The European Commission today has introduced free, downloadable and ready-to-use Toolkits to help develop enhanced location apps that harness the power of Europe’s EGNOS satellite-based augmentation system.
The interest of this toolkit is that it allows an application to receive EGNOS signal without sight of EGNOS geostationary satellites. Indeed these satellites are positioned lower in the sky than GPS satellites, therefore more likely to be obstructed by obstacles such as buildings or trees.
EGNOS SDK is said to be “a highly flexible tool that works with different operating systems, including Android, Apple and RIM.“
Andreas Kroier of EGNOS SDK developer, DKE Aerospace, saids both static and kinematic tests have been conducted and EGNOS performed well in both cases: "The EGNOS SDK provides an average increase of 30% in position accuracy over GPS alone.“
The interest of this toolkit is that it allows an application to receive EGNOS signal without sight of EGNOS geostationary satellites. Indeed these satellites are positioned lower in the sky than GPS satellites, therefore more likely to be obstructed by obstacles such as buildings or trees.
EGNOS SDK is said to be “a highly flexible tool that works with different operating systems, including Android, Apple and RIM.“
Andreas Kroier of EGNOS SDK developer, DKE Aerospace, saids both static and kinematic tests have been conducted and EGNOS performed well in both cases: "The EGNOS SDK provides an average increase of 30% in position accuracy over GPS alone.“
However, it has to be said that in an urban situation where there is multipath (buildings reflecting GPS signals), the EGNOS correction is of little help.
It is nevertheless an interesting new technology advancement for app developers and smartphone vendors willing to add a little more accuracy to their apps and devices. Outdoor navigation and fitness apps are good candidates for that purpose.
Finf more information on the EGNOS Portal.
It is nevertheless an interesting new technology advancement for app developers and smartphone vendors willing to add a little more accuracy to their apps and devices. Outdoor navigation and fitness apps are good candidates for that purpose.
Finf more information on the EGNOS Portal.
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