Industry

CHC Navigation introduces LT700 Android tablet

CHC Navigation (CHCNAV) has announced the availability of the latest LT700 rugged Android tablet designed to increase efficiency and productivity of mobile workforce in different industries and applications. Featuring an 8-inch sunlightviewable screen in direct sunshine and high-bright areas, the it perfectly displays any GIS data tables, complex vector and raster maps or high-resolution pictures.

The integrated GNSS module (GPS/ GLONASS/BDS/SBAS) provides robust positioning performances. The LT700 dual-SIM 4G modem ensures fast and reliable connection with mobile teams. www.chcnav.com

Low-power GNSS processing for tracking devices

A new solution developed by Ubiscale enables low-power GNSS sensing and position determination for applications such as asset tracking, where the tracking device does not need to know its own position.

The Ubiscale solution consists of an embedded software core that preprocess signals and a simple Application Programming Interface (API) to the ‘Ubi. cloud’ platform, which then delivers the effective device coordinates to the end user. Smart algorithms increase the reliability of the positioning. The solution is designed to enable close integration with ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT) and ‘System on a Chip’ (SoC) technologies. www.gsa.europa.eu

Royal Navy Developing AI Mine-Hunting Submersible

The Royal Navy is using artificial intelligence to task autonomous submersibles with hunting underwater mines. British geospatial and data company Envitia, which has expertise around applying AI and machine learning to complex data problems, along with its partner BAE Systems Applied Intelligence, has been selected to deliver this, one of the first AI projects for the Royal Navy. Mine-hunting is currently carried out by a fleet of minehunter ships using sonar to survey seabeds looking for anomalies. But these new AI-enabled submersibles will be much quicker in being able to scan an object, identify the threat, and make decisions about what to do with it. www.envitia.com

First Galileo Batch-3-Payload “Patrick” reaches OHB

The first of the Batch 3 contract navigation payloads was delivered at the beginning of June by SSTL according to schedule and satellite series production for Galileo is in full swing again at OHB System AG in Bremen. OHB System AG will deliver a further twelve satellites for the European Satellite Navigation System Galileo. www.sstl.co.uk

Detection of fatigue and distraction in operators of light vehicles

Hexagon AB has introduced HxGN MineProtect Operator Alertness System Light Vehicle (OAS-LV) . It expands Hexagon’s portfolio for operator safety solutions, filling a gap to protect lightvehicle operators from falling asleep at the wheel, crashing or other fatiguerelated incidents. The product is based on the proven technology used in HxGN MineProtect Operator Alertness System Heavy Vehicle (OAS-HV), which protects operators of haul trucks.

The solution’s in-cab device is easy to install and scans the operator’s face to detect any sign of fatigue or distraction, such as a microsleep. A machine-learning algorithm leverages this facial-feature analysis data to-determine whether or not an alert should be triggered. OAS-LV works in both light and dark conditions, and through prescription glasses and/or sunglasses. hexagon.com

NovAtel’s SMART2 Antenna offers scalable positioning solutions

NovAtel unveiled the new SMART2™ family of antennas, adding robust entrylevel options to their SMART Antenna portfolio that meets the needs of users requiring scalable accuracy in a single compact enclosure. With dual-frequency, multi-constellation signal tracking, the SMART2 is designed to deliver optimized position reliability and accuracy for the precision agriculture market.

Access to TerraStar™ Correction Services is also offered with the SMART2, providing users with improved accuracy and pass-to-pass performance. It delivers flexible positioning solutions that grow with users’ needs.

Safran, Orolia announce global resilient PNT partnership

Safran and Orolia announced the signing of a strategic partnership to offer the latest resilient positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) solutions for military forces, especially in GNSS denied environments.

This partnership will provide missioncritical equipment for air, land, sea and space programs in environments where GNSS signals are not available or degraded. Whether the outage is unintentional (environments where GNSS signals are unavailable like underground locations, jungles, etc.) or intentional (jamming, meaconing or spoofing), the Safran-Orolia partnership will provide an alternative to GNSSdependent military systems.

Hemisphere GNSS offers new OEM Positioning & Heading Boards

Hemisphere GNSS recently announced its next-generation digital and RF (radio frequency) ASIC (applicationspecific integrated circuit) platforms, and the release of three all-new positioning and heading OEM (original equipment manufacturer) boards– the first products incorporating these technological advancements.

Hemisphere’s new (Lyra II) digital ASIC and (Aquila) wideband RF ASIC designs optimize performance and provide the ability to track and process more than 700 channels from all GNSS constellations and signals including GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS, SBAS, and L-Band Signal support and tracking for AltBOC and BS-ACEBOC, BeiDou Phase 3, L5, and QZSS/LEX CLAS-D and CLAS-E are also available. This new ASIC technology is designed to offer scalable access to every modern GNSS signal available. Also, the Lyra and Aquila ASIC technology provide the foundation for a new GNSS receiver chipset architecture that significantly reduces the number of board components required, thereby reducing complexity, improving reliability, and lowering power consumption, according to Hemisphere. www.hemispheregnss.com

Allystar offers dual-antenna GNSS-aided INS platform

The Allystar INS Platform is a dualantenna, multi-frequency, multi-GNSS inertial navigation system (INS) that delivers accurate and reliable position, velocity and orientation. It is designed for a wide range of autonomous vehicle applications under the most demanding conditions. www.allystar.com

“Tiny” GNSS Module for Tracking and Navigation by STMicroelectronics

STMicro’s newest module is ROMbased. The module provides simultaneous access to the Glonass, Beidou, and QZSS constellations in addition to GPS. The Teseo-LIV3R is available in a 9.7 mm x 10.1 mm LCC 18 pin package. It responds to proprietary NMEA (National Marine Electronics Association) commands, and it has a tacking sensitivity of –163dBm. The module incorporates STM’s Teseo lll positioning receiver IC. www.st.com

Harris delivers Navigation Payload for GPS III Satellite

Harris Corporation HRS recently announced that it has delivered the seventh of 10 leading-edge navigation payload to Lockheed Martin Corporation LMT, contracted for the U.S. Air Force’s GPS III satellite program.

Markedly, the GPS III navigation payload features a Mission Data Unit (MDU) with 70% digital design that links atomic clocks, radiation-hardened processors and powerful transmitters. This enables signals up to three times more accurate than any other GPS satellites currently in operation. Reportedly, the payload improves signal power, which helps to increase jamming resistance by eight times and extend the satellite’s lifespan. www.harris.com

Orolia’s new aircraft emergency beacon uses Galileo service

The Kannad Ultima-S is designed to be installed in the cabin of commercial aircraft or in its life raft. It is capable of notifying the crew about the launch of a search-and-rescue operation via Galileo Return Link Service (RLS).

For passengers, installation of the Kannad Ultima-S means their flight can located accurately, with rescue following if an aircraft evacuation is needed. Orolia’s Kannad Ultima-S ELT was developed under a two-year contract through the European GNSS Agency’s Tauceti Project. It is the first beacon to use the Galileo RLS.

Microsemi qualifies ViaLite high-performance GNSS/ GPS fiber extension kit

Carrying timing signals over optical fiber links to 10+ km, ViaLite’s new GNSS/GPS Fiber Extension Kit has been successfully qualified for use with Microsemi’s timing and synchronization products. Included in the kit is the ViaLiteHD GPS Link, which is designed for providing a remote GNSS/GPS signal or derived timing reference to equipment located where there is no reception, such as inside buildings, tunnels and mines.

The kit is suitable for GPS, Galileo, GLONASS and BeiDou bands, and the links provide a wide dynamic range with negligible signal degradation from noise or interference.

The TDC600 – handheld GNSS receiver from Trimble

The TDC600, a newly introduced product of Trimble Data Collectors’ lineup, is a rugged, slim, lightweight and ergonomic pocket-size form factor Android smartphone with a built-in professional GNSS receiver. While allowing to perform the standard tasks of a consumer smartphone, reducing the number of devices needed in the field, the TDC600 integrates with other Trimble’s hardware and software solutions.

These include the Trimble R2 and R1, two separate external GNSS receivers for GIS and survey professionals; the Trimble Penmap and Terraflex, which are software solutions to collect attribute rich and accurate geo-located GIS and asset information; and Trimble’s software-based receiver, Catalyst, a small, lightweight antenna that plugs directly into an Android phone or tablet’s USB port to collect on-demand highaccuracy data. www.trimble.com

Dual-frequency GNSS smartphone supports BDS phase III signal

The latest Lenovo smartphone offers dual-frequency GNSS capable of tracking the latest BDS phase III signal, the Z6 SE, using an Allystar chipset. It is the first time a smartphone supports the new BeiDou signal.

Abom launches military/industrial goggles with GNSS/INS

Abom, a company that designs sophisticated commercial goggles, has launched new augmented reality (AR) goggles. Designed for safety, industrial and military markets, it feature accurate tracking of orientation, velocity and positioning using IMU/GPS-GNSS/INS receiver capability. www.abom.com

Septentrio Releases New Highprecision GNSS Module

Septentrio has announced that the Mosaic development kit is available for testing and integration. It is Septentrio’s most compact next-generation, highprecision multi-frequency GPS/GNSS module. This receiver brings precision and reliability of high-end multi-frequency GNSS to mass-market applications. It is designed to fit into the assembly line process, which allows Mosaic to be favourably priced for high volumes.