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The EU-funded HANDHELD project produced an important new prototype device for the surveying and mapping sector, while building crucial know-how among companies that are keeping Europe competitive in the global GNSS marketplace.

EU-funded GNSS research can deliver benefits on multiple levels, including the development of immediately marketable products and services. But while not every research initiative ends in direct market success, the experience and know-how gained by project partners, especially in the private sector, can be equally impactful.

        Watch This: EGNOS for Mapping

The HANDHELD prototype is a portable, stand-alone system with an innovative GNSS antenna, says project coordinator Alain Suskind of Septentrio. But it is only one of a number of solutions developed in recent years in the fast-moving and highly innovative surveying sector. Completed in 2013, the HANDHELD device immediately found itself in competition with other new devices carrying out the same functions, such as ‘ruggedised’ tablets.

“A working prototype was developed during the project,” says Suskind. “The research and subsequent know-how that we obtained can and is being used in our further product developments.”

Research Objectives Met

The central objective of the HANDHELD project was to develop a multi-frequency surveying device that can be held in one hand, leaving the other hand free to carry out other tasks. This included developing a small GNSS L1-E5 antenna suitable for integration in the device. The project team also developed and test an RF integrated passive device in order to reduce the footprint and cost of the antenna front-end.

“A multi-frequency, handheld device was successfully developed,” Suskind says. “The main innovation is the small-size, dual-frequency GNSS antenna, which has proven to work well.”

In the project’s final report, the HANDHELD team concluded that the GNSS antenna is “on the large and heavy side for an integrated solution” and urged that other integration solutions be investigated, such as a standalone housing of the antenna and GNSS receiver that communicates with the mobile device, preferably wirelessly.

“The project and our partners learned a lot about the market and user aspects of handheld devices, especially the ergonomic aspects of such products,” says Suskind. Partners included IMEC, IPDiA and Blackroc Technology, all companies that are helping Europe make its mark in the fast-moving world of GNSS mobile devices.

Taking the Work Forward

HANDHELD pointed towards some specific areas for further research. For example, the final report suggested that the development of an independent hardware platform along with html-based application software could be very useful in the drive towards more portable GNSS-based surveying tools. Further research and development could focus on stand-alone housing shape and interfaces, wireless communication means, such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and application software.

According to the GSA’s 2015 GNSS Market Report, surveying represents the most demanding market segment in terms of accuracy. Furthermore, thanks to high purchasing power, it is an early adopter of technological innovation. Once new equipment costs decrease, other sectors tend to follow in adopting new features already tested in the surveying sector.

Projects such as HANDHELD demonstrate the ability of European companies to carry out successful, high-level GNSS research in this cutting-edge sector, building valuable experience and pointing the way towards new and potentially lucrative areas for further work.

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).

New Galileo Open Service Signal-In-Space Operational Status Definition Document Now Available

The European Commission has just published the first version of the Galileo Open Service Signal-In-Space Operational Status Definition (OS SIS OSD) Document. The processing of Galileo Open Service signals and the use of Galileo Open Service relies on the publication of four Galileo documents. The first two documents are already published and consist of the Galileo OS Signal-In-Space Interface Control Document [OS SIS ICD, Issue 1.1] and the Galileo Ionospheric Correction Algorithm for Galileo Single Frequency Users [Ionospheric Correction Algorithm for Galileo Single Frequency Users, Issue 1.1, June 2015]. The third document is the Galileo OS Signal-In-Space Operational Status Definition. A public consultation for this document will be launched next week. The fourth document, to be published in the coming months, will be the Galileo OS Service Definition Document (OS SDD).

The OS SIS OSD document is available for download here.

Document Overview

The document is divided into three main sections:

• A comprehensive guide explaining how the status of the Galileo SIS is disseminated by the signal itself through specific data within the Navigation Message.
• Important considerations about the use of navigation parameters, recalling the reference for the ionospheric model used by Galileo.
• Additional considerations on the validity of navigation parameters.

Additional Information

The European Commission and the GSA are holding an open public consultation for the first version of the Galileo Open Service Signal-In-Space Operational Status Definition (OS SIS OSD) Document The public consultation will be accessible next week.

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).

On September 10th two additional Galileo satellites (FOC-M3 and SAT 9-10) were successfully launched into orbit from the European Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana. Speaking at the launch, GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides discussed how the GSA will help ensure these new satellites translate into valuable services for the end user.

“While this launch is an impressive accomplishment, in the end Galileo is about more than designing, manufacturing and launching satellites,” he said. “The ultimate objective is to translate satellite signals into valuable, reliable services for European citizens.”

Keeping the Focus on the User

The GSA was delegated the responsibility for the Galileo service provision by the European Commission. Within this role, the Agency is tasked with ensuring that the end user remains at the centre of Galileo. To achieve this, the GSA is in constant dialogue with user communities via a wide range of activities.

The Agency also works closely with chipset and receiver manufacturers to ensure all products are Galileo-capable and ready in time when Galileo is deployed. In terms of R&D, the Agency has and continues to support numerous GNSS projects via the Horizon 2020 and, previously, the FP7 funding programmes. Speaking of R&D, des Dorides noted the recently launched Fundamental Elements, which dedicates approximately EUR 100 million to R&D aimed at advancing European GNSS chipset and receiver technologies.   Des Dorides noted that the service provision task will not be easy. “Other systems are already operational and, in particular GPS is a de facto  standard,” he said. “Nevertheless, we are committed to making Galileo the world’s second GNSS reference system by 2020, this is our goal.”

The GSA approaches this challenge with a strong track record and experience from its work with EGNOS, where it has been responsible for the programme’s service provision for the past two years. During this time, the Agency has supported the uptake of EGNOS to benefits a wide range of users. Today over 150 airports have EGNOS-based approaches, EGNOS-based precision farming benefits over two-thirds of  European tractors and EGNOS is the standard for mapping and surveying in Europe. In addition interest in EGNOS from areas such as maritime and rail is growing steadily which is a positive trend for EGNOS service provision.

Ensuring a Secure System

Along with Galileo service provision, the GSA is also charged with providing a secure system. In this role, the GSA supports the EU GNSS Security Accreditation Board as an independent body within the Agency. It also provides security oversight and requirements for the GSA infrastructure, coordinates the development, adoption and trials of the Public Regulated Services (PRS) by the Member States, and advises the European Commission on matters of security in relation to EU
GNSS programme contracts and related security risks.

Via the Galileo Security Monitoring Centre (GSMC), the GSA will also provide around-the-clock monitoring and security response to all EU GNSS programmes. In this role, it will also provide instructions to the Member States regarding the control and management of their PRS user segments.

A Big Step Forward

According to des Dorides, the September 10th launch represents another big step forward for space-based services in Europe. “Tonight the entire European space community takes pride in the successful addition of two more Galileo satellites to the constellation,” he said. “For the GSA, this launch brings us one step closer to providing valuable, highly-accurate, reliable and secure European satellite navigation services to the world.”

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).

Following the successful launch of two additional Galileo satellites, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) discusses how Galileo will deliver space-based services to European citizens.

On September 10th two additional Galileo satellites (FOC-M3 and SAT 9-10) were successfully launched into orbit from the European Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana. Speaking at the launch, GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides discussed how the GSA will help ensure these new satellites translate into valuable services for the end user.

“While this launch is an impressive accomplishment, in the end Galileo is about more than designing, manufacturing and launching satellites,” he said. “The ultimate objective is to translate satellite signals into valuable, reliable services for European citizens.”

Keeping the Focus on the User

The GSA was delegated the responsibility for the Galileo service provision by the European Commission. Within this role, the Agency is tasked with ensuring that the end user remains at the centre of Galileo. To achieve this, the GSA is in constant dialogue with user communities via a wide range of activities.

The Agency also works closely with chipset and receiver manufacturers to ensure all products are Galileo-capable and ready in time when Galileo is deployed. In terms of R&D, the Agency has and continues to support numerous GNSS projects via the Horizon 2020 and, previously, the FP7 funding programmes. Speaking of R&D, des Dorides noted the recently launched Fundamental Elements, which dedicates approximately EUR 100 million to R&D aimed at advancing European GNSS chipset and receiver technologies.   Des Dorides noted that the service provision task will not be easy. “Other systems are already operational and, in particular GPS is a de facto  standard,” he said. “Nevertheless, we are committed to making Galileo the world’s second GNSS reference system by 2020, this is our goal.”

The GSA approaches this challenge with a strong track record and experience from its work with EGNOS, where it has been responsible for the programme’s service provision for the past two years. During this time, the Agency has supported the uptake of EGNOS to benefits a wide range of users. Today over 150 airports have EGNOS-based approaches, EGNOS-based precision farming benefits over two-thirds of  European tractors and EGNOS is the standard for mapping and surveying in Europe. In addition interest in EGNOS from areas such as maritime and rail is growing steadily which is a positive trend for EGNOS service provision.

Ensuring a Secure System

Along with Galileo service provision, the GSA is also charged with providing a secure system. In this role, the GSA supports the EU GNSS Security Accreditation Board as an independent body within the Agency. It also provides security oversight and requirements for the GSA infrastructure, coordinates the development, adoption and trials of the Public Regulated Services (PRS) by the Member States, and advises the European Commission on matters of security in relation to EU
GNSS programme contracts and related security risks.

Via the Galileo Security Monitoring Centre (GSMC), the GSA will also provide around-the-clock monitoring and security response to all EU GNSS programmes. In this role, it will also provide instructions to the Member States regarding the control and management of their PRS user segments.

A Big Step Forward

According to des Dorides, the September 10th launch represents another big step forward for space-based services in Europe. “Tonight the entire European space community takes pride in the successful addition of two more Galileo satellites to the constellation,” he said. “For the GSA, this launch brings us one step closer to providing valuable, highly-accurate, reliable and secure European satellite navigations services to the world.”

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).

<p><strong><img src="/sites/default/files/C.%20des%20Dorides%20at%20Galileo%20launch.jpg" alt="Speaking at the launch, GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides discussed how the GSA will help ensure these new satellites translate into valuable services for the end user." title="Speaking at the launch, GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides discussed how the GSA will help ensure these new satellites translate into valuable services for the end user." width="250" height="188" style="float: right;" class="image-right" />Following the successful launch of two additional Galileo satellites, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) discusses how Galileo will deliver space-based services to European citizens. </strong></p>
<p>On September 10th two additional Galileo satellites (FOC-M3 and SAT 9-10) were successfully launched into orbit from the European Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana. Speaking at the launch, GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides discussed how the GSA will help ensure these new satellites translate into valuable services for the end user.<br /><br />“While this launch is an impressive accomplishment, in the end Galileo is about more than designing, manufacturing and launching satellites,” he said. “The ultimate objective is to translate satellite signals into valuable, reliable services for European citizens.”</p>
<h3>Keeping the Focus on the User</h3>
<p>The GSA was delegated the responsibility for the Galileo service provision by the European Commission. Within this role, the Agency is tasked with ensuring that the end user remains at the centre of Galileo. To achieve this, the GSA is in constant dialogue with user communities via a wide range of activities. <br /><br />The Agency also works closely with chipset and receiver manufacturers to ensure all products are Galileo-capable and ready in time when Galileo is deployed. In terms of R&amp;D, the Agency has and continues to support numerous GNSS projects via the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.gsa.europa.eu/r-d/h2020" target="_blank">Horizon 2020</a></span> and, previously, the <a href="http://www.gsa.europa.eu/r-d/gnss-project-portfolio/fp7" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">FP7</span></a> funding programmes. Speaking of R&amp;D, des Dorides noted the recently launched <a href="http://www.gsa.europa.eu/news/fundamentals-european-gnss" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Fundamental Elements</span></a>, which dedicates approximately EUR 100 million to R&amp;D aimed at advancing European GNSS chipset and receiver technologies.&nbsp;&nbsp; Des Dorides noted that the service provision task will not be easy. “Other systems are already operational and, in particular GPS is a de facto&nbsp; standard,” he said. “Nevertheless, we are committed to making Galileo the world’s second GNSS reference system by 2020, this is our goal.” <br /><br />The GSA approaches this challenge with a strong track record and experience from its work with <a href="http://egnos-portal.gsa.europa.eu/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">EGNOS</span></a>, where it has been responsible for the programme’s service provision for the past two years. During this time, the Agency has supported the uptake of EGNOS to benefits a wide range of users. Today over 150 airports have EGNOS-based approaches, EGNOS-based precision farming benefits over two-thirds of&nbsp; European tractors and EGNOS is the standard for mapping and surveying in Europe. In addition interest in EGNOS from areas such as maritime and rail is growing steadily which is a positive trend for EGNOS service provision.</p>
<h3><strong>Ensuring a Secure System</strong></h3>
<p>Along with Galileo service provision, the GSA is also charged with providing a secure system. In this role, the GSA supports the <a href="http://www.gsa.europa.eu/security/accreditation" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">EU GNSS Security Accreditation Board</span></a> as an independent body within the Agency. It also provides security oversight and requirements for the GSA infrastructure, coordinates the development, adoption and trials of the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.gsa.europa.eu/security/prs" target="_blank">Public Regulated Services</a></span> (PRS) by the Member States, and advises the European Commission on matters of security in relation to EU <br />GNSS programme contracts and related security risks. <br /><br />Via the <a href="http://www.gsa.europa.eu/security/gsmc" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Galileo Security Monitoring Centre</span></a> (GSMC), the GSA will also provide around-the-clock monitoring and security response to all EU GNSS programmes. In this role, it will also provide instructions to the Member States regarding the control and management of their PRS user segments.</p>
<h3>A Big Step Forward</h3>
<p>According to des Dorides, the September 10th launch represents another big step forward for space-based services in Europe. “Tonight the entire European space community takes pride in the successful addition of two more Galileo satellites to the constellation,” he said. “For the GSA, this launch brings us one step closer to providing valuable, highly-accurate, reliable and secure European satellite navigation services to the world.”</p>
<h3>More Information</h3>
<p><strong><em>Media note:</em></strong><em> 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 (<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.gsa.europa.eu/" target="_blank">http://www.gsa.europa.eu</a></span>)</em>.<br /><br /></p>