STMicroelectronics announced that it had released its Teseo II single-chip satellite-tracking IC to the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Commission Joint Research Center (JRC) for testing for eCall approval. The testing campaign is coordinated by the European GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) Agency (GSA) as part of its effort to accelerate Galileo adoption.

The Galileo tests will be conducted by the ESA and JRC over the next months to validate ST’s latest firmware release, according to the European GNSS Agency test plan. The testing campaign supports the upcoming Galileo early operational services that are expected to go live at the end of 2014. In addition, the tests will evaluate Teseo II compatibility with the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) and with Galileo for the eCall in-vehicle system that automatically sends notification messages from vehicles involved in an accident. Beside static and dynamic test conditions, the testing plan foresees three different use cases, in systems for single-, dual-, and up to triple-constellation (GPS/Galileo/GLONASS) systems.

Following the first position fix using Galileo in-orbit validation satellites conducted by ST and ESA in March 2013, STMicroelectronics has implemented the Galileo Golden-candidate production firmware as an additional constellation in its Teseo II chips. While right from day one Teseo II ICs had the capability to be Galileo-ready, ST is enabling a firmware update from the Galileo navigation system. This update benefits consumers and doesn’t require any hardware modification.

The Teseo II chips have outstanding capability to simultaneously use signals from multiple satellite navigation systems, including the currently available Galileo satellites, and progressively, as future satellites are launched, the full satellite constellation.

ST’s leadership in the multi-constellation reception delivers immediate use of the Galileo satellites already in orbit, and provides consumers with shorter time-to-first-fix, continuous tracking with enhanced accuracy, and effective operation under challenging circumstances, such as driving through urban canyons.

“The launch of the test campaign with the Joint Research Center of the European Commission is an additional milestone that reinforces our full commitment to support Galileo on ST’s satellite navigation platforms. The maturity of our Teseo II chip, combined with ST’s long and proven experience in the development of multi-constellation firmware, are fundamental pillars to demonstrating the capability to successfully operate across the range of test cases, from single to triple multi-constellations based on GPS, GLONASS and Galileo,” said Antonio Radaelli, Infotainment Business Unit Director, STMicroelectronics. “Our multi-GNSS market strength and long-term automotive commitment build a unique offering for the eCall application, as well as all other enhanced automotive-communications technologies such as Digital Tachographs, Tolling, Telematics, and Navigation.”