Galileo above — A terrestrial Galileo test environment for vehicular applications: Automotive & rail

With Galileo, a satellite navigation system will be available that outperforms the current GPS and Glonass systems in terms of technical features, services and reliability. For testing and validation of Galileo-based applications two terrestrial test beds are currently being installed, where the future Galileo satellite navigation system can be used already now. The locations of these installations are the new Aldenhoven Testing Center ATC (automotive) and the Test- and Validationcenter in Wegberg-Wildenrath (rail). The test areas, which are described here, allow the early development and calibration of applications to be readily available at the operational start of the Galileo system. The project is termed Galileo above, short for “Galileo Application Center for Ground-Based Vehicles” in German. To utilize the new test beds from the beginning, initial application projects have already been launched. The research is carried out at RWTH Aachen University, tests and verification at automotiveGATE and railGATE will follow in 2011. In addition to the test beds and initial projects, a Science-to-Business center will be founded to operate the test beds and to facilitate the flow of knowledge in the area of vehicular application of GNSS.