GENESIS – Galileo Innovative Space Service Solution

The objective of the GENESIS project was to define a potential Galileo Space Service Volume that would enlarge the Galileo user community and foster the introduction of solutions based on Galileo in global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) receivers.

Contract Number: Call for Tenders No 537/PP/GRO/RCH/16/9261

Project Segment: Horizon 2020, Galileo Mission and Services evolution

Duration: June 2017 – February 2019

Budget: €836 376

Partners: Thales Alenia Space (Italy), Thales Alenia Space (France) and SpaceTec Capital Partners (Germany)

Project Coordinator:
Francesco Paggi, TAS-I
Francesco [dot] Paggithalesaleniaspace [dot] com (Francesco[dot]Paggi[at]thalesaleniaspace[dot]com)

European Commission Project Manager:
Juan Pablo Boyero Garrido
Juan-Pablo [dot] BOYEROec [dot] europa [dot] eu (Juan-Pablo[dot]BOYERO[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu)
Matteo Paonni (JRC-ISPRA)
Matteo [dot] PAONNIec [dot] europa [dot] eu (Matteo[dot]PAONNI[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu)

Background

The European Commission is already working on the definition of the second generation of the Galileo system. This will provide an opportunity to introduce new features and to enhance existing services. One of the new features under consideration is a Galileo Space Service Volume (SSV). The SSV would be offered to users of GNSS signals in space, such as other satellites or launchers. While one system can provide service for some space users, interoperability with other systems is needed for others.

Project objectives

The European Commission launched the project to:

• characterize the GNSS Space Users and their Requirements in terms of GNSS
• provide Technical Support to the European Commission in the context of International Coordination towards an Interoperable SSV and Awareness actions
• contribute to the definition of mission and user-level requirements for a potential SSV for the second generation of Galileo
• propose and engineer advanced signal processing techniques and algorithms for GNSS receivers tailored to space service applications

Results

The results of the GENESIS project were:

• The market for GNSS space users was analysed in detail. The GNSS requirements for various types of applications with current, as well as upcoming missions, were identified. This process included an extensive literature review, online consultations, dedicated interviews with stakeholders, and a user workshop held in Brussels in March 2018
• An analysis of current Galileo characteristics relevant for space users was carried out. This analysis considering both a standalone and a multi-GNSS environment. This was followed by a gap analysis with a cross-check against already identified space user requirements
• Specific mission requirements were selected for positioning and for timing. These target standalone Galileo users in low-Earth orbit and multi-constellation users in geostationary orbit.
• Several options for a space mission that could perform a complete characterisation of Galileo signals from space, including the full antenna pattern, were studied. The use of a Low Earth Orbit-to-Medium Earth Orbit transfer orbit as well as a High Elliptical Orbit mission appear to be promising candidates
• On the user segment side, various signal processing techniques were analysed, with the focus on fast and robust weak signal acquisition, weak signal navigation data retrieval, and interference mitigation. For each task, the proposed algorithms and the related simulation assumptions were driven by the impact and limitations of current GNSS space borne receivers, while also taking into consideration possible future receiver technology

GENESIS Final Report (PDF, 247 KB)

GENESIS Workshop Report (PDF, 488 KB)

Expected impact

The GENESIS project has proposed concrete mission requirements that will support the definition of a Galileo Space Service Volume.

Furthermore, techniques for the signal processing of Galileo signals by space receivers have been analysed, which is also expected to foster the market uptake of Galileo.

Disclaimer: The project results represent the views of the consortium. They do not necessarily represent the views of the European Commission and they do not commit the Commission to implementing the results.