GNSS

Chronos launches GPS interference & jamming detection and monitoring service

Chronos has announced a range of GPS interference and jamming detection and monitoring products and services for critical infrastructure, law enforcement and services dependent on GPS and (in the future) Galileo signals for mission critical operations. Capabilities include hand-held monitoring and detection as well as 24×7 remote sensor monitoring with centralised web based viewing of events and email alerts. ww.chronos.co.uk

GPS backup plans still incomplete

The federal agencies responsible for developing backup capabilities for GPS are not making sufficient progress in meeting a presidential directive issued nearly a decade ago, according to a new report by the Government Accountability Office, the nonpartisan investigative arm of Congress. A National Security Policy Directive (NSPD-39) tasked the Department of Transportation and the Department of Homeland Security in December 2004 to jointly develop backup capabilities in response to potential natural and manmade GPS disruptions. The directive instructed the DOT and DHS to create a plan for detecting and mitigating GPS interference. It also required them to coordinate efforts to “develop, acquire, operate, and maintain backup capabilities that can support critical civilian and commercial infrastructure during a GPS disruption,” the GAO report said. www.informationweek.com

RTCM Issues an amendment of its standard for Differential GNSS

Special Committee 104 of the Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services (RTCM) has just completed another amendment to RTCM 10403.2, the widely-used “Version 3” standard for Differential Global Navigation Satellite System Services (DGNSS). RTCM’s standard supports very high accuracy navigation and positioning through a broadcast from a reference station to mobile receivers. This amendment introduces an ephemeris message and a set of the new Multiple Signal Messages (MSM) for the Japanese Quasi–Zenith Satellite System (QZSS). The new signals join the GPS and GLONASS messages, as well as the recently added Galileo and BeiDou System (BDS) messages. The amended standard is available from RTCM at its secure online publication store. www.rtcm.org

Glonass security against Electronic Warfare

Russian Ministry of Defense has launched a project aiming to secure Glonass against enemy disruptions of signals. The ministry has handed a 350 million ruble (US $11 million) contract to two local entities, the Russian Scientific-Research Institute of Physical-technical and Radiotechnical Measurements (VNIIFTRI) and NAVIS navigation systems. The two contractors are to increase the system’s immunity to electronic warfare. www.defensenews.com

Global GNSS Market 2012-2016

TechNavio’s analysts forecast the Global GNSS market to grow at a CAGR of 20.98 percent over the period 2012- 2016. One of the key factors contributing to this market growth is the growing popularity of LBS. The Global GNSS market has also been witnessing the increased replacement of PNDs by smartphones. However, the reduced investments due to global recession could pose a challenge to the growth of this market. www.researchandmarkets.com

ZEB1 Mobile Mapper by Formby Surveys

Formby Surveys’ ZEB1 mobile mapping system is a hand held rapid laser mapping system, undertaken in partnership with 3D Laser Mapping, UK. It has reported significant time savings achieved in the scanning of existing buildings, compared to more traditional technologies and techniques. Formby Surveys offer a precision measurement services portfolio providing a variety of professional sectors with land, property and specialist surveying services. www.3dlasermapping.com

GPS III prototype communicate with GPS satellite constellation

The Lockheed Martin prototype of the next-generation GPS satellite, the GPS III, recently proved it was backward-compatible with the existing GPS satellite constellation in orbit.

During the tests GPS III Nonflight Satellite Testbed (GNST), successfully communicated via cross-links with Air Force flight-like hardware simulators for the GPS IIR, GPS IIR-M, and GPS IIF satellites, which make up the bulk of the current GPS satellite constellation. Testing also demonstrated the ability of an Air Force receiver to track navigation signals transmitted by the GNST. ‘These tests represent the first time when the GNST’s flight-like hardware has communicated with flight-like hardware from the rest of the GPS constellation and with a navigation receiver,’ explained Paul Miller, Lockheed Martin’s director for GPS III Development. ‘This provides early confidence in the GPS III’s design to bring advanced capabilities to our nation, while also being backward-compatible.’

Glonass must for phones sold in Russia

Phones sold in Russia will have to use GLONASS or GLONASS + GPS as of 2014, according to a report from the Voice of Russia. Phones with only GPS will be illegal in Russia, and any mobile devices imported will have to support GLONASS. A new bill claims that in order to guarantee stable operation of a unified telecom network in Russia regardless of conditions, it’s necessary that the satnav system used be the one controlled by the Russian Federation.

Funding for Galileo and EGNOS

The European Parliament has approved funding for Galileo and the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS)—until 2020. Between now and then, the European Union will spend $9.4 billion to complete the satellite navigation infrastructure and launch the provision of services. The European Commission pointed out, however, that Galileo was expected to contribute around €90 billion to the EU economy over the first 20 years of operation, according to independent studies. http://atwonline.com

Police vehicles with GPS across Kerala, India

According to Kerala police officials, 600 GPS devices will be bought to be installed in police vehicles, mainly in vehicles with the police control room and Highway police.

An official in police headquarters said the GPS system will have a high resolution digital mapping facility, which would connect police vehicle with the police control room in each district. http://newindianexpress.com

“Multidimensional Spatial Data” for maintenance of speedways completed

Recently, PASCO Corporation, Japan, has completed its “Multidimensional Spatial Data” for the maintenance of speedway and preparation of unexpected disaster in cooperation with Aero Asahi Corp. PASCO and Aero Asahi have completed 99 per cent of the survey by 12 special surveying cars installed with mobile mapping system.

These special surveying cars run on national speedways to grasp detail data. PASCO has a special technology of spatial information using cars, aircrafts and satellites. It includes management of the facility set nearby road. This technology contributes to efficient management of social infrastructure. Aero Asahi has top technology of surveying and analysis for spatial information service. www.business-standard.com

Bangalore airport GAGAN ready

Bangalore airport is ready for the system, GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation or GAGAN, which is set to begin operations December-end. ISRO, which is implementing this satellite-based navigation, has said tests are currently underway by AAI to check information flow between Air Traffic Control (ATC) and the flights to ensure that the satellite signals coming to an aircraft are being received correctly. The airport too will receive signals from the satellite and so it will be a three-way communication – between satellite, airport and aircraft. www.deccanherald.com

SLA’s GeoInnovation Fund

The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) has launched the GeoInnovation Fund to spur innovation through the use of Geospatial Information Science and Technology (GIST). SLA hopes to attract individuals who are keen to develop creative geospatial applications and services to tap the fund.

Those who have ideas on how GIST can be used to benefit the society and the economy may apply for up to S$50,000 worth of funding per project. www.channelnewsasia.com

BSF India decides to procure ground sensors for border

The Border Security Force has decided to acquire ground sensors to pick up movement along the LoC and the International Border. The gadget, based on experiences drawn from some foreign countries, is called the ‘Unattended Ground Sensor’ (UGS) and once operationalised, it will be the first such security mechanism deployed on any frontier in the eastern or the western flank of India. http://zeenews.india.com

Kenya to register four million land parcels by 2017

The government through the ministry of land, housing and urban development has embarked on an ambitious plan to register four million land parcels in the country by the year 2017. However this uphill task will call for use of modern mapping technologies for efficient capturing of geospatial data for it to succeed. To enhance this ministry will acquire satellite imageries which will be used during the process of land adjudication.

Kenyan Geodetic Reference Frame (KENREF) is the basis for all mapping, cadastral surveying, land registration title system and physical planning as well as utility and construction of development infrastructure like roads, rails dams and power lines. http://www.kbc.co.ke

White House Unveils Big Data Projects, Round Two

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and Networking and Information Technology R&D program (NITRD) has introduced a slew of new big-data collaboration projects aimed at stimulating privatesector interest in federal data. The initiative is targeted at fields as varied as medical research, geointelligence, economics, and linguistics. The new projects are a continuation of the Obama Administration’s Big Data Initiative, announced in March 2012, when the first round of big-data projects was presented. http://www.informationweek.com