GNSS raw measurements delivering greater accuracy

With the release of Android 7 (Nougat) in 2016, Google made GNSS raw measurements available to smartphone users for the first time, giving them access to a range of advanced GNSS processing techniques that had previously been restricted to more professional GNSS receivers.

A GNSS tutorial at IPIN 2018 highlighted the benefits of using raw measurements in Android

A tutorial at the IPIN 2018 indoor positioning and navigation conference in Nantes on 24 September explained how users can access raw measurements and examined how they are contributing to better location performance in mass market applications. Read more…

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How satellite navigation is empowering mobility solutions

The successful management of urban mobility will ultimately determine how well cities of the future thrive to ensure the quality of life of their citizens.

The two European Union (EU) navigation programmes, EGNOS and Galileo, are helping to achieve this by using EU-owned infrastructure that gives citizens reliably robust positioning of the vehicles and goods on which they depend daily. These solutions, which draw on the principle of multimodality, also empower mobility providers and public authorities worldwide. Read more…

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ESA Trainees Develop Smartphone Apps to View Galileo Satellites

ESA challenged its young graduate and national trainees to develop a smartphone app to perform satnav fixes using only Galileo satellites. Three teams developed apps in their spare time, presenting their results to a jury of experts from ESA, the European Global Navigation Satellite Systems Agency (GSA) and Google.

“I’m very impressed,” said Javier Benedicto, ESA’s Galileo programme manager. “With little detailed knowledge of satellite navigation, these teams have developed something that didn’t exist just a few months ago. Working on Galileo we love to see that the systems we’re putting together can reach widespread application and inspire new uses.” Read more…

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Benefits Delivered by Galileo Already Being Felt by EU Citizens, Businesses

The Galileo constellation took another big step towards full operational capability with the successful launch on 25 July of four satellites on-board an Ariane 5 launcher. Representatives of leading industry that have adopted Galileo then held a special press briefing for journalists from across the continent to address updates on how European citizens and businesses are already taking advantage of benefits delivered by Galileo.

“This launch and the Galileo services that these satellites will help provide is testament to the European Union’s ambition to position itself as one of the world’s preeminent space powers,” said Matthias Petschke, European Commission Director of EU Satellite Navigation Programs, in a press release this week. Read more…

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eCall satellite navigation certified for first European customers

Following the April 1 entry into force of the European eCall regulation, requiring all new car and light van types sold in the EU to be fitted with the emergency systems, Swedish automobile manufacturer Volvo Cars has taken the lead as the first car-maker to equip its vehicles with eCall.

Volvo is the first car maker to integrate eCall system with Galileo capabilities

The eCall device in the Volvo vehicles is manufactured by ACTIA Nordic in Sweden and has been successfully tested by NavCert´s eCall Laboratory in Germany. The readiness of automotive suppliers and technical services to equip the vehicles was partially due to actions taken by the European GNSS Agency (GSA) and the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, who launched a testing campaign and produced a joint report containing a set of guidelines to facilitate the implementation of eCall testing in compliance with the EU Regulation. Read more…

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GMV awarded Galileo Ground Control Segment (GCS) contract

With Europe’s Galileo constellation in space now expanded to 26 navigation satellites – and Galileo Initial Services available to users worldwide – the infrastructure on the ground that controls them is undergoing a corresponding expansion.

Galileo Control Segment (GCS) contract signed

ESA has awarded a new work order for the Galileo Control Segment – that part of the Galileo system responsible for the monitoring and control of all the satellites in orbit – to GMV Aerospace and Defence, Spain. Read more…

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How many Galileo satellites are now in orbit?

On July 25 four more Galileo satellites were successfully launched from the European spaceport in French Guiana on the European launcher Ariane 5. Now with a constellation of 26 satellites, the EU’s global satellite navigation system will provide a more precise signal across a range of valuable services.

Galileo has been providing positioning and timing services to around 400 million users since December 2016. This launch brings the constellation close to completion in 2020, which is when Galileo will reach full operational capability. Once complete and with a record precision of 20cm, Galileo will be the most precise satellite navigation system in the world. Read more…

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