MAGICA Consortium has published a White Paper which can be downloaded clicking on this link.
The paper presents a brief explanation of how the GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) antenna plays a critical role in achieving accurate positioning for an autonomous vehicle. The accuracy of GNSS positioning depends on various factors, including the quality of the antenna used.
The Mobile World Congress, the largest event related to technology and mobility was held in Barcelona from February 27 to March 2, 2023.
We had a huge number of visitors asking us about the MAGICA’s Antenna and what we’re up to.
In our stand located at Hall 6 – 6B75, visitors were able to experience and see firsthand the integration of our antenna into a SEAT spoiler.
On past February 6th, the MAGICA consortium together with the EUSPA accomplished one of the most awaited milestones, the so-called “Acceptance Review!”
In this four hour virtual meeting, the MAGICA consortium presented the product, with support of all the technical documentation to comply with the requirements and objectives defined in the Development Plan.
The MAGICA project was presented during the SEAT S.A. “Innovation Days” that took place on November 15 and 16, 2022 at its headquarters in Martorell (Spain). This is an inspirational annual event that recognizes and encourages a mindset and culture of innovation within the company and welcomes SEAT and CUPRA employees, the Volkswagen group innovation team and students from the SEAT S.A.
This month, the final prototype of the MAGICA antenna was integrated in the SEAT vehicle to be prepared for the field tests, simulating a real installation of the MAGICA antenna within a commercial vehicle structure.
In order to get as much information as possible from the testing campaign, two receivers will be used to collect data simultaneously from two different antennas.
After the integration of the MAGICA antenna in the SEAT vehicle, it was needed to characterise the performance of the antenna under the influence of the car structure. The facilities of the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC) in Italy, allows the testing of the performance of the antenna integrated in the car directly inside its enormous anechoic chamber.
An important dissemination moment arrived on June 8th.
MAGICA was presented at the “International Conference on Localization and GNSS” in Tampere – Finland (June 7th to 9th 2022) with an oral presentation held by Marco Antonio Vélez Sandoval (NEXTIUM by Idneo). In this congress, the progress of the project and the first results from the prototype were explained.
On past May 19th , MAGICA project satisfactorily passed the Test Review milestone!
In this meeting with the EUSPA, all the partners involved presented the status of the project to the EUSPA’s Project Officer and Reviewers.
The partners showed the antenna prototypes prepared according to the three antenna designs. One of the outcomes of the meeting is the confirmation that the “Crossed IFA spoiler” design is the most suitable design as it is complying with the performances (expected axial ratio and RHCP gain for all the frequency bands) – measurements done with the standalone active antenna.
After several design loops, the design process for the MAGICA antenna is almost finished at Nextium by Idneo. This process includes design/concept definition, simulation, prototyping and validation. The joint effort of the mechanics, purchasing and sales department together with the engineering design team, guarantees an antenna that complies with the technical requirements but also fits the cost and manufacturability constraints.
Happy Holidays and best wishes for the New Year!
2022 will be the year when the MAGICA project will be accomplished: the prototype will be integrated in a vehicle and a demonstration will be done.
Wishing the best for your projects in 2022.
The MAGICA Consortium Team is taking a short break to continue working very soon on the multi-frequency and multi-constellation antenna that will allow the automotive sector to have a high-accuracy positioning.
