Geoscience Australia has commenced a Request for Information (RFI) process in a market research exercise to progress the identification of high-level cybersecurity risks associated with the proposed Australian Satellite -Based Augmentation System (SBAS) architecture, which may aid in the development of an operational Cybersecurity Strategy. The information received will be used to inform government decision making for cybersecurity in relation to the SBAS program.
Geoscience Australia received $160.9 million in the 2018-19 Federal Budget to support the development of an operational Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS) over four years. SBAS Program Satellite positioning data is now fundamental to a range of applications and businesses worldwide. SBAS utilises space-based and ground-based infrastructure to improve the accuracy, integrity and availability of basic Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals, such as those currently provided by the Global Positioning System (GPS). The Australian SBAS will augment the GNSS signals to deliver a satellite positioning capability across all of Australia and its maritime zones with decimetre accuracy. It will also support the aviation, maritime and road transport sectors, which have a requirement for high-integrity positioning-guaranteed performance with metre level accuracy.
SBAS Architecture Ground infrastructure for the program includes a network of Ranging and Integrity Monitoring Stations (RIMS) across the country. The stations, which will number 30 to 40, will be connected via a high-reliability communications infrastructure. Telecommunications channels include internet 3/4G, fibre optics and VSAT satellite communication. Computational processing occurs at a central processing facility which generates the corrections and integrity information. Satellite uplink facilities will support navigation services and will transmit signals to geostationary satellites, which will broadcast GNSS correction data to users. The ground infrastructure must be dual-redundant to comply with aviation safety requirements.
