Author Archives: Galileo GNSS

The Galileo PRS, Public Regulated Service

The Galileo Public Regulated Service (PRS) is an encrypted navigation service for governmental authorised users and sensitive applications that require high continuity. The GSA actively contributes to the development of all areas of PRS user segment to continuously respond to user needs, and supports a wide and secure use of PRS in compliance with the PRS Decision 1104/2011.

What is PRS?
PRS is similar to Galileo’s Open and Commercial GNSS services, but with some important differences:

  • PRS will ensure better continuity of service to authorised users when access to other navigation services may be degraded (resilience).
  • In cases of malicious interference, PRS increases the likelihood of the continuous availability of the Signal-in-Space (robustness).

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First EGNOS LPV-200 approach

First EGNOS LPV-200 approachThe 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.) Read more…

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GNSS-enabled bicycle

GNSS enabled bicycleFrom a country that has given us such international icons as wooden shoes, windmills, canals and narrow houses, perhaps nothing symbolises the Netherlands more than the bicycle. So when the European Space Expo landed in The Hague’s Het Plein, it was only natural that it came with a special exhibition on the role space solutions play in cycling and motor biking.

The Space Solutions for Biking event showcased the many innovative biking applications powered by satellite navigation (EGNOS and Galileo) and Earth observation (Copernicus) technology. Exhibiting companies covered an array of applications, including bike sharing, smart bike riding and emergency detection for motorbike riders. Read more…

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Google opens up GNSS pseudoranges

Google has announced that raw GNSS measurements will be available to apps in the Android N operating system, which will be released later this year. This means pseudoranges, dopplers and carrier phase will be obtainable from a phone or tablet computer.

The announcement came during Google’s I/O 2016, its three-day developer conference which was held May 18-20. The specific announcement occurs during a video summary of the conference, shown below.

“This is groundbreaking,” says Steve Malkos, a technical program manager at Google. “It is the first time in history that a mobile application will have access to Read more…

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Qualcomm Technologies adds Galileo to product portfolio

Qualcomm SnapdragonIn a major boost for Galileo uptake in the location based services (LBS) market segment, the GSA announces that US-based Qalcomm Technologies, a world leader in 3G, 4G and next-generation wireless technologies, is adding support for Galileo across its Snapdragon processor and modern portfolios for smartphone, computing and automotive applications. The addition of Galileo to the company’s growing number of location-based applications and services will reduce time-to-first-fix, improve robustness and increase accuracy (particularly in challenging urban environments) ultimately providing the end user with an improved location performance. Read more…

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Galileo’s Ariane 5 dispenser ready at spaceport

Four-satellite Galileo dispenserFollowing rigorous testing in France and Germany, a new type of dispenser designed to carry four navigation satellites into orbit at once is now in French Guiana, in place for Galileo’s first Ariane 5 launch later this year.

The dispenser is an essential element of launch success, with a double role to play. Firstly it must hold the quartet of satellites securely in place during the stresses of liftoff, and then the nearly four-hour long flight to medium-Earth orbit.

Then, once the Ariane 5 EPS upper stage reaches its target 23 222 km altitude, the dispenser has to release the four Galileo satellites smoothly Read more…

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European satellite systems in service of European security

The European Parliament adopted a report on Space capabilities for European security and defence drafted by MEP Bogdan Zdrojewski. The document underlines the possibilities that have been gained by the Member States thanks to the EU programs, Copernicus and Galileo, in the areas of adequate positioning, border monitoring, air and maritime travel control, as well as the analysis of climate change.

“Positioning services and Earth observation capabilities, offered by the EU programs, Galileo and Copernicus respectively, should be used in order to assure the security of EU citizens” Read more…

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