Global Navigation Satellite Systems Engineering, Policy, and Design
GPS-related procurement and development items in President Obama’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2011 are moving through Capitol Hill, but not without contention. At issue is Obama’s request for $40.9 million for the High-Integrity Global Position System (HIGPS, also known as iGPS).
By Inside GNSS
FIGURE 1: Geographical overview of the 170 IGS stations tracking SVN62/PRN25 during its current 90-day checkout period. The blue curve illustrates the ground track of the spacecraft on August 9, 2010.For the complete story, including figures, graphs, and images, please download the PDF of the article, above.
On May 27, 2010, the U.S. Air Force successfully launched the first satellite of the Block II “follow-on” (Block IIF) series, the fourth generation of GPS spacecraft that features more precise and powerful signals, an extended design life, and several other technical advances.
By Inside GNSS
The 2010 Growing Galileo Information Day will take place in Brussels at the Charlemagne Building on Wednesday, September 22 from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Interested companies and researchers will learn about the third call for proposals for GNSS research under the European Union’s 7th Framework Programme (FP7)
The event will help interested developers hone their applications for satellite navigation projects. A total of €38 million is available through the third call, which was published July 20, 2010.
By Inside GNSS
The Institute of Navigation’s Autonomous Weapons Summit (AWS) and& GNC Challenges for Miniature Autonomous Systems Workshop will be be held October 25-27, 2010 at the Emerald Coast Conference Center, Fort Walton Beach, Florida.
By Inside GNSS
Officials from the Air Space Space and Missile Systems Center’s GPS Wing announced today (August 10) that the first GPS IIF satellite (SVN-62) arrived on-station August 1. This indicates that the satellite is in its designated orbital position and ready for its final phase of on-orbit checkout and testing, to be completed before September. The satellite will then be cleared to serve navigation and timing users as part of the operational GPS constellation.
By Inside GNSS
Aldacom GmbH, of Neu-Isenburg, Germany, recently announced the debut of the AldaLogic C10/3, a breadboard containing an embedded Linux PC on a surface measuring 104 x 63 millimeters.
The unit also contains a Quad-band GPRS module and SiRF3 GPS module, as well as interfaces for USB, RS232 and Ethernet components. An SD-card reader enables expansion of the standard 4 Mb of flash memory.
By Inside GNSS
Baseband Technologies Inc., of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, recently announced the launch of its Deep-R technology, which the company says is capable of capturing a GPS position using two milliseconds of I/Q samples.
By Inside GNSS
NovAtel Inc. recently announced the release of Version 1.011 firmware for its L1 OEMStar GNSS (GPS+GLONASS+SBAS) receiver, which the company says is designed to provide improved PDP and GL1DE filter performance, improved satellite tracking in low signal level environments, improved satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) performance when operating outside of the standard grid map, and improved time to first fix.
By Inside GNSS
Spectracom has introduced a new eight-channel GPS constellation simulator, the Pendulum GSG-54.
Designed to provide a wide-range of capabilities for in-line production testing of devices integrating GPS receivers, according to the company, the simulator features ease-of-operation, fast test cycles, and versatility in supporting the integration of GPS receivers into devices under development. The unit’s bench-top chassis is designed to be compact, portable, and easy to set up.
By Inside GNSS
JAXA has announced the launch date for Japan’s first Quasi-Zenith satellite. On the morning of September 11, H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 18 will carry the satellite, nicknamed Michibiki, to its inclined geosynchronous orbit (IGSO).
The launch was postponed from August 2 because of problems with the onboard reaction wheels. The malfunctioning part was replaced.
By Inside GNSS
Passive Hydrogen Maser (PHM) flight model on GIOVE-B (ESA photo) SELEX Galileo, an Edinburgh, Scotland company, has signed a €30 million contract with with Surrey Satellite Technology LTD (SSTL) to supply PHM atomic clocks for all 14 Galileo FOC (full operational capability) satellites.
The PHM-Passive Hydrogen Maser- clock is the most stable for space
applications and has been tested successfully in GIOVE-B, the Galileo
system’s second validation satellite, which was launched in 2008.
The European Parliament will hold a high-level conference for industry and political decisionmakers on European space policy at the European Parliament Hemicycle in Brussels, Belgium on October 26 and 27, 2010. It is organized by Business Bridge Europe (BBE) and Parliament’s Sky and Space Intergroup.
Invited speakers for the opening session include:
By Inside GNSS
Sierra Wireless, headquartered in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, has announced the availability of a new GPS module and supporting software, optimized for wireless applications based on Sierra Wireless AirPrime Intelligent Embedded Modules.
The new AirPrime XM0110 GPS Module is based on integrated SiRFstarIV GPS technology from CSR plc, and an OEM design optimized for wireless asset tracking and automotive applications.
By Inside GNSS
