INDUSTRY

Trimble announces next generation mixed-reality device

Trimble has announced a new wearable hard hat compatible device that enables workers in safety-controlled environments to access holographic information on the worksite—the Trimble® XR10 with HoloLens 2. It is the first device created with the Microsoft HoloLens Customization Program and integrates the latest spatial computing technology into a certified solution for use with a hard hat for worker safety. With a wider field-of-view, improved usability and a unique, flip-up viewscreen, the Trimble XR10 with HoloLens 2 combines state-of-the-art mixed reality and safe operation in restricted access work areas. The full solution provides even greater accessibility to 3D models by front-line workers. www.trimble.com

Hexagon advances its 5D visualisation portfolio

Hexagon has signed an agreement to acquire Thermopylae Sciences and Technology, a software provider primarily focused on the U.S. government and defence market that specialises in geospatial applications, mobile frameworks, and cloud computing for enhanced location intelligence.

Thermopylae has developed advanced visualization solutions to support tactical edge mapping in support of mission critical operations. Built upon the Google technology stack, its defence and intelligence solutions are targeted at addressing the challenges involved in working with critical problem sets in secure or classified government environments. hexagon.com

iXE3 and iGW3 machine control solutions by Leica Geosystems

Leica Geosystems have released a new productivity tool for iXE3 and iGW3 machine control solutions based on SVAB’s Quantum Tool Recognition system.

Tool Recognition is a wireless system that automatically detects the work tool that is used on a construction equipment machine via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). The system can automatically identify which work tools are connected to the machine.

The machine operator no longer needs to manually change settings in the Leica Geosystems machine control solution when changing work tools with this system; this is now an automated process. The driver will also get a warning if a work tool without a tool recognition module is selected.

Canadian coal company signs safety deal with Hexagon

Hexagon’s Mining division has announced a significant safety solution deal with Conuma Coal Resources Limited (“Conuma”). The three-year subscription package will cover Conuma’s three mines near Tumbler Ridge in northeastern British Columbia, Canada.

The Brule, Willow Creek and Wolverine mines employ about 800 staff and account for a fleet exceeding 180 pieces of equipment. hexagon.com

Rohde & Schwarz and Bluetest announce collaboration

Testing the antenna performance of GNSS signals such as GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo and MBS is key to location accuracy performance of a mobile device. To address the testing need for A-GNSS services, Rohde & Schwarz and Bluetest partner in creating test concepts for OTA antenna measurements. The two companies integrate the R&S LBS Server, a Software component running on the R&S CMW500 wideband radio communication tester, and the Bluetest OTA test solution for A-GNSS systems based on Bluetest’s RTS65 reverberation chamber and Bluetest’s Flow measurement software. www.rohde-schwarz.com

NavVis now uses SLAM

NavVis, the leading global provider of indoor spatial intelligence solutions for enterprises, announces a new software release for the NavVis M6 Indoor Mobile Mapping System (IMMS) that automatically detects and removes dynamic objects and object fringe points from point clouds during the post-processing of scan data. Fringe points and dynamic objects are two common types of point cloud artifacts that affect all 3D laser scanning devices. Fringe points arise when a laser beam hits the edge of an object as well as its background. This scattered beam ultimately appears as a so-called fringe around the edge of the object in the point cloud. The second type of point cloud artifact results when dynamic objects, such as humans walking through a scan, are captured by the laser scanner and then appear as artifacts in the point cloud. www.navvis.com

NovAtel’s Firmware Version 7.05.04 release delivers NavIC L5 signals

NovAtel Inc. has announced the 7.05.04 firmware release for its OEM7 series family of receivers, and with this release NavIC L5 signals are now available on NovAtel OEM7 receivers.

The following key benefits are now available in the 7.05.04 release:

▪ Users can achieve a single point position accuracy of 2.5m (RMS) using NavIC L5 signals (from the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System) with GPS L1 on the newly available JSN model

▪ Access to the L5 frequencies on the OEM7600 and OEM7720 provides triple frequency capabilities to unlock the potential of GPS L5, Galileo E5a and AltBOC, BeiDou B2a and NavIC L5 www.novatel.com

Trimble and Digi collaboration

Trimble has announced a collaboration with Digi International, a leading global provider of Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity products and services, to enable Trimble fleet customers to leverage the SmartSense by Digi® solution on their refrigerated trailers.

With SmartSense by Digi, fleets in the food and beverage industry can quickly deploy remote monitoring to improve productivity, compliance and quality control. Designed to deliver realtime insight, SmartSense provides an efficient subscription-based service that continuously and wirelessly monitors task management activities and the temperature of perishable, high-value goods in different industries such as food services, healthcare, transportation and logistics or retail.

Telit releases NavIC-enabled SL869T3-I GNSS module

Designed to support the Indian NavIC (formerly IRNSS) constellation L5 signal simultaneously with GPS L1 and SBAS, the Telit SL869T3-I GNSS module is the new multi-constellation member of the company’s SL869 family of modules.

The SL869T3-I is equipped with special HW and SW to support navigation on L1 and L5 bands. It can navigate using GPS L1, IRNSS/NavIC L5 and the GAGAN L1 SBAS systems concurrently.

Topcon introduces new HiPer VR versatile GNSS receiver

Topcon has unveiled HiPer VR, the latest addition to its HiPer series of integrated receivers, aiming to provide a versatile solution with the most advanced GNSS technology available

The HiPer VR features Topcon integrated levelling technology (TILT) designed to compensate the inaccurate field measurements out of plumb by as much as 15 degrees. It is designed as a complete and versatile solution for a variety of applications including static or kinematic GNSS post-processed surveys, a network RTK option when paired with a field computer equipped with a cellular modem, a radio or LongLink job site RTK rover, as well as the GNSS component of the Hybrid Positioning and Millimeter GPS workflows.

Nurlink launches GNSS and NB-IoT system on chip

CEVA Inc. and Nurlink have introduced Nurlink’s NK6010 3GPP Rel.14 eNBIoT system-on-chip (SoC), powered by the CEVA-Dragonfly NB2 IP solution. NK6010 is a cost- and powerefficient NB-IoT system on chip (SoC) designed specifically to enable narrowband connectivity in massive internet of things (IoT) devices such as smart meters, wearables, asset trackers and industrial sensors.

SAE to develop guidelines for resilient GNSS receivers

The international standards organization SAE International is beginning a project to produce guidelines for resilient GNSS receivers.

According to Bill Woodward, chair of the organization’s Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Committee, “The low power level of GNSS satellite signals at the Earth’s surface makes receivers very susceptible to interference that effects their performance. There is a need for a standard that provides guidelines for resilient GNSS receivers which are less susceptible to interference.”

Woodward’s committee has already produced a number of important PNTrelated documents. These include:

▪ S. National Grid Standard SAE1002

▪ Requirements for a Terrestrial Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) System to Improve Navigation Solutions and Ensure Critical Infrastructure Security SAE6857

▪ Transmitted Enhanced Loran (eLoran) Signal Standard SAE9990

▪ Transmitted Enhanced Loran (eLoran) Signal Standard for Tri-State Pulse Position Modulation SAE9990/1

▪ Transmitted Enhanced Loran (eLoran) Signal Standard for 9th Pulse Modulation SAE9990/2 www.sae.org

Skydel launches SDX 19.1 version of GNSS simulation

Skydel Solutions recently released SDX 19.1, the eighteenth major revision of its GNSS Simulator. This newest GNSS simulator version adds Galileo AltBOC support, atmospheric errors, SBAS improvements, and GNSS satellite antenna patterns.

SDX now supports Galileo AltBOC as a new GNSS signal type. Current SDX users licensed with the Galileo E5 signal will be able to generate 8 Phase Shift Keying (8-PSK) constant envelope AltBOC after upgrading to SDX 19.1. The signal can be generated by selecting both Galileo E5a and E5b in the output – signal selection panel.

OriginGPS multi-constellation module ready for IoT

OriginGPS, maker of small-format GNSS modules and cellular internet of things (IoT) systems, will be presenting new products with customized IoT and GPS.

OriginIoT systems enable developers to rapidly develop IoT products with stackable add-ons, while all data is configured from the cloud, and no additional embedded code or RF knowledge is required.

OriginGPS’ latest release is the multiconstellation ORG1518-MK06 module. It combines low power modes for extended battery life, 8MB builtin Flash memory, AGPS support for extended ephemeris improving position calculation, and UART+I2C or UART+SPI interfaces. https://origingps.com

Insight platform delivers construction intelligence

Fugro’s global launch of Gaia Insight introduces a new route to de-risking major construction works and shortening project cycles. The first of a suite of Gaia products, the online platform delivers geotechnical, geological and structural insights. It integrates site investigation, real-time geotechnical and structural monitoring IoT and third-party data, and provides the analytics required to lower ground risk and accelerate construction project schedules.

The web-based platform is aligned with Fugro’s strategy of digital innovation. The platform is designed to overcome the challenge of understanding the Earth and visualising the subsurface in major construction works. Gaia Insight delivers verified data in real time, reducing uncertainties, lowering the risks of geotechnical failure and avoiding disruption to the adjacent environment.

The platform is already used at large infrastructure construction sites and in civil engineering assets, providing real-time data insight and risk visualisation. In more than a hundred projects to date, it is processing over 12-million measurements per day to facilitate decision support and provide an overview of data. Regional expansion of Gaia Insight is planned for 2019. www.fugro.com

TDK’s new image stabilization software controller

TDK Corporation’s group company, InvenSense, Inc., has announced the launch of the industry’s first SMA OIS software controller specifically designed to leverage the Qualcomm® Sensor Execution Environment, and enable the adoption of premium optics in smartphone cameras for Android Flagship. The solution leverages TDK SMA actuators and TDK’s latest 6-axis CORONA premium motion sensors to provide a software controller based on CML’s innovative SMA image stabilization designs and control logic.www.invensense.com

Imagery into Insight with The OneAtlas Platform

Airbus Defence and Space has released new version of The OneAtlas Platform, its collaborative environment to easily access premium imagery, perform largescale image processing, extract industryspecific insights and benefit from Airbus assets for solution development.

The OneAtlas Platform provides access to data within the Living Library as well as value-added layers, Basemap and WorldDEM. The Living Library contains multi-resolution and premium optical satellite data, updated on a daily basis and immediately available via streaming, download and API. Basemap is a curated global imagery layer, updated annually and created from 1.5m and 0.5m resolution imagery. WorldDEM dataset, for 3D analytics and rendering, is available in streaming format. The OneAtlas Platform also combines premium imagery and industry-leading expertise to deliver Thematic Services.

Bologna’s First Tram Line use Road-Scanner4

Siteco Infomatica, in collaboration with the Engineering Department of the University of Messina, carried out the high-precision survey for the technical and economic feasibility planning of the first tramway in Bologna (IT). The realization of the project, born from a European tender issued last July, required technical verification of feasibility which the team successfully performed using the Road-Scanner4 mobile mapping system. The planned tramway route will develop for about 15 kilometres with two terminus stations