An array of applications

Many companies and projects are already developing GNSS-based applications to serve the growing demands for smart mobility solutions. For instance, the Horizon 2020-funded Saturn project  has demonstrated how the open basis availability of Earth observation (EO) data, combined with public or crowd-sourced GNSS-based transport data, can help urban and regional authorities implement more efficient transportation and urban planning. Also in the public transport domain, Kordis JMK, the operator of public transport in the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic, uses GNSS surveillance to guarantee passenger connections for those changing between different modes of transport.  Other innovative examples come from entrepreneurs like Geoimagine, whose network optimiser solution for fleet management uses mobile sensors to optimise itineraries to drive taxis towards areas with a higher potential number of clients depending on the time of day.   

As a relatively new phenomenon, autonomous and connected vehicles are positioning themselves as the way of the future. Major vehicle manufactures are already delivering autonomous cars with such connected driver services as weather reports, and accident and traffic warnings. As the sophistication of these applications increases, GNSS will play a substantial role in providing accurate information for these vehicles. For example, Galileo is set to provide an even stronger service that is more resistant to multipath interference in urban canyons and will provide an authenticated signal capable of detecting spoofing attacks.

Ample opportunities

With growing cities and increased public transport, it is clear that GNSS services will become more and more important, and applications such as these are looking to secure a share of the massive GNSS global market. According to the latest edition of the GSA GNSS market report, GNSS receivers and services will have an estimated core revenue of EUR 36 billion by 2018, showing that EGNOS and Galileo-related road applications are in demand and will assist in optimising mobility for years to come.

A significant share of this market involves GNSS applications and services addressing issues relating to smart mobility – thus presenting a huge opportunity for European businesses, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs. To help European industry better understand – and access – this lucrative market, the European Commission and the European GNSS Agency (GSA), under the auspices of the Dutch Council Presidency, are organising a special session on GNSS and smart mobility as part of the European Space Solutions Conference.

Register today!

The Smart Mobility Focus Session will address a wide range of applications for road and traffic management companies, including liability-critical applications, public transportation, smart cities and the driverless car. The session will highlight both state-of-the-art solutions and innovation, where the latest research and development (R&D) will demonstrate exciting ways in which space applications can influence the next generation of transport systems.  

Users from both the public and private domains will be present, including speakers from the European Commission, national transportation agencies, the GSA, and a range of various research institutions and related businesses, including Fiat automaker. The all-day workshop will take place on 1 June 2016 as part of the European Space Solutions Conference in The Hague, The Netherlands. To ensure your business doesn’t miss out on this unique opportunity to get first-hand insights into how space offers real solutions to road and traffic management, secure your place by registering today.

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 1 June, the 2016 European Space Solutions event features a 1-day workshop on how the road and traffic management sectors can benefit from European satellite navigation and Earth observation information.

Space and satellite navigation are key enablers for the delivery of the next generation of mobility – and European Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) offers the precision, robustness and reliability needed for autonomous and connected vehicles, fleet management and payment-related applications.

In fact, navigation is one of the most common ways that GNSS programmes such as Galileo, the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) and Copernicus can be used in smart mobility applications. For example, satellites help provide turn-by-turn information to drivers, cyclists and even pedestrians. They can be used in fleet management on-board units and road traffic monitoring services. GNSS also plays a critical role in providing smart emergency services, with Europe’s eCall system using GNSS to automatically communicate a vehicle’s exact location to emergency services whenever an accident occurs.

    Also read: GNSS applications in the road sector

Furthermore, the positioning data provided by liability applications are linked to legal and economic liabilities, including Road User Charging (RUC) and insurance telematics. Thanks to its flexibility, satellite navigation has become the preferred solution for electronic tolling, with countries like Germany, Slovakia, Switzerland and Hungary having already successfully implemented GNSS-based tolling schemes.

An array of applications

Many companies and projects are already developing GNSS-based applications to serve the growing demands for smart mobility solutions. For instance, the Horizon 2020-funded Saturn project  has demonstrated how the open basis availability of Earth observation (EO) data, combined with public or crowd-sourced GNSS-based transport data, can help urban and regional authorities implement more efficient transportation and urban planning. Also in the public transport domain, Kordis JMK, the operator of public transport in the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic, uses GNSS surveillance to guarantee passenger connections for those changing between different modes of transport.  Other innovative examples come from entrepreneurs like Geoimagine, whose network optimiser solution for fleet management uses mobile sensors to optimise itineraries to drive taxis towards areas with a higher potential number of clients depending on the time of day.   

As a relatively new phenomenon, autonomous and connected vehicles are positioning themselves as the way of the future. Major vehicle manufactures are already delivering autonomous cars with such connected driver services as weather reports, and accident and traffic warnings. As the sophistication of these applications increases, GNSS will play a substantial role in providing accurate information for these vehicles. For example, Galileo is set to provide an even stronger service that is more resistant to multipath interference in urban canyons and will provide an authenticated signal capable of detecting spoofing attacks.

Ample opportunities

With growing cities and increased public transport, it is clear that GNSS services will become more and more important, and applications such as these are looking to secure a share of the massive GNSS global market. According to the latest edition of the GSA GNSS market report, GNSS receivers and services will have an estimated core revenue of EUR 36 billion by 2018, showing that EGNOS and Galileo-related road applications are in demand and will assist in optimising mobility for years to come.

A significant share of this market involves GNSS applications and services addressing issues relating to smart mobility – thus presenting a huge opportunity for European businesses, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs. To help European industry better understand – and access – this lucrative market, the European Commission and the European GNSS Agency (GSA), under the auspices of the Dutch Council Presidency, are organising a special session on GNSS and smart mobility as part of the European Space Solutions Conference.

Register today!

The Smart Mobility Focus Session will address a wide range of applications for road and traffic management companies, including liability-critical applications, public transportation, smart cities and the driverless car. The session will highlight both state-of-the-art solutions and innovation, where the latest research and development (R&D) will demonstrate exciting ways in which space applications can influence the next generation of transport systems.  

Users from both the public and private domains will be present, including speakers from the European Commission, national transportation agencies, the GSA, and a range of various research institutions and related businesses, including Fiat automaker. The all-day workshop will take place on 1 June 2016 as part of the European Space Solutions Conference in The Hague, The Netherlands. To ensure your business doesn’t miss out on this unique opportunity to get first-hand insights into how space offers real solutions to road and traffic management, secure your place by registering today.

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).