The ESA SISNeT Technology: Real-Time Access to the EGNOS Services through Wireless Networks and the Internet

F. Torán-Martí, J. Ventura-Traveset, R. Chen

Abstract:	Similarly to other Satellite Based Augmentation Systems (SBAS), EGNOS– the European SBAS – will broadcast augmentation signals for GPS through Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellites. GEO broadcasting is proved to be an efficient strategy for avionic applications and other modes of transport. For some applications, though, it may be of interest to complement GEO broadcasting through other transmission means. For instance, building obstacles in cities or rural canyons may difficult the GEO reception. In those situations, complementary real-time Internet-based broadcasting of the EGNOS signal is of major interest as a way to continue taking the most of the EGNOS potential, irrespectively of the user environment. In this context, the European Space Agency (ESA) has launched an internal project to provide access to the EGNOS test bed messages through the Internet. The product of this project is a new technology, called SISNeT (Signal in Space through the Internet), which is the main purpose of this paper. Thanks to SISNeT, any user with access to the Internet (e.g. through wireless networks – GSM or GPRS –) may access the EGNOS product, irrespectively of the GEO visibility conditions. As it will be shown throughout this paper, an EGNOS-SISNeT powered receiver provides much better availability of accuracy than a GPS-only receiver for typical urban environments. Indeed, while EGNOS achieved availability performances are quite resistant to user masking effects, the geometrical degradation linked to poor masking angles has a major degradation effect on GPS-only achievable availability.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 15th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 2002) September 24 - 27, 2002 Oregon Convention Center Portland, OR
Pages:	863 - 873
Cite this article:	Torán-Martí, F., Ventura-Traveset, J., Chen, R., "The ESA SISNeT Technology: Real-Time Access to the EGNOS Services through Wireless Networks and the Internet," Proceedings of the 15th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 2002), Portland, OR, September 2002, pp. 863-873.
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