STENAV

Satellite Test Bed for Navigation and Communication Services

A flexible platform for demonstrating performances and innovative solutions, based on GPS-Galileo inter-operation

"Just like mobile telephony, the Galileo European satellite radio-navigation programme will revolutionize many sectors of the economy - starting with transport."

STENAV aims to provide both Institutions and the private sector with an original means for anticipating this imminent scenario and boost confidence in Galileo and GNSS.

It is a complex facility for the simulation of the forthcoming Galileo System, outcome of a joint effort by ENAV, the Italian Oranization for Air Navigation Services, TELESPAZIO, and AMS.

SIMULATING GALILEO

All the components of the forthcoming European navigation system (i.e. space, ground and user segment) have been reproduced, in order to provide the simulated Galileo observables and navigation message to a prototype end terminal and compute the user position.

PROVING INTEROPERABILITY

The test-bed has been designed to test navigation related applications using the Galileo constellation, especially when inter-operated with GPS (optionally augmented by EGNOS). The prototype end terminal processes the simulated Galileo observables and navigation message together with the real GPS/EGNOS signals in space, supporting the concept of "GNSS sole service".

ENHANCING WITH COMMUNICATION

STENAV aims to demonstrate services which can be achieved through the combined use of navigation and communication, centered on the a bi-directional data exchange capability of the user terminal with a service centre. The STENAV communication is based upon methods and protocols which have been implemented using wireless communication networks, both satellite-based and terrestrial.