Doing The Galileo Docs Write

The European GNSS Supervisory Authority (GSA) has released a new version of the Galileo Open Service Signal-In-Space Interface Control Document, the ‘Galileo OS SIS ICD’. This document helps developers create products and apps which make the most of Galileo system and signals. This document is open for public consultation. Galileo satellites will communicate with terrestrial users by employing independent code division multiple access (CDMA) signals transmitted in three different frequency bands. In order to enable the Galileo user community, the GSA has released this new document, which is the second version. The first was published in May of 2006. The new version incorporates the description of the MBOC modulation for the Galileo E1 signal. The MBOC modulation is the result of a cooperative effort between the European Union and the United States. In addition, the structure of the Search-and Rescue (SAR) return link messages is described in this new version.

Even with the new information, the Galileo SIS ICD remains a work in progress. In order to fine tune it and make the document as useful as it can be, the GSA has opened a public consultation process on its website in order to gather comments from the widest audience possible, both within and outside Europe. This consultation process will end in May 2008. In order to comment it, interested parties will need to register and to download a specific comment form. You can access the new Galileo OS SIS ICD site to participate in the public consultation process.