INDUSTRY

Certification Center Svyaz-Certificate relies on R&S SMBV100A GNSS

The Certification Center Svyaz-Certificate in Russia exclusively uses the GNSS simulator in the R&S SMBV100A vector signal generator for the new performance tests on ERA-Glonass emergency call systems in line with the Russian GOST R 55534 specification. The R&S SMBV100A is already used in the conformance test solution consisting of an R&S CMW500 wideband radio communication tester, GNSS simulator and the associated application software.

During performance testing, it is verified whether the GNSS receiver of an ERAGlonass emergency call system fulfills the accuracy requirements in line with the specification. In case of an emergency, the IVS should not only correctly transmit position data according to a specified protocol to the public safety answering point (PSAP), but position data must also be accurate so that the first responder can locate the accident vehicle quickly. Performance tests are now a part of the certification, in addition to the existing conformance tests. www.rohde-schwarz.com/

Bluvision selected as Waze Beacons Partner to Power Tunnel Navigation

Bluvision were selected as the hardware partner for enabling tunnel navigation capabilities by Waze. Waze, the free, real time, crowdsourced traffic and navigation app powered by drivers, has developed a viable solution that addresses ‘tunnel blindness’ in the absence of GPS. Bluvision’s Bluetooth sensor beacons – BEEKS Plus with extended battery life that can exceed 6-years, along with Waze innovative software – is the perfect solution to the challenges with tunnel navigation and accuracy in ETA. www.bluvision.com

Xiaomi’s Mi Rabbit is a Compact Tracking Device

Xiaomi’s Mijia ecosystem has yet another new product in the form a small tracking device called the Mi Rabbit. It is basically a compact tracking device that can be carried around in a pocket.

The device seems to be primarily aimed at children to help their family members track their movements on the go. That said, this device may be of use for ladies too, keeping in mind women safety. The Mi Rabbit apparently utilizes GPS and GLONASS positioning system to locate the user carrying the device with an accuracy of up to 5 meters. http://techpp.com

Digpro launches mobile application

Digpro, the major innovator in the field of Geographic IT, is now launching a mobile application for its network information system (NIS). With dpWebmap meets Digpro network operators’ strong demand for mobility and fl exibility in their daily work with the management of different networks out in the field. Now launched dpWebmap, a mobile application that makes network data available in an effective and accessible manner. With dpWebmap the network operators will efficient their communication with external resources in a simple and user-friendly way, and can visualize the correct information in real time to technicians in the field. www.digpro.com

IFEN NCS TITAN GNSS Simulator

IFEN GmbH has announced the launch of its new NCS TITAN GNSS Simulator. With up to 256 channels (and 1024 multipath channels) and up to 4 RF outputs per chassis, the extra complexity and cost of using multiple signal generators is avoided, improving reliability without compromising on functionality.

The innovative design of the NCS TITAN allows users configure channels for any GNSS signals and allocate those channels to any of the RF outputs fitted. This fl exibility enables the same Simulator hardware to be used for an extensive range of tests, for all types of GNSS applications. The NCS TITAN sets new standards in the field of GNSS Simulation, in terms of fidelity, accuracy, dynamics, iteration rates and reliability. The Simulator has been developed in cooperation with WORK Microwave GmbH, Germany. www.ifen.com

SMC to procure two additional GPS III satellites

The Space and Missile Systems Center awarded a contract option to Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company to procure two additional GPS III satellites. The contract option procures long lead and production hardware to produce space vehicles 9 and 10 for the next generation of GPS satellites being built by Lockheed Martin. The government expects to compete future purchases of GPS III satellites, beginning with GPS III SV 11. This competition will maintain the current technical baseline of GPS III and will add additional hosted payloads to increase system accuracy, search and rescue capability, and universal S-band compatibility.

NovAtel announces New VEXXIS Family of GNSS Antennas

NovAtel has introduced its new VEXXIS series of GNSS antennas. The VEXXIS series includes two lines of antennas, the new GNSS-800 series and the GNSS- 500 series introduced earlier this year.

The VEXXIS GNSS-800 is designed with the aim to provide exceptional tracking performance previously unachievable in a small form factor. According to NovAtel, the patented multi-point feeding network and radiation pattern optimisation technology delivers stable phase centre and enhanced multipath rejection as well as exceptional low elevation satellite tracking while achieving high peak zenith gain.

The VEXXIS GNSS-500 series of antennas were designed with a low profile, aerodynamic enclosure, making it very suitable for ground vehicles in applications such as agriculture, machine control and mobile mapping.

Handheld ALGIZ 10X Ultra-rugged Tablet

Handheld Group has announced a major upgrade to its popular Algiz 10X ultrarugged tablet computer with new and improved screen technology and improved GPS/GLONASS functionality. The new version of the Algiz 10X has a 10.1” HD projective capacitive touchscreen that is ultra-bright and built for outdoor use. The 10-point touchscreen offers the ability to operate in both glove mode and rain mode, allowing outdoor users to operate seamlessly in any weather. It also comes with an optional active capacitive stylus to maximize ease of use. www.handheldgroup.com

Fugro’s Oceanstar manoeuvring system enhances vessel safety

Fugro has introduced a service to its range of satellite positioning systems. Oceanstar is an onboard decision support system that has been developed to improve navigational safety and reduce the operating costs of commercial vessels such as cruise ships, container ships, ferries, ro-ro vessels, bulk carriers and tankers. The decision support system incorporates approved and ‘Wheel Mark’ certified functions such as differential GNSS (DGNSS), speed and distance measurement device (SDMD), transmitting heading device (THD) and rate of turn indicator (ROT). The system can be tailored to particular requirements and market environments to ensure a cost effective, fit-for-purpose solution.

Telit Expands Sensorto- Cloud Solutions

Telit has announced the commercial availability of its BlueMod+S42 Bluetooth 4.2 module, and two variants of the popular SL869 single and multi-standard positioning module family, the SL869-V3 and the SL869-ADR. The BlueMod+S42 complies with the Bluetooth SIG v4.2 standard, which features critical upgrades, making Bluetooth low energy (BLE) applications faster, and more secure. The SL869-V3 and SL869-ADR are multiconstellation Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver modules, each capable of tracking and using up to three constellations simultaneously to produce positioning, velocity and time information.

Clarion to use Furuno’s GPS Receiver

Furuno’s GV-86 GPS receiver chip with its dead-reckoning DR/GNSS module will be integrated into Clarion’s NXR16 car navigation systems for the auto-leasing and car rental industries. The GV-86 features a dead-reckoning-enabled GNSS receiver, which receives concurrent GPS, SBAS, and QZSS satellite signals. The dead-reckoning capability allows the unit to provide positioning while receiving multiple GNSS signals in such harsh environments as tunnels, urban canyons and underground parking, the company said.

KB Radar develops UAV-based SATCOM, navigation jammers

Belarus’ KB Radar Design Bureau has developed satellite communications and navigation jamming systems that can be mounted on tactical-level unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The Touman-2 has been designed to jam the downlink and transmission signals for equipment that uses Inmarsat, Thuraya, and Iridium satellite communications infrastructure, while the Touman-2.2 is intended to interfere with GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo satellite navigation systems. The Touman-2 jammer can operate in two modes – barrage and spot – and can be used in conjunction with ground-based apparatus to enhance its effect. www.janes.com

McMurdo launches emergency beacons with GPS, GLONASS, Galileo

Emergency preparedness company McMurdo has launched a new family of Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) that will accelerate the search-and-rescue process by combining multiple frequencies – including GNSS – into a single EPIRB product. The McMurdo SmartFind and Kannad SafePro EPIRBs are distress beacons that can support each of the four frequencies used in the search-and-rescue process: GNSS for location positioning, 406 MHz and 121.5 MHz for beacon transmission, and Automatic Identification System (AIS) for localized connectivity.

The multiple-frequency capability will ensure faster detection, superior positioning accuracy, greater signal reliability and, ultimately, accelerated rescue of people or vessels in distress, the company said.

Harxon releases GNSS Beacon Antenna

Harxon has released a utility beacon antenna HX-CS7615A to professionally solve marine satellite positing issues. The device supports GPS L1/L2, GLONASS L1/L2 BDS B1/B2/B3 and Beacon frequencies (282.6326kHz), which greatly overcomes the defects of longdistance transmission limits. In addition, combining this range of frequencies in one antenna makes this device much more cost effective. The multi-path rejection board designed inside significantly eliminates measurement errors. The phase center of this antenna remains constant as the azimuth and elevation angle of the satellites change.

Carlson releases BRx6

The all-new Carlson BRx6 is a multi- GNSS, multi-frequency smart antenna released by Carlson Software Inc. Each BRx6 contains a multi-constellation, multi-band 372-channel GNSS receiver, Athena© RTK technology and an integrated Atlas© L-band receiver.

In addition, the BRx6 contains electronic sensors that measure tilt, direction (electronic compass) and acceleration, fully supporting SurvCE’s advanced features like LDL (Live Digital Level or e-bubble), leveling tolerance, auto by level, tilted pole correction and advanced stakeout features. SurvCE contains sophisticated checks for compass and acceleration anomalies to ensure accuracy.

SLX-1 Multi-application CORS GNSS Receiver by Satlab

Satlab Geosolutions AB, announced its multi-purpose multi-frequency SLX-1 GNSS receiver. It is designed to function as a CORS receiver and a mobile sensor suitable for any application where a rugged multi-application GNSS receiver is required.

Based on embedded Linux operating system, the SLX-1 is a true multi-user and multi-tasking solution. The base CORS design is ideal for long unattended and continuous operation. The receiver tracks GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS and SBAS constellations and can maximize the tracking to observe all visible GNSS satellite signals, thereby providing maximum performance for accuracy and real-time measurements. www.satlabgps.com

Teledyne Optech lidar launched in OSIRIS-REx asteroid mission

Teledyne Optech recently announced that the OSIRIS-REx Laser Altimeter (OLA) was launched successfully from Cape Canaveral, USA early this month. OLA was designed by scientists and engineers from Teledyne Optech and built by MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA). It had been installed and tested aboard the OSIRIS-REx (Origins-Spectral Interpretation-Resource Identification- Security-Regolith Explorer) spacecraft.

OSIRIS-REx will reach the asteroid Bennu by 2018. Upon reaching Bennu, OLA will scan the surface to create a high-resolution 3D map of the entire asteroid, which will help scientists understand its morphology and select the best spot for OSIRIS-REx to collect a sample of its surface material. This sample will be collected in 2020 and returned to Earth in 2023. Because Bennu is a carbonaceous asteroid that has likely changed very little since the birth of the solar system, scientists hope that this mission will shed light on how the solar system developed. OLA, one of the most advanced lidar instruments ever used for such a mission, is equipped with a rapid scanning mirror and two separate lasers.

Antenova’s Beltii, miniature antenna for small PCBs in GNSS devices

Antenova Ltd, manufacturer of antennas and RF antenna modules for M2M and the Internet of Things, has announced Beltii, (P/N SR4G013), a brand new embedded antenna which measures only 15.6mm x 3.3mm x 4.4mm, and operates with all global public satellite constellations.

The antenna has been cleverly designed to work over a very small ground plane on a small PCB, where it can be placed in a corner position, and does not need any ground clearance. Beltii works with all of the world’s public satellite constellations: GPS, GLONASS, BEIDOU and GALLILEO, and can add a positioning capability to any small, lightweight device. It is suitable for wearable electronics, trackers, drones, navigation devices, and sports applications. www.antenova-m2m.com

New Leica iCON roller- high quality and productivity

Leica Geosystems, recently released its new iCON roller, providing contractors with the solution to achieve constant and effective compaction on any work site. The new iCON roller uses on-screen visualisation to accurately show the user where completed passes have occurred and where more are needed for consistent compaction results. Through vivid colourisation and a simple-to-read window, costly reworks are avoided when pass count progress is constantly tracked.

“At Leica Geosystems, we are continuing to advance the digitisation of the construction industry,” said Petter Heyerdahl, Leica Geosystems Machine Control market segment manager. “With our precise positioning and latest visualisation technology, operators are maximising productivity and increasing safety on the most challenging sites. With the new iCON roller, not only do they receive an easy-to-use solution but they can also manage all data directly in the cab of the machine.”

Hexagon Safety & Infrastructure acquires GISquadrat

Hexagon Safety & Infrastructure has acquired GISquadrat GmbH of Vienna, Austria. The acquisition will enhance Hexagon’s geospatial, cloud and mobile solutions for governments and utility providers in Europe. GISquadrat uses Hexagon software in a cloud environment to provide data capture and management services and applications, including task-specific field solutions for infrastructure networks and public services. www. hexagonsafetyinfrastructure.com