Global Navigation Satellite Systems Engineering, Policy, and Design
After nearly a year of silence, Magellan has returned to the OEM GNSS space with the MB 500 GPS/GLONASS/SBAS dual-frequency board — reportedly the first of a series of new products by the long-standing brand.
By Glen Gibbons
Trimble has announced its new GNSS reference receiver — the Trimble NetR8 — for precise scientific and network infrastructure applications. The NetR8 reference receiver has 76 channels and supports GPS L1, L2, L2C and L5 signals as well as GLONASS L1/L2 signals.
Four additional channels are dedicated to tracking space-based augmentation systems
(SBAS), including Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) in North
America, European Geostationary Navigation Overlay System (EGNOS) in
Europe, Multi-functional Satellite Augmentation System (MSAS) in Japan,
Omnistar services and others.
The Raytheon Company has been awarded a $232.8 million contract for the system development and demonstration phase of the GPS-based Joint Precision Approach and Landing System (JPALS) program for shipboard applications.
JPALS provides all-weather shipboard landing capability to assist the Navy with pinpoint landing accuracy on aircraft carriers. The team, led by Raytheon Network Centric Systems, includes Rockwell Collins, Northrop Grumman, and SAIC.
By Glen Gibbons
The European GNSS Supervisory Authority has awarded Logica, a UK-based IT and business services company, a framework contract for the provision of security for the Galileo program.
The framework contract will run for up to four years and will enable the GSA to procure specialist support for the analysis and definition of security aspects related to Galileo with a shortened procurement cycle. It was awarded after a competitive tender and positions Logica as the preferred supplier for Galileo security, according to the company.
By Inside GNSS
Cambridge, UK–based CSR and Rx Networks, Inc., headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, have announced a solution that combines their respective eGPS and GPStream technologies.
By Glen Gibbons
Spirent Federal Systems, a leading provider of GPS/GNSS test and simulation systems, has announced its 2009 GPS Training Conference schedule, which will include identical events on two coasts.
An East Cost Conference will be held in Washington, D.C., March 18–19, and a West Coast Conference will follow in Anaheim, California, on March 24–25. Seats are limited to maintain the intimacy of the instruction and equipment usage.
By Glen Gibbons
SpectraTime has announced its receipt of a contract valued at approximately €4 million to supply rubidium space clocks for the Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS), a GNSS system that is under development by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).
The IRNSS will consist of seven satellites, three in geostationary orbit and the other four in geosynchronous orbit. First launch of an IRNSS is currently expected in 2009. The system will transmit BOC(5,2) and BPSK signals at the L5 frequency (1176.45 MHz) and also in S-band.
By Glen Gibbons
IEC TruTrak Evolution GPS Receiver
L-3 Interstate Electronics Corporation (IEC), based in Anaheim, California, has announced its latest miniaturized GPS receiver, the TruTrak Evolution.
A single-board, L1/L2 24-channel secure GPS receiver, the TruTrak Evolution consists of a security module, radio frequency down converter and I/O logic. The receiver employs IEC’s latest key data processor (KDP II) SAASM chipset in the XFACTOR module to provide enhanced GPS security.
By Glen Gibbons
Fairfax, Virginia–based defense contractor ArgonST has selected the MTi-G GPS-aided Attitude & Heading Reference System (AHRS) from Xsens Technologies, of Enschede, The Netherlands, to help fill a U.S. government contract for a new generation of reference motion trackers for use on a variety of air and ground vehicles.
By Glen Gibbons
A recently announced partnership between GNSS technology innovator NovAtel, Inc., and Brilliant Telecommunications underscores the profound changes taking place in the precise timing markets.
By Glen Gibbons
Continuum soaks up the rays in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.A sleek-looking solar car built by a University of Michigan team was first across the finish line early in the afternoon of July 22 after a long, hot 10-day 2,400-mile (4,000 km) race from Plano, Texas to Calgary, Alberta. And once again GPS and satellite-based differential corrections play a key role.
This year, 15 solar-powered cars built by students from universities in the U.S., Canada, and Germany completed the 2008 North American Solar challenge.
Michigan has won five out of nine NASC races, held every other year since 1990.
By Inside GNSS
Asilomar Conference CenterMonday, September 1 is the last day to register for the 7th Symposium on Frequency Standards and Metrology, which will be held October 5-11 at Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove, California.
Pre-registration is required and the conference organizers do not permit on site registration.
Register online at http://fsm.jpl.nasa.gov/registration.htm.
For more information, call Barbara McGivney at 732-280-2022 (US phone number) or email her at Mcgivneyb2@aol.com.
By Inside GNSS
The Boeing Company will use its new “pulse line” process for assembling satellites to build GPS Block IIF satellites for the U.S. Air Force.
Constructed at the company’s facility in El Segundo, California, the new process is expected to shorten the time needed to build a space vehicle and will eventually be implemented on all Boeing satellite production lines.
For the Block IIFs the new process will reduce the travel distance of a space vehicle from 12,000 feet to 10,000 feet, according to John Duddy, director of GPS programs for Boeing.
By Glen Gibbons
