Global Navigation Satellite Systems Engineering, Policy, and Design
NEO-5Qu-blox AG has announced the launch of a miniature GPS module designed for high volume, mass-market applications that require fast, accurate positioning at a low cost.
The NEO-5Q is a stand-alone GPS module in a 12 x 16 x 2.4–millimeter package. Its ROM-based architecture does not require an external Flash EPROM.
By Glen Gibbons
ORCA Technologies’ GS-101ORCA Technologies LLC, a recent start-up company — but one whose principals come with a long background in GPS timing instrumentation — has introduced the Model GS-101 GPS/IRIG-B Synchronized Time Code Generator (STCG).
By Glen Gibbons
GPS IIR satellite. Lockheed Martin photo.Suspected faulty components in a Delta II rocket are delaying the launch of the final two modernized GPS Block IIR satellites, possibly preventing the early broadcast of an L5 civil signal that faces a 2009 deadline for being on the air.
According to Air Force officials at the GPS Master Control Station, Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado, and Patrick AFB near the Cape Canaveral launch site, the questionable component is the 40-second timer that triggers separation of the third stage booster from the GPS space vehicle. Affected are both the 20th Block IIR-M, which had been scheduled to launch this month with a civil L5 test signal enabled in the navigation payload, and GPS IIR-21.
By Glen Gibbons
SkyTraq’s Venus634LPTaiwanese fabless GNSS manufacturer SkyTraq Technology, Inc., has announced a one-square-centimeter GPS OEM receiver, the Venus634LP.
The L1 GPS C/A-code, receiver includes 51 acquisition channels and 14 tracking channels and is also capable of processing satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) signals. Measuring 10 x 10 x 1.2 millimeters, the Venus634LP integrates LNA, SAW filter, RF front-end, GPS baseband, 0.5ppm TCXO, RTC crystal, LDO regulator, and passive components in an LGA44 package with 0.8 pitch.
By Glen Gibbons
MT ManagerXsens Technologies B.V. has announced the release of a new version of the MT Software Development Kit (SDK) and new firmware for all of the Enschede, The Netherlands¬based company’s inertial motion trackers: MTi, MTi-G and MTx.
The software and firmware contain predefined settings for optimized orientation output in several specific application areas. Applications relying on data output for orientation, stabilization, or navigation will benefit.
By Glen Gibbons
Fastrax Software GPS stackFinland’s Fastrax oy, which introduced a new generation of OEM GPS receivers earlier this year, has added a software receiver to its line-up.
Based on the Fastrax’s iSuite3 embedded software architecture used in the company’s iTrax03, and iTrax130) series of GPS receivers, the software receiver is designed for easy porting to a portable device’s central processing unit (CPU).
By Glen Gibbons
A team led by Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company has won U. S. Air Force approval to build the GPS Block IIIA satellites under a contract valued at up to $3.568 billion.
The long-delayed decision was announced May 15. The acquisition covers the first of three sets of Block III satellites currently scheduled to begin launching in 2014.
By Glen Gibbons
Doug TaggartDouglas S. Taggart has been named president of Overlook Systems Technologies, Inc., effective June 1, 2008.
A professional engineering and technical services firm headquartered in Vienna, Virginia, Overlook has extensive experience in GPS and Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) technologies, operations ,and applications, as well as electronic warfare, space and information operations, and space control.
By Glen Gibbons
GPS manufacturers and users who employ so-called codeless and semi-codeless techniques based on exploiting the L2 carrier phase of the military P(Y)-code signals may want to comment on a new proposal to ensure that capability through 2020.
By Glen Gibbons
Lt. Gen. Michael A. Hamel, commander of the Space & Missile Systems Center at Los Angeles Air Force Base, will turn over responsibilities to Lt. Gen. John T. "Tom" Sheridan on May 16. General Sheridan was formerly the Deputy Director of the National Reconnaissance Office.
By Glen Gibbons
Boeing Integrated Defense Systems has awarded GPS Source, Inc., of Pueblo West, Colorado, a multimillion dollar contract for the development of GPS retransmission equipment for the C-17 Globemaster III.
CNS-5000NovAtel, Inc., and KVH Industries took advantage of the auspicious occasion of the PLANS 2008 conference to launch their separately labeled but common-design versions of a GNSS/fiberoptic gyro (FOG) inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor.
By Inside GNSS
Applanix has announced the availability of a high altitude tactical mapping option for its DSS RapidOrtho system as well as the integration of the Trimble BD960 GNSS receiver module for its POS AV airborne position and orientation system.
With the GNSS module, POS AV products now support GPS L1/L2 and GLONASS L1/L2 processing, both in real-time and post-mission. The BD960 will also be able to receive and process the next-generation GPS L2C and L5 signals.
By Inside GNSS
