GNSS

SCIO briefing on China’s BeiDou Navigation Satellite System

The State Council Information Office (SCIO), China has released the White Paper on China’s BeiDou Navigation Satellite System. This white paper is the 100th one released by the SCIO according to Mr. Ran Chengqi, director of China’s Satellite Navigation System Management Office and spokesperson of the BeiDou system.

The white paper provides a comprehensive picture of the system’s development, explains its concepts, showcases its achievements and highlights its future. Containing around 5,800 words, the paper consists of three parts, a preface, main text and conclusion.

The white paper reiterates that “the BDS is developed by China and dedicated to the world” and under the principles of “independence, openness, compatibility and gradualness,” China will provide continuous, stable and reliable services for global users. It also stresses that China will actively push forward international cooperation related to the BDS, work with all other countries, regions and international organizations to promote global satellite navigation development, and help the BDS to better serve the world and benefit mankind.

Korean KIWI PLUS’ smartwatch relies on technology by u-blox

KIWI PLUS has launched a new children’s smartwatch developed in collaboration with u-blox. LINE Kids Watch is a tiny and colorful wearable with LINE emojis functioning as an Android-based smartwatch. It enables precise tracking of the whereabouts of children, while also offering educational and interactive content.

LINE Kids Watch uses KIWI PLUS’ own IOT platform for wearables, KIWI Edge. Designed with a simple LCD screen for one-touch calling, it also provides real-time accurate location tracking and convenient safety zone setting. https://electronicsnews.com.au

Arqiva to trial eLoran timing

Arqiva, the communications infrastructure company is trialling eLoran timing technology – which delivers precise UTC traceable time – from the Anthorn transmitter in Cumbria. Chronos Technology is running the trial through its Innovate UK – the UK’s Innovation Agency – grant supported research project “GAUL”.

As a provider of broadcast, satellite and telecommunications services, Arqiva is dependent on accurate time and frequency, so by trialling the eLoran technology alongside its existing GPS, it will be able to monitor any time and frequency inaccuracies that can occur as a result of external factors, such as local interference, jamming, spoofing and space weather events. www.arqiva.com

Russia to present Era-Glonass road accident response system in China

Russia’s State Space Corporation Roscosmos and JSC Glonass will present in China in the coming months their Era-Glonass road accident emergency response system. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin told reporters after a meeting of the Russian-Chinese intergovernmental commission on the preparation of regular meetings of the heads of government that the parties may also establish joint production of sensors for this system. http://tass.ru/en/science/883495

China’s Beidou navigation network grows with successful launch

A Chinese Long March 3C rocket boosted a fresh satellite into orbit to join the country’s Beidou navigation system, deploying the craft into an elliptical orbit ranging more than 22,000 miles (35,700 kilometers) above Earth.

The new navigation platform will power its way into a circular geosynchronous orbit over the equator in the coming weeks, adding to China’s independent satellite network beaming positioning and timing signals to users around the world. http://spacefl ightnow.com

Soyuz launches GLONASS-M No. 53 satellite

The GLONASS-M No. 53 satellite was shipped to Plesetsk on April 22, 2016; however, in the first half of May, the launch was postponed from May 21 to May 29. Liftoff of a Soyuz-2-1b/ Fregat-M vehicle was scheduled for May 29, 2016, at 11:44:37 Moscow Time (08:44 GMT, 4:44 a.m. EDT) from Pad 4 at Site 43 in Plesetsk.

The rocket carried a GLONASS-M-53 (a.k.a. Uragan-M No. 753) navigation satellite for Russia’s GLONASS navigation network.

According to Roskosmos, the launch took place at 11:44 Moscow Time and the payload section separated from the third stage of the Soyuz rocket nine minutes into the flight. The Fregat upper stage then initiated the delivery of the satellite to its prescribed orbit, with the separation of the payload scheduled at 15:16 Moscow Time (12:16 GMT, 8:16 a.m. EDT), Roskosmos said.

The Russian Ministry of Defense also announced that the GLONASS-M No. 53 had established communications with ground control and all systems onboard the satellite had functioned properly. The official Russian monitoring service, SKDM, also listed the launch of GLONASS-M No. 753 as Kosmos-2516 and registered the liftoff time as 11:44:35 Moscow Time.

u-blox launches new firmware for ADR GNSS modules

u-blox has released its fourth generation firmware for 3D Automotive Dead Reckoning (ADR) GNSS modules and chip sets. Designed for first mount or aftermarket road vehicle applications, such as in-car navigation, infotainment systems, telematics units and fleet management, the upgraded GNSS receiver now offers real-time continuous navigation output with an update rate of 20Hz, enabling low latency for applications such as interactive head-up displays.