News release

13 September 2007

GREAT Consortium takes delivery of custom MMIC components for Galileo receiver

A major milestone has just been reached as Acorde takes delivery of the first batch of custom MMIC components:
• LNA
• I/Q down-converter
• Dual Frequency Synthesizer
• IF section (separate low-pass filter and VGA)

for its RF subsystem, being developing as part of the GREAT project (Galileo REceiver for the mAss market).


Acorde’s RF sub-system is able to operate with Galileo and GPS satellite signals in the presence of the major 2G/3G cellular signals or other assistance technology and to investigate the multiband approach covering different frequency bands. The key focus is on a highly integrated Radio Front-End suitable for use within the mobile phone environment for location based services, satisfying the basic requirements for a mass market receiver such as low cost, low footprint, good accuracy, low power consumption and high sensitivity. The target is a Galileo E1/E5A and GPS L1/L5 Dual-System Dual Band GNSS Receiver.

Marco Detratti, Project Manager, Acorde comments:
“The initial tests of individual circuits have been successfully carried out. Measured performances are in line with our expectations for this first MMICs run, and we think sufficient to build a RF Front-End demonstrator. First multi-chip assemblies are expected to be functional by the end of August, and the complete Front-End by Q4 2007”.

Low cost, low power consumption, low footprint, good accuracy and high sensitivity are the key benefits to the user and are the main attributes of a typical mass-market receiver especially for the receiver to be used in mobile terminals. Acorde’s chipset is also designed to be flexible and easy to use, allowing rapid conversion into a single chip receiver and consequent implementation into existing basebands.

GREAT background:
Mixed Galileo/GPS multi-frequency receivers, operating in the presence of the Wireless Communication Systems (WCS) are likely to become the product of choice for accurate positioning inside building or personal navigation in signal hostile environments.

Through the new Open Service signals of Galileo, it is possible to build multiple-standard and multiple frequency navigation receivers that do not require users to subscribe to a premium service and allows higher accuracy and multipath performance, hence reducing the navigation errors. The GNSS receivers must operate in the presence of the multiple cellular transceivers. Since the deployment of Galileo system will extend over multiple years, the focus is now on the development of dual-system GNSS receivers capable of receiving both the GPS and Galileo signals in order to allow full navigation capabilities even in early stages of Galileo development.


The GREAT project is co-funded by the European GNSS Supervisory Authority (GSA) with funding from the 6th Framework Programme of the European Community for research and technological development.


NOTES FOR EDITORS
GREAT Consortium members:

PA Consulting Group – Consortium leader www.paconsulting.com/wireless

At PA Consulting Group, we transform the performance of organisations, providing clients with innovative solutions, a highly responsive approach, and delivery of hard results. We are an independent, employee-owned, global firm of 3,000 talented individuals, operating from offices across the world, in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and Oceania. We have deep expertise across key industries and government, and a unique breadth of skills from strategy to IT to HR to applied technology.

Through its wireless technology expertise PA Consulting Group is the leading supplier of end -to -end solutions for the wireless industry. PA’s technology-led consultancy solutions for 3G operators range from strategy development and business planning through to services creation, network design and roll-out management. PA supports vendors directly through the provision of contract design of infrastructure and handset products, marketing and bidding support and infrastructure element design.

For more information please contact :
- Graham Bell DL +44 (0)1763 267325 email : graham.bell@paconsulting.com
- Beverley Adams DL +44 (0)1763 285260 email: beverley.adams@paconsulting.com
PA Consulting Group, Cambridge Technology Centre, Melbourn, Herts. Tel +44 (0)1763 267492

ACORDE www.acorde.biz
ACORDE is a Spanish SME, whose main activities are system engineering, industrial prototype development and manufacturing of small and medium series. It is a very fast growing start-up, with activities in telecommunication, space and defence sectors. ACORDE staff is composed primarily of 23 electronic and telecommunication engineers, and 15 laboratory technicians and administrative personnel. In the electronic defence sector ACORDE has become one of the leaders for satellite communications.

For more information please contact :
Marco Detratti +34 942 200 923 email: marco.detratti@acorde.biz

DLR www.dlr.de/kn
At DLR’s Institute for Communications and Navigation, new systems for radio communication and radio navigation are conceived and developed. The application environments are aeronautical and terrestrial, both for broadcasting and for point to point usage. The research in communications addresses satellite constellation design, propagation modeling, signal modulation and coding, as well as radio resource allocation. New communication services for airplanes and trains have been developed and are being demonstrated. Recent experiments using optical links provide previously unseen data rates and efficiencies to airborne platforms and satellites. Finally, new communications systems are being developed for replacing the old-fashioned communication in air-traffic management by a modern design.

Galileo is currently receiving substantial attention in Europe. The understanding and handling of major impairments to the accuracy and reliability of satellite navigation are key working areas of DLR. This includes in particular the ionospheric delay and scintillation, as well as multipath propagation. Measurements of multipath delay with the highest resolution were performed at DLR. In the area of applications, the focus is on reliability for safety of life services, comprehensible accuracy for precise positioning, as well as availability for indoor service. DLR is also strongly engaged in the validation and verification of Galileo.

For more information please contact:
- Stephan Sand DL +49 (0)8153 281464 email: stephan.sand@dlr.de
- Uwe-Carsten Fiebig DL +49 (0)8153 282835 email: uwe.fiebig@dlr.de
German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Communications and Navigation, Oberpfaffenhofen, 82234 Wessling, Germany

Tampere University of Technology www.tut.fi
Tampere University of Technology specializes in the education and scientific research of technology and architecture.

TUT offers its students versatile undergraduate, postgraduate and continuing education in technology and architecture. In its research, TUT produces new technological knowledge and resultant new innovations for the business world.

TUT collaborates closely with the business world by providing training and research services.
- Jari Nurmi +358 40 506 4460, e-mail: Jari.nurmi@tut.fi
- Heikki Hurskainen +358 3 3115 3872, e-mail: Heikki.hurskainen@tut.fi
- Simona Lohan +358 50 309 4927, e-mail: Elena.simona.lohan@tut.fi

u-blox AG www.u-blox.com
u-blox is an international company headquartered in Switzerland, with sales organizations in the Americas, Europe and Asia. Founded in 1997, u-blox develops leading positioning technology and products based on the Global Positioning System (GPS) for the automotive and mobile communications markets.

For more information please contact:
- Clemens Bürgi DL +41 (44) 722 74 83, e-mail: clemens.buergi@u-blox.com
- Georg Zur Bonsen DL +41 (44) 722 74 44, e-mail: georg.zurbonsen@u-blox.com

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