February 18, 2014, Seoul – STMicroelectronics (hereafter ST), a leading semiconductor company contributing to customers across diverse electronic applications, announced the release of its Teseo II single-chip satellite tracking IC product to the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) for approval testing of the Emergency Call (eCall) system. This testing was planned by the European Satellite Navigation System (GNSS) Agency (GSA) to accelerate the adoption of the European Galileo satellite system.

According to the European Satellite Navigation System Agency's testing plan, the Galileo testing will be conducted over several months by the European Space Agency and the European Commission's Joint Research Centre, with ST's latest firmware as the subject of validation. The in-vehicle emergency call system automatically transmits accident information via message when an accident occurs, and through this testing, the compatibility of the Teseo II chip between EGNOS (European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service) and Galileo can also be evaluated. Based on the testing plan, not only static and dynamic testing but also the utilization of three constellation systems (GPS/Galileo/GLONASS) in single, dual, and triple configurations is expected to be verified.

In March 2013, ST and the European Space Agency (ESA) conducted the first positioning test using Galileo in-orbit validation satellites. Since then, ST has implemented firmware suitable for Galileo for additional constellations of the Teseo II chip. Since the Teseo II chip was developed specifically for Galileo from the outset, it is capable of firmware updates through the Galileo navigation system. There is no need to modify hardware, and updates can provide consumers with greater benefits.

The Teseo II chip is an outstanding product capable of receiving signals from multiple satellite navigation systems, including the Galileo satellite, so as more satellites are launched in the future, it will continue to provide this functionality, ultimately enabling simultaneous use of signals from the entire satellite constellation. As a leading company in the multi-constellation receiver field, ST enables immediate utilization of Galileo satellites already in orbit, shortens the initial positioning time in challenging environments such as urban canyons, and improves the accuracy of continuous position tracking.

Antonio Radaelli, Senior Vice President of ST's Infotainment Business Unit, stated, "This experiment conducted with the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) will be an important milestone that underscores our role in supporting Galileo with ST's satellite navigation platform. The superior capabilities of the Teseo II chip, which combine long-standing validation and experience in multi-constellation firmware development, have become an important foundation for successfully conducting testing across a wide range from single constellation based on GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo to triple multi-constellation." He added, "Based on our strength in the multi-satellite navigation system market and our long-held commitment to the automotive sector, we were able to create unique products for Emergency Call (eCall) applications, and have also been able to build stronger technologies in automotive communication fields such as Digital Tachographs, Tolling, Telematics, and Navigation."