Most people hear "GNSS" and think of the blue dot on a maps app. However, the EU's Galileo and EGNOS programs provide much more: free decimetre-level positioning through Galileo's High Accuracy Service (HAS), signal authentication to combat jamming and spoofing, low-power IoT positioning, and access to raw GNSS data on Android devices starting from version 7. All of these services are available without a subscription. This article outlines the various capabilities and opportunities for builders in leveraging these technologies, as explained in the EU Space Academy's free course on Galileo and GNSS data.
GNSS: A Broader Perspective
When people mention GNSS, they often refer to basic navigation features. In reality, the Galileo and EGNOS systems create a robust stack of functionalities that can empower developers. Galileo provides four services: Open Service, Public Regulated Service, Search and Rescue, and the High Accuracy Service. EGNOS complements these by enhancing GNSS signals with correction data, ensuring higher accuracy and reliability.
Understanding SBAS and Its Importance
SBAS, or Satellite-Based Augmentation Systems, like EGNOS, adds a significant layer of accuracy and trustworthiness to GNSS signals. This is crucial for industries requiring high precision, such as aviation and agriculture, where knowing the reliability of the position data is as important as the data itself.
The High Accuracy Service: A Game Changer
Galileo's High Accuracy Service (HAS) is a key development, offering free, precise correction data that enhances positioning accuracy significantly. This service is particularly beneficial for developers in the precision agriculture and autonomous mobility sectors, as it provides access to decimetre-level accuracy without any subscription costs.
Authentication and Security
Galileo addresses the vulnerability of GNSS signals through OSNMA, which ensures that the navigation data received is genuine, adding a layer of security that is essential for trust-dependent applications like logistics and critical infrastructure.
Low-Power Solutions for IoT
Low-power GNSS techniques are critical for battery-operated devices. By utilizing Assisted GNSS and snapshot positioning, developers can significantly reduce power consumption while still obtaining accurate location data.
Android Raw Measurements: A Developer's Asset
With Android 7 and beyond, developers can access raw GNSS measurements, opening the door to advanced positioning techniques that were once reserved for specialized equipment. This capability allows for innovative applications in augmented reality, asset management, and more.
Call to Action for European Builders
To maximize these opportunities, builders should consider integrating HAS as a standard, designing GNSS techniques alongside network choices, and leveraging raw measurements on Android devices to prototype ideas before committing to custom hardware.
Originally published at vira.space.
