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The European GNSS Agency (GSA) has formally accepted the new Loyola de Palacio facility, which houses the European GNSS Service Centre (GSC), from the Spanish government – a key milestone towards the declaration of Galileo Initial Services.

Recently, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) formally accepted the new Loyola de Palacio facility, which houses the European GNSS Service Centre (GSC), from the Spanish government. This handover represents a significant milestone in the development of the Galileo programme and its service provisions, which is scheduled to begin later this year with the declaration of Initial Services. 

“The GSC is a key asset for the Galileo programme; it is Galileo's door to the GNSS world,” said GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides. “Today, the GSA is pleased to accept this excellent facility from Spain. It is a symbol of the upcoming service phase and the single, unique interface for Galileo users.”

“Carlo des Dorides has been on board the Galileo programme from the beginning. He has played a consistent role in taking the programme forward, and his re-election as GSA Executive Director by unanimity was not by chance,” added Spanish Secretary General for Transport, Carmen Librero Pintado. “Rest assured, Spain will always be side-by-side with you.”

Ignacio Azqueta Ortiz, Director General of Spain’s National Institute for Aerospace Technology (INTA) said, “With this handover and the milestones to be reached in the near future, we look forward to continuing our tradition of collaboration with the GSA and working together towards the success of the Galileo programme.”

In his concluding remarks, Spanish Secretary of Defence Pedro Arguelles Salaverria underlined, “Now more than ever, Europe must show the world its strengths, and Galileo is one of them. Spain underlines its strong support of Europe and Galileo.”

The essential role of the GSC

By delegation from the European Commission, the GSA is charged with overseeing the operation and service provision for both the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) (since 2015) and Galileo (as of 2017), along with managing the security accreditation and general security provision for both programmes. The GSA has been fully responsible for the GSC since its inception in 2014, a responsibility that includes serving as the GSC design authority, managing the GSC nucleus’ (GSC-n) operations and overseeing preparation contracts on infrastructure, operations and hosting service provision for the fully-fledged GSC (v1).

Ignacio Azqueta Ortiz, Director General of INTA, Carmen Librero Pintado, Secretary General for Transport, Pedro Argüelles Salaverría, Secretary of State for Defence, Carlo des Dorides, Executive Director, European GNSS Agency (GSA), Begoña Cristeto, Secretary General of Industry (click to enlarge)

Under the hosting agreement between the European Commission and Spain, INTA served as the hosting entity, with the Spanish government providing the site as an in-kind contribution. The GSC offers over 1,100 square metres of space, is home to some of the programme’s most state-of-the-art technology, and employees over 40 people

Since 2013, the GSC-n has been providing limited services and working as a precursor to GSC v1. Its key work includes supporting the lead up to the Galileo Initial Services provision, along with operating the GSC Helpdesk, disseminating orbital products to the Search and Rescue (SAR) community, supporting GNSS-related R&D and industry and monitoring user satisfaction. Once operational, GSC v1 will be connected to the Galileo core system, thus enabling the Commercial Service. It is expected to enter operations by mid-2017.

A truly European agency

The GSA is unique in that is one of the EU’s only multi-site agencies. With its headquarters in Prague, it also will run operational sites in the Netherlands, France, and the UK. With the handover of the Loyola de Palacio facility, it now adds Spain to this list. Each of the sites has its own specific function and will be staffed by specialists from the GSA and its contractors. Once the Galileo Operations Contract is awarded and Initial Services officially declared, the GSC is expected to see an increase in staff.

The site acceptance meeting was attended by representatives from the Spanish departments of defence, transport and industry, among others. Attendees were also given an overview presentation on the GSC’s role within the Galileo programme, along with a tour of the facilities.

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

The European GNSS Agency (GSA) has formally accepted the new Loyola de Palacio facility, which houses the European GNSS Service Centre (GSC), from the Spanish government – a key milestone towards the declaration of Galileo Initial Services.

Recently, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) formally accepted the new Loyola de Palacio facility, which houses the European GNSS Service Centre (GSC), from the Spanish government. This handover represents a significant milestone in the development of the Galileo programme and its service provisions, which is scheduled to begin later this year with the declaration of Initial Services. 

“The GSC is a key asset for the Galileo programme; it is Galileo's door to the GNSS world,” said GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides. “Today, the GSA is pleased to accept this excellent facility from Spain. It is a symbol of the upcoming service phase and the single, unique interface for Galileo users.”

“Carlo des Dorides has been on board the Galileo programme from the beginning. He has played a consistent role in taking the programme forward, and his re-election as GSA Executive Director by unanimity was not by chance,” added Spanish Secretary General for Transport, Carmen Librero Pintado. “Rest assured, Spain will always be side-by-side with you.”

Ignacio Azqueta Ortiz, Director General of Spain’s National Institute for Aerospace Technology (INTA) said, “With this handover and the milestones to be reached in the near future, we look forward to continuing our tradition of collaboration with the GSA and working together towards the success of the Galileo programme.”

In his concluding remarks, Spanish Secretary of Defence Pedro Arguelles Salaverria underlined, “Now more than ever, Europe must show the world its strengths, and Galileo is one of them. Spain underlines its strong support of Europe and Galileo.”

The essential role of the GSC

By delegation from the European Commission, the GSA is charged with overseeing the operation and service provision for both the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) (since 2015) and Galileo (as of 2017), along with managing the security accreditation and general security provision for both programmes. The GSA has been fully responsible for the GSC since its inception in 2014, a responsibility that includes serving as the GSC design authority, managing the GSC nucleus’ (GSC-n) operations and overseeing preparation contracts on infrastructure, operations and hosting service provision for the fully-fledged GSC (v1).

Ignacio Azqueta Ortiz, Director General of INTA, Carmen Librero Pintado, Secretary General for Transport, Pedro Argüelles Salaverría, Secretary of State for Defence, Carlo des Dorides, Executive Director, European GNSS Agency (GSA), Begoña Cristeto, Secretary General of Industry (click to enlarge)

Under the hosting agreement between the European Commission and Spain, INTA served as the hosting entity, with the Spanish government providing the site as an in-kind contribution. The GSC offers over 1,100 square metres of space, is home to some of the programme’s most state-of-the-art technology, and employees over 40 people

Since 2013, the GSC-n has been providing limited services and working as a precursor to GSC v1. Its key work includes supporting the lead up to the Galileo Initial Services provision, along with operating the GSC Helpdesk, disseminating orbital products to the Search and Rescue (SAR) community, supporting GNSS-related R&D and industry and monitoring user satisfaction. Once operational, GSC v1 will be connected to the Galileo core system, thus enabling the Commercial Service. It is expected to enter operations by mid-2017.

A truly European agency

The GSA is unique in that is one of the EU’s only multi-site agencies. With its headquarters in Prague, it also will run operational sites in the Netherlands, France, and the UK. With the handover of the Loyola de Palacio facility, it now adds Spain to this list. Each of the sites has its own specific function and will be staffed by specialists from the GSA and its contractors. Once the Galileo Operations Contract is awarded and Initial Services officially declared, the GSC is expected to see an increase in staff.

The site acceptance meeting was attended by representatives from the Spanish departments of defence, transport and industry, among others. Attendees were also given an overview presentation on the GSC’s role within the Galileo programme, along with a tour of the facilities.

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) highlights how the combination of GNSS and Earth observation services mean increased benefits for geospatial applications.

As part of its recent annual congress, the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS) held a special session on Galileo and Copernicus and their role in geospatial land applications. The session, jointly organised by the European GNSS Agency (GSA), the European Environmental Agency (EEA) and the Horizon 2020 funded LARA project, drew over 70 participants.

A common theme of the session was a general need for a stronger connection between GNSS-generated geospatial data and remote sensing applications and services, including its relevant stakeholders. To demonstrate why, presenters emphasised the added value that geolocation and earth observation services offer when they work together.

Also read: Galileo and EGNOS benefiting the Geospatial World

“The successful launch of Sentinel-2, along with Earth observation’s increasing capacity to use Very High Resolution sensors, are providing a boost to the European remote sensing industry,” said EEA Project Manager of Copernicus Land Services Hans Dufourmont. “The combination of precision geolocation services with satellite imagery at sub-metre pixel sizes paves the way for a new range of uses and in domains as diverse as precision farming, ecosystem service monitoring and urban growth monitoring – to name only a few.”

“Galileo’s improved signal robustness and varying levels of authentication, along with the Commercial Service’s high-accuracy receiver error below one decimetre, are all features that will greatly benefit geospatial users,” added GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides. “With virtually all professional surveying receivers preparing for the declaration of Galileo Initial Services later this year, geospatial users are increasingly able to benefit from European GNSS.”

Multiplying benefits

Galileo, Europe’s own global navigation satellite system, provides a global positioning service under civilian control. Offering dual frequencies as its standard, Galileo’s open service will deliver improved real-time positioning accuracy, in combination with already existing GNSS constellations. Copernicus, Europe’s Earth observation system, consists of a complex set of systems that collect data from the Sentinel satellites and other sources. It bundles these data and provides users with reliable and up-to-date information through a set of services related to environmental and security issues.

Though there is already a wealth of applications for both European systems, their open data policies will enable the creation of new services and applications and, as a result, new business creation. Galileo determines a precise position anytime and anywhere on the globe, while Copernicus provides information on the Earth’s surface, its atmosphere and marine systems. The joint use of both systems in applications will unleash synergies and result in multiple benefits for the users.

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 7th of July, the Next Generation Train Control (NGTC) project, coordinated by UNIFE and supported by GNSS experts from the European GNSS Agency (GSA) and the European Space Agency (ESA), held a user-oriented workshop to present the main outcomes of the work package related to the future use of European GNSS for train control.

The Virtual Balise concept took centre stage at the workshop. Currently, in the European Train Control System (ETCS), the positioning of a train is based on a ‘balise’ – a physical element mounted at specific intervals along the railway track. The GSA is working to ensure that, wherever possible, these physical balises are replaced by virtual ones. Virtual balises expand on the cost and efficiency benefits stemming from their integration of GNSS technology into the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS). Furthermore, there use does not pose any operational or safety implications on the ETCS.

During the workshop, the GSA presented its roadmap for the introduction of European GNSS in railway safety relevant applications. The roadmap is the result of a series of consultations that has seen the GSA working together with rail and space industry stakeholders in order to enable the use of satellite-based positioning for railway signalling.

Safety first

NGTC was introduced as one of the lighthouse projects of Shift2Rail, a major European R&D Joint Undertaking paving the way for key technologies to enter into the railway domain, including European GNSS. The E-GNSS related work package contains an analysis of the ETCS operational scenarios and the underlying safety analysis, identifying the preliminary requirements needed from GNSS to allow proper functioning of the signalling system. The outcomes of the preliminary safety analysis, demonstrating the viability of the Virtual Balise concept, were discussed, along with other possible applications of GNSS technology in the rail domain. These discussions involved participants from the potential end-user communities, including European rail transport operators and infrastructure managers.

The data provided by NGTC is the cornerstone on which other projects, such as the GSA funded H2020 project Satellite Technology for Advanced Railway Signalling (STARS), will build from. Together, this work will advance research activities dedicated to achieving the integration of European GNSS into ERTMS.

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 (GSA) funds 14 projects to help foster the implementation of EGNOS-based operations and LPV-200 procedures at European airports as part of its 2015 Aviation Call for Grants.

The GSA recently announced the projects selected for funding under its 2015 Aviation Call for Grants GSA/EEX.0030/2015. This second call brought great results, with 14 projects selected for funding, starting from July and August 2016.

The funded projects are expected to foster the design, development and operational implementation of European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS)-based operations, including LPV-200 (localiser performance with vertical guidance) procedures, at different European aerodromes, with an emphasis on the regional airports and heliports that general and business aviation operators depend upon.

In addition, the call also aims to support the development and installation of GPS/EGNOS-enabled avionics and grant airworthiness certification for required navigation performance approach (RNP APCH) procedures down to LPV minima and point in space (PinS), and to achieve the approval of Air Operator Certificates (AOCs) for LPV operations of aircraft already equipped with satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) capabilities.

Specifically, the following results are expected:

• 40 LPV procedures at 18 airports
• 2 LPV-200 procedures at Italy’s Trento Airport
• 15 PinS LPV procedures
• 2 RNP 0.3 routes
• 44 aircraft retrofitted by 9 operators
• 4 avionics solutions (STC) development
• 3 flight simulator-type upgrades
• Development of EGNOS navigation and surveillance sensors for (RPAS) applications.

“These grants will ensure more European airports and more European operators are able to take full advantage of EGNOS procedures, meaning increased safety and more accessibility for everyone,” says GSA Head of Market Development GG Calini.

The total budget for the second call was EUR 6 million.

The funded projects are expected to foster the design, development and operational implementation of EGNOS-based operations, including LPV-200 procedures. (Click to enlarge)

 Increased safety

Lateral navigation (LNAV), LNAV/vertical navigation (VNAV) and LPV minima to runways 01 and  19

 Approach to runway 19 to be  designed with LPV-200  criteria

First 2015 Aviation Call for Grants GSA/GRANT/EGNOS/03/2014 producing results

Meanwhile, the 13 projects selected as part of the first call are all currently at various stages of implementation, with some already taking positive steps towards enabling EGNOS operations, particularly as they relate to regional aviation. Among these initial achievements is an upgrade of three simulators, with one having recently entered the market and the second to follow in the coming months. Another project is well on its way to successfully retrofitting a regional aircraft, making it to be another ‘ready to fly’ with EGNOS in 2017.

Overall, the first call is on course to publish up “first package “of 15 EGNOS procedures by the end of 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 joint ‘Insurance Telematics’ and ‘Connected Cars’ conference in London, vehicle manufacturers, software engineers, public authorities and many more heard how GNSS- and internet-enabled vehicles are changing the road transport landscape.

Major vehicle manufacturers are now delivering motor vehicles with connected services for drivers, including real-time traffic and weather reports and accident or road works warnings. More applications are on the way, and the technology systems that support them will enable the increasing number of autonomous vehicles that will soon be cruising down our roads and highways.

A key message from the conference was to see integrated GNSS systems as providing more than just positioning and navigation. For example, with GNSS a wide range of other key services are made possible, including:

• Precise navigation systems
• Autonomous vehicles and assisted driving
• Cooperative ITS
• Usage-based insurance schemes
• Road pricing and congestion charging
• Automated eCall distress signals
• Intelligent speed adaptation

As to the use of GNSS within the connected car, the trend is for carmakers to take a more important role within GNSS-related services. In fact, by 2020 more and more vehicles with built-in GNSS and fewer ‘nomadic devices’ like portable GNSS receivers will be coming onto the market. This trend is already being seen in prototype autonomous driving cars, where GNSS is viewed as a fundamental enabling technology.

Another advantage that GNSS has within the connected car is that it is complementary to and interoperable with other automotive technologies. Although today we talk about sensor-based versus connection-based solutions for a variety of vehicle services, a ‘converged solution’ seems to be the best alternative, combining the best of both approaches. By integrating sensor data and connectivity-based information operators can reduce the need for the most expensive sensors and, at the same time, save money on infrastructure. Accurate and secure GNSS will help drastically reduce costs, with a single, integrated ‘GNSS engine’ embedded within the vehicle that will provide positioning, navigation and timing for all needs – including many different applications and car functions.

Protecting your car from cyber attacks

With the advent and rapid spread of connectivity in cars, cyber security has suddenly become a major concern within the automotive industry. At a special session on cyber security, Anna Stylianou from SBD explained how new connected technologies, including those specifically aimed at increasing safety, have actually increased the attack surface available to hackers. “As vehicles become completely autonomous, they become more reliant on connected services and GNSS, and even ‘driver fall-back’ in case of error will no longer be an option,” she said. “As a result, the risks associated with hacking or GNSS jamming and spoofing will be even greater.”

Luckily, Galileo, which is set to launch initial services later this year, will play a key role in combating these security threats. “There is an increasing need to deliver a robust GNSS module that can provide an efficient, resilient and low-cost defence against jamming or spoofing attacks,” said GSA Deputy Head of Market Development Fiametta Diani. “Galileo will be a dual frequency service, so it will be resistant to atmospheric interference, and it will have greater resistance to multipath interference, or interference due to signal reflections off buildings and other objects, such as in urban canyons.”

Galileo will also have an authentication signal to detect intentional interference, such as spoofing attacks. “This authentication feature is essentially a digital signature that will be available on the E1 Open Service frequency, but also on the Commercial Service E6 frequency, which will certainly be interesting for autonomous driving,” said Diani.

In a key announcement, Diani cited a new independent study by Broadcom, a major international wireless and broadband company, which confirms Galileo mitigation of multipath effects. “Recent tests by Broadcom show that Galileo E1 is a better solution against multipath than GPS L1,” she said. “The strength of the Galileo signal, together with an advanced code modulation, makes Galileo better at mitigating multipath effects, especially in E5, but also in E1.”

Receivers that support Galileo show better performance in a multipath environment. This is because by supporting more constellations, one increases the chances of being able to select only direct line-of-sight signals. Not only that, but E1 measurements from Galileo satellites are more accurate in multipath environments than L1 measurements from GPS satellites – meaning the effect of multipath is two times smaller with Galileo E1 compared to GPS L1.

The authentication feature will be operational in the Open Service from 2018, at which time Galileo will be the sole and unique GNSS constellation offering such a security feature.

Europe in push for autonomous vehicles

Momentum is now building for autonomous vehicles, with GNSS as a key component, and here the European Union is delivering the policy support to back up this movement. Last April, for example, the transport ministers of all 28 EU Member States signed the ‘Amsterdam Declaration’ during an informal meeting of the Transport Council. The document lays out the specific steps necessary for the development of self-driving technologies in the EU. With this new Declaration, the European Commission and its Member States, along with the transport industry, have pledged to develop rules and regulations for autonomous vehicles – meaning Europe has a shared strategy on connected and autonomous driving.

This clear commitment on the part of the EU means the GSA can move forward with confidence in its support for research in this exciting new area. In fact, several ongoing research projects are already being funded by the GSA under the EU’s research framework budget, including Horizon 2020 projects , ‘Indrive’ and ‘Inlane’; many of which involve such European big-name players as TomTom, Fiat or Renault.

In November, a new call for proposals under the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme will be launched. The call will have a total budget of €33 million and is specifically targeting research in support of GNSS, including autonomous vehicle technologies.

Stay tuned to the GSA website for more information.

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).

Spanish technology company BQ announces that their new Aquaris X5 Plus smartphone will be the first European Galileo-ready smartphone to hit the market.

In anticipation of the planned launch of Galileo Initial Services later this year, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) welcomes the first European Galileo-ready smartphone. The Aquaris X5 Plus smartphone, produced by the Spanish technology company BQ, is based on the Galileo-supported Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 processor, with Galileo capability accessible via a software update to be released in Q4 2016.

This news follows on the heels of the June 21 announcement by US-based Qualcomm that the company was adding support for Galileo across its Snapdragon processor and modern portfolios for smartphone, computing, automotive and IoT applications. Qualcomm Technologies is a world leader in 3G, 4G and next-generation wireless technologies.

“Location Based Services (LBS) are undoubtedly the largest GNSS market segment, both in terms of number of devices and revenue potential, and thus are a strategic target for the GSA. I am glad to see Galileo is now starting to take-off in the smartphone arena,” says GSA Executive Director, Carlo des Dorides.

As a result of the uptake of Galileo by these two global technology leaders, EU citizens will be able to benefit from the improved location performance that Europe’s very own GNSS programme provides.
“The key to Galileo’s success in this market is to ensure its uptake by LBS device manufacturers. We are excited that a European smartphone manufacturer is  pioneering the use of Galileo for enhanced LBS solutions,” added GSA Head of Market Development, Gian Gherardo Calini.

It is a great privilege for BQ to be one of the first in the world to offer Galileo in our devices,” says BQ Assistant General Manager, Rodrigo del Prado. “This is a clear demonstration of Europe’s robust technological capabilities.”

“Qualcomm is pleased to have worked with BQ, the GSA and the European Commission on the Aquaris X5 Plus and the key milestone that Galileo support within the device represents. Accurate, reliable, and rapid position location is an important part of the mobile experience. Users will not only benefit from more accurate and faster position location, but also a powerful range of features enabled by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 processor,” says Roberto Di Pietro, Vice President of Business Development at Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

The next-generation Aquaris X5 Plus smartphone comes equipped with a 3,200 mAh battery, Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 Octa Core processor, up to 1.8 GHz and an Adreno 510 graphic processor of up to 550 MHz. It features a 16 Mpx back camera, Sony IMX298 sensor, f/2.0 dual tone flash and phase detection focus, along with a Sony IMX219 sensor-equipped 8 Mpx front camera. The phone offers 4K video recording, video stabiliser, fingerprint scanner and NFC.

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 first official release of the Galileo Open Service Signal-in-Space Operational Status Definition Document is geared towards Galileo receiver manufacturers and is intended to serve as a guide to the use of the various SIS health indicators for implementation of robust navigation systems.

The European Commission and the European GNSS Agency (GSA) announce the publication of the first official release of the Galileo Open Service Signal-in-Space Operational Status Definition document (OS SIS OSD v1.1). The release is a follow-up to a preliminary document issued last year for public consultation (OS SIS ISD, v1.0) and incorporates numerous improvements suggested by the user community during the consultation process.

OS SIS OSD v1.1 complements the Galileo Open Service Signal-in-Space Interface Control Document (OS SIS ICD v1.2, 2015) by describing the encoding and use of the SIS Status for the OS. The SIS Status, or the operational status of the OS SIS broadcast by each Galileo satellite, determines the applicability of the minimum performance level of services defined in the Galileo Open Service – Service Definition Document (OS SDD), which will be published later this year.

The OS SIS OSD, which is specifically targeted towards Galileo receiver manufacturers, is meant to serve as a guide to using the various SIS health indicators for implementation of robust navigation systems.

The Galileo OS SIS OSD v1.1 document can be downloaded here.

The support of the European Space Agency (ESA) in the preparation of this document is gratefully acknowledged.

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).

Knowledge, innovation and business support serve as the springboard for Galileo and EGNOS.

With Galileo Initial Services set to launch later this year, positioning the global navigation satellite system (GNSS) downstream market to take full advantage of the programme continues to be a hot topic. Here the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is taking the lead, working with the European Commission, to support the development of a sustainable GNSS downstream market by fostering European GNSS adoption.

Speaking at a recent workshop hosted by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), GSA Head of Market Development Gian Gherardo Calini discussed how innovation drives downstream space activities and what the GSA is doing to support this. According to Calini, the key drivers for innovation in GNSS include information, knowledge exchange, the generation of new business ideas, direct support to new technology adoption, research and development (R&D) technology and a robust policy framework.

“Education drives tomorrow’s innovation, building cutting-edge competences in European GNSS, cross-fertilising the skills and strengthening European industry’s position in the global market,” he says. “The GSA believes that education in European GNSS is key to ensuring the success of Galileo and EGNOS.”

“In the downstream space domain, European GNSS – Galileo and EGNOS – can be a major game changer, representing a catalyst to ignite evolution in the GNSS industry, service provision, application development and technological advances,” adds Greg Sadlier of London Economics, also speaking at the event. “Through education, capacity building and knowledge transfer, the GSA is raising awareness of the opportunities offered by European GNSS and how all segments, from Aviation to the Internet of Things, can benefit from the guidance and resources provided by the GSA to turn research into innovative market opportunities, and economic growth.”

In support of this push to raise awareness about European GNSS, the GSA has been actively involved in the promotion of a number of tools and projects. For example, the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7)-funded GENIUS project supported and nurtured a network of universities and research institutions active in the provision of GNSS training in the area of satellite navigation technologies, applications and services. The project laid the foundation for the development of pan-European collaborations that enabled technology transfer between universities, research institutes and industry.

Likewise, the Horizon 2020-funded E-KnoT project is focused on strengthening the interaction between three areas: education, research and industry in Europe. It is leveraging on past activities already undertaken in the field in order to strengthen this European GNSS knowledge triangle. The end result will be a solid network for the creation of a critical mass involving relevant actors coming together to support the development of Europe’s economy.

Building businesses

“Once the proper skills are established, we need to support the actual entrepreneur, SME or business by making proper market knowledge readily available,” says Calini. “On this point, the GSA is leading the way with its GNSS Market Report, which is recognised worldwide as a comprehensive source of knowledge and information on the GNSS global market.” The report, which is available for download free of charge, not only covers the GNSS market in general, but also provides market segment specific analysis.

In addition to the Market Report, the GSA is also involved in an array of activities aimed at providing support to European businesses leveraging the power of GNSS. For example, the agency helps European industry carve out a share of the lucrative Asian market via such international knowledge exchange initiatives as GNSS Asia and the BELS project. It also sponsors numerous contests and awards aimed at stimulating innovation, including the GSA Special Prize, part of the annual European Satellite Navigation Competition (ESNC). The GSA Special Prize supports the best ideas and applications that utilise Galileo’s Initial Services and the power of a multi-constellation environment to provide new and more robust benefits to the end-user.

Support for adoption, e.g. by key players in the downstream market value chain, is also very important, especially for central actors like chipset and receiver manufacturers. As a result of the GSA’s commitment to supporting innovation and helping companies take their ideas to commercialisation, such as through the Horizon 2020 programme and Fundamental Elements initiative, 17 chipset and receiver manufacturers already adopted Galileo this year, up from just 3 in 2010 – now representing more than 95 % of the total global supply.

“Here I can say with confidence that the GSA is in the driver’s seat with our foot firmly on the innovation accelerator,” concludes Calini.

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).