Global navigation satellite systems

Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) form a key technology in the communications, navigation, and surveillance (CNS) infrastructure. GNSS can support navigation applications in all phases of flight as well as surveillance and communication applications such as ADS-B and Datalink. It ensures:

• Accuracy in position, velocity and time determination
• Integrity, by providing timely alerts when performance falls below required levels
• Continuity of service, enabling uninterrupted operations
• Availability, measured as the percentage of time GNSS meets defined accuracy, integrity and continuity requirements

EUROCONTROL plays a key role in the deployment and operational use of GNSS in European aviation. This role is delivered in close partnership with aviation stakeholders, European institutions and international partners.

Through GNSS based applications, our objectives are to:

• Enhance network performance, improving capacity, cost efficiency, safety, environmental performance and interoperability
• Support the implementation and operation of applications based on GNSS by providing a GNSS monitoring service, Guidance materials, Studies and Trainings
• Contribute to research, standardisation and implementation activities related to GNSS, including the evolution towards a dual frequency, multi constellation environment
• Address GNSS vulnerabilities, by identifying interference and disruption causes and defining appropriate mitigation strategies
• Provide independent and impartial support to the European Union on the integration of EGNOS and Galileo into aviation strategies supporting the Single European Sky
• Support institutional and legal frameworks, for regulations related to GNSS