GNSS

India launches nationwide CORS

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh launched state-of-art latest National Survey Network. The nationwide “Continuously Operating Reference Stations” (CORS) Network. It will be operated by the Survey of India, which has set up more than 1,000 CORS stations across India.

In addition to the Geospatial sector, CORS based precision services will also boost auto navigation and machine control-based solution in Agriculture, Mining, Construction, Transport and Civil Aviation sector. This will open new domains of innovation and research and create a Geospatial based ecosystem in these sectors.

CORS data will also aid in various scientific studies like Upper Atmosphere and Space weather studies, Meteorology and weather forecast, Plate motion and Tectonic studies, Seismology and Hydrology etc. Nationwide CORS based services will be available to business and pubic, which will not only ensure coherence in geospatial data generated by different stake holders by providing them common reference, but will also increase their productivity. pib.gov.in

International GNSS Day

In recognition of the indispensable role that Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) play in shaping the modern world, and the fundamental GPS frequency that forms the foundation for all GNSS, the Institute of Navigation (ION) proudly proclaims the establishment of “International GNSS Day” on the 23rd of October annually.

This date, written as “10/23” in U.S. date format, captures the frequency of 10.23 MHz, the original heartbeat of all GPS satellites, signals, and receivers. This frequency was later adopted by all other GNSS service providers, serving as the basis of L-band signals for over 100 navigation satellites today .

As a day of celebration, International GNSS Day serves to highlight the global impact of satellite navigation in diverse sectors, including transportation, agriculture, aviation, surveying, and beyond. It provides a platform to recognize the collaborative efforts of nations, organizations, and individuals in advancing GNSS technology. ION pays special tribute to the developers of GPS, celebrating 50 years since its inception this year.

This initiative acknowledges Dr. Joanna Hinks of AFRL for her visionary proposal, extending the logical tradition of International Pi Day to a day dedicated to the marvels of GNSS. In the spirit of celebration, we encourage professionals, enthusiasts, and the public alike to commemorate this day with educational activities, workshops, and festivities. ion.org

Survey to improve precise positioning through SouthPAN seeks OEMs

The Australian and New Zealand governments, with support from FrontierSI, are conducting a survey with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to identify the opportunities and barriers for integrating Southern Positioning Augmentation Network ( SouthPAN) signal support in GNSS chips, devices and equipment.

SouthPAN is a Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS) in the Southern Hemisphere and provides improved positioning and navigation services in Australia, New Zealand and maritime regions.

Precise positioning from the network offers improved accuracy down to 10 cm. SouthPAN provides augmented and corrected satellite navigation signals directly from the satellite rather than through a mobile phone, providing accuracy that overcomes gaps in mobile internet and radio communications.

SouthPAN early Open Services has been live since September 2022, and aviation safety-of-life certified SouthPAN services are set to go live in 2028. Safety-of-life certified services are designed to support end users engaging in life risking operations, such as landing an aircraft at an airport.

OEMs of positioning and/or navigation service equipment are asked to share insights on the support of SouthPAN’s three services into chips, devices and equipment. In particular, the company is looking for OEM’s’ views on barriers and opportunities for support of the L1, dual frequency multi-constellation (DFMC) and precise point positioning (PPP) via SouthPAN services. www.ga.gov.au

Rokubun Galileo OSNMA library delivers navigation message authentication

Rokubun, a Spanish GNSS company released a library solution for decoding and processing Galileo Open Service Navigation Message Authentication (OSNMA) for embedded platforms.

The solution is part of the Horizon Europe BANSHEE project, for which Rokubun served as the coordinating, is EU-funded, and is supported by the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA). The goal of the project was to develop a hybrid technology that combines Wi-Fi ranging and satellite navigation (including the Galileo OSNMA) to allow for accurate and seamless indoor-outdoor navigation.

The upcoming Galileo OSNMA will provide authenticated navigation data message against data-level spoofing attacks. By delivering data authentication, the free-to-use Galileo OSNMA assures users that the received Galileo navigation message comes from the system itself and has not been modified by, for example, a spoofing attack.

To address this risk, Rokubun’s library enables the Galileo OSNMA in embedded GNSS solutions. The cross-platform, small-footprint library has undergone extensive testing using official EUSPA test vectors, and all OSNMA algorithms have been validated in real conditions at the European Commission’s Galileo testing facilities located at the Joint Research Centre in Ispra, Italy.

The library is organized to be portable, requiring only a working assembler and C compiler that supports ISO C99. To ensure optimal performance and validate user-specific enhancements, such as the utilization of cryptographic accelerators or other system-on-chip/microcontroller specific resources, Rokubun has implemented a hardware-in-the-loop continuous integration/deployment setup.

This setup continuously tests the library against several reference MCU targets, assessing its performance and guaranteeing its reliability. www.euspa.europa.eu

Mate 60 Pro with satellite calling feature

Huawei’s new phone enables satellitesupported two-way text message conversations and can make satellite calls. The feature is powered by the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, which allows devices to send lowcapacity data to its satellites, share their locations and receive messages back from the satellites. https://asia.nikkei.com

SAgro150 Auto-Steering System

SingularXYZ has released the new SAgro150 automated steering system for precision agriculture, making it easier for farmers to get started with auto-steering. It realizes ±2.5cm autosteering accuracy for farming tasks. It uses single-antenna solution instead of dual-antenna solution and uers no longer need to assemble and install the antenna crossbar. https://singularxyz.com

SSC’s GPS certifications branch

The United States Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC) has a specialized branch responsible for certifying GPS accuracy called the GPS Certification Branch. It is a specialized team within SSC that is responsible for certifying the hardware, software, and firmware used in GPS-based systems.

The certification process involves the evaluation of design and testing for various components of GPS-based systems. This includes user equipment — the devices used by individuals or organizations to receive GPS signals and determine their precise location.

The GPS Certification Branch works with GPS manufacturers, agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), and others to establish and maintain certification standards. Collaboration with industry experts, research institutions, and other certification bodies is also an important aspect of the branch’s work to stay informed about technological advancements and ensure the certification process remains up to date with the latest developments.

The certification process also includes space segments — the satellites that transmit the GPS signals, monitoring stations, which track and monitor the performance of the GPS satellites, and the terrestrial modules — that provide end user secured and accurate signals.

Certification of hardware, software, and firmware is critical to ensure that GPS systems meet the standards set by the DOD. This certification ensures that the GPS-based systems used by the military and other DOD agencies are reliable, accurate, and secure. It also ensures that they are interoperable and compatible with other military equipment and communication networks.

The assessment process conducted by the GPS Certification Branch involves thorough testing and analysis of the design, performance, and security of the GPS components. This includes assessing the hardware’s ability to receive and process GPS signals accurately, the software’s ability to interpret and utilize the GPS data effectively, and the firmware’s ability to maintain system integrity and security. www.ssc.spaceforce.mil