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Interested in presenting your solution at the world’s largest mobile event? Then read on! The European GNSS Agency (GSA) is looking for innovative solutions to showcase at the Galileo stand at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on 24-27 February 2020. Every year MWC brings together leading mobile technology developers, manufacturers, service providers and app developers from across the globe. With over 107,000 visitors expected in 2020, next year’s event will be a perfect opportunity to showcase the latest EGNSS-based innovations.

MWC Barcelona will host the latest cutting-edge technologies from more than 2,400 of the world’s leading mobile technology companies. With a programme featuring leading visionaries and investors, the Congress is a not-to-be-missed opportunity to present and promote innovative new ideas, technologies and applications and bring them to the attention of key decision-makers.

With the goal of exploring the hottest trends influencing the mobile industry, MWC Barcelona is an ideal platform to showcase and promote innovative EGNSS-based solutions and applications, such as those being developed within Horizon 2020. The congress also shows how European space research is enhancing EU industrial competitiveness and playing a pivotal role in tackling the various societal challenges facing Europe. 

Read this: The GSA and Galileo at MWC Barcelona

“MWC is an ideal chance to present your EGNSS-based solutions and bring your applications to the attention of a large audience of your peers, investors and the public at large. If you have an EGNSS-based solution with the potential to improve the lives of European citizens, then we would like to hear from you,” said GSA Head of Market Development Fiammetta Diani.

Expression of Interest

With this in mind, ahead of next year’s MWC the GSA is launching a call for expressions of interest among its Horizon 2020 and Fundamental Elements partners and other EU companies. The idea is to provide a space at the GSA stand to showcase our partners’ Galileo-enabled mobile solutions. For this edition of the congress, the theme of the GSA stand will be: “Leisure, fitness and sports applications” so priority will be given to solutions that address these markets. If you have an EGNSS-based solution or product that you would like to demonstrate at MWC Barcelona, please submit your application to market@gsa.europa.eu by 3 January 2020. Put “Interested in showcasing our project at MWC 2020” in the subject line of your email. For more information on how to apply read the Rules and Conditions.

This will be an unmissable opportunity to present your solutions to a potential investors and beneficiaries. Join us in Barcelona in February 2020 at MWC, where innovation is celebrated, connections are made, insights are gained, products are launched and business gets done!

EGNSS-based innovation

By matching ideas with opportunities and talent with available resources, MWC Barcelona helps support the GSA in its mission of linking space to user needs. In fact, from dual frequency chipsets to new smartphones, EGNSS was behind many of the technology announcements made during the Mobile World Congress 2019. 

And this: Ubiscale: low-power GNSS processing for tracking devices

What’s more, at the MWC 2019, the GSA stand featured displays and presentations on a number of EU projects, including the GSA-managed Horizon 2020 and Fundamental Elements projects Flamingo and ESCAPE, along with solutions from Lycie, Ubiscale, GEO++, Navisoc and Galileo for Mobility. Among the showcased products there was a new solution developed by Ubiscale enabling low-power GNSS sensing and position determination for IoT and a high-accuracy positioning application developed by GEO++, leveraging RTK technology in the backend to apply generated GNSS corrections to smartphone measurements.

Places at the Galileo stand will be limited, so get in touch with us as soon as possible to take advantage of this exciting opportunity!

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).

Interested in presenting your solution at the world’s largest mobile event? Then read on! The European GNSS Agency (GSA) is looking for innovative solutions to showcase at the Galileo stand at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on 24-27 February 2020. Every year MWC brings together leading mobile technology developers, manufacturers, service providers and app developers from across the globe. With over 107,000 visitors expected in 2020, next year’s event will be a perfect opportunity to showcase the latest EGNSS-based innovations.

MWC Barcelona will host the latest cutting-edge technologies from more than 2,400 of the world’s leading mobile technology companies. With a programme featuring leading visionaries and investors, the Congress is a not-to-be-missed opportunity to present and promote innovative new ideas, technologies and applications and bring them to the attention of key decision-makers.

With the goal of exploring the hottest trends influencing the mobile industry, MWC Barcelona is an ideal platform to showcase and promote innovative EGNSS-based solutions and applications, such as those being developed within Horizon 2020. The congress also shows how European space research is enhancing EU industrial competitiveness and playing a pivotal role in tackling the various societal challenges facing Europe. 

Read this: The GSA and Galileo at MWC Barcelona

“MWC is an ideal chance to present your EGNSS-based solutions and bring your applications to the attention of a large audience of your peers, investors and the public at large. If you have an EGNSS-based solution with the potential to improve the lives of European citizens, then we would like to hear from you,” said GSA Head of Market Development Fiammetta Diani.

Expression of Interest

With this in mind, ahead of next year’s MWC the GSA is launching a call for expressions of interest among its Horizon 2020 and Fundamental Elements partners and other EU companies. The idea is to provide a space at the GSA stand to showcase our partners’ Galileo-enabled mobile solutions. For this edition of the congress, the theme of the GSA stand will be: “Leisure, fitness and sports applications” so priority will be given to solutions that address these markets. If you have an EGNSS-based solution or product that you would like to demonstrate at MWC Barcelona, please submit your application to market@gsa.europa.eu by 3 January 2020. Put “Interested in showcasing our project at MWC 2020” in the subject line of your email. For more information on how to apply read the Rules and Conditions.

This will be an unmissable opportunity to present your solutions to a potential investors and beneficiaries. Join us in Barcelona in February 2020 at MWC, where innovation is celebrated, connections are made, insights are gained, products are launched and business gets done!

EGNSS-based innovation

By matching ideas with opportunities and talent with available resources, MWC Barcelona helps support the GSA in its mission of linking space to user needs. In fact, from dual frequency chipsets to new smartphones, EGNSS was behind many of the technology announcements made during the Mobile World Congress 2019. 

And this: Ubiscale: low-power GNSS processing for tracking devices

What’s more, at the MWC 2019, the GSA stand featured displays and presentations on a number of EU projects, including the GSA-managed Horizon 2020 and Fundamental Elements projects Flamingo and ESCAPE, along with solutions from Lycie, Ubiscale, GEO++, Navisoc and Galileo for Mobility. Among the showcased products there was a new solution developed by Ubiscale enabling low-power GNSS sensing and position determination for IoT and a high-accuracy positioning application developed by GEO++, leveraging RTK technology in the backend to apply generated GNSS corrections to smartphone measurements.

Places at the Galileo stand will be limited, so get in touch with us as soon as possible to take advantage of this exciting opportunity!

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

A version of the NeQuick G algorithm using a new coding approach is now available for download on the GSC website. This version is the result of intensive recoding by engineers at the EU’s Joint Research Centre.

GNSS signals travelling through the ionosphere can be significantly delayed by the electrical charges in this atmospheric layer before reaching the users’ terminal. To compensate for this delay in the signal, Galileo receivers integrate a dynamic model of the ionosphere composition known as the NeQuick G model. Receiver manufacturers will now be able to benefit from a version of the NeQuick G correction algorithm that implements a new coding approach. 

Rigorous testing

The JRC concluded its work recently after successful rigorous testing in the framework of the gLAB tool (GNSS software suite from the Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya). This version of the code has been designed to be highly modular, rendering it more legible for a potential programmer with no specific knowledge about signal propagation in the ionosphere. A library has been also developed to enable its quick integration into existing applications.

Read this: Have your say on the future of Galileo and EGNOS

This software will be released as free and open source software under the terms of the European Union Public Licence (EUPL), version 1.2. The open-source code is now ready to be implemented on single-frequency platforms and can be used on a global scale without limitation under the EUPL. This freedom should contribute to a wider adoption of the NeQuick G model at user level.

This version of the NeQuick G code is available for download on the GSC website. You can register on the site here, and then download the software here. 

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

A version of the NeQuick G algorithm using a new coding approach is now available for download on the GSC website. This version is the result of intensive recoding by engineers at the EU’s Joint Research Centre.

GNSS signals travelling through the ionosphere can be significantly delayed by the electrical charges in this atmospheric layer before reaching the users’ terminal. To compensate for this delay in the signal, Galileo receivers integrate a dynamic model of the ionosphere composition known as the NeQuick G model. Receiver manufacturers will now be able to benefit from a version of the NeQuick G correction algorithm that implements a new coding approach. 

Rigorous testing

The JRC concluded its work recently after successful rigorous testing in the framework of the gLAB tool (GNSS software suite from the Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya). This version of the code has been designed to be highly modular, rendering it more legible for a potential programmer with no specific knowledge about signal propagation in the ionosphere. A library has been also developed to enable its quick integration into existing applications.

Read this: Have your say on the future of Galileo and EGNOS

This software will be released as free and open source software under the terms of the European Union Public Licence (EUPL), version 1.2. The open-source code is now ready to be implemented on single-frequency platforms and can be used on a global scale without limitation under the EUPL. This freedom should contribute to a wider adoption of the NeQuick G model at user level.

This version of the NeQuick G code is available for download on the GSC website. You can register on the site here, and then download the software 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 PRoPART project successfully tested a Galileo-based positioning solution enhanced with Real Time Kinematic (RTK) technique for automated trucks and advanced driver assistance systems at the AstaZero Proving Ground in Sandhult, near Borås, Sweden, at the end of November. Combining Galileo’s differentiators with other positioning and sensor technologies, the solution offers reliable cm-level accuracy using correction data from reference stations.

Autonomous vehicles/trucks and advanced driver assistance systems need robust and precise positioning to enhance safety and efficiency and enable reliable operations. This is especially important in the early transition phase when not all vehicles will be automated. 

PRoPART has achieved this goal by exploiting the distinguishing features of Galileo in combination with other positioning sensors and technologies, which it shares using V2X technology. The innovative solution developed during the project has the potential to be a game changer for autonomous transport in the future.

A game changer

The solution was demonstrated in a recreated highway situation, with a connected autonomous truck and two unconnected manned cars. As part of the test, a Scania self-driving truck executed a safe and efficient lane change managed by the PRoPART system, relying on centimetre-level positioning combined with collaborative perception sensor data.

Watch this: PRoPART - Precise and Robust Positioning for Automated Road Transport

“Galileo is a key component of the PRoPART platform, and contributes to maintaining the integrity of the information which is essential,” said GSA Head of Market Development Fiammetta Diani.

PRoPART is an important project, in the sense that it delivers robust positioning and timing for future autonomous road transport that fulfils the various needs of vehicle OEMs. It uses object detection sensors as well as PVT information from the GNSS engine along with similar information from road side detection units. This allows it to remotely sense non-connected vehicles, offering a reliable solution for the transition period when both automated and non-automated vehicles will be using the roads.

A truly European venture

The project combines RTK positioning software from Waysure (Sweden) with satellite measurements, in particular advanced and wide band Galileo signals for improved accuracy and enabled with authentication, as developed by Fraunhofer IIS (Germany). The satellite positioning is augmented with an Ultra-Wideband (UWB) ranging solution from Spanish research institution Ceit-IK4. 

Read this: First Galileo-enabled autonomous vehicle successfully demonstrated

The self-driving truck was supplied by Scania, with Hungary-based V2X company Commsignia providing the C-ITS technology. Baselabs from Germany provided fusion of sensor data from on-board and road-side sensors and developed a situational assessment for the automated lane change manoeuvre. The project was coordinated by the Research Institute of Sweden (RISE) and received funding from the GSA under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 innovation programme (grant agreement No 776307).

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 PRoPART project successfully tested a Galileo-based positioning solution enhanced with Real Time Kinematic (RTK) technique for automated trucks and advanced driver assistance systems at the AstaZero Proving Ground in Sandhult, near Borås, Sweden, at the end of November. Combining Galileo’s differentiators with other positioning and sensor technologies, the solution offers reliable cm-level accuracy using correction data from reference stations.

Autonomous vehicles/trucks and advanced driver assistance systems need robust and precise positioning to enhance safety and efficiency and enable reliable operations. This is especially important in the early transition phase when not all vehicles will be automated. 

PRoPART has achieved this goal by exploiting the distinguishing features of Galileo in combination with other positioning sensors and technologies, which it shares using V2X technology. The innovative solution developed during the project has the potential to be a game changer for autonomous transport in the future.

A game changer

The solution was demonstrated in a recreated highway situation, with a connected autonomous truck and two unconnected manned cars. As part of the test, a Scania self-driving truck executed a safe and efficient lane change managed by the PRoPART system, relying on centimetre-level positioning combined with collaborative perception sensor data.

Watch this:PRoPART Project - Precise and Robust Positioning for Automated Road Transports

“Galileo is a key component of the PRoPART platform, and contributes to maintaining the integrity of the information which is essential,” said GSA Head of Market Development Fiammetta Diani.

PRoPART is an important project, in the sense that it delivers robust positioning and timing for future autonomous road transport that fulfils the various needs of vehicle OEMs. It uses object detection sensors as well as PVT information from the GNSS engine along with similar information from road side detection units. This allows it to remotely sense non-connected vehicles, offering a reliable solution for the transition period when both automated and non-automated vehicles will be using the roads.

A truly European venture

The project combines RTK positioning software from Waysure (Sweden) with satellite measurements, in particular advanced and wide band Galileo signals for improved accuracy and enabled with authentication, as developed by Fraunhofer IIS (Germany). The satellite positioning is augmented with an Ultra-Wideband (UWB) ranging solution from Spanish research institution Ceit-IK4. 

And this: First Galileo-enabled autonomous vehicle successfully demonstrated

The self-driving truck was supplied by Scania, with Hungary-based V2X company Commsignia providing the C-ITS technology. Baselabs from Germany provided fusion of sensor data from on-board and road-side sensors and developed a situational assessment for the automated lane change manoeuvre. The project was coordinated by the Research Institute of Sweden (RISE) and received funding from the GSA under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 innovation programme (grant agreement No 776307).

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).

Together with the European Commission, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) has been consulting with GNSS user communities to take their input into consideration when defining EGNSS downstream funding priorities in the new financial perspective. A recent report from the GSA summarises the results of these consultations and outlines future R&I priorities.

EGNSS downstream R&I should build on the positive momentum achieved in Horizon 2020, Fundamental Elements and earlier framework programmes by leveraging space data to build applications, receivers that integrate the various EU space programme services and stimulate entrepreneurship and job creation in Europe. 

The GSA’s consultation with the GNSS user community during its User Consultation Platforms in 2017 and 2018 revealed that, to make the space sector competitive, R&I investment should be focused on the downstream domain, increasing the use of space signals and data, and leveraging the differentiators of the EU space programmes to improve the worldwide market share of EU industry and SMEs.

Read this: Horizon 2020 key to international cooperation for Galileo & EGNOS

After 2020, when the Galileo system is fully operational and the new version of EGNOS will start to be deployed, the primary goal will be to establish European GNSS as the leader in those markets and sectors that best exploit the unique differentiators of the systems. Steps should also be taken to complete market uptake in longer-term regulated market segments (e.g. rail, aviation and maritime). Also new funding tools should be introduced in order to cope with the new needs.

Key recommendations

The report makes a number of key recommendations, including on the need to secure the budget and scope related to EGNSS downstream in the Space Regulation and Horizon Europe. What’s more, to achieve the goals outlined above, the report recommends that the Horizon Europe budget be significantly increased compared to Horizon 2020. This increase will also allow for larger pilot projects and operational implementations of Galileo differentiators.

It is also recommended that the Fundamental Elements funding mechanism should fill the gaps in the development of EGNSS-enabled receivers and antennas and target the emerging Galileo differentiators as they become operational, so as to facilitate market readiness. 

Finally, the report recommends the introduction of new funding tools to cope with new needs that cannot be covered by the Horizon 2020 and Fundamental Elements tools as used until now: 

• Innovation Procurement for the public sector as a customer of Galileo;
• Centres of Excellence to leverage regional and national competences as examples and supporters for others;
• Space-based entrepreneurship to provide a dedicated funding tool for start-ups and SMEs (e.g. in the area of mass market);
• Venture Capital to scale-up our start-ups.

Next steps 

In April 2019 the European Parliament and the Council reached a political agreement on key elements of the Horizon Europe proposal. According to this agreement, Horizon Europe will be structured in three Pillars: 1. Excellent Science; 2. Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness; and 3. Innovative Europe.

And this: Latest updates to Reports on User Needs and Requirements released

Early involvement and exchanges with Member States and consultation with stakeholders and the public at large took place during the summer of 2019, to stimulate a co-design process towards the first Strategic Plan for the framework programme. This included a workshop held at GSA headquarters in Prague.

This Strategic Planning process will prepare the Strategic Plan for Horizon Europe for 2021-2024. The plan will facilitate the implementation of Horizon Europe, focusing on Pillar II, by setting out key strategic orientations for support to research and innovation. Drafting of the first Horizon Europe Work Programme on the basis of the Strategic Plan will take place during 2020, after which Horizon Europe will come into effect in 2021.

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).

Together with the European Commission, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) has been consulting with GNSS user communities to take their input into consideration when defining EGNSS downstream funding priorities in the new financial perspective. A recent report from the GSA summarises the results of these consultations and outlines future R&I priorities.

EGNSS downstream R&I should build on the positive momentum achieved in Horizon 2020, Fundamental Elements and earlier framework programmes by leveraging space data to build applications, receivers that integrate the various EU space programme services and stimulate entrepreneurship and job creation in Europe. 

The GSA’s consultation with the GNSS user community during its User Consultation Platforms in 2017 and 2018 revealed that, to make the space sector competitive, R&I investment should be focused on the downstream domain, increasing the use of space signals and data, and leveraging the differentiators of the EU space programmes to improve the worldwide market share of EU industry and SMEs.

Read this: Horizon 2020 key to international cooperation for Galileo & EGNOS

After 2020, when the Galileo system is fully operational and the new version of EGNOS will start to be deployed, the primary goal will be to establish European GNSS as the leader in those markets and sectors that best exploit the unique differentiators of the systems. Steps should also be taken to complete market uptake in longer-term regulated market segments (e.g. rail, aviation and maritime). Also new funding tools should be introduced in order to cope with the new needs.

Key recommendations

The report makes a number of key recommendations, including on the need to secure the budget and scope related to EGNSS downstream in the Space Regulation and Horizon Europe. What’s more, to achieve the goals outlined above, the report recommends that the Horizon Europe budget be significantly increased compared to Horizon 2020. This increase will also allow for larger pilot projects and operational implementations of Galileo differentiators.

It is also recommended that the Fundamental Elements funding mechanism should fill the gaps in the development of EGNSS-enabled receivers and antennas and target the emerging Galileo differentiators as they become operational, so as to facilitate market readiness. 

Finally, the report recommends the introduction of new funding tools to cope with new needs that cannot be covered by the Horizon 2020 and Fundamental Elements tools as used until now: 

• Innovation Procurement for the public sector as a customer of Galileo;
• Centres of Excellence to leverage regional and national competences as examples and supporters for others;
• Space-based entrepreneurship to provide a dedicated funding tool for start-ups and SMEs (e.g. in the area of mass market);
• Venture Capital to scale-up our start-ups.

Next steps 

In April 2019 the European Parliament and the Council reached a political agreement on key elements of the Horizon Europe proposal. According to this agreement, Horizon Europe will be structured in three Pillars: 1. Excellent Science; 2. Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness; and 3. Innovative Europe.

And this: Latest updates to Reports on User Needs and Requirements released

Early involvement and exchanges with Member States and consultation with stakeholders and the public at large took place during the summer of 2019, to stimulate a co-design process towards the first Strategic Plan for the framework programme. This included a workshop held at GSA headquarters in Prague.

This Strategic Planning process will prepare the Strategic Plan for Horizon Europe for 2021-2024. The plan will facilitate the implementation of Horizon Europe, focusing on Pillar II, by setting out key strategic orientations for support to research and innovation. Drafting of the first Horizon Europe Work Programme on the basis of the Strategic Plan will take place during 2020, after which Horizon Europe will come into effect in 2021.

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).