Global Navigation Satellite Systems Engineering, Policy, and Design
A new cloud-based, digital reality visualization platform in the Hexagon AB booth captured the attention of CES 2020 visitors in Las Vegas this week. HxDR creates accurate digital representations of the real world through the seamless combination of reality-capture data from airborne, ground and mobile sensors.
By Inside GNSS
A Russian software company, Navigation Expert, has announced its newly upgraded Nav Sensor Recorder v3.2, a free application for Android that enables users to read and save measurements of smartphone sensors.
By Inside GNSS
Forward-deployed U.S. military personnel will soon benefit from warfighter localization sensor units that provide tracking information in GPS-denied environments in a bootstrap mode. The Army Product Manager Sets, Kits Outfits and Tools awarded a $16.5 million contract to Robotic Research of Clarksburg, Maryland for WarLoc units to equip four deployed U.S. Army Brigade Combat Teams in various locations. The first batch of systems has already been shipped, and should enable soldiers on foot to keep track of each other in terrain where GPS systems are less effective.
WarLoc provides localization and positioning data for teams of warfighters or first responders in signal-denied environments such as underground facilities and inside buildings and mega-cities, according to the company. The small sensor mounts on footwear. Multiple systems work together to further enhance accuracy and maintain the localization of teams.
[Heel-mounted warfighter localization sensor units, also known as WarLoc. Photo: Robotic Research.]
The tracking system augments its GPS receiver with an inertial measurement unit. The device connects with a smartphone through Bluetooth. Robotic Research fields two form factors of the WaLoc, one mounted over the top of the boot and another that wraps around the heel. Users view data readouts through an Android-based Tactical Assault Kit. The algorithms are reportedly robust to communications failures and dropouts, and the distributed nature works well in challenging communication environments.
By Inside GNSS
Septentrio and Analog Devices now combine their technology specialties, multi-frequency multi-constellation GNSS receivers and high-quality inertial measurement units (IMUs), respectively, to deliver centimeter-accurate positioning with 3D orientation (heading, pitch and roll), for applications such as automotive advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and industrial automation.
By Inside GNSS
In early December, Qualcomm made its annual announcement of a new chip for phones and wearables in the coming year. Qualcomm’s flagship system-on-chip will power a range of devices launching in 2020, with lots of new and exciting (to smartphone addicts) capabilities; just not much — make that nothing — new in satellite-based navigation derivatives.
By Inside GNSS
Draper has advanced its development of a LiDAR-on-a-chip using patented, all-digital MEMS optical switches for light beamsteering to gather the digital data to build high-definition maps.
By Inside GNSS
u‑blox released the NEO‑M9N, the first module based on the company’s new robust meter‑level M9 global positioning technology platform, designed for demanding automotive, telematics, and UAV applications.
By Inside GNSS
Very occasionally, history repeats itself, in oddly nuanced ways. I stand today at such a juncture. Nineteen years ago Glen Gibbons, the founder of this magazine, hired me as his lieutenant for another satnav publication—for which he was also the founding editor.
By Alan Cameron
Two new all-silicon inertial measurement systems, developed to meet the specific demands of the small satellite and launch vehicle markets, have been released by Silicon Sensing Systems Ltd, and are on display at this month’s Space Tech Expo in Bremen, Germany.
By Inside GNSS
Sensonor has announced at AUSA in Washington, DC, a new high-accuracy tactical grade Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) — STIM 318. Designed for increased accelerometer performance to support demanding guidance and navigation applications, STIM 318 features:
By Inside GNSS
Upon its 10th anniversary, Tallysman GNSS recently introduced new helical antennas. Released earlier this year, the helical antenna line is designed to provide unprecedented performance in a lightweight, compact form factor.
By Inside GNSS
TERREBONNE, QC, CANADA — Eos Positioning Systems, Inc. (Eos), a manufacturer of high-accuracy Arrow GNSS receivers for GIS users and field mappers, announced that Esri’s ArcGIS QuickCapture GNSS receiver support includes all Arrow Series™ models for iOS, Android and Windows.
By Inside GNSS
Juniper Systems today announced the release of the Geode GNS2 Sub-meter GPS Receiver. This new release of the Geode now features connectivity with a range of iPhone and iPad devices providing users with an even more versatile and powerful tool, according to the company.
By Inside GNSS