One year of success for Michibiki in Japan

22nd May 2020

According to a recent survey launched by SPAC ([1])/QBIC ([2]), the Japanese GNSS constellation “Michibiki” run and operated by the Japanese government is performing well since going online in November 2018. Because it delivers signals from a Quasi-zenith position, Michibiki is also dubbed QZSS ([3]) and offers unique free services such as high accuracy positioning augmentation and short messaging for disaster mitigation. By 2023 Michibiki will expand from a constellation of four to seven satellites, ensuring independent satellite positioning and improved performance with wider coverage of the Asia Pacific region. Discussions have now started on the Roadmap for Michibiki beyond 2023. A survey targeting QBIC members and contributing organizations was launched in December 2019 to understand how Michibiki has penetrated the Japanese market after one year of operation, and what are the key challenges and issues for the future of Michibiki.

References: [1] SPAC (Satellite Positioning Research and Application Center): http://www.eiseisokui.or.jp/en/ [2] QBIC (QZSS Business Innovation Council): http:// qbic.eiseisokui.or.jp/council/international-01/ [3] QZSS (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System): https//qzss.gp.jp/en/

Survey results are summarized as follows:

1.Michibiki is headed to a good start (see fig. 1): • The uptake of Michibiki by business users has dramatically increased

during the one-year period as the number of survey respondents has increased.

• More than 10% of business respondents have no plans to use Michibiki yet, which is almost the same percentage result as one year earlier. Businesses seem to wait for a better business environment, such as cheaper devices and expected future service improvements brought about by the full constellation of Michibiki in 2023 (see also fig. 5).

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QZSS.go.jp

2. The uptake of Michibiki begins in the B2B market segments (see fig. 2): • B2B market segments which have started using Michibiki services include Survey / Construction / Map / Agriculture, segments which require high accuracy positioning. • Meanwhile, uptake is lower in Location Based Services and Disaster

Prevention and Mitigation. Future smartphones equipped with Michibiki unique services such as short messaging functions could be key to activate these segments.

3. All Michibiki Unique services are gaining ground (see fig. 3): • High accuracy services including Centimeter and Sub-meter

accuracy as well as all Michibiki Unique Services are gaining ground.

• Nevertheless, the number of businesses using commercial RTK-GNSS solutions is still larger, partly because Michibiki performance is not yet as competitive in terms of accuracy and stability.

• The number of non-aviation businesses using Japan’s SBAS services (see note 1) is comparable to the number of SLAS users (Sub-meter Level augmentation Service). SBAS users are expected to drastically increase with the introduction of high accuracy and high integrity Dual Frequency Multi Constellation SBAS (DFMC SBAS) services, adding authentication services in the near future.

• Note 1: Japan’s SBAS named MSAS has been operated by the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) for aviation users.

4. The key to stronger Michibiki penetration is the provision of cheaper receivers of Michibiki unique services (see fig. 4 and 5):

• The market calls for cheaper receivers with higher accuracy and stability.

• Free, attractive and highly reliable services will spur industry penetration.

• Independent satellite positioning in the near future will encourage Michibiki users.

• Japan has taken the initiative to launch discussions at the ICG (International Committee on GNSS) on the interoperability of short messaging for disaster warning and high accuracy services (GNSS-PPP). This is expected to bring down the price of Michibiki unique receivers.

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5. Service reliability is the No.1 priority for business applications (see fig. 6 and 7):

• For Michibiki users, service reliability is the first priority requirement followed by accuracy and stability(fig. 6).

• Future GNSS services are expected to offer improvements in resiliency/signal authentication and anti-jamming measures (fig. 7).

• Signal authentication of Michibiki which is planned to start in 2023 is key to drive penetration in the business segment. Technical information about the authentication service should be made available as earliest as possible in order for industries to be well prepared before service launch.

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16%

47%

37%Michibiki/GNSS User

Status

No Plan13%

Under Planning27% In Use

60%

73　Businesses surveyed, Jan. 2019

152　Businesses surveyed, Jan. 2020

Fig.1 Michibiki One Year Success

Academic. Inst., Augmentation Data Service, Receiver/Simulator

Space Infra.Road/Transportation

Aviation/DroneMaritime

RailLBS

SecurityAgriculture

Civil/ConstructionSurveyMap

Disaster Prevention/MitigationReceiver/ChipConsultant

Others

Number of Businesses0 5 10 15 20 25 30

In UseUnder PlanningNo Plan

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Space Infra.Road/Transportation

Aviation/DroneMaritime

RailLBS

SecurityAgriculture

Civil/ConstructionSurveyMap

Disaster Prevention/MitigationReceiver/ChipConsultant

Others

Penetration0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

2020 2019

Sub-meter Level Augmentation (SLAS)Centimeter Level Augmentation (CLAS)

Centimeter Class Augmentation (MADOCA)Satellite Report for Disaster and Crisis Management (DC Report)

QZSS Safety Confirmation Service (Q-ANPI)Precise TimingSBAS/MSAS

RTK-GNSS/Ground Network

Number of Business in use0 10 20 30 40 50

Fig.2 Michibiki Penetration by User Segment

Fig.3 Michibiki Unique Services in Use

For reference. Not Michibiki Service

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Attractive Services

Free Charge

Made in Japan

High Reliability

Clear Specification

Others

Number of Businesses0 20 40 60 80

In Use Under Planning

Chip & Receiver Price

Power Consumption

Positioning Accuracy

Content of Message

Service Stability

Service Availability

Service Integrity

Jamming Resiliency

Insufficient Knowledge

Others

Number of Answers0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

In Use Under Planning

Fig.5 What is the issue for Michibiki Application?

Fig.4 Why do you choose Michibiki?

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Reliability

Accuracy

Stability

Availability

Continuity

Receiver Penetration

Others

Number of Answers0 10 20 30

Under Planning In Use

Authentication

Anti-Jamming

Accuracy/Performance improvement

Ground Network Utilization

Others

Number of Answers0 5 10 15

Under PlanningIn Use

Fig.6 What do you expect 7 satellite Michibiki?

Fig.7 What do you expect for future GNSS?

Short messages, DFMC SBAS, Space Volume, smartphone for survey, signal from high elevation angle….

Positioning in Ocean, signal interoperability, smartphone, overseas….