Global Navigation Satellite Systems Engineering, Policy, and Design
Following the publication of the White Paper Using GNSS Raw Measurements on Android Devices, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) and the Raw Measurements Taskforce will share their experiences around the use of raw measurements at a dedicated workshop — GNSS Raw Measurements: From research to commercial use — to be held at the GSA headquarters in Prague on May 30.
By Inside GNSS
SkyTraq Technology Inc., a provider of GNSS positioning technology, recently introduced S1216F8-GI2, a NavIC + GPS/GAGAN receiver module for the emerging Indian market. It integrates L1/L5 RF front-end and baseband processor capable of receiving up to 14 L5 NavIC signals and up to 20 L1 GPS/GAGAN signals simultaneously. With currently usable 6 NavIC signals and 3 GAGAN signals, it offers a total of 18 ~ 23 usable signals for navigation compared to 9 ~ 14 usable signals with conventional GPS receivers. This is designed to provide improved accuracy in urban canyon environments with signals often blocked by high buildings, according to the company.
By Inside GNSS
The GPS Innovation Alliance has announced the appointment of J. “David” Grossman as executive director. Grossman will lead the Alliance as it further builds its organizational presence in Washington on behalf of its members and the GNSS industry as a whole.
“David’s appointment ushers in an exciting new chapter for our organization” said Jim Kirkland, president of the GPS Innovation Alliance and senior vice president and general counsel of Trimble Inc.
By Inside GNSS
u‑blox and Qianxun Spatial Intelligence Inc. are joining forces to deliver high precision positioning solutions to the Chinese market. By coordinating their product offerings, they seek to meet growing demand for increased positioning accuracy for mass market applications.
By Inside GNSS
San Jose, California-based DT Research, a leading designer and manufacturer of purpose-built computing solutions for vertical markets, recently announced the DT301T Rugged RTK Tablet (DT301T-RTK), a lightweight military-grade tablet that is purpose-built for GIS mapping applications with real-time kinematic (RTK) satellite navigation used to enhance the precision of position data derived from satellite-based positioning systems. This tablet enables 3D Point Cloud creation with centimeter-level accuracy — meeting the high standards required for scientific-grade evidence in court.
The DT301T-RTK is military-grade with an IP65 rating, yet lightweight — offering the versatility to be used in the field, office and vehicles. A dual frequency GNSS module is built into the tablet, which uses real-time reference points within 1- to 2-centimeter accuracy to position 3D point clouds created from aerial photogrammetry, using GPS, GLONASS and Galileo receivers. Users can measure with the RTK GNSS positioning directly using a foldable antenna or connect to an external antenna for more robust receiving and survey grade precision.
“We’ve seen a dramatic uptick in the need for rugged tablets to be purpose-built for a range of mapping uses across industries,” said Daw Tsai Sc.D., president of DT Research. “In designing the DT301T with RTK satellite navigation, we also took into consideration the other features and capabilities necessary within a rugged tablet to quickly and easily conduct forensic mapping, land surveying, e-construction, Building Information Modeling and other mapping scenarios.”
The DT301T-RTK tablet is compatible with existing GIS software for mapping applications and brings together the advanced workflow for GIS data capture, accurate positioning and data transmitting. The tablet can be used in a variety of scenarios, including:
Forensic Mapping — Public safety teams, investigators and crash reconstructionists can use the DT301T-RTK Tablet to accurately collect measurements that are scientifically defensible by using the real-time centimeter reference points to position 3D point clouds created from aerial photogrammetry or take stand-alone measurements, according to the company.
“When reconstructing a crime scene, crash scene or natural disaster — forensic mapping needs to have scientific-grade precision in order to stand up as evidence in court,” said Andrew S. Klane, a former Massachusetts State Police Lieutenant who teaches Forensic Mapping and is now the Chief Operating Officer at Forensic Mapping Solutions Inc. “As more drones are being used for mapping, there is a growing need for ground control positioning devices. By using a DT301T-RTK Tablet in combination with a drone, users can more quickly and cost-effectively create a 3D model to deliver an accurate representation of the scene with scientific-grade tolerance that will hold up in a court of law.”
The DT301T-RTK Tablet has been purpose-built for precision mapping in a variety of environments and includes the following features and capabilities:
MicroPilot and Trimble have entered into an agreement that will enable the integration of Trimble’s high-precision Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) technology into the MP2128 Triple Redundant UAS Autopilot.
MicroPilot produces autopilots for all types of professional drones, including fixed-wing, multi-rotor and vertical take-off and landing (VTOL). As Trimble looks to gain market share in the UAS industry, the team at MicroPilot can offer their years of expertise integrating guidance, navigation and support systems in these platforms.
“MicroPilot has phenomenal integration abilities,” Trimble’s Strategic Initiatives Director for Wireless & UAV InTech Division Joe Carey said during this year’s AUVSI XPONENTIAL conference in Denver. “They have a team that integrates the autopilot into the airframe. We want to be integrated into as many airframes as possible. It’s an emerging market and we want to be part of it, but we don’t want to be in the airframe business.”
Integrating autopilots can be difficult because a lot of settings have to be fine-tuned, Carey said. The team at MicroPilot offers support through the design cycle and completes extensive testing to ensure they provide a reliable autopilot that safely guides and controls drones.
MicroPilot works closely with high-end drone companies that make high-capability systems and wanted to join forces with a professional GNSS manufacturer that could support the precision and reliability needs of their customers, said Howard Loewen, President of MicroPilot. Trimble is a leader in this category and will be able to support MicroPilot customers with product development, testing and operations. Trimble’s GNSS receivers are used for many applications, including robotics and autonomous vehicle guidance.
“We’ll benefit from better technical support and better access to their technical team and vice versa,” Loewen said. “We’ll be able to take better advantage of all the features Trimble products have to offer.”
By Inside GNSS
Orolia, through its Spectracom brand, announced the introduction of a Passive GPS/GNSS Anti-Jam Outdoor Antenna with horizon blocking technology. The antenna, Model 8230AJ, is a drop-in replacement for the company’s popular Model 8230 and is ideal for high interference situations where additional resilience is needed.
By Inside GNSS
Bernhard Richter, Leica Geosystems GNSS business director
Enrico Salvatori, Qualcomm Europe
Carlo Bagnoli, STMicroelectronics“Using multiple GNSS can significantly enhance signal acquisition, satellite visibility, spatial geometry and measurement redundancy,” said Bernhard Richter, Leica Geosystems GNSS business director. “We have always been about multi- GNSS and multi-frequency. Our users are not asking what ‘kind’ of position we give them; they are saying ‘Give us the best possible position’, period.”
We spoke to Richter about his company’s habit of pushing technological boundaries in the service of its very real-world clients.
By Inside GNSS
The maritime sector drives the global economy, with ships transporting more than 80% of world trade. Ships and ports have come to rely on global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) for a huge array of applications relating to position, velocity and precise universal and local time.
By Ingo Baumann
Thanks to the POSITION project funded by the European GNSS Agency (GSA), Poland is primed to become a bigger player in the GNSS landscape in Europe.
By Inside GNSS
The world’s four GNSS programs aren’t exactly a classical quartet, weaving Mozart stanzas in disciplined execution.
By Inside GNSS
