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Skydio has entered a strategic collaboration with Trimble to create an integrated workflow of accurate data capture, visualization and analytics. The workflow is designed to address the needs of critical infrastructure industries such as surveying, mapping and inspections.

The collaboration, currently in the developmental stage, aims to offer users centimeter-level accuracy in surveying and mapping projects by integrating Skydio autonomous UAVs with Trimble GNSS receivers and software. The technology can be used by construction and utility companies, as well as state transportation agencies, to streamline workflows for greater precision and project efficiency.

Industry leaders rely on autonomous UAVs with powerful visual and thermal camera sensors, such as Skydio’s X10, for their ability to capture real-time condition reports of critical infrastructure conditions. By capturing images and geospatial data early and frequently throughout construction projects, organizations can easily ensure on-site work matches the design and reduce costly rework.

When bridge or utility site inspections need to scale, the Skydio and Trimble integration can be used to collect comprehensive data and improve the necessary workflow to identify issues early and take action to prevent failures.

According to Skydio, key benefits of the collaboration include:

Automated data integration: An automated, API-based integration enables seamless transfer of aerial imagery and metadata from Skydio Cloud to Trimble Industry Cloud. It accelerates the conversion of reality-capture data into actionable insights to improve efficiency. Further refinement and analysis of the output data can be carried out in professional surveying and mapping environments such as Trimble Business Center (TBC).

Survey-grade accuracy with Skydio X10: The X10 UAV will be fully compatible with Trimble’s GNSS receivers, allowing mutual users to achieve survey-grade accuracy in mapping missions when employing Skydio alongside Trimble’s base stations and GNSS receivers. Beyond RTK, customers will also be able to conduct PPK based corrections post-flight.

VectorNav Technologies has released two products, the VN-210-S and VN-310-S, which expand its tactical series of GNSS-aided inertial navigation systems (INS).

The VN-210-S GNSS/INS combines a tactical-grade inertial measurement unit (IMU) comprised of a 3-axis gyroscope, accelerometer, and magnetometer with a triple-frequency GNSS receiver. The integrated 448-channel GNSS receiver from Septentrio adds several capabilities, including L5 frequencies, moving baseline real-time kinematic with centimeter-level accuracy, support for Galileo OSNMA and robust interference mitigation.

These capabilities and high-quality hardware offer improved positioning performance in radio frequency-congested and GNSS-denied environments.

The VN-310-S dual GNSS/INS leverages VectorNav’s tactical-grade IMU and integrates two 448-channel GNSS receivers to enable GNSS-compassing for accurate heading estimations in stationary and low-dynamic operations. The VN-310-S also gains support for OSNMA and robust interference mitigation, offering reliable position data across a variety of applications and environments. 

The VN-210-S and VN-310-S are packaged in a precision milled, anodized aluminum enclosure designed to MIL standards and are IP68-rated. For ultra-low SWaP applications, VectorNav has introduced L5 capabilities to the VN-210E (embedded) when using an externally integrated L5-band GNSS receiver.  

For demanding applications where precise navigation really matters and where size, weight and power are at a premium, Certus Evo exceeds the accuracy of many fibre optic gyroscopes while providing a very compact, lightweight and low power solution. This makes it ideal for applications such as aerial surveys where high performance is required and where flight times can be extended by minimising component weight and power consumption. The AI-based fusion algorithm takes full advantage of high-accuracy MEMS accelerometers and gyroscopes to deliver dependable performance at an affordable price point. Integration or customisation is made easy with extensive connectivity options and access to world-class technical support.

Click here to learn more.

The European Union is in the final stages of completing a deal with SpaceX to launch four Galileo navigation satellites in 2024, reported SpaceNews.

In press briefings during the European Space Summit in Seville, Spain, Thierry Breton, the European Commission’s commissioner for the internal market, said that he was “finalizing the discussions” for a pair of Falcon 9 launches, each carrying two Galileo satellites, tentatively scheduled for April and July of 2024.

Brenton also said that the final obstacle to completing the launch contract was negotiating a security agreement to protect sensitive technologies on the Galileo satellites, which previously had been launched from the European spaceport in French Guiana, when those satellites are being prepared for launch from the United States.

The launch contract itself was completed in July, Breton noted, and that the European Commission had approved a European Space Agency proposal to use the Falcon 9 for launching those satellites. He said the European Commission would spend $192 million on the Falcon 9 launches.

During a recent meeting of the European Space Agency (ESA) Council, ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher said that the final decision for using SpaceX to launch the Galileo satellites was in the hands of the Commission.

“We have prepared on the ESA side the contractual arrangements with an external launch company, but whether or not the launch will be decided to take place with SpaceX is not in our hands,” he said. “the European Commission will decide.”

There had been discussions for more than a year about using a non-European rocket, such as the Falcon 9, for launching those satellites because of delays in the Ariane 6, the retirement of the Ariane 5 and the withdrawal of the Soyuz after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Those satellites would augment the existing operational Galileo constellation and serve as on-orbit replacements if other satellites fail.

ESA had already contracted with SpaceX for three Falcon 9 launches. The ESA said it chose the Falcon 9 after the loss of the Soyuz, delays in the Ariane 6 and concerns about the Vega C, which remains out of service since a launch failure in December 2022.

Belgian government-owned railway company, Infrabel, is responsible for ensuring that the country’s railway systems run smoothly. To do this, the company recently needed to renew the switches and crossings at the Kinkempois site, located in the Liege region of the country.

To ensure an efficient, safe and high-quality changeover, Infrabel partnered with construction specialist Jérouville, and when it came to choosing technology to help guide its machinery, the contractor turned to Topcon Positioning for its total station solutions.

According to Stéphane Lemaire, equipment manager at Jérouville, the team first dismantled and removed the previous set of foundations and the sub-foundations at Kinkempois. From there, the team installed new foundations to ensure the new switches have a good grounding for years to come.

At the site, navigation capabilities were compromised due to interference from overhead power lines. As a resolution, two Topcon total stations were used; one for each crawler dozer. Despite the challenging circumstances, the total stations were able to provide accurate readings for each dozer.

Before the bulldozers could get to work, surveyors used the data from the total stations to create three-dimensional models of the finished project using Topcon’s MAGNET software. These models were then shared with all stakeholders on the project. The MAGNET software allowed the entire team to have complete oversight of the project, whether they were on-site or back in the office.

Stéphane Lemaire said in a press release that Topcon’s total stations played a key role in getting the job done accurately on the first try.

“Traditionally, this has been a time-consuming process for projects like this, with a tracker on site who would manually ensure that the levels were correct,” Lemaire said. “However, with total station technology, the process only took three shifts across two weekends, compared to six shifts across two weekends.”

What is the most promising innovation in satellite navigation being introduced by BDS, Galileo, QZSS, or NavIC?

“Two things are having an immediate impact: authentication methods, such as Galileo’s Open Service-Navigation Message Authentication (OS-NMA), and the proliferation of correction services for high accuracy. Navigation message authentication offers a practical, easy-to-implement defense against several (though not all) types of spoofing attacks. QZSS and NavIC offer this too. And though paid correction services have been available for some time, Galileo’s High Accuracy Service (HAS) will bring it into the mainstream. Sometimes innovation is just applying simple techniques in a useful, efficient manner.”

— John Fischer
Safran Navigation & Timing 

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For critical infrastructure, how good a remedy are multi-constellation receivers to GNSS vulnerability?

“Multi-constellation receivers do not do much to combat jamming and spoofing; they only detect failures in a constellation itself through comparison. Since they all are open standards, a good spoofer can fake all the systems simultaneously. Multi-frequency receivers are a bit more resistant to jamming, since one must jam multiple bands, but since all the bands are relatively close, the barrier is not high. To be truly resilient, you need diverse, redundant PNT sensors — IMUs, CRPAs, strong signals of opportunity, lidars, etc. — in addition to GNSS receivers.”

— John Fischer
Safran Navigation & Timing 

A roundup of recent products in the GNSS and inertial positioning industry from the November 2023 issue of GPS World magazine.

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SURVEYING & MAPPING

MEMS IMU
Suitable for rugged environments

The TAC-440 MEMS inertial measurement unit (IMU) is designed for demanding, mission-critical, rugged environments in a wide variety of defense, commercial, industrial, and marine applications. The TAC-440 features 1°/hr gyro bias and 1 mg accelerometer bias stability with 0.05°/√hr angle random walk over a wide temperature range. The solid-state quartz sensors and hermetically sealed IMU construction provide reliable MTBF and storage life, EMCORE stated. The TAC-440 supports four data message synchronization methods with either input synchronization pulse capability or an output time of validity capability. The user can choose whether the synchronization pulse is internally generated and output as a time of validity of the output data or whether the TAC-440 software will identify the synchronization pulse input and synchronize the output data to the input pulse.
EMCORE Corporation, emcore.com

RTK GNSS Tablet
A rugged device designed for geospatial and mapping operations in the field

The LT800H offers users robust outdoor performance, data security and centimeter-level accuracy for a variety of applications, including construction, environmental surveying and any industry in which Android tablets are used. Featuring a high-performance 1,408-channel GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and BeiDou module and a tracking GNSS helix antenna, the LT800H RTK Android tablet offers centimeter-to-decimeter positioning accuracy in challenging environments. It also comes equipped with a 4G modem to simplify connectivity to GNSS RTK network corrections. The technology also offers an eight-hour battery life, allowing users to collect data in the field uninterrupted.
CHC Navigation, chcnav.com

PPK Software
For land surveying, hydrography, airborne surveys, construction, and applications that require precise positioning

The Qinertia 4 contains an enhanced geodesy engine that has an extensive selection of preconfigured coordinate reference systems (CRS) and transformations, making it a suitable solution for applications that use diverse geodetic data. To tackle the challenges of variable ionospheric activity, Qinertia 4 features an Ionoshield post-processed kinematic (PPK) mode. This feature compensates for ionospheric conditions and baseline distances, enabling users to perform PPK even for long baselines and/or harsh ionospheric conditions. This ensures surveyors can achieve centimeter accuracy even in regions with unpredictable ionospheric disturbances. Another addition to the Qinertia 4 is an extended network support for continuously operating reference stations (CORS). This feature gives users access to a network of 5,000 SmartNet CORS for reliable GNSS data processing. These base stations add to the network of base stations directly available in Qinertia, bringing the total to more than 10,000 bases in 164 countries.

For data that cannot be processed using PPK, Qinertia 4 offers an alternative solution with its tightly coupled precise point positioning algorithm. This new processing mode, available for all users with active Qinertia maintenance, provides post-processing anywhere in the world without a base station, with a horizontal accuracy of 4 cm and a vertical accuracy of 8 cm.
SBG Systems, sbg-systems.com

Airborne Lidar + RGB System
Designed to enhance the details of aerial mapping operations

The AlphaAir 10 (AA10) features a high-precision navigation algorithm that provides 5 mm repeated range accuracy and achieves absolute precision in the 2 cm to 5 cm range, even in complex environments. The AA10 is capable of long-range measurements of up to 800 m, rapid scanning at 500,000 points per second, and features a continuously rotating mirror that enables scanning speeds of 250 scans per second. The AA10 enables the creation of mesh models by generating high-quality point clouds. It is powered by a 45 MP orthographic internal camera that provides high-resolution image mapping textures for 3D model reconstruction with realistic point cloud colorization. The AA10 also supports automated reality capture and real-time data visualization accessible directly from the UAV controller. The AA10 lidar system is lightweight and compact, weighing 1.55 kg, and provides a 30 min operating time when integrated with UAVs such as the DJI M350. The system is also IP64-rated.
CHC Navigation, chcnav.com

GNSS Receiver
Designed for survey projects

The Reach RS3 is a GNSS receiver that features inertial measurement unit (IMU) tilt compensation and a dual-band radio for enhanced compatibility with third-party receivers. The Reach RS3 enables users to survey at large tilt angles while maintaining survey-grade accuracy. The multi-band receiver works both as a base and a rover and comes factory calibrated. The receiver offers versatile options to get corrections from continuously operating reference stations (CORS), another Reach device, or a third-party base, so users can mix and match real-time-kinematic (RTK) receivers in a fleet. Its NTRIP connectivity enables corrections from CORS, NTRIP service, or a GNSS receiver using Emlid NTRIP Caster. When connected over NTRIP, Reach works on a baseline of more than 60 km in RTK and 100 km in post-processed kinematic.
Emlid, emlid.com

GNSS Receiver
Includes Trimble ProPoint and delivers survey precision and productivity in the field

The R580 GNSS receiver enables professionals in surveying, mapping and GIS, civil construction, and utilities to capture centimeter-level positioning. With the Trimble ProPoint GNSS engine embedded, users can measure points in challenging environments, such as under tree canopy or near buildings, while EVEREST Plus technology can identify and remove unwanted multipath signals for improved accuracy and data confidence. Using the Maxwell 7 chipset technology, the receiver provides fast processing, anti-spoofing capability and the ability to track all available GNSS constellations. The R580 supports Trimble RTX correction services for RTK-level precision without the use of a local base station or VRS network wherever correction sources are available. The receiver can be paired with all current mobile devices on a variety of operating systems and platforms —from a Trimble handheld or controller to a modern smartphone or tablet. It can also be mounted on a pole, vehicle or backpack.
Trimble, trimble.com

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OEM

GNSS Module
Supports L1/L5 GNSS bands from multiple constellations, including NavIC

The NEO-F10N positioning module is based on the u-blox NEO form factor and is equipped with u-blox F10 dual-band GNSS technology. The NEO-F10N supports L1/L5 GNSS bands from multiple constellations — including NavIC — to provide meter-level position accuracy in urban areas. Its firmware is upgradeable and configurable to support several applications such as the vehicle telematics and micromobility markets or industrial applications requiring meter-level position accuracy. The NEO-F10N improves position accuracy in urban environments with its enhanced resilience against multipath interference. By leveraging signals from both the L1 and L5 bands, this module achieves better accuracy than using the L1 band alone. Users currently employing receivers based on modules such as the u-blox NEO-M8 and NEO-M9, can migrate to the new NEO-F10N generation. The module enhances accuracy, reduces power consumption, and offers an alternative solution to users who do not want to deploy dead reckoning set-ups.
u-blox, u-blox.com

Multi-Band GNSS Antenna
Designed to enhance meter-level positioning solutions

The ANN-MB5 is a multi-band (L1/L5/E5a/B2a) GNSS antenna that is optimized for the u-blox F10 platform and enables precise, reliable, and robust positioning, even in challenging environments. The antenna features concurrent reception of multiple navigation systems, including NavIC. The ANN-MB5 has a compact design with a magnetic base.
u-blox, u-blox.com

INS
A product for mobile mapping, autonomy, and more

The xRED3000 inertial navigation system (INS) offers quad-constellation GNSS support for multiple applications. The INS weighs 20 g, making it suitable for aerial payloads. At 53.6 mm x 50.6 mm x 9.5 mm in size, it can be incorporated without drastically changing a user’s design. When in a GNSS-denied area, the xRED3000 provides a position accuracy of 0.5 m even after 60 seconds. It features gx/ix tight-coupling algorithms, which improve accuracy in urban canyons and speed up real-time kinematic reacquisition after temporary GNSS outages. The xRED3000 features lidar inertial odometry, which takes data from lidar in post-processing to reduce inertial measurement unit drift and improve accuracy in areas with poor or no GNSS signal. Additionally, embedded NTRIP makes it easier to get GNSS corrections.
OxTS, oxts.com

Triple Frequency GNSS Receiver
Complete with a compact design for mobile applications

The BD990 supports triple frequency for the GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou and Galileo constellations. The receiver offers quick and reliable real-time kinematic (RTK) initializations for centimeter positioning. It features Trimble Maxwell 7 technology, which provides 336 tracking channels, Trimble Everest Plus multipath mitigation, and advanced RF spectrum monitoring and analysis. With the option of utilizing OmniSTAR or RTX services, the BD990 delivers varying levels of performance down to centimeter-level without the use of a base station. The BD992 also supports dual antenna GNSS heading while the BD992-INS supports position and orientation at high update rates.
Trimble, oemgnss.trimble.com

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MACHINE CONTROL

Automated Steering System
Designed for precision agriculture applications

The SAgro150 automated steering system aims to provide farmers with an easy way to get started with auto-steering. With full-constellation tracking capability, the SAgro150 realizes ±2.5 cm auto-steering accuracy to maximize land use and yield while saving resources such as water and fertilizer. When compared to the first-generation SAgro100 system, the SAgro150 auto-steering system uses a single-antenna solution instead of a dual-antenna solution. It also features simpler integration options, only requiring a strong magnetic chuck to securely attach the antenna to the top of the tractor for satellite signal tracking. The new system also adopts dual gyroscope mode, enhancing the heading data reliability and compatibility with different tractors. The new system aids in applications such as rotary tillage, ridging, sowing and harvesting in straight line, curve, U-turn and more.
SingularXYZ, singularxyz.com

Positioning and Heading Receiver
Designed for multiple applications

AsteRx SB3 Pro+ is a housed multi-frequency GNSS receiver that uses triple-band GNSS technology for reliable centimeter-level real-time kinematic (RTK) positioning and sub-degree heading. With flexibility to be used as a rover or a base station, AsteRx SB3 Pro+ also has an ultra-high update rate and logging functionality. Enclosed in a ruggedized IP68 housing, the device is suitable for harsh environments. The AsteRx SB3 Pro+ has a high update rate and low latency for fast moving vehicles or machine parts.
Septentrio, septentrio.com

GPS Antennas
Offers enhanced navigation and tracking for automotive applications

The KP Performance vehicle GPS antennas come equipped with a gain of 28 dB to capture weak signals, even in the most challenging environments. The antennas also feature high out-of-band rejection. By minimizing signal interference and multipath effects, the antennas provide good signal quality and stability. The features of the antennas enable more precise navigation and enhanced user experiences for personal vehicles, commercial fleets, or autonomous systems. The antennas have a IPX6- or IP66-rated waterproof and dustproof design for reliable operation in harsh conditions.
KP Performance, kpperformance.com

About the Author: Matteo Luccio

Matteo Luccio, GPS World’s Editor-in-Chief, possesses more than 20 years of experience as a writer and editor for GNSS and geospatial technology magazines. He began his career in the industry in 2000, serving as managing editor of GPS World and Galileo’s World, then as editor of Earth Observation Magazine and GIS Monitor. His technical articles have been published in more than 20 professional magazines, including Professional Surveyor Magazine, Apogeo Spatial and xyHt. Luccio holds a master’s degree in political science from MIT. He can be reached at mluccio@northcoastmedia.net or 541-543-0525.

In 2023, Galileo continues to provide the world’s most precise satellite navigation information, to more than four billion users worldwide. Galileo services have expanded with many new capabilities that are unique with respect to other GNSS.

EUSPA and ESA continue to enjoy an effective collaboration on the many development, deployment and evolution activities of the Galileo Program, each according to its responsibilities for service provision and system development with the European Commission acting as the program manager.

Stable service performance

The service delivery operations, and the maintenance of the operational systems, are managed by EUSPA, who supervises several contracts that carry-out the day-to-day activities from dedicated control and monitoring centers throughout Europe. The Galileo timing, navigation and SAR/Galileo services provided in 2023 have been delivered with excellent performances that continue to exceed the formal declarations for minimum performance levels (MPL), both in terms of absolute accuracy and overall service availability.

Expansion of service portfolio

The service provision teams have been able to focus on improvements to, and expansion of, the Galileo service portfolio.

OS and I/NAV improvement

Galileo Open Service (OS) users can already benefit from an improved navigation message, being broadcast by the Galileo constellation since mid-2023, which considerably boosts their performance in terms of robustness and time to first fix.

An update of the Galileo OS service definition document (SDD) is planned for the end of this year. This fourth issue of the OS SDD will bring to the users new MPLs (e.g., ranging rate accuracy and ranging accuracy at high percentiles) and improvements of existing MPLs, such as the timeliness of certain notice advisories to Galileo users. This updated OS SDD will also introduce the OS extended operation mode, which is characterized by a gradually degrading ranging accuracy with respect to the nominal operational mode, including outages of the Galileo ground segment, thus increasing the robustness of the OS.

High Accuracy Service

As of the HAS initial service declaration on January 24, Galileo became the first GNSS constellation ever to enable a decimetre-level accuracy, free of charge on a 24/7 basis over most parts of the globe in nominal conditions. The HAS corrections are transmitted directly via the Galileo signal in space (E6-B) and through the internet with the corresponding performance levels systematically met since the declaration. All documentation available here.

OS-NMA

The OS Navigation Message Authentication (OSNMA) will be a free and open access service allowing the users to confirm that received Galileo navigation data has not been modified and originates from the Galileo system, thus increasing the likelihood of detecting spoofing attacks at the data level and significantly contributing to the security of the solution. The OSNMA public observation phase is currently ongoing (gsc-europa.eu/support-to-developers/osnma-public-observation-test-phase). As part of that, the final OSNMA signal in space (SiS) interface control document (ICD) was published in December 2022, while the broadcast of a compliant SiS together with test certificates for the public key infrastructure started in August, marking the start of the OSNMA initial operational capability. The OSNMA initial service declaration will be achieved after the completion of the service validation activities and is targeted for early 2024.

Safety of life

The Galileo contribution to safety of life services (GoSoL) will cover the provision of Galileo signals and of service guarantees to enable the implementation of horizontal ARAIM service supporting aviation users. The service roadmap is currently under definition with a stepwise approach that will include the broadcast of a test ISM before the operational service is provided.

SAR

SAR/Galileo provides accurate, timely, and reliable distress alert data to help rescue authorities assist in distress situations (forward link service). It also acknowledges the receipt of the distress forward link alert to the beacon in distress via the Galileo navigation SiS (return link service). SAR/Galileo is a geographically distributed system, which was extended with a fourth European MEOLUT installed in La Reunion, in operation since November 2022.

The combination of SAR/Galileo space and ground assets provides excellent performance levels with a mean location accuracy of less than 800 m and a return link delivery latency of less than 1 min, which assisted in the rescue of approximately 1,400 people within EU territories in 2022.

Utilizing the return link service capabilities brings new innovations that further contribute to the global emergency space operations as Galileo moves forward to the implementation phase of the emergency warning satellite service (EWSS). The EWSS will provide national civil protection authorities with a satellite broadcasting capability to broadcast on-demand authenticated alerts to a precise target area and its population directly to any device capable of processing Galileo signals.

Reference documents for each of the above services can be found at the EUSPA European GNSS Service Center website, including technical notes, interface control documents and service declaration documents.

Full operational capability infrastructure development toward completion

Space segment

The production of the third batch of Galileo FOC satellites, by the satellite manufacturer OHB Systems, has been completed for an overall amount of 12 satellites. The acceptance review for the last couple of spacecraft took place in June.

This amounts to an overall production by OHB Systems of 34 Galileo FOC Satellites (14 satellites in batch one, eight satellites in batch two and 12 satellites in batch three) of which 24 are in orbit. The remaining 10 satellites are in storage waiting for the next launch opportunity in 2024.

Ground segment

The ground segment is going through a major upgrade with the roll-out of the new System Build 2.0 infrastructure in support of public regulated service IOC and open service FOC.

The new version of the ground mission segment developed by Thales Alenia Space France will be oriented to increase service robustness and resilience, besides high performance. It will provide virtualized hardware and software infrastructure at the Galileo Control Centers, triple receiver chain redundancy in the sensor stations’ remote sites and two additional sites located in Wallis (Pacific Ocean) and Bonaire (Caribbean Sea) to increase global coverage with 15 sites overall. A new mission monitoring capability has been implemented for the operators using the SAFE/Agile methodology. Furthermore, a system extended contingency mode will be implemented to cope with outages lasting up to seven days with smooth navigation performance degradation.

A new version of the Galileo Security Facility will be deployed at the Galileo Security Monitoring Centers offering an evolution of the public regulated service (PRS) capabilities through new enhanced SiS access control. Furthermore, a new state of the art cyber security monitoring system will be implemented.

The System Build 2.0 infrastructure qualification was completed by ESA in July. Migration in operation is based on an innovative concept consisting of a replica of the operational chains to ensure seamless transition from the current system in operation to the newly deployed one. The completion of the migration into operations is planned for the beginning of 2024, with the schedule being continuously monitored at the program level.

An upgrade of the ground control segment in charge of command and control of the constellation is under qualification by the industrial consortium led by GMV. It will provide additional flexibility to allow for deployment in between launches and to address resolution of hardware and software obsolescence, including cyber security, operability improvements and a security monitoring overlay. Furthermore, it will upgrade the Telemetry Tracking and Control (TTC) station in Redu, Belgium, and deploy an additional station in Fucino, Italy, co-located with the Galileo Control Center, bringing to nine the overall number of TTC stations.

Second generation fast forward

Galileo’s second generation (G2G) will introduce many innovative technologies to offer unprecedented precision, robustness, and flexibility.

For the development of G2G activities 2023 was a key year, with the development of the first batch of G2 satellites, the start of all contracts for in-orbit validation of the ground segment and system test beds and the preparation of the initial operational capability (IOC) design, through the consolidation of the mission/service roadmaps with the EC, EUSPA, and the delegates from EU member states.

This year, Europe has taken the necessary steps to unchain the development of key GNSS features, which will exponentially enhance GNSS accuracy for the worldwide communities in the future:

• New and improved services.
• Unique flexibility of ground and space systems to enable 12-18 months service time to market, without the need for constellation replenishment.
• Upgraded robustness of key infrastructure items.
• State of the art GNSS technology leading to centimeter-level precision.
• New GNSS signals, including extended data capacity for added value services.
• And of course, as a key factor, a full backward compatibility with Galileo First Generation and other GNSS systems.

G2G: Incremental steps for enhanced capabilities over the next decade

The ESA completed the G2G system preliminary design review in July, focused on three key incremental phases of the G2G:

• G2G In-Orbit Validation (G2GIOV): specification, design and validation activities for the sake of ensuring the full development of the first batch of G2G satellites and all the associated infrastructure for launch and early orbit phase, in-orbit testing, in-orbit validation, initial enhancement of Galileo services and addition of new Galileo service components.
• G2G Initial Operational Capability (G2GIOC): design and specifications required for the complementary procurements that will ensure new Galileo services, as enabled by G2G infrastructure, including both the second batch of G2G satellites and the G2G ground segment.
• G2G Full Operational Capability (G2GFOC): Identification of key technological enablers and additional capabilities required for final G2G implementation, including the bridge to future synergies with other EU and ESA programs.

G2G in-orbit validation infrastructure – satellite hardware under validation

The two parallel contracts with Thales Alenia Space and Airbus to develop and manufacture each of six G2G batch one satellites (G2SB1A and B) achieved key milestones this year.

On the G2SB1 satellite A side, the prime contractor tested engineering model payloads and structural models at its premises and delivered them to ESA’s Technology Center (ESTEC). The validation of the new G2G payload capabilities and the key mechanical, vibration and acoustical testing milestones have been achieved.

These satellites will provide the following key innovations: reconfigurable fully digital navigation payload; point-to-point connection between satellites by inter-satellite-link for command and control, and ranging functionalities; electric propulsion for orbit-raising capabilities; advanced jamming and spoofing protection mechanisms; on-board authentication capabilities; increased ground-to-space data rate; and improved time reference (number of clocks and advanced clock monitoring functions).

Key mechanical and launch-related tests on the structural models stacked configurations were performed in the last quarter of this year, in order to simulate the launcher environment and satellite separation dynamics.

On the G2SB1 satellite B and the PHM and RAFS clock manufacturing sides, activities are ongoing as planned, with key HW infrastructure developed and tested in the respective Industrial Primes premises.

This included as key events in 2023 the full testing of the satellite advanced engineering model antenna and the creation of a satellite atomic clock farm in industry premises to produce the more than 70 atomic clocks required for the 12 G2 batch one satellites.

The next steps for these contracts are the completion of the equipment and satellite CDRs, expected in the coming months, in order to engage (starting at the end of 2024) with the critical system compatibility test campaigns of the G2G IOV ground segment infrastructure and system engineering test beds under development.

G2G in-orbit validation infrastructure – ground segment and test beds in full development

The key system engineering, ground segment and test beds infrastructure procurements were all awarded during the first semester of 2023, giving EC/EUSPA/ESA and the industrial teams a brief moment of respite and celebration.

Following a competition process that encompassed about 12 months of detailed technical, management and legal interactions, 11 industrial prime contractors were selected for a set of contracts engaging about $1 billion euros of public sector investment:

• Four contracts for system engineering, signal and performance, system validation and security and PRS activities.
• Four contracts for ground segment in-orbit validation infrastructure.
• Three contracts for system test bed activities plus a series of technological developments in the receivers and constellation simulation side.
• Once completed in the years to come, these infrastructure developments will ensure not only the launch and early orbit phasing and in-orbit validation of the novel G2G satellite’s capabilities, but also enable the provision to all world users of enhanced Galileo services.

G2G initial and final operational capability moving ahead

In line with the outcomes of the system preliminary design review, two new lines of GNSS improvements are well underway at program level.
In the area of G2G initial operational capability (IOC), which will provide new G2G initial services, an extensive preparatory work has been performed by EUSPA in order to derive the mission needs (as defined by the EC and its Member States), into a set of service evolution roadmaps for the more than one dozen Galileo services.

This work has been supported by ESA dossiers providing incremental implementation of these services, in a continuous improvement ramp-up process, which guarantees backward compatibility and seamless enhancement.

The relevant procurements that will enable, in combination with the in-orbit validation infrastructure, the provision of these services are currently under consolidation:

• G2G IOC ground segment, with an initial version to be procured in 2024.
• G2G satellites batch two, which is expected to start its competitive procurement procedure in the second part of the EU’s 2021-2028 multi-financial framework.

In addition, work is well advanced in the definition of the key technological developments and system trade-offs that will be analyzed for inclusion in the G2G final operational capability (FOC), expected early in the 2030s.

Critical technologies being analyzed include optical inter-satellite links, advanced governmental payloads, new ground segment and signal technologies and in-space constellation monitoring, among others. ESA expects to complete the preparation of the system-critical design review by the end of 2024 or early 2025 and to submit it for in-depth review by the EC, EUSPA and European member states stakeholders.

Conclusions

Galileo keeps providing continuous and stable services to users with new enhanced capabilities offering high accuracy, authentication and faster time to first fix. The space and ground infrastructure development for the first generation is progressing toward public regulated service IOC and open service FOC.
In parallel, for G2G, hardware production of the new satellites is well under way and the ground segment development has started to maintain Galileo competitive with the other GNSS.

We continue to strive toward achieving the vision defined at the end of the previous decade: “If you can imagine a novel satellite navigation service, we will implement it in 12-18 months.”

We have an exciting road ahead.

About the Author: Matteo Luccio

Matteo Luccio, GPS World’s Editor-in-Chief, possesses more than 20 years of experience as a writer and editor for GNSS and geospatial technology magazines. He began his career in the industry in 2000, serving as managing editor of GPS World and Galileo’s World, then as editor of Earth Observation Magazine and GIS Monitor. His technical articles have been published in more than 20 professional magazines, including Professional Surveyor Magazine, Apogeo Spatial and xyHt. Luccio holds a master’s degree in political science from MIT. He can be reached at mluccio@northcoastmedia.net or 541-543-0525.