GAUSS objective is to design and demonstrate the realistic feasibility of a system, for providing Location-based services, from the integration of Satellite Navigation and Communications, within the contexts of GALILEO and the UMTS technology. The services considered for GAUSS are based on low-bit rate transmission of small data packets carrying positioning & timing information, as required by typical Info-Mobility and Inter-Modality oriented applications.

The technological issues of such a concept rely on the development of a Demonstrator, with the purpose of building up a realistic implementation of the proposed GAUSS system. The GAUSS Demonstrator is based on the integration of existing infrastructures along with ad-hoc designed components, developed in the framework of the project itself. The former ones constitute the ground segment, the latter ones include the advanced user terminal and the applications.

In this context, GAUSS has a two-fold objective: new technological development and realisation of innovative applications oriented to info-mobility and inter-modality. The need for such developments does not only arise from the unavailability of the required equipment on the market, but also from the intention to realise, within the project, innovative equipment which will expectedly be strategic for the success of the proposed system.

Furthermore, the realised applications are purposely designed to make the best use of the resources of the GAUSS system, in terms of integrated Navigation and Communication capability.

A crucial phase of the GAUSS project is the demonstration campaign, having the objective of validating the developed applications with the direct involvement of users, specifically operating in inland-waterways and roads. Services for assisted vessel navigation and for management of transport over the Po river (Italy), will be thoroughly tested and assessed.