One Galileo satellite has been modified to generate a new signal component that is more suited for Internet of Things (IoT) applications and low-end receiver devices.
According to a report in gpsworld.com, the GSAT0202 satellite, which is in an elliptical orbit, was modified in January to send the new signal, also known as the G1 E5 Quasi Pilot, according to the European Space Agency (ESA).
The G1 E5 Quasi Pilot in the E5 band is located along a small portion of the total Galileo signal, and is designed to facilitate quick positioning fixes that need less computation without interfering with Galileo’s transmissions in the E1 and E6 signal channels. The initial receiver test revealed that, in comparison to the present GPS L5 or Galileo E5a transmissions, the signal component has the potential to shorten the signal acquisition time by a factor of three.