Tag: Spain

Spain and Australia commission Orolia for Sarsat

Orolia’s LEOSAR-GEOSAR-MEOSAR (LGM) Mission Control Center (MCC) solutions are now commissioned as Nodal MCCs in Spain and Australia, enabling global distribution of critical search-and-rescue information through the Cospas-Sarsat system.

With the successful commissioning of their Nodal MCCs, Spain and Australia will now be able to share critical information with the U.S. and France, providing worldwide coverage for global search and rescue.

In addition, since they will be authorized to commission other MCCs in their regions, they will also significantly advance the Cospas-Sarsat MEOSAR program.

Orolia’s McMurdo PRISMA MCC features satellite search-and-rescue technology with full LGM capability. It is the commercial solution of choice for search-and-rescue authorities in Norway, the UK and many other countries.

“We’re proud to support the world’s most critical search and rescue operations,” said Steve Ludwig, Orolia’s director of SARSAT Operations. “With Orolia onboard, you can rely on proven solutions in critical environments where failure is not an option. Our PRISMA Mission Control Center systems are the only successfully deployed, Cospas-Sarsat commissioned commercial solutions available, meeting the highest standard for search-and-rescue support.”

The Orolia PRISMA Mission Control Center. (Photo: Orolia)

Orolia has been developing global search-and-rescue programs for nearly 30 years, reaching a major milestone with the Medium-altitude Earth Orbit Search and Rescue (MEOSAR) system in 2011, and completing all global MEOSAR system installations since.

To date, 75 percent of the Earth’s surface is monitored by Orolia’s MEOSAR systems.

Through its McMurdo brand, Orolia has equipped these systems with the latest search-and-rescue technology to increase response times and save more lives worldwide.

February 25, 2019
Centum Solutions demonstrates NO JAM ZONE interference detector at ION GNSS+
Photo: DJI

Centum Solutions of Madrid, Spain, introduced its NO JAM ZONE interference detector ION GNSS+ in Miami.

NO JAM ZONE is Centum’s solution for GPS interferences detection and location.

Centum will have a booth in the ION GNSS+ exhibit hall to showcase NO JAM ZONE, as well as and a GNSS simulator to show the process of detection and location of different sources of interference.

Critical infrastructures need to ensure the proper functioning of their radio frequency systems. A good example of this is airports. NO JAM ZONE is a GNSS spectrum monitoring system, capable of detecting interferences that affect the proper functioning of these systems.

NO JAM ZONE works with the most-used GNSS frequencies. Because of its distributed network of beacons, the system is able to give, in real time, the position of a source of interference.

NO JAM ZONE can detect the following types of interference:
- Service interruption (jamming)
- Spoofing interference
- Induced electromagnetic emissions whose power exceeds a certain harmful threshold
Centum also offers the NO FLY ZRONE drone and remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) detection and protection system. The active defense system is capable of detecting threats and creating a shield of electronic countermeasures preventing the intrusion of drones in protected areas and diverting them to safe catch areas.

NO FLY ZRONE is effective against the vast majority of drones and RPAS, whether radio-controlled by an operator or by autonomous guidance through GPS. It detects drones and discriminates against those that constitute potential threats.

Once the threat has been classified, NO FLY ZRONE neutralizes the drone control system by taking control of it and driving it to a safe area for its descent and capture; it can also geolocate the operator of the drone.
September 25, 2018
ESA awards Galileo ground control upgrade to GMV

News from the European Space Agency

With Europe’s Galileo constellation in space now expanded to 26 navigation satellites — and Galileo Initial Services available to users worldwide — the infrastructure on the ground that controls them is undergoing a corresponding expansion.

ESA has awarded a new work order for the Galileo Control Segment — that part of the Galileo system responsible for the monitoring and control of all the satellites in orbit — to GMV Aerospace and Defence, Spain.

The contract was signed by ESA Director of Navigation Paul Verhoef and Jesús B. Serrano Martínez, CEO of GMV, in a ceremony hosted at Spain’s Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities in Madrid, in the presence of Spanish Science Minister and former ESA astronaut Pedro Duque.

The ground control contract was signed Sept. 6 at at Spain’s Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities in Madrid. From left: Verhoef; Secretary General of Transport of Spain’s Ministry of Public Works, María José Rallo, representing Spain in the EU Committee on Satellite Navigation Programmes; Spanish Science Minister and former ESA astronaut Pedro Duque; European Commission adviser on navigation activities Augusto González; and Martínez. (Photo: ESA)

Galileo’s Control Segment is hosted at the Oberpfaffenhofen Control Centre in Germany, with a “hot backup” in place at Galileo’s second Control Centre, at Fucino in Italy. It also extends to a network of Telemetry, Tracking and Control (TT&C) ground stations placed around the globe to stay linked with all satellites in the constellation.

The combination of these Control Centres plus TT&C stations are vital to keep Galileo running at its highest possible performance level. They monitor the overall status of the constellation, gather telemetry and uplink telecommands to each satellite, while also performing two-way radio and Doppler ranging to keep precise track of their position in space, identifying any orbital drift that might degrade the system’s accuracy.

The Galileo Control Segment has been designed to allow the automatic execution of routine operations. It also includes elements supporting flight dynamics analyses, constellation operations short-term planning as well as operations preparation.

Galileo’s global ground segment. (Map: ESA)

This first work order for the “Galileo Control Segment Exploitation Phase” contracts GMV Aerospace and Defence as prime contractor to undertake all necessary activities to upgrade the Galileo Control Segment as part of Galileo’s Exploitation phase.

This work includes upgrading the system architecture to manage a constellation of up to 41 Galileo satellites, updating obsolescent elements in the current system, improving operability linked to the provision of services and the addition of a new, second TT&C station to be based in Kourou, French Guiana.

The integration, qualification, deployment and migration into operational service of the various segments of the upgraded Galileo Control Segment will be undertaken over the next three years.

The Galileo ground station near New Caledonia capital Nouméa incorporates a Galileo Sensor Station (foreground) that monitors the quality of navigation signals and an uplink station (background) to relay navigation corrections to the satellites for rebroadcast to users. An antenna 13 meters in diameter for controlling the satellites has also been built, ready to come online later this year. (Photo: ESA)

This process is to undertaken while maintaining coherence with the other segments of the overall Galileo system – such as the Galileo Mission Segment which oversees Galileo services, the external control centres that carry out initial satellite switch-ons and in-orbit testing and the satellite platform and payload manufacturers, OHB System AG in Germany and Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd in the UK.

ESA has issued this work order in its role overseeing Galileo’s deployment, the design and development of future upgrades and the technical development of infrastructure on behalf of the European Commission, Galileo’s owner.

September 6, 2018
The System: China launches BeiDou-3 twins

China launches BeiDou-3 twins

China launched two BeiDou-3 navigation satellites into space on Jan. 12 as part of efforts to enable its BeiDou system to provide navigation and positioning services to countries along the Belt and Road by the end of 2018. The Belt and Road Initiative aims to create the world’s largest platform for economic cooperation, encompassing China, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central and Western Asia, Middle East and Africa, and Central and Eastern Europe.

The twin satellites are coded MEO-7 and MEO-8, the 26th and 27th satellites in the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System. They are based on a newly developed dedicated satellite bus that features a phased-array antenna for navigation signals and a laser retro-reflector. They each weigh about one metric ton, and both have two deployable solar arrays; their design life is 12 years. This was the first BeiDou launch in 2018, which will see an intensive further launch schedule throughout the year.

In his December 2017 “Directions” article in GPS World, Changfeng Yang, chief BeiDou system architect, wrote that “Eighteen BD-3 MEO satellites and one BD-3 GEO satellite will be launched by around the end of 2018. Upon the deployment of those 19 satellites, BD-3 will possess the initial operational capability and serve the countries along the Belt and Road.”

This would bring the constellation to an initial operational capability before the end of this year. China targets completion of the fully operational global system in 2020.

B1C, B2A Control Document. On the Chinese part of the BeiDou website, there is now an English version of the Test ICD for the B1C and B2a signals. The link to the website item is www.beidou.gov.cn/icdb1cb2abeta.html, and the actual document is at www.beidou.gov.cn/attach/beidou/2333234155.pdf.

More interference potential from another tower set

Satellite operator Iridium asked the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in April 2017 to modify its license to add a new class of ground stations called Certus for expanded terrestrial, maritime and aeronautical operations.

Iridium’s 66-satellite constellation provides, in addition to mobile communications signals, the Satelles time and location service: microsecond timing accuracy and 20- to 50-meter unaided position accuracy worldwide (see the “Innovation” column, July 2017 GPS World).

GPSIA. The GPS Innovation Alliance (GPSIA) commented in September, “GPSIA seeks to ensure that radio navigation satellite service (RNSS) receivers operating in the 1559–1610 MHz band are adequately protected from out-of-band emissions (OOBE) generated from the new Certus mobile Earth station (MES) terminals that will operate on the second-generation Iridium satellite system.

“GPSIA and Iridium are actively engaged in constructive discussions regarding the adequacy of that protection, but no final resolution has yet been reached. [….]

“In the unlikely event that GPSIA is unable to reach an agreement with Iridium, it asks the commission to impose limitations on the operation of Certus terminal devices to protect GPS/RNSS operations in the 1559–1610 MHz band at a level equivalent to what terrestrial terminals in the same and other frequency ranges provide at –95 dBW/MHz.”

Hexagon. Hexagon, the parent company of GPS manufacturer NovAtel, commented on Jan. 8, “Certain statements in the modification application regarding output power and amount of terminals to be deployed cause great concern regarding the unimpeded operation of radio navigation satellite service (RNSS) receivers. The application does not include enough information to simulate the impact properly.

“Hexagon politely requests that the FCC will exercise the same due diligence [as] during previous modification applications close to the RNSS bands (for example docket 11-109) and establish a technical working group or a similar testing process that ensures unimpeded coexistence of the modified Iridium terminals with the established RNSS systems.”

Documents related to the case can be found here, on the FCC International Bureau website.

Galileo security center moves to Spain

The Galileo Security Monitoring Centre (GSMC) for the European Union’s Galileo satellite system will move from the United Kingdom to Madrid, Spain, as a result of Brexit.

The center, not yet fully operational, is expected to grow to a staff of as many as 30. It controls access to the satellite system and provides around-the-clock monitoring when the main security center near Paris is offline.

The GSMC is operated by the European GNSS Agency. It is one of a number of EU institutions leaving the UK as a result of the 2016 referendum vote.

Spain has another of the fundamental centers of the program, the Loyola de Palacio GNSS Service Center, also in Madrid.

February 7, 2018
Brexit fallout: Galileo center moves from UK to Spain

A security center for the European Union’s Galileo satellite system will be moved from the United Kingdom to Spain as a result of Brexit, according to numerous press reports.

A committee of representatives of member states voted by a large majority on Jan. 18 to approve the European Commission’s recommendation of Madrid as the Galileo Security Monitoring Centre’s (GSMC’s) new home.

The center, which is not yet fully operational, has only one full-time member of staff in Swanwick, England, but when it is up and running in Madrid, staffing is expected to grow to as many as 30.

The center controls access to the satellite system and provides around-the-clock monitoring when the main security center near Paris is offline.

The European Commission’s decision to move the center to Spain will bring Spain “strategic advantages, industrial development of high technological value, and the consolidation of national knowledge and technology in the area of security,” the Spanish ministry of public works said.

Spain was selected from six countries, according to Spanish media. It offers the facilities of the National Institute of Aerospace Technology (INTA), which belong to the defense ministry and are located in Madrid.

The GSMC is operated by the European GNSS Agency (GSA) in charge of supervising and acting on cases such as security threats and alerts.

Spain has another of the fundamental centers of the program, the Loyola de Palacio GNSS Service Center, also located in Madrid.

The center is one of a number of EU institutions leaving the UK as a result of the 2016 referendum vote, also including the European Banking Agency, which is relocating to Paris, and the European Medicines Agency, which is going to Amsterdam.

January 18, 2018
Silent watchers over Somalia

The Spanish navy is using UAVs for intelligence operations on the northern and eastern coasts of Somalia to locate possible illegal activities. This past summer, the navy used the Scan Eagle unmanned air system during Operation Atalanta, a European Union mission combating piracy in the Indian Ocean.

The Scan Eagle system, deployed from the amphibious assault ship Galicia, produced valuable intelligence for the Naval Force of the European Union (EUNAVFOR). The system consists of four aircraft, one of which is designed to acquire night images.

The New Spanish Armada: Sailors onboard Galicia in the Indian Ocean prepare to launch a Scan Eagle on a surveillance mission. (Photos: Spanish Ministry of Defense)

The Scan Eagle is launched via a catapult, and lands by means of a pole, into which the aircraft is “locked.” A set of antennas sends and receives information between the control station and the UAV.

The system can operate continuously for more than 18 hours at a stretch, collecting data, images and video both day and night.

During Operation Atalanta, the Scan Eagles completed more than 175 flight hours, collecting imagery for more than 11 hours without being detected and providing command with real-time images of possible targets.

The UAV system was also deployed in Afghanistan, where it operated from the advanced support base of Qala i Naw until the withdrawal of the Spanish contingent in 2013.

The mission represents a milestone for the Spanish navy — the first remotely piloted aircraft operating successfully from a navy vessel.

Night eyes: One of the four UAVs deployed was equipped for night imagery. (Photo: Spanish Ministry of Defense)

Control Station: From the ship’s hangar, the UAV is controlled by operators of the new 11th aircraft squadron of the Spanish Navy. (Photo: Spanish Ministry of Defense)

January 11, 2016
Sonata Advertising Platform Brings Online Customers to Bricks-and-Mortar Stores
Sonata is a self-service advertising platform for the retail world.

Currently, 96 percent of world trade takes place through traditional brick and mortar stores. Add almost 1,000 million smartphones with integrated GPS to that retailing picture and a whole range of advertising opportunities, with high added value for advertisers and consumers, opens up. Sonata was begun l to drive foot traffic to local retailers’ point of sale via potential customers’ smartphones.

Sonata divides the world into 90-square-metre plots. The plots are uploaded with local business adverts, which then appear on smartphones and tablets that come in range of the advertiser according to the smartphone’s geolocation. Sonata has been developed by TAPTAP Networks, a Spanish mobile advertising market leader based in Madrid.

The process of uploading an advertising campaign is very simple for the retailer and takes no more than three minutes, according to Sonata. A retailer doesn’t need a website or even a mobile app; all that’s required is a minimum investment of £50. Advertisers follow three steps:
1. registration using an email address;
2. adding the store details (just one or a whole network);
3. choosing the ad’s geographical area and the design of the ad from one of Sonata’s creative templates (or advertisers can create their own design).
“Any local business, including those without technical know-how, can create an advertising campaign,” says Alvaro del Castillo, CEO of TAPTAP Networks and the developers of Sonata.

“An added attraction of Sonata is that local businesses only pay for actual results-calls, registrations, clicks, purchases in the store… whatever form of contact a customer makes-and can choose how much to pay for them,” says del Castillo.

“The Sonata platform is focused on meeting the need of the local small-business sector, which views the online world as a major threat with the ever-growing pressure it exerts from ‘showrooming’ and the selling of cost price goods by major e-commerce players,” explained de Castillo.
November 11, 2013