STMicroelectronics announced that its Teseo II single-chip satellite-tracking ICs were successful in the first ground location test using Europe’s independent navigation system, Galileo.
The tests were conducted in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) when the first position fix of longitude, latitude and altitude using the four Galileo satellites currently in orbit was performed by ESA at its Technology Centre in the Netherlands and by ST at its Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) software development labs in Naples, Italy.
ST and ESA conducted the historic static and dynamic tests using a rooftop antenna with a clear view of the satellites (static) and from a mobile test-bed unit travelling in a normal user environment (dynamic). The Teseo II receiver was able to track and produce a 3D fix over the entire path of the mobile unit, using only the 4 Galileo In-Orbit Validation (IOV) satellites.
ST and ESA plan to continue the joint tests, initially as a combined multi-constellation fix with GPS and/or Glonass satellites, then later in the year, when more Galileo satellites are available, they also plan Galileo-only tests in a hostile environment.
“The historic milestone achieved in collaboration with the European Space Agency is an excellent demonstration of the Galileo support on ST’s satellite navigation platform and reinforces our position as a leading supplier of high-performance GNSS receivers for applications like e-Call, Tolling, Telematics and Navigation,” said Antonio Radaelli, Infotainment Business Unit Director, STMicroelectronics.” Furthermore, the outstanding capability of the Teseo II chips to use signals from multiple satellite navigation systems enable consumers to benefit from the Galileo navigation system before the satellite constellation is fully populated.”