Galileo publishes signal specifications
The Galileo Joint Undertaking has taken an important step towards ensuring standardisation with existing global satellite positioning systems, with the publication of its signal specifications. Published on 24 May, the 'Signal In Space Interface Control Document' sees the end of several years of signal design trade-offs, analyses and technical qualifications, as well as international negotiations. The specifications ensure full compatibility with GPS (Global Position System) signals, providing accurate location information and state-of-the-art navigation performances to worldwide users. This will now enable manufacturers to start designing, testing, and preparing for the manufacturing of receivers for the reception of Galileo signals and develop applications for the European Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) programme. The manufacturing and selling of Galileo receivers by manufacturers will be subject to intellectual property rights (IPR) licences, which will be issued at a later date by the Galileo concession holder on behalf of the owner of the system, the GNSS Supervisory Authority (GSA) in the name of the EU institutions.