The Galileo code

Abstract

Engineers at Cornell University have announced that they have gained access to a "secret" code in the navigation signals transmitted by the Galileo In-Orbit Validation Element-A (GIOVE-A) prototype satellite. Using a simple roof-mounted hemispherical patch antenna, engineers were able to acquire the signal and some nifty signal processing to extract the pseudo-random number (PRN) code. However, according to Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd., the code is not a secret and is readily detectable to a larger antenna system. While the PRN code identifies the satellite, it is not the same as an encryption code that is used to protect secret or commercially valuable data.