GPS World

Tag: Safran Electronics & Defense

  • Safran provides GNSS simulation solutions for Xona Space Systems LEO constellation

    Safran provides GNSS simulation solutions for Xona Space Systems LEO constellation

     

    Image: Safran Electronics and Defense
    Image: Safran Electronics and Defense

    Orolia, a Safran Electronics and Defense company, has partnered with Xona Space Systems to develop support for Xona’s low-Earth-orbit (LEO) constellation and navigation signals in its Skydel-powered simulation and testing products.

    Xona is developing PULSAR – a high-performance positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) service enabled by a commercial constellation of dedicated LEO satellites.

    “Our Skydel GNSS simulation engine will provide support for Xona’s PULSAR signals and satellite constellation to offer OEMs, developers, and integrators a unique tool that enables early testing and validation of Xona’s LEO PNT signal performance,” Pierre-Marie Le Véel, GNSS products director with Safran, said.

    The PULSAR service aims to advance PNT security, resilience and accuracy capabilities by augmenting existing GNSS while also operating as an independent PNT constellation.

    Skydel powers Safran’s advanced GNSS simulators such as GSG-8.

    Image: Xona Space Systems 
    Image: Xona Space Systems
  • Orolia Skydel will support Galileo OSNMA

    Orolia Skydel will support Galileo OSNMA

     

    Image: Orolia
    Image: Orolia

    Orolia, a Safran Electronics and Defense company, announced its Skydel GNSS simulation engine will support Galileo Open Service Navigation Message Authentication (OSNMA) simulation in the form of two-phased and separate solutions. These solutions will be available to users who have purchased simulation access to the Galileo constellation, which will be available in the next few months.

    OSNMA is an emerging authentication service that allows GNSS receivers to verify the authenticity of received data to protect against potential jamming or spoofing attacks that can result in service disruptions, denial incidents and more.

    The first solution is well-suited for most receiver integrators that want to test the OSNMA capability of a GNSS receiver with the official test vectors from the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA). This solution will support the available official test vectors sample data, which supports the verification of OSNMA functionality implementation.

    The second option will provide full flexibility in the configuration of the scenario as well as the OSNMA authentication parameters. It will be suitable for advanced users that test receivers in a wide range of edge and corner cases.

    Available later in 2023, this phase will include the following elements in Skydel: authentication of the Galileo E1 OS navigation message, a new Skydel engine supporting OSNMA SIS ICD 1.0, support for the timed efficient stream loss-tolerant authentication protocol, and useful crypto material for running user-programmable simulation test scenarios.

    This feature will be ready for future software updates in accordance with the next phases recommended by EUPSA.

  • Safran Electronics and Defense releases defense PNT system

    Safran Electronics and Defense releases defense PNT system

    NAVKITE on board a vessel. (Image: Safran Electronics and Defense)
    NAVKITE on board a vessel. (Image: Safran Electronics and Defense)

    Safran Electronics and Defense and Fuscolab, the innovation lab for the French Marine Corps, released a resilient position, navigation, and timing (PNT) system, NAVKITE. It provides navigation integrity and performance over long periods of time and under demanding circumstances on land and at sea.

    NAVKITE meets operational requirements for the French Navy Commandos and will be integrated in Embarcation Commando a Usage Multiple Embarquable (ECUME) — a transportable, multirole, semi-rigid boat purpose-designed for commandos and other special forces.

    NAVKITE’s capabilities depend on the coupling of Safran’s Geonyx M inertial navigation system with the VersaSync time/frequency server. Together, they handle the transmission of PNT data to ensure mission continuity.

    The first sea trials of the system, conducted by Fuscolab and the Ponchardier commando unit, demonstrated NAVKITE’s performance under operational conditions. It was then successfully deployed in February in the joint services exercise Hemex, during phase two of Orion, a large-scale operation for resilient, innovative and interoperable armed forces focused on high-intensity conflicts.

  • GNSS Almanac: Key stats on GNSS constellations

    GNSS Almanac: Key stats on GNSS constellations

    Image: vasilypetkov/iStock / Getty Images Plus/Getty Images
    Image: vasilypetkov/iStock / Getty Images Plus/Getty Images

    In our October 2021 issue, we celebrated the availability of four global navigation satellite system (GNSS) constellations. Below is the status (as of Feb. 23, 2023) of these four GNSS and their two regional cousins.

    Many thanks to Mohamed Tamazin, Ph.D., Senior GNSS Architect for GNSS Simulation with Orolia — a Safran Electronics & Defense company, who provided or confirmed these data. While the data on GPS and Galileo are easily accessible, those for the other constellations are difficult, in some cases very difficult, to find.

    — Matteo Luccio, Editor-in-Chief

    GNSS Almanac chart 2023

  • Safran officially acquires Orolia for PNT solutions

    Safran officially acquires Orolia for PNT solutions

    After a negotiation process that began in December 2021, Orolia officially joined Safran Electronics & Defense on July 8.

    Orolia employs more than 435 people in Europe and North America and has revenues of about €100 million. Its solutions include atomic clocks, time servers, simulation and resilience equipment for GNSS signals, and emergency locator beacons for commercial aviation and military applications.

    These products and solutions will complement Safran Electronics & Defense’s activities as it meets the challenges of positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) in contested and vulnerable environments, Safran said.

    In most situations, GNSS receivers are the reference providers of time and position data. Still, they need to be secured by combining them with accurate, high-integrity autonomous time or inertial references.

    Through this partnership with Orolia, Safran Electronics & Defense, will offer a comprehensive set of resilient PNT architectures and equipment to meet the challenges of integrity and robustness for the aviation, defense, space, transportation, new mobility and critical infrastructure markets.

    “Orolia could not imagine a better fit than with Safran to secure its growth and leverage its PNT leadership positions,” said Jean-Yves Courtois, CEO of Orolia. “Thanks to the addition of best-in-class timing and inertial technologies, premier access to the largest defense and aerospace markets, and a proven track record in government program capture and execution, Safran and Orolia now have all the cards in hand to establish themselves as the resilient PNT leader.”

    Martin Sion, CEO of Safran Electronics & Defense, said: “The acquisition of Orolia makes Safran one of the few companies with the full complement of PNT technologies, bringing together Orolia’s precise time referencing and Safran Electronics & Defense’s proven inertial navigation solutions. Our shared ambition is to become the world leader in resilient PNT for all conventional and strategic applications.”

  • Safran’s SkyNaute navigation system to equip H160M Guépard helicopters

    Safran’s SkyNaute navigation system to equip H160M Guépard helicopters

    Photo: Safran
    Photo: Safran

    Airbus Helicopters has selected Safran Electronics & Defense to supply its SkyNaute navigation systems to equip future H160M helicopters, developed as part of the France’s joint light helicopter program. The contract follows a December 2021 order from the French Ministry of the Armed Forces for 169 Guépard helicopters.

    SkyNaute is an ultra-compact hybrid GNSS/inertial navigation system based on Safran’s patented technology —  the hemispherical resonator gyroscope crystal. It offers virtually unlimited service life, a robust design for severe environments and ultra-high reliability, Safran said.

    With its combination of high integrity and precision, the SkyNaute navigation system guarantees a high level of performance, even when GNSS signals are absent or jammed. It will enable H160M crews to perform their missions in challenging theaters of operations, the company said.

  • Safran develops inertial micro-sensor strategy

    Safran develops inertial micro-sensor strategy

    An example of a MEMS. (Photo: Safran Colibrys)
    An example of a MEMS. (Photo: Safran Colibrys)

    Safran Electronics & Defense is taking a major step forward in its inertial navigation strategy by grouping two subsidiaries, Safran Colibrys (Switzerland) and the recently acquired Sensonor (Norway,) under a single banner, Safran Sensing Technologies.

    The similarities in expertise, market position, customers and technologies result in clear synergy between these two companies, which produce accelerometers, gyrometers and inertial measurement units (IMUs). The creation of Safran Sensing Technologies shows Safran’s commitment to developing its micro-sensor business through these two companies.

    The STIM380H inertial measurement unit. (Photo: Sensonor)
    The STIM380H inertial measurement unit. (Photo: Sensonor)

    The goal is to jointly offer a wider and comprehensive range of inertial technologies including vibrating sensors, optics and micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) for applications in aeronautics, defense, space and other industries.

    The two subsidiaries have already delivered more than 20 million MEMS sensors to the aeronautics, defense, space, transport, mobility and industry sectors. For example, MEMS are used in the control accelerometers of automobile airbags, in high temperature accelerometers for guiding drill heads, and in seismic sensors measuring the structural health of buildings or civil engineering works. They are also used in IMUs for civil, military and space vehicles.

    This change is part of a broader Safran Electronics & Defense strategy designed to strengthen the company’s position in the positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) market.

    The two entities have been renamed Safran Sensing Technologies Norway AS and Safran Sensing Technologies Switzerland SA, respectively.