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INDUSTRY | LBS | GNSS | GIS | IMAGING | GALILEO UPDATE

OROLIA : New Dual Frequency Multi-GNSS Constellation Simulator

Spectracom has announced its new L1+L2 dual frequency 32-channel multi-GNSS simulator, the GSG-62. It offers multiple frequency band operation, multiple GNSS constellation simulation, and expansion capability for more frequency bands and channels. Spectracom’s newest addition of industry leading simulators extends the brand’s reputation for portability, flexibility and ease-of-use, with expanded capabilities for those who are testing more than GPS L1.
www.orolia.com

Iteris awarded $2.45 million by Abu Dhabi DoT

Iteris, Inc has been awarded the prime contract by the Abu Dhabi Department of Transport (DoT) for the design, implementation, operation and maintenance of the first integrated travel information and navigation services (i-TINS) system in the Middle East. The contract is valued at $2.45 million.
www.marketwatch.com

Hemisphere GPS and Stara S.A. Expand OEM Partnership

Hemisphere GPS and Stara S.A. Indústria de Implementos Agrícolas announced their expanded OEM partnership as part of Stara’s new SpeedDrive X system. Stara is an agricultural equipment manufacturer, launched SpeedDrive X recently, which will be factory installed as standard equipment on various models of Stara tractors, sprayers, and spreaders. The new SpeedDrive X combines a customized Hemisphere GPS eDriveX automated steering system and A320 GNSS smart antenna and Stara Topper 4500 terminal providing total user management for precision agriculture.
http://www.digitaljournal.com

Esri GPS base station joins CORS network

Esri recently set up a GPS base station to assist its GIS developers and to support surveyors, engineers, scientists and those in public works and public safety in the community surrounding the Esri campus in Redlands, California. The base station, named GISA, has been accepted by the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) and incorporated into the national Continuously Operating Reference Station (CORS) network. GISA stores GPS and GNSS signals in data files on a secure Esri server accessible to the public via the Esri.
www.gnss.esri.com.

Leica announces ScanStation C10 and Cyclone v7.4

Leica Geosystems announces a faster, easier option for Leica ScanStation C10 laser scanner users to apply the brilliance of external camera imagery to laser scan point cloud data. The new option consists of a direct digital camera mount on the ScanStation C10 scanner and tight, automated integration of external camera images into the scanner’s onboard controller and data storage system. Cyclone v7.4 supports this new option. ScanStation C10 users will continue to have the option of using the scanner’s convenient, embedded camera for taking precisely aligned, high-resolution digital pictures of the surrounding scene. Leica ScanStation C5’s with this internal camera option can also be used with the new external camera option.
www.leica-geosystems.com

Tiny GNSS timing receiver by Trimble Trimble has introduced a new embedded GNSS receiver with GPS and GLONASS capabilities for timing applications—the Trimble® Resolution-SMT™ GG receiver. The Resolution-SMT GG receiver enables system integrators to add precise GNSS to provide location, Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and synchronization to many products or systems where cost or size had previously been a limitation. The receiver also supports Satellite Based Augmentation Systems (SBAS) and the Asian Pacific Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS). www.trimble.com Trimble Navigation to buy Google’s SketchUp Trimble Navigation Ltd has agreed to buy SketchUp 3D modeling platform from Google Inc for an undisclosed price, the companies said. As part of the SketchUp platform, Trimble will partner Google in developing SketchUp’s 3D Warehouse — an online repository where users can find, share, store and collaborate on 3D models, the companies said in a joint statement. Trimble introduces DR+GPS module for asset tracking Trimble introduced the Aardvark DR+GPS module that combines Dead Reckoning (DR) with GPS technology on a single, compact board. The company claimed that the Aardvark DR+GPS module provides accurate positioning information when GPS signals are limited or not available, such as in urban canyons and tunnels. It is a suitable solution for system integrators or OEMs who are adding dead reckoning capabilities to vehicle navigation, fleet management and asset tracking systems. www.trimble.com

ECMG, Poland uses Spectra Precision

Okregowe Przedsiebiorstwo Geodezyjno-Kartograficzne (OPGK) a major survey firm working on road survey contracts across Poland is achieving significantly improved efficiencies using a newly developed Electronic Center for Management of Geodata (ECMG) to link remote field technicians and the central office. The ECMG system begins with field technicians collecting data using fully integrated Spectra Precision Epoch GNSS receivers, Focus 30 robotic total stations and Nomad data collectors. Data is exchanged and full integration is achieved across the different units by using the same Survey Pro software running on all the units. With the Epoch receiver’s static capabilities all base stations and backsight points are measured. After the project map is updated with the Focus 30, the data is transferred via either Wi-Fi or GSM /UMTS to a mobile connectivity center, typically located in the technician’s vehicle, where it is transmitted to the office network and the central office via GSM (GPRS, EDGE) nor UMTS (HSDPA). At the central office, the geospatial database is automatically updated and post-processing calculations are completed. The data is reviewed with the clients and investors, decisions are made, and the new data is used to finalize design of the road. Design and stake out information is completed and with the fieldwork agenda it is wirelessly returned to the field unit for stakeout.

Watch-Out Natural disasters are becoming more common, and we are spending a huge amount of resources to respond to them. Early warning systems using GPS and sensor networks are expensive and vulnerable. We need alternatives; how about using humans as sensors and social media as the infrastructure. A team from Centre for SDIs and Land Administration, Department of Infrastructure Engineering, the University of Melbourne developed a real-time hazard map application, “Watch-Out”, that is powered by social media observations to help provide useful risk information in crisis situations. Led by Dr Mohsen Kalantari, Associate Director of the CSDILA the team included Amir Nasr (Research Associate, IE), and postgraduate students Davood Shojaei (PhD, IE) and Moein Ghodrati (Masters student, CSSE). The system uses people as sensors and social networks as the infrastructure for the early warning systems. Using this method, in less than a minute; citizens and governments of any country can be aware of disasters in any part of the world. It is a web based map that, in real time, reveals locations of natural disasters. The hazard data is sourced from social networks. The application detects hazards from dialogues in social networks such as Twitter.

NexTraq inks deal with Novatel to enhance fleet tracking

Novatel Wireless, Inc., a wireless networking solutions provider, and NexTraq, a GPS fleet tracking and vehicle management solutions provider, signed a supply agreement for mobile tracking devices. Under the agreement, Novatel Wireless will supply its MT 3000 device for NexTraq’s GPS fleet tracking solution.
www.novatelwireless.com

Racelogic wins two Queen’s Awards for Enterprise

Racelogic, UK has been honored with two 2012 Queen’s Awards for Enterprise. The awards were given April 21 to 209 companies to mark Queen Elizabeth’s birthday. Racelogic was one of four companies to be honored with the awards for both Innovation and International Trade. Racelogic won the Innovation award for advances in GPS/GLONASS test simulation, with customers such as Broadcom, ST-Ericsson, and Telefonica using LabSat to test their devices.

Tianjin Waterworks Group Chooses Bentley WaterGEMS

Bentley Systems has announced that Tianjin Waterworks Group Co. Ltd., China, has chosen Bentley’s WaterGEMS and HAMMER software to improve its water supply service, decrease operational costs, and extend the life of its water infrastructure. WaterGEMS enhances water distribution and modeling capabilities and HAMMER provides transient analysis to limit water loss.
www.bentley.com

Leica GM10 – the All-in-one GNSS Sensor for deformation monitoring

As part of its unique Monitoring Solutions Portfolio, Leica Geosystems has announced the Leica GM10 GNSS Sensor. It can be used for a broad range of monitoring applications, including structural monitoring, landslides, seismic studies and offshore infrastructure. It takes advantage of a powerful GNSS receiver for the highest quality measurements. It is fully integrated into Leica Monitoring Solutions and can be combined with Total Stations and geotechnical sensors.
www.leica-geosystems.com

Use of satellite navigation for asphalt machines

The Fraunhofer IIS, together with MOBA and other partners, has successfully concluded the „ASPHALT“ project (Advanced Galileo navigation System for asPHALt fleeT machines). With the aid of satellite navigation, road construction can be significantly improved in the future. To this end, the IIS has developed a special Galileo/ GPS/EGNOS receiver.
www.moba.de

Leica Geosystems updates its Zeno GIS series of GNSS/GIS products

Leica Geosystems has announced Leica Zeno Field v3.0, Zeno Office v3.0, and Zeno Connect v1.2 software updates for the Zeno GIS series. The main improvements are the support of Esri ArcGIS 10, and simplified use of transformations in the field. The revolutionary Leica Zeno GIS offers professionals and newcomers around the globe a multi-functional and easyto- use GNSS/GIS solution with superior performance.
www.leica-geosystems.com

Global Mapper 13.2 by Blue Marble

Blue Marble has released Global Mapper version 13.2. It features updated DigitalGlobe premium imagery with access to its servers. This service will give users faster access to more up-todate and higher resolution imagery in most locations.
www.bluemarblegeo.com

Free modeling & simulation terrain databases

The U.S. Army Geospatial Center (AGC) is now distributing Modeling and Simulation (M&S) terrain databases along with operational geospatial products on its Common Map Background (CMB) website with the goal of providing a single repository for all geospatial products. There are 161 free synthetic terrain databases that support Live, Virtual, & Constructive (L/V/C) simulations used in training, testing and experimentation hosted on CMB. The terrain databases are available for download for free to the Department of Defense users with Common Access Cards at https://agcwfs.agc.army.mil

Snow Grooming Guidance and Depth System by Hemisphere GPS

Hemisphere GPS has announced the EquiPiste™ integrated snow grooming management system. It provides visual guidance, snow depth status and event logging for snow grooming operators, mountain managers and snow road operations. Designed with an integrated touchscreen terminal and proven Crescent® GPS, Hemisphere GPS’ EquiPiste graphically displays to the operator the areas groomed, boundaries, assets, points of interest and hazards.
www.hemispheregps.com

RiMINING and RiMONITOR Software Products by RIEGL

RIEGL has developed software for mining and monitoring applications: RiMINING and RiMONITOR.

RiMONITOR is a software package for monitoring terrain deformations by analysis of surface differences. RiMINING is a software package for optimized and simplified scan data registration and processing in open pit mining. It offers, e.g., a powerful vegetation and object filter, automatic break line, contour, and profile extraction as well as volume calculation.

CHC opens its European Repair Center

CHC Navigation extends its Customer Service by opening its European Repair Center. Located in Poland and managed by CHC’s partner GPS.PL, the Repair Center is fully equipped to meet the needs of EU partners and customers that require fast, flexible and reliable repair services.
www.chcnav.com