Tags: GNSS, App, Smartphone, Satellite Navigation
Publication: InsideGNSS.com
Publication Date: 11/27/2012

Dirk Elias receiving the 2012 Galileo Master Award on behalf of the team. Image credit: S. Hörmann/AZO

The European Satellite Navigation Competition, where the best idea for Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) application is selected, presented the 2012 Galileo Master Award to a Portuguese team who created a smartphone app to augment GNSS where it is out of reach.

Using ultra-low magnetic field communication (ULF-MC), the team from Fraunhofer Portugal Research and the University of Porto’s Faculty of Engineering was able to enhance GNSS’ coverage taking advantage of the three electronic compasses most smartphones already have. They realized the phone only needs additional software to allow these compasses to receive artificial magnetic fields modulated with ultra low frequencies.

The app was originally designed to be used by humans in indoor locations, but it can also be used to enhance the reach of GNSS in any situation, such as inside tunnels while driving.

The team received the 2012 Galileo Master Award among a record of 406 entries submitted from more than 40 countries around the world. They were awarded €20,000 (USD $25,958).

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