Why R&D?
At M3 Systems the motivation for Research & Development is the primarily the Space dream and what it represents for the engineer from both a human and technical point of view. Solving complex problems, creating new solutions, exploring and confronting risk, and finally, contributing to a new worldview, this is the meaning of our approach. Driven by this vision we had to, from a fledgling company, adapt to the everyday realities, and offer accessible projects. As early as 1999 M3 Systems focused its efforts in two main areas: Air Transportation and Innovative Operational Concepts to improve safety and efficiency, in the context of ground movements at airports, for example. Radio Navigation signal receivers and architectures designed for implementation EGNOS and GALILEO. Thus M3 Systems has helped to define and study the new Galileo signals and to develop performance enhancing algorithms for receivers, etc.
How has M3 Systems developed?
Since its creation M3 Systems has simultaneously developed its R&D activities in both a National and European context in response to the needs of institutional clients and also by offering its own ideas for projects in the space applications field. Since 2001 the company has regularly undertaken innovative projects co-financed by either Europe or by national institutions.
What types of projects?
Starting with the skills acquired in aviation, in 2002, M3 Systems has been able to drive a series of projects relating to surface movement at airports and use of EGNOS. This first phase not only demonstrated the potential of this approach and the value of EGNOS in the aviation sector, but it also opened up new fields of investigation in inland waterway shipping, road transportation of Dangerous Goods and people transportation.
M3 Systems has entered naturally into the development of EGNOS and Galileo by focusing its R&D efforts on applications which require a high level of performance in terms of accuracy, availability, continuity and integrity. The projects have helped to define and demonstrate innovative services in a ‘real use’ context, that is to say, in which the end user is faced with the technical solution.
This driving force to move concepts into operational using key technology has structured what the company offers. This structure, and so M3 Systems, has three parts, which may be summarised as: to provide innovative concepts, to master key technologies and thereby help to provide solutions that make transportation systems safer, more effective and which respect our environment.
Where are we now?
In the ten years or so since its creation M3 Systems has demonstrated its ability to be an innovator in complex fields and to keep its commitments.
Foundations were built in the form of tangible results in the three components of what we offer:
● In developing innovative concepts the company has developed a support methodology for needs expression which is being effectively implemented in the aviation field, in the SESAR project, and which could be of benefit other areas.
● From the perspective of the mastering of technology, M3 Systems has validated a set of building blocks that can be used to build future GNSS receivers (GALILEO, GPS, etc) and to provide high performance navigation solutions by the use of multi-sensors hybridisation.
● Finally, with regard to application solutions, the first EGNOS vehicle tracking system was successfully implemented in its first airport, which demonstrates our ability to follow a development through in a difficult operating environment.
This solution is an initial implementation of our ‘ideal’ architecture for space applications.
Where are we aiming?
Today, the company is at a crucial time in its history, a time when it needs to both continue its R&D based on the foundations put in place, but also to succeed to put to good use the results of our work in industry. To continue to feed our desire to create and make our ‘futuristic’ ideas become reality for everyday use, this is our dual challenge from this point forward.
The Future?
Our dream for the future is not just the continuation and completion of the initial dream. We want engineering to allow us to improve our understanding of the challenges of our time and give meaning to our ability to create technology. Our contribution lies in the fields of transport, mobility and critical applications. By combining satellite navigation technology (GALILEO, GPS, etc), telecommunications and information systems (INTERNET) we can help contribute to transportation solutions that meet the needs of a modern society: more fluidity, more security and a rational consideration of the environment.