INDUSTRY

Large-scale Deployment for Sonardyne Fetch AZA

A new breed of underwater sensor that is able to self-calibrate, enabling precise, long-duration subsidence monitoring at all depths, has been deployed at scale for the first time. The 20-plus Fetch Ambient- Zero-Ambient (AZA) pressure monitoring transponders (PMTs), developed by underwater technology specialist Sonardyne, will support an ongoing longterm, large-scale seabed monitoring project at Ormen Lange – Norway’s second largest gas field – for A/S Norske Shell.

New rugged GPS Active L1/ L2 Patch Antenna

Southwest Antennas has introduced an all-new, high-performance GPS & GLONASS Active L1/L2 patch antenna for high-accuracy location service, timing, and navigation applications. Part # 1065-042 covers both the L1 and L2 bands, supporting military, commercial, and industrial applications. www.southwestantennas.com

Trimble Siteworks SE Starter Edition

Trimble has introduced the Trimble® Siteworks SE Starter Edition, an entry-level, easy-to-use construction surveying software at an affordable price point. Using a construction GNSS receiver, a supervisor, foreman, grade checker or site engineer can easily check a grade, slope or alignment and navigate the project more accurately and in less time than with traditional survey methods. Budget-conscious contractors can realize a quick return on investment by giving more personnel on the jobsite access to survey technology, enabling more productive and efficient field crews. www.trimble.com

Six New GNSS-ready external antennas by Laird Connectivity

Laird Connectivity has announced the imminent launch of six new GNSS-ready external antennas suitable for a range of applications including vehicle mount. The GNS1559MPF or Mini GNSS is a small form factor, rugged, high performance, and cost-effective solution for most GNSS or asset tracking applications. The five multi-port variants offer coverage for cellular, Wi-Fi, GNSS, FirstNet, and Emergency Services Network (ESN) frequencies and allow for MIMO and/or navigation/location opportunities within the same antenna. lairdconnect.com

Four additional payload mission data units for L3Harris Technologies

L3Harris Technologies (has received contracts totaling $137 million for four navigation payload Mission Data Units (MDU) for future GPS III Follow-on (GPS IIIF) satellites. Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor for GPS III/IIIF, selected L3Harris in 2018 to design and build the first two fully-digital MDUs, the heart of the satellite’s navigation payload. The MDU generates more powerful GPS signals and assures clock operations for GPS users. L3Harris.com

High-precision GNSS SE868SY-D receiver module by Telit

Telit has announced the SE868SY-D a multi-frequency, high-precision GNSS receiver module for applications that require high accuracy, fast updates, multi-constellation support and multipath resistance. At just 11×11 mm, the SE868SY-D easily accommodates ultracompact devices and IoT trackers. Featuring Sony’s next-generation CXD5610 GNSS receiver LSI, the SE868SY-D also is the first product from a new strategic collaboration between Sony and Telit. Telit.com

NCS NOVA GNSS simulator enhancement

IFEN GmbH has announced that its NCS NOVA GNSS Simulator now fully supports the simulation of Galileo Open- Service (OS) signal improvements based on the new Galileo OS SIS ICD V2.0.

The NCS NOVA GNSS Simulator is a high-end, powerful and easy to use satellite navigation testing and R&D device. It is fully capable of multi-constellation and multi-frequency simulations for a wide range of GNSS applications.

A new key enhancement to the NCS NOVA GNSS Simulator is comprehensive support of new Galileo OS signal message improvements on E1B. By enabling real-time simulation of the Galileo OS message improvements, the NCS NOVA GNSS Simulator expands a user’s Galileo signal capability. www.ifen.com

Environmental and geotechnical surveys by Fugro

Fugro has been awarded multiple contracts by Eni Angola to carry out geotechnical and environmental surveys off the coast of Angola between now and May, and two Fugro vessels from the world’s largest fleet of specialist geotechnical and geophysical vessels are currently active in the region.

Multipurpose survey vessel the Fugro Scout, specifically designed for seabed sampling and in situ testing in water depths up to 3,000m, has embarked on a deepwater environmental survey to acquire, analyse and interpret sediment and water samples from Eni Angola’s Agogo field development. The Fugro Scout will also perform a range of geotechnical site investigations on the project, with work due to start soon.

A second vessel, the Fugro Helmert, will join the Fugro Scout to conduct a route survey in Angola’s nearshore areas, including various environmental, geotechnical and geophysical surveys, to allow Eni Angola to calculate the best installation route and optimize cable burial protection for the New Gas Consortium.

GMV participates in the kick-off of the European GEODE project

As part of the consortium, led by FDC, the technology multinational GMV has participated in the GEODE Kick- Off meeting held on February 8. GEODE (GalilEO for EU DEfence) is a crucial and decisive step towards the development of the Galileo Public Regulated Service (PRS) military User Segment and one of the most ambitious Defense cooperation projects launched under the umbrella of the European Commission’s European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP). Cofinanced by Belgium, Germany, Italy, France and Spain, GEODE is supported by the EU with a grant of about 44 million Euros.

GEODE aims to boost the EU industry’s competitiveness in the highly strategic domain of military positioning, navigation, timing, and synchronization (PNT) and to endow EU military forces with Galileo Public Regulated Service (PRS) capacity. The project will be implemented by a Consortium of 30 undertakings from 14 EU countries, including GMV as part of the Spanish participation. www.gmv.com

infiniDome successfully completes “GPS Jammed” Scenario Flight Ops

infiniDome Ltd., the GPS Security Company, has announced the successful completion of UAS flight trials conducted under GNSS jamming scenarios. The test flight was part of the NA’AMA initiative, a project to push the boundaries of BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) operation and accelerate the adoption of UAS in urban environments. This project was made possible by the Israeli Ministry of Transportation, Israel Innovation Authority and Civil Aviation Authority (CAAI). During the rigorous testing, infiniDome increased GNSS resiliency by 400% in the hostile jamming environment. The drone’s GPS receiver overcame GPS jamming scenarios using infiniDome’s GPSdome protection which locked on and maintained the GNSS signals throughout the jamming tests. infinidome.com

Sokkia announces the availability of new robotic total stations

Sokkia announced the availability of new robotic total stations designed to improve job site productivity. The iX-1200 and iX-600 total stations are professionallevel positioning tools for survey and layout in the building construction and infrastructure trades. Engineered for integration with field controllers, software, and GNSS receivers, the total stations are designed as part of a full workflow solution. https://us.sokkia.com

Hexagon partners with Navantia for new combat system

Hexagon’s Geospatial division announced that Navantia has selected Luciad, Hexagon’s platform for building advanced location intelligence and realtime situational awareness applications, to equip the combat system of five future F-110 frigates for the Spanish Navy. The agreement will also cover corresponding tests, validations and simulation environments.

Starting in 2016, Hexagon’s Luciad was subjected to the strictest technical benchmarks by Navantia and the Spanish Navy, along with other comparable geospatial technologies on the market. Luciad surpassed the competition to secure the partnership. Since then, Navantia has developed initial versions of the combat system, which integrates sensors, nautical cartography, AIS tracks and more.

Trimble introduced the Trimble® TSC5 Controller

Trimble introduced the Trimble® TSC5 Controller, a new rugged-yetlightweight field solution that continues Trimble’s legacy of creating high-quality controllers for land and civil construction surveyors. Built for practical, everyday tasks, it combines high performance and dependability so professionals can complete tasks efficiently and accurately.

Featuring an Android 10 operating system, the Trimble TSC5 is fully integrated with Trimble’s land and construction surveying instruments and software packages, including Trimble Access™ 2021 Field Software, Trimble Siteworks Software. www.trimble.com

BAE Systems positioning for growth in military GPS

BAE Systems announced on Feb. 17 that it won the largest share of a $552 million deal the Space Force awarded to three companies in November to design and manufacture advanced GPS receivers that provide positioning, navigation and timing to U.S. military forces.

The Space Force’s Space and Missile Systems Center is buying new military GPS receivers that are smaller, lighter and will allow the military to use a jamresistant GPS signal known as M-code, or military code. The Space Force selected three suppliers — Raytheon, L3Harris and BAE Systems — to develop these receivers. BAE Systems’ share of the $552 million deal is $247 million.

BAE Systems is positioning to become a dominant supplier of M-code receivers following the $1.9 billion acquisition of the Collins Aerospace military GPS division that was previously owned by United Technologies Corp. UTC had to sell Collins’ GPS business in order to clear the antitrust regulatory requirements of its merger with Raytheon. https://spacenews.com