Introducing Navipedia: An Online Reference Tool for Global Navigation Satellite Systems
4 Dec 2012Global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) worldwide get a new online reference tool in an easy-to-read format, called Navipedia.
Satellite navigation is ever changing with technological advances being developed faster than people are able to keep up. This is what Navipedia was developed for. The European Space Agency wants Navipedia to be an entry point online for global navigation satellite systems, including regular updates, news, and informative articles. Experts and professionals in the industry will be able to add their knowledge and expertise to various areas of Navipedia.
What is Navipedia?
Navipedia was developed by the European Space Agency as a way to provide excellent reference for global navigation satellite systems. The head researcher and developer for Navipedia is Javier Ventura-Traveset who is also in charge of managing the GNSS education for the European Space Agency. It was originally developed with contributions from the experts at the GMV company and several universities across Europe including the University Polytechnic of Catalonia.
The current version of Navipedia will be similar to Wikipedia-style platforms and provide general knowledge of GNSS across the Internet. Navipedia is going to be like an entry point allowing users to access the information and updates while experts are able to add information to articles and suggest new topics.
Benefits of Navipedia
Navipedia is written and reviewed by experts in the field of satellite technology. It currently has over 400 articles about the fundamentals of satellite navigation, principles of GNSS and related services, future satellite operation around the world, and in-depth information about how satellite receivers operate.
It will serve users from institutions and academia as well as the general public in relation to GNSS. The various fundamental principles of GNSS remains somewhat of a mystery to the general public and experts are finding it hard to keep up. One of the biggest benefits of Navipedia is immediate access to the most recent updates and developments.
Guenter Hein of the European Space Agency had this to say: “GNSS information on the internet is scattered widely and not always technically correct. We also noticed many GNSS books were quickly outdated. So, considering the extremely dynamic nature of the GNSS world today, we decided that having a duly updated single entry point GNSS wiki could be extremely beneficial for the entire GNSS community.” Guenter is the head of ESA’s Galileo Operations and Evolution.
The Navipedia Wiki
Navipedia is built like a Wiki and uses the same platform as Wikipedia. Wiki stands for “what I know is” and provides readers pertinent information about the given topic. Navipedia will be very similar with additional tools, resources, and restrictions. Like a Wiki, it will be editable by outside experts. Anyone will have the ability to comment on Navipedia content, as well as modifying articles, submitting draft articles, and suggesting new topics. Navipedia ensures the quality, consistency, and reliability of their platform .
However, Navipedia has something many other similar-minded Wikis don’t: an editorial team of knowledgeable GNSS professionals to ensure that the reference tool remains reliable and updated.
Focus and Objectives
Navipedia will continue to rely on content development and focus on global development and GNSS systems, applications, receivers, fundamentals, community, expert users, industry, university, and application developers. Additionally, content development objectives will include:
- GNSS Systems: GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, COMPASS
- GNSS Fundamentals
- GNSS Receivers
- GNS Applications
- Augmented GNSS Systems: WAAS, SDCM, EGNOS, GAGAN, MSAS
As a single entry point for GNSS information, Navipedia will be the most important and beneficial GNSS-related wiki on the Internet. As of now, content on the United States Global Positioning System and information on GPS Tracking is limited, but is hoped to be expanded in the future.
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