The UN Cartographic Section (UNCS) is planning to develop global multi-scale geospatial datasets (or UNmap) for rapid map production and web mapping in support to the Security Council and the Secretariat including UN field missions. Currently, an interim version of UNmap in scales of 1:1 million, 1:5 million and 1:10 million are in the final stages of completion. These maps are being used as primary geo-databases for UNCS and UN field missions.

The European Union (EU) funded ‘i-GOing’ project, which aims to design, develop and demonstrate a precise indoor navigation service based on Galileo and advanced ‘pseudolite’ technologies. Pseudolites are small transceivers that are used to create a local, ground-based GNSS alternative. With the help of pseudolites, users will be able to locate themselves using GPS and Galileo signals, and then continue to receive accurate location signals in a seamless transition while moving into a building equipped with pseudolites.

The Pirate Bay (TPB), a bittorrent website, announced to take its networks off the earth’s surface. It is considering launching a series of ‘GPS-controlled drones, far-reaching cheap radio equipment and tiny new computers like the Raspberry Pi’ to float the Low Orbit Server Stations (LOSS). Through this way, it aims to keep the website safe from law enforcement of

With an aim to pinpoint distress calls for rapid search and rescue, Galileo navigation system will be harnessed, announced European Space Agency (ESA). It will test expansion of the humanitarian system over the next two years to make it more effective. In addition to conveying distress signals to search and rescue organisations, Galileo will also provide a novel service known as Return Link Service. Under this innovative service, the satellite will send a reply to those in distress, letting them know that their signal was picked up and help is on the way.

The preliminary monitor sites have been established at five locations: Boston, MA; Chambersburg, PA; Leesburg, VA; Chesapeake, VA; and Charleston, SC. We are scouting for additional monitor sites at distances of up to 1,500 miles from our current transmitting location

The NavX-NCS solution supports GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, and SBAS constellations, providing the leading GNSS signal capability for research and development of GNSS safety and professional applications, as well as system integration and production testing of mass market applications, such as automotive satellite navigation, mobile phone apps, chip-sets, and handheld personal navigation devices.

Infineon Technologies recently introduced a new series of Receive Front-End Modules for implementation of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) functionality in smart phones and other handheld devices. The new BGM104xN7 products feature the best noise figure in the industry, which is a critical parameter for the performance of a GNSS receiver.

Spectra Precision has introduced the new ProFlex™ 800, a powerful GNSS solution with revolutionary Z-Blade™ GNSS-centric technology. The ProFlex 800 delivers fast and reliable RTK positioning, even in environments where GNSS signals may be difficult to acquire. Rugged and IP67 rated, the ProFlex 800 is built to withstand harsh operating conditions for a variety of positioning applications.

Cambridge Pixel a developer of sensor processing and display solutions, has introduced its SPx-ECDIS radar kit. The new toolkit will allow systems integrators building Windows-based Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS) for commercial ships to add radar interfacing, scan conversion, chart display, target tracking, a Global Positioning System interface and record/replay functionality into their ECDIS solutions.

u-blox, the Swiss positioning and wireless module and chip company, announces an all-in-one satellite positioning receiver module, the LEA-6N. The low-power, cost-effective module delivers fast, high-accuracy positioning and is targeted at industrial telematics applications in Russia such as vehicle tracking, mobile resource management and the ERA-GLONASS emergency call system.