INRiM has been participating for about 20 years in developing the European satellite navigation system Galileo, thanks to its expertise in time metrology. The skills gained in this field and those produced in the frame of the realisation of the Italian national time scale make INRiM one of the leading European laboratories for activities linked to space and satellite navigation systems.
The Galileo infrastructure, developed at INRiM, contributes to the evolution of the Galileo system by providing expertise in time metrology, which is necessary to validate the system's timing aspects.
This infrastructure is:
- A metrological reference for the real-time monitoring and validation of the Galileo signals, the on-board and ground clocks, the system reference time scale, and the exact time information disseminated by the Galileo satellites;
- An incubator and test bed for algorithms, time facilities, timing services, and for the development of technical and scientific applications;
- An education and training centre both at the scientific (with a PhD program and a second level specialising master at Politecnico di Torino) and at the industrial level.
The infrastructure promotes the research and education capacity for developing European satellite navigation, industrial applications, and new technologies. Hence, it has a fundamental role in the technology transfer of INRiM's expertise in time metrology, according to the INRIM Focal Points identified in the "Strategic Vision Document".
