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EC Vastly Improves GPS Accuracy for Europeans By Mark Long October 1, 2009 2:12PM The European Commission has introduced EGNOS, a satellite-based navigation system that improves accuracy to within two meters. Previously, navigation by American GPS satellites was only accurate to 10 meters. EGNOS also warns users of signal disruptions. The EC said most navigation devices sold in Europe are ready for EGNOS.   Related Topics European Commission Satellite Navigation GPS Latest News Endeavour Inspected for Damage Autism Risk for Kids of Older Mothers Go Online and You Can Save the Planet In Haiti, Relief Gaps Are Spreading U.S. To Form Climate-Change Agency The European Commission introduced a new satellite-based navigation system Thursday that vastly improves the accuracy of signals delivered to Europe by American GPS satellites. Called EGNOS -- short for European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service -- the new "open" technology promises to revolutionize navigation for European professionals and consumers alike. The primary EGNOS service is free to users equipped with compatible navigation receivers. Most mass-market personal navigation devices being sold in Europe are ready for EGNOS, the EC said. "European users of the EGNOS GPS system will be able to determine their position within two meters, compared to the 10-meter (32.8 feet) radius provided by the GPS alone," said EC Vice President for Transport Policy Antonio Tajani. A Crucial Enhancement The space component of the EGNOS system consists of two-way communications channels called "transponders" installed aboard three satellites occupying geostationary orbits over the equator. These extraterrestrial relay stations are designed to communicate with a ground-based network of four control centers and 40 ground stations. "In simple terms, the ground stations measure the GPS signal and send the data to the computing centers where the correcting GPS signals are calculated," Tajani said. "And then the computing centers send out the corrective signals to the EGNOS satellites," which then relay the more accurate signals to users' GPS receivers. Improving the accuracy of GPS signals to two meters is crucial for many applications related to safety, said Hans Fromm, retired deputy head of the navigation department at the European Space Research and Technology Centre. For example, the EGNOS system provides a navigation signal for aircraft, ships, trains and other forms of transport. "A train needs to know which rail it's traveling on," Fromm said. "It's important for safety -- especially where life could be at risk." Guaranteed Level of Service EGNOS represents a vast improvement over the navigation systems previously available. "Once, when I was sailing along the coast, my navigational signal -- a terrestrial one at the time -- told me I was on the land," Fromm recalled. "Obviously, I knew it was out and could estimate by how much." In absence of such an obvious marker, however, Fromm said he would have had no way to ascertain the accuracy of the navigation signal. With EGNOS, he said, Europeans now have access to a guaranteed level of service that informs users of any errors in the position measurements as well as warn within six seconds whenever a disruption to a satellite signal has occurred. (continued...) 1  |  2  |  Next Page >   Tell Us What You Think Your Comment: Also Visit: iPad Info Center Billions of Bytes Mobile Device Now Apple Info Center TopTechWire.com Advertisement  Digital Life 1.   Macworld Focuses on Mobile Apps 2.   Nexus One 'Support' Passes the Buck 3.   New Zealand Virgin Auctions Herself 4.   Google May Make Gmail More Social 5.   Analysts Expect iPad Price To Drop Sony Ericsson Unveils Aspen Handset Windows Mobile unit comes with Skype. Average Rating: Books on Social-Media Marketing Cost-effective ways to engage clients. Average Rating: Torrent Traps Used To Harvest Logins Web sites sold with backdoor access. Average Rating:

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