EGNOS System Test Bed Evolution and Utilisation

H. Secretan, J. Ventura-Traveset, F. Toran, G. Solari and S. Basker

Abstract:	Europe is fully engaged in the development of EGNOS, the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service, aimed at augmenting GPS and GLONASS navigation services in terms of precision, data integrity, continuity and availability of services [1]. EGNOS is now a reality as a test bed: a simplified version of the fully-fledged system has been readied in January 2000 by Alcatel Space Industries, the prime contractor leading the international industrial team that is developing the system. Thanks to this test bed system, an EGNOS-like signal has since mid-February 2000 been transmitted from space, providing users with a GPS augmentation signal and enabling them to compute their positions to an accuracy of a few metres. The EGNOS test bed signal is currently available in the coverage area of the AOR-E satellite, and in the current year 2001 it will be also available in the coverage of IOR satellite. ESA is responsible for the technical management and the overall operations of the EGNOS System Test Bed and, in performing this role, is working in close co-operation with the French space agency (CNES) and the Norwegian Mapping Authority (NMA), which have also made inkind contributions to development. Development of the EGNOS System Test Bed was managed by Alcatel Space Industries, ESA prime contractor for EGNOS and by the subcontractors GMV (E), Racal (UK), Seatex (N) Astrium (D) and DLR (D). The EGNOS System Test Bed (ESTB) is also a unique tool for the analysis and design of EGNOS. As such, the ESTB is an integral part of the ESA EGNOS programme. During 2000/1, the ESTB activity has mainly focused on the improvement of the SIS availability and the performance. This paper will present: 1. An overview of the ESTB implemented architecture and a recall of the main features; 2. An introduction to the ESTB operations approach; 3. The description of the different ESTB User support initiatives launched by ESA during 2001; 4. An overview of ESA launched ESTB System upgrades including: the evolution of the signal-inspace standard; the addition of new reference stations; the expansion mode outside ECAC; and the provision of the of ESTB SIS through the Internet; 5. Information on today achievable performances with the ESTB; 6. A summary of some of the ESTB Trials performed during 2001/2002 and of the ESA launched GNSS application technology Contracts.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 14th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 2001) September 11 - 14, 2001 Salt Palace Convention Center Salt Lake City, UT
Pages:	1891 - 1900
Cite this article:	Secretan, H., Ventura-Traveset, J., Toran, F., Solari, G., Basker, S., "EGNOS System Test Bed Evolution and Utilisation," Proceedings of the 14th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 2001), Salt Lake City, UT, September 2001, pp. 1891-1900.
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