Global Navigation Satellite Systems Engineering, Policy, and Design
The European Commission awarded two contracts for 12 satellites — 6 satellites each — for a total of EUR €1.47 billion to ThalesAleniaSpace (Italy) and Airbus Defence & Space (Germany) following an “open competition.”
By Inside GNSS
James D. (Jim) Litton, a pioneer of GPS, passed away at home with his family at his side. He was 89. Jim helped develop the earliest GPS receivers at Magnavox. He also co-founded and was CEO of NavCom, which is now part of John Deere.
By Inside GNSS
Honeywell announced that recent findings from its research labs show that its newly developed inertial sensors can deliver greater than an order of magnitude improvement in accuracy over its current tactical-grade product, the HG1930 inertial measurement unit (IMU).
By Inside GNSS
As 2020 ended, the Ligado project stood still. The FCC proceedings in the case had stagnated, while Congressional action, funds and filings flowed.
STMicroelectronics announced that its new BPF8089-01SC6 plug-and-play RF front-end for GNSS receivers simplifies design and saves real estate by integrating the impedance-matching and electrostatic-discharge (ESD) protection circuitry typically implemented using discrete components.
By Inside GNSS
The Department of Transportation (DOT) submitted its “National Timing Resilience and Security Act: Roadmap to Implementation” report to Congress in mid-January. Following a competitive application process, demonstrations and review of 11 candidate technologies to back up GPS capabilities, the DOT concluded that “none of the systems can universally backup the positioning and navigations capabilities provided byGPS and its augmentations.” However, “all vendors demonstrated some PNT performance of value, but only one vendor, NextNav, demonstrated in all applicable use case scenarios.”
By Inside GNSS
TeleOrbit GmbH of Nuremberg, Germany, announced that it has implemented testing capability for Galileo’s Open Service Navigation Message Authentication (OSNMA) aboard the company’s GNSS Receiver with Open Software Interface (GOOSE).
By Inside GNSS
Trimble has introduced two new GNSS smart antennas, the AX940 and AX940i, designed for a broad range of high-precision applications such as precision agriculture, milling machines in construction, forestry harvesting equipment, autonomous vehicles, port automation and mobile mapping.
By Inside GNSS
The White House issued a January 15 policy directive addressing U.S. dependence on GPS and the need to prepare for GPS disruptions. It may also signal an intent to authenticate GPS signals in the future.
By Inside GNSS
The European GNSS Agency (GSA) released a new Galileo Open Service Signal in Space Interface Control Document (OS SIS ICD), the second issue of this document geared towards GNSS receiver manufacturers. Although the modified signals are not yet broadcast by Galileo satellites, the ICD will allow GNSS receiver manufacturers to prepare for the improved signals, set for debut in 2023.
By Inside GNSS
In a whitepaper titled “5G Synchronization Requirements and Solutions,” Ericsson CTO Erik Ekudden’ gives his views on the importance of synchronization in 5G and the critical role of GNSS as a backbone and basis of that synchronization.
By Inside GNSS
Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) of Guildford, UK, shipped the last of the Galileo navigation payloads under its manufacture at the end of November 2020, the European Space Agency (ESA) stated. As a consequence of Brexit, the UK will no longer participate actively in Galileo.
By Inside GNSS
Volvo Penta announced its Assisted Docking system, integrating GPS dynamic positioning, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). The Assisted Docking system gives the captain better control when docking a boat by automating his or her intentions, compensating for some dynamic variables, such as wind and current, and helping the vessel stay on its intended course.
By Inside GNSS
