Hemisphere GPS Announces New Products, Patents

Hemisphere GPS recently introduced two new products: the LV100 GPS Compass Board, an OEM  format based on the company’s Crescent Vector technology, and the Air IntelliFlow Dual Rate controller for aerial applications.

Hemisphere GPS recently introduced two new products: the LV100 GPS Compass Board, an OEM  format based on the company’s Crescent Vector technology, and the Air IntelliFlow Dual Rate controller for aerial applications.

Intended for marine, machine control, and precision agriculture applications, the LV100 integrates two GPS antennas, an NMEA 2000 communication processor, a single-axis gyro, a tilt sensor, and a power supply into a single system. The dual integrated antennas provide both heading and position data, and the gyro and tilt sensor improve system performance and provide backup heading information, if the GPS-based heading is unavailable due to signal blockage.

Tracking the GPS L1, C/A-code with carrier phase smoothing, the LV100 features two 12-channel, parallel receivers that can also acquire satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) to provide real-time differential corrections. The standard position update rate is 10 Hz, with a 20 Hz option.

The board measures 45.8  x 11.3 x 3.7 centimeters (18 x 4.4 x 1.4 inches) and weights 350 grams (12.3 ounces).

The latest addition to the company’s precision aerial product line, the Air IntelliFlow Dual Rate controller is targeted at a broad range of applications, including crop spraying, pest control, forestry, and fire management. It is designed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of aerial application by independently managing two separate spray systems on one aircraft.

Hemisphere GPS also recently announced the award of four new U.S. patents on the company’s IP:
•    The Satellite Position and Heading Sensor for Vehicle Steering Control (U.S. Patent No. 7,400,956) is based on the company’s patented Crescent Vector technology in which multiple antennas are used to provide accurate heading and roll data in addition to position.
•    The technology outlined in the Portable Reference Station for Local Differential GPS Corrections (U.S. Patent No. 7,400,294) is currently employed in the company’s Outback Guidance BaseLineHD system.
•    The Articulated Equipment Position Control System and Method (U.S. Patent No. 7,373,231) enables the position of an implement to be controlled while it is being towed behind a tractor or other self-propelled vehicle.
•    The Carrier Track Loop for GNSS Derived Attitude (U.S. Patent No. 7,388,539) provides a method and system for reducing inconsistencies on GNSS carrier tracking loops by providing direct communication between two GPS receivers’ tracking loops in order to minimize common noise–induced effects.