topic Re: Where are the Galileo satellites? in XZ Series

Where are the Galileo satellites?

Enquirer — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 10:38:05 GMT

Recently purchased an XZ1 and an XA1. Using the European Space Agencies recommended app GPS Test by developer "barbeauDev" (Sean Barbeau is Principal Mobile Software Architect for R&D at University of South Florida, so i guess he knows what he is doing) I can locate approx 10 US and 10 Russian sats and maybe some chinese and Japanese ones also.

Neither phone is locating any European Galileo satellite. The weather is good, no buildings nearby. Country is Southern Finland, although I see many people in the one other Galileo topic couldn't find anything either, from Germany, Italy, etc.

What is happening? and why can't the phones see these satellites that are there?

Thanks

Re: Where are the Galileo satellites?

Enquirer — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 16:53:22 GMT

Firstly apologies for posting twice, I can't find how to delete the other post.

I contacted the European GNSS Service Centre (Galileo HQ), their info is as follows:

Currently, the Galileo system is offering the Initial Services from December 15th 2016. So, and taking into account that Galileo provides signals worldwide, Sweden and Finland are covered and are receiving Galileo signals since then.

26 space vehicles are nowadays in orbit, only 17 of them are currently declared as “Usable” and transmitting healthy signals. Nevertheless, 5 satellites will become “Usable” in the next few months after the In Orbit Validation Phase.

That is a direct update from Galileo themselves. So we should be seeing satellites somewhere, anybody?

Thanks for your help.

Re: Where are the Galileo satellites?

Robersonic — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 18:18:42 GMT

I live in Spain and use a XZ1 Compact. I can't see any Galileo satellite either. I'm using the app GPSTest and there are American, Russian and Chinese satellites only.

Re: Where are the Galileo satellites?

heinzl — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 19:39:54 GMT

See below Location Germany

Re: Where are the Galileo satellites?

Enquirer — Fri, 07 Sep 2018 16:14:08 GMT

Hi firstly apologies as the XA1 is not Galileo compatible, however the question still stands with regards the XZ1 Compact.

Thanks Heinzl for your image...but as I understand.....

You "see" 10 of the 32 current US GPS satellites (https://tycho.usno.navy.mil/gpscurr.html)

You "see" 2 of the 17 or 22 current operational European Galileo satellites.

However you count it, it doesn't look to me like you see all the Galileo satellites that you should be able to, I would have though maybe another 3 or 4 at the very least.

Any thoughts from Sony?

Re: Where are the Galileo satellites?

heinzl — Fri, 07 Sep 2018 19:48:40 GMT

Your information was: Neither of the two phones can locate a European Galileo satellite.
XA1 can't, but XZ1C can. It also doesn't change the fact that I only saw 2 in a snapshot.

Re: Where are the Galileo satellites?

Enquirer — Fri, 07 Sep 2018 21:05:39 GMT

I'm sorry heinzl, my posts are a bit muddled.

The XA1 is not capable by design of seeing Galileo satellites.

The XZ1compact is capable. Although there are many people, like me, who report their phone as not being able to locate any Galileo satellites at all.

Luckily for you, your phone did see 2 sats at that time. I however felt that if the function is working properly the phone should be able to locate maybe 5 or 6, given good weather and no obstructions. I have contacted someone in Galileo HQ and await a response to confirm the number typically available and will post back when I get an answer.

I would like to hear from Sony, what they say about these phones picking up no Galileo Satellites. Do I need to adjust a setting or download an app or something to make it work?

Thanks

Re: Where are the Galileo satellites?

Robersonic — Fri, 07 Sep 2018 21:49:19 GMT

Finally I have detected five Galileo satellites. Eastern coast of Spain, from a balcony between two buildings, right now with a XZ1 Compact.

Re: Where are the Galileo satellites?

Enquirer — Sat, 08 Sep 2018 15:32:31 GMT

Lucky you Robersonic. Does it significantly improve your location accuracy? Are you down from 5m to 20cm or what?

Re: Where are the Galileo satellites?

Robersonic — Sat, 08 Sep 2018 15:35:48 GMT

I didn't have a chance to check the accuracy in average conditions. I just wanted to check that the phone received Galileo signal. I'll let you know if I notice a better performance when I use Google Maps.