Global Navigation Satellite Systems Engineering, Policy, and Design
Russian space agency Roscosmos and the Chinese Satellite Navigation System Commission have agreed to a joint roadmap on cooperation for 2021-2025.
By Inside GNSS
The Air Force Research Laboratory’s complementary PNT AgilePod prototype aced its first high-dynamic flight tests in November 2021. It also achieved two other firsts: the first test of fully-remote interfacing and alt-PNT data transmission, and the first demonstration of overland/overwater transition performance.
By Inside GNSS
Boeing secured a 10-year, $329.3 million contract to help the U.S. Space Force engineer operational GPS Block IIF satellites.
By Inside GNSS
The latest version of the Galileo Open Service Definition Document (OS SDD), updated November 2021, describes upgrades enacted in the Galileo system since May 2019: improvements, current constellation status and updates in the ground infrastructure that increase its robustness. This is the last update foreseen before Galileo Open Service reaches Full Operational Capability (FOC).
By Inside GNSS
Mobile satellite communications company Inmarsat is working on a UK Space Agency-funded test project with the European Space Agency, alongside British partners Goonhilly Earth Station Limited and GMVNSL Limited, to deliver the first UK-generated GNSS signal.
By Inside GNSS
The RINEX Working Group of the International GNSS Service (IGS) has released the new Receiver Independent Exchange Format Version 4.00 (RINEX4), as of December 1, 2021.
By Inside GNSS
A Soyuz launcher operated by Arianespace and commissioned by ESA lifted off with the pair of 715 kg satellites from French Guiana on December 5. The two join 26 Galileo satellites in the orbiting constellation that now provide Initial Services.
By Inside GNSS
Rapidly changing motion means that every aspect of positioning must be carefully re-examined and re-evaluated to avoid costly and dangerous positioning errors. The frequent changes in heading, acceleration and deceleration inherent in rockets, missiles, jet planes, race cars and other platforms — up to 100 times per second! — dictate a very high rate of data inputs from both inertial and GNSS sensors to capture the complex trajectory.
By Inside GNSS
In a race with the U.S. to develop a laser communications network in space, China’s BeiDou GNSS has conducted an inter-satellite and satellite-ground station experiment using using lasers rather than the usual radio signals. The technology could potentially transmit data a million times faster than by radio signal to almost any location. Some experts say it could increase satnav accuracy by a factor of 6 to 40
By Inside GNSS
Future miniaturized sensors, to be used for example in bee-sized drones, mini-satellites, or wearable devices, are likely to include GNSS chipsets supporting accurate outdoor localization and also offering reduced computational costs and power consumption compared to traditional GNSS receivers. The survey various energy-efficient methods for GNSS acquisition and present a discontinuous-reception acquisition algorithm, analyzed with both simulated and measurement-based data.
Russia conducted an unannounced direct-ascent anti-satellite (DA-ASAT) missile test on November 15, targeting and exploding its own defunct satellite Tselina-D. After the test, Russian television executive and spokesperson Dmitry Konstantinovich Kiselyov, head of the official Russian government-owned international news agency Rossiya Segodnya, reportedly said on live tv that this demonstrated that Russia could and would if necessary target U.S. GPS satellites, thus “blinding” its military forces.
By Inside GNSS
Europe’s first prototype satnav space vehicle, Galileo In-Orbit Validation Element A (GIOVE-A), was decommissioned on November 24 after 16 years of work in orbit. The 2005-launched mission secured Galileo’s radio frequencies for Europe and demonstrated key new space-based navigation hardware.
By Inside GNSS
The U.S. Navy’s Office of Naval Research (ONR) Global announced the winner of its second Global-X Challenge, kicking off a proof-of-concept effort on an alternative navigation system using muons in the Arctic to gain precision equal to that of GPS.
By Inside GNSS
Spectranetix, Inc. has released its SX-124, ruggedized 3U OpenVPX high-performance position, navigation and timing (PNT) solution. With an ability to provide timing and positioning information in a GPS-denied environment through sensor fusion, the SX‑124 switch is a highly integrated next-generation cyber / electronic warfare (EW) / Signals intelligence (SIGINT) / Communications / Battle Management System (BMS) device
By Inside GNSS
We are witnessing a space renaissance. Tens of thousands of broadband low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites are expected to be launched by the end of this decade. These planned megaconstellations of LEO satellites along with existing constellations will shower the Earth with a plethora of signals of opportunity, diverse in frequency and direction. These signals could be exploited for navigation in the inevitable event that GNSS signals become unavailable (e.g., in deep urban canyons, under dense foliage, during unintentional interference, and intentional jamming) or untrustworthy (e.g., undermalicious spoofing attacks).
Quectel Wireless Solutions, a supplier of IOT modules and antennas, and Point One Navigation, a supplier of precision location technology, announced the LG69T-AM addition to the LG69T GNSS Module Series.
By Inside GNSS
Trimble has introduced the R750 GNSS modular receiver, a connected base station for use in civil construction, geospatial and agricultural applications. The R750 provides improved base station performance, giving contractors, surveyors and farmers reliable and precise positioning in the field.
By Inside GNSS
Alps Alpine and Furuno Electric Co., Ltd. have jointly developed the UMSZ6 Series GNSS1 Module realizing high-accuracy positioning to within 50 centimeters without correction data for automotive applications.
By Inside GNSS
Sequans Communications of Paris, France has released its Monarch 2 LTE-M/NB-IoT platform with low-power GNSS positioning capability, for IoT customers to obtain accurate location without requiring an external positioning chipset.
By Inside GNSS
Trimble has rolled out the latest version of its core geospatial automated monitoring software, Trimble 4D Control version 6.3. The software provides automated movement detection to enable informed decisions about infrastructure for surveying, construction and monitoring professionals.
By Inside GNSS
STMicroelectronics has introduced an automotive satellite-navigation chip designed to deliver high-quality position data needed by advanced driving systems.
By Inside GNSS
Tallysman Wireless Inc. has added the low-profile triple-band HC997EXF to its line of embedded helical GNSS antennas.
By Inside GNSS In a race with the U.S. to develop a laser communications network in space, China’s BeiDou GNSS has conducted an inter-satellite and satellite-ground station experiment using using lasers rather than the usual radio signals. The technology could potentially transmit data a million times faster than by radio signal to almost any location. Some experts say it could increase satnav accuracy by a factor of 6 to 40
By Inside GNSS Spectranetix, Inc. has released its SX-124, ruggedized 3U OpenVPX high-performance position, navigation and timing (PNT) solution. With an ability to provide timing and positioning information in a GPS-denied environment through sensor fusion, the SX‑124 switch is a highly integrated next-generation cyber / electronic warfare (EW) / Signals intelligence (SIGINT) / Communications / Battle Management System (BMS) device
By Inside GNSS
ADVA introduced its OSA 5400 SyncModule embedded timing solution, enabling technology suppliers to integrate precise synchronization into their hardware. The M.2 form factor module offers equipment vendors a way to simply and cost-effectively add crucial timing capabilities with key functionality into their switches, routers, open compute servers and other IT devices.
By Inside GNSS
Honeywell today announced that it has launched two new resilient navigation systems: the Honeywell Compact Inertial Navigation System and Honeywell Radar Velocity System.
By Inside GNSS
Spirent Federal announces a new positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) test capability commonly referred to as programmable power—or flex power—available at no additional cost to qualified customers under support.
By Inside GNSS
STMicroelectronics has introduced the Teseo-VIC3DA, the latest member of the Teseo module family. Teseo-VIC3DA combines ST’s high-performing Automotive Teseo III GNSS1 IC with the automotive 6-axis MEMS inertial measurement unit (IMU) and dead reckoning software to create a convenient, automotive-qualified navigation module.
By Inside GNSS
Advanced Navigation has today released the second generation of their highly successful satellite compass. GNSS Compass is a plug and play solution that provides accurate position, heading and time in a self contained unit.
By Inside GNSS
Broadcom has its new third-generation low-power L1/L5 GNSS receiver chip, the BCM4778, available for sampling to early-access partners and customers. Optimized for mobile and wearable applications, the chip is 35% smaller and consumes 5 times less power than the previous generation.
By Inside GNSS
Industry veteran Simon Baksh is joining JAVAD GNSS as Head of Product Development. Baksh trained as a chartered surveyor and first applied his land and hydrographic survey expertise to optimize oil exploration working for Schlumberger internationally.
By Inside GNSS
Zak Kassas, associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at the University of California-Irvine, has receuved the Young Investigator Research Program (YIP) award from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR). Kassas was one of 36 scientists and engineers from 30 institutions in the country to earn the recognition for 2022.
By Inside GNSS
Javier Benedicto, for nearly 14 years the Head of the Galileo Programme Department within the Directorate of Navigation at the European Space Agency (ESA), has been appointed Director of Navigation at the agency.
By Inside GNSS
The Institute of Navigation’s (ION) Satellite Division presented Dr. Mark Psiaki with its Johannes Kepler Award during the Institute of Navigation (ION) GNSS+ 2021 Conference. In addition to many other achievements, Psiaki co-authored the Inside GNSS cover story, “TRANSIT on Steroids: Doppler-Based GNSS Meets Large LEO Constellations”
By Inside GNSS
The European satellite service provider (ESSP) placed Charlotte Neyret, former European Development Director for Thales Alenia Space, at its helm as chief executive officer.ESSP manages EGNOS, the European GNSS satellite-based augmentation system.
By Inside GNSS
Focal Point Positioning, a deep tech start-up whose technologies address the core problem of GNSS inaccuracies due to multipath and spoofing, hasannounced the hire of GPS industry veteran Jim LaMance as Chief Experience Officer
By Inside GNSS
Focal Point Positioning, a UK-based deep tech start-up whose patented technology improves the performance of GPS chips in smartphones, wearables and vehicles, announced the hiring of GPS industry veteran Scott Pomerantz as its new CEO.
By Inside GNSS
AIRMAR®Technology Corporation, a world leader in ultrasonic transducers and Chirp technology, is pleased to welcome Diana Sufariu to the company as Director of Engineering.
By Inside GNSS
The Hon. Malcolm Turnbull has been appointed to the Advanced Navigation board of directors. Mr Turnbull will serve as a Director on the Board and will help accelerate the company’s expansion across their global markets.
By Inside GNSS
| TerraStar X corrections technology enables lane-level accuracy with under one-minute convergence for consumer and automotive-grade GNSS receivers |
Sequans Communications of Paris, France has released its Monarch 2 LTE-M/NB-IoT platform with low-power GNSS positioning capability, for IoT customers to obtain accurate location without requiring an external positioning chipset.
By Inside GNSS
Georeferenced aerial images and mapping captured by NOAA with sixth-generation Digital Sensor System
By Inside GNSS
Locata Corporation and Ursa Navigation Solutions, Inc. (UrsaNav) announced a technology partnership aimed at providing resilient PNT solutions to national governmental and commercial interests globally. Combining Locata’s high-accuracy local-area and UrsaNav’s very wide-area PNT produces a solution which lessens dependency on easily disrupted and increasingly vulnerable space-based signals, according to the two.
By Inside GNSS Swift Navigation announced its support of the new STMicroelectronics Teseo V. The Teseo V family is a single-chip GNSS triple-frequency device for automotive use. Swift’s team has been working with ST to ensure the optimization of Swift’s precise positioning solution—comprised of the Starling positioning engine and Skylark precise positioning service—when paired with the STA8135GA Teseo V, the first single-chip triple-band GNSS IC (Integrated Circuit).
By Inside GNSS
Recognized for its outstanding technology achievements and the potential for impact to the United States Army and Department of Defense, Orolia Defense & Security, the leading U.S. Resilient Positioning, Navigation and Timing Mission Partner™, was selected by a panel of judges as a finalist during the 2021 xTech Plugfest competition.
By Inside GNSS
The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) has executed a $316 million contract option for BAE Systems’ advanced M-Code GPS modules, raising the contract funding to $641 million.
By Inside GNSS
Safran recently announced that it has entered into exclusive discussions to acquire Orolia from Eurazeo. Orolia is one of the world leaders in Resilient Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) solutions that improve the reliability, performance and safety of critical civilian, military and space operations
By Inside GNSS
Unicore Communications (Unicore), a leading manufacturer of GNSS hardware, is a sister-company to Rx Networks within the BDStar group of companies, and is headquartered in Beijing, China.
By Inside GNSS Spectranetix, Inc. has released its SX-124, ruggedized 3U OpenVPX high-performance position, navigation and timing (PNT) solution. With an ability to provide timing and positioning information in a GPS-denied environment through sensor fusion, the SX‑124 switch is a highly integrated next-generation cyber / electronic warfare (EW) / Signals intelligence (SIGINT) / Communications / Battle Management System (BMS) device
By Inside GNSS
Xona Space Systems and StarNav will jointly develop user equipment capable of receiving Xona’s Pulsar service to produce resilient position, navigation, and timing (PNT) solutions for commercial and government end users.
By Inside GNSS
Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI) recently received four Electronics Industry 2021 Awards presented by Datateam Business Media. The Electronics Industry Awards honor the best professionals, products, projects, and companies across the electronics sector.
By Inside GNSS
Hexagon | NovAtel announced that its PwrPak7-E1 GNSS receiver is now supported on the NVIDIA DRIVE Hyperion autonomous vehicle (AV) development platform. NVIDIA designs system on a chip units (SoCs) for the automotive and mobile computing markets
By Inside GNSS
Thales and CS GROUP have combined to offer a high-performance, resilient and cybersecure navigation system comprising Thales’s TopAxyz inertial navigation unit, which has clocked over 20 million hours of operation in civil aviation, and CS GROUP’s real-time computer.
By Inside GNSS
NextNav and Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. now collaborate to enable NextNav’s Pinnacle 911 z-axis software and network-based services for use with the Qualcomm Location Suite. This facilitates integration of vertical location into existing carrier infrastructure for emergency 911 purposes by device and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) vendors.
By Inside GNSS Future miniaturized sensors, to be used for example in bee-sized drones, mini-satellites, or wearable devices, are likely to include GNSS chipsets supporting accurate outdoor localization and also offering reduced computational costs and power consumption compared to traditional GNSS receivers. The survey various energy-efficient methods for GNSS acquisition and present a discontinuous-reception acquisition algorithm, analyzed with both simulated and measurement-based data.
We are witnessing a space renaissance. Tens of thousands of broadband low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites are expected to be launched by the end of this decade. These planned megaconstellations of LEO satellites along with existing constellations will shower the Earth with a plethora of signals of opportunity, diverse in frequency and direction. These signals could be exploited for navigation in the inevitable event that GNSS signals become unavailable (e.g., in deep urban canyons, under dense foliage, during unintentional interference, and intentional jamming) or untrustworthy (e.g., undermalicious spoofing attacks).
This article reviews some of the recent results analyzing the feasibility of carrier-phase based positioning with smartphone data and highlights limitations largely arising due to the poor antenna quality. It shows how they might be overcome by antenna calibration or coupling to the phone’s inertial sensors. The goal is to perform a successful RTK positioning with the smartphone-quality data.
