The European Commission (EC) is currently specifying the long-term evolution of the European GNSS (EGNSS) programme, including new services for Galileo and EGNOS:
• the Galileo High Accuracy Service (HAS) will provide free of charge real-time improved user positioning performances with accuracy less than two decimetres (in nominal conditions) through the Galileo signal (E6-B) and by terrestrial means (Internet);
• the next generation of EGNOS will augment GPS and Galileo in the L1 and L5 frequency bands and will extend the service area to the entire landmasses of EU member states.
However, the dissemination over Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) and Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellites limits operational availability of the signal for end-users in high-latitudes.
The contractor shall analyse cost-effective potential data delivery means alternative to the current EGNOS and Galileo ones.
In order to analyse cost-effective data delivery means alternative to the current EGNOS and Galileo ones, the focus of the activities shall be:
• on the Galileo High Accuracy Service (HAS). It shall be assessed alternative dissemination means to the ones being considered (i.e. Galileo E6-B SiS, terrestrial dissemination via NTRIP, EGNOS E5b). The assessment shall be demonstrated via proof of concept;
• on EGNOS. It shall be assessed alternative means to disseminate EGNOS corrections either from space (e.g. LEO or cube satellites) and/or from ground/air (e.g. high-altitude platform stations, VDES, safety and secure EDAS).
In both cases, the assessment shall be duly justified including at least: identification of the solutions, potential impact analysis on the current infrastructure, high-level architecture of the solution, high level analysis on costs, selection of cost-effective solution with no major impact on EGNSS infrastructure and roadmap for the introduction of the additional dissemination means proposed.
