Common

Galileo Precursor EGNOS Offers Accuracy and Integrity

Wanted: application ideas for EGNOS, the satellite-based system enhancement for GPS

Oberpfaffenhofen, 17.07.2008 – The European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) improves the accuracy of the U.S. satellite navigation system GPS to one to three metres and provides integrity signals GPS is not capable of alone. Thanks to this integrity, users can be constantly aware of whether transmitted signals can be trusted.

Europe is waiting for Galileo, but until it reaches full operational capability in 2013, EGNOS will be paving the way for the continent’s future satellite navigation system. With a network of ground stations and three geostationary satellites, EGNOS delivers augmentation signals for the existing satellite navigation system, GPS. This enables European companies to use the existing navigation signals much more quickly and extensively for commercial purposes and is particularly crucial to “safety-of-life” applications.

EGNOS can, for example, see use in air and sea navigation or road and railway transportation. It also makes satellite navigation possible in the field of air traffic, thereby improving airspace usage efficiency and safety in plane landings. In rail transport, automatic on-board positioning systems based on satellite navigation go even beyond optimisation: they considerably reduce the risk of accidents in cases of poor visibility and other circumstances. At sea, navigation of ships in narrow canals is just one of the new potential uses. EGNOS is also suitable for use in sport and everyday life: in fact, the Tour de France keeps track of its riders using the European reference service.

To increase public awareness of EGNOS and its merits and emphasise the system’s market potential, the European GNSS Supervisory Authority (GSA) is sponsoring a special prize for the first time as part of the European Satellite Navigation Competition 2008. The GSA is looking for original, innovative, and market-ready ideas that take advantage of the special characteristics of EGNOS – integrity and improved accuracy compared to GPS. The authority’s aim is to promote rapid development of new EGNOSbased applications. “We believe now is the time for innovators and entrepreneurs to seize this opportunity,” says GSA executive director Pedro Pedreira.

By offering its special prize, the GSA hopes to help the ideas submitted to reach market readiness. The winner will have the chance to work toward this goal with the support of a European incubation centre of its choice for up to 12 months.

Solutions can be submitted from all over the world at www.galileo-masters.com until 31 July.

And let’s not forget Galileo, which has been generating plenty of optimism. “The European Union stands without question behind Galileo; this means once and for all that Europe’s global satellite navigation system is and will remain on the right track,” says Pedreira.

Press Contact:

Ulrike Daniels
Anwendungszentrum GmbH Oberpfaffenhofen Sonderflughafen Oberpfaffenhofen
Gebäude 319
D-82205 Gilching
Tel.: +49(0)8152-9099047
daniels@anwendungszentrum.de

Note: Additional information on EGNOS and Galileo is available at www.gsa.europa.eu and www.esa.int/esaNA

source: Anwendungszentrum GmbH Oberpfaffenhofen Sonderflughafen Oberpfaffenhofen

Topic: Aviation and Space, Transportation and Mobility

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	Common Galileo Precursor EGNOS Offers Accuracy and Integrity Wanted: application ideas for EGNOS, the satellite-based system enhancement for GPS Oberpfaffenhofen, 17.07.2008 – The European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) improves the accuracy of the U.S. satellite navigation system GPS to one to three metres and provides integrity signals GPS is not capable of alone. Thanks to this integrity, users can be constantly aware of whether transmitted signals can be trusted. Europe is waiting for Galileo, but until it reaches full operational capability in 2013, EGNOS will be paving the way for the continent’s future satellite navigation system. With a network of ground stations and three geostationary satellites, EGNOS delivers augmentation signals for the existing satellite navigation system, GPS. This enables European companies to use the existing navigation signals much more quickly and extensively for commercial purposes and is particularly crucial to “safety-of-life” applications. EGNOS can, for example, see use in air and sea navigation or road and railway transportation. It also makes satellite navigation possible in the field of air traffic, thereby improving airspace usage efficiency and safety in plane landings. In rail transport, automatic on-board positioning systems based on satellite navigation go even beyond optimisation: they considerably reduce the risk of accidents in cases of poor visibility and other circumstances. At sea, navigation of ships in narrow canals is just one of the new potential uses. EGNOS is also suitable for use in sport and everyday life: in fact, the Tour de France keeps track of its riders using the European reference service. To increase public awareness of EGNOS and its merits and emphasise the system’s market potential, the European GNSS Supervisory Authority (GSA) is sponsoring a special prize for the first time as part of the European Satellite Navigation Competition 2008. The GSA is looking for original, innovative, and market-ready ideas that take advantage of the special characteristics of EGNOS – integrity and improved accuracy compared to GPS. The authority’s aim is to promote rapid development of new EGNOSbased applications. “We believe now is the time for innovators and entrepreneurs to seize this opportunity,” says GSA executive director Pedro Pedreira. By offering its special prize, the GSA hopes to help the ideas submitted to reach market readiness. The winner will have the chance to work toward this goal with the support of a European incubation centre of its choice for up to 12 months. Solutions can be submitted from all over the world at www.galileo-masters.com until 31 July. And let’s not forget Galileo, which has been generating plenty of optimism. “The European Union stands without question behind Galileo; this means once and for all that Europe’s global satellite navigation system is and will remain on the right track,” says Pedreira. Press Contact: Ulrike Daniels Anwendungszentrum GmbH Oberpfaffenhofen Sonderflughafen Oberpfaffenhofen Gebäude 319 D-82205 Gilching Tel.: +49(0)8152-9099047 daniels@anwendungszentrum.de Note: Additional information on EGNOS and Galileo is available at www.gsa.europa.eu and www.esa.int/esaNA source: Anwendungszentrum GmbH Oberpfaffenhofen Sonderflughafen Oberpfaffenhofen Topic: Aviation and Space, Transportation and Mobility	Print page Back