Siemens researchers have developed simulation software to test the precision of Galileo, Europe’s fledgling satellite system, though not all of the satellites are yet in position.

A collaboration between the European Union and the European Space Agency (ESA), the Euro Galileo project is planned for operation in 2010. Its expected accuracy for determining positions will be an improvement over GPS, enabling entirely new services: Between a denser network of satellites and improved algorithms, Galileo’s margin of error is expected to be less than one meter, with improved urban reception and less expensive receivers to make mobile communications and satellite navigation more efficient.

Siemens’ software, based on Galileo’s signals and GPS, can calculate whether a receiver can detect navigation signals under unfavorable conditions. By analyzing blueprint plans and ground plans of buildings as well as satellite and aerial photographs of cities, the software accurately forecasts signal strength and expected measurement errors. Between Galileo satellites and mobile communications base stations, the system can precisely determine the position of mobile devices, making for more efficient navigation services in use with mobile phones.