Space Satnav
Navigation systems have come a long way .Nowadays, there are satellite navigation (satnav) systems in many people’s cars and mobile devices. And yet it still counts as an emerging technology category because the applications for it just keep on growing. Navigation, surveying, mapping, emergency services; all rely on satnav.
The main challenge is to make satnav systems work well with other information so that the applications deliver real value for the user. The integration should ensure reliability and accuracy. It requires modern software engineering and risk management techniques.These systems require certification, an expensive and complicated process but critical for the long term growth of satnav market.Ideally, the solution is to apply a core certification that will cover the majority of the likely requirements. A residual certification can then be undertaken for each application as and when required.
Through rigorous project management we deliver even the most complex system or application on time and to budget. We use a formal management process for safety-related work so our systems meet regulatory as well as functional requirements of your business.
Here are a few examples of what we have helped achieve:
EGNOS
To make GPS and Glonass usable for safety-of-life applications, the European Space Agency (ESA) has deployed the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS). Under contract to prime contractor Thales Alenia Space, we developed the unit that verifies the EGNOS message before and after transmission. With the Logica Integrity Check Set (LICS) the information being broadcast is always reliable. Easily, it is the most critical element of EGNOS.
Galileo
When operational, the 30 Galileo satellites will take GPS to a whole new level. Users will be able to rely on the two systems combined for the most critical applications. It will be especially useful in urban areas, mountains and high latitudes where the GPS service is intermittent. We've been helping European governments to define and deploy Galileo. We advise on the procurement approach to deliver an affordable system that meets Europe’s requirements. We also analyse the market drivers and develop the ground infrastructure, including considerations of security and certification.
GNSS Supervisory Authority
We are the prime security contractor to the GNSS Supervisory Authority (GSA). Our responsibilities include the definition of guidelines and rules for the management of Galileo services in the countries eligible to participate in the programme, the definition of technical requirements for security related activities, and the definition of an Information Security Management System within the GSA to comply with ISO/IEC 27001.
Galileo ground infrastructure
ESA chose us to design the core of the ground infrastructure that controls the 30 satellites and calculates the information broadcast by the satellites to Galileo users. We are supporting the European Commission, ESA and the Segment prime contractors (Thales Alenia Space and EADS Astrium) with many areas of activity including security. Through our solution, we manage the commercial and public sector encryption keys, enable satellite controlling and provide complex algorithmic software to calculate the system integrity and satellite orbits.
Satnav applications
We have delivered operational systems that incorporate satnav elements to clients in many sectors. For instance, taxi and bus fleet management, UK air traffic control (in conjunction with the UK’s first Microwave Landing System) and wide area digital networks for many applications.
We support ESA in the Active Road Management Assisted by Satellite (ARMAS) programme, where we are working with Skysoft (Portugal) to demonstrate virtual tolling using GPS and EGNOS. We're doing this by analysing critical issues such as fraud prevention and preparing a draft business case.
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