INDUSTRY

Raytheon gets $228 million contract extension for GPS ground system

Raytheon received a $228 million contract to continue development of a ground system for GPS satellites, the Space Force’s Space and Missile Systems Center announced April 30. The contract is for work on the operational control system for the newest version of GPS 3 satellites made by Lockheed Martin. The estimated $6 billion ground system known as OCX has been in development since 2012.

The Space Force extended Raytheon’s contract until 2025. This next phase of the program is for the OCX follow-on, or OCX 3F, which requires Raytheon to integrate the newest version of GPS satellites called GPS 3F.

Raytheon currently is working on OCX upgrades expected to be delivered in 2022, including hardened cybersecurity, anti-jam capabilities, and new software compatible with the military’s M-code secure signals and with Europe’s Galileo global navigation system. https://spacenews.com

Grandmaster clock with multiband GNSS receiver

ADVA has launched its OSA 5405-MB, the industry’s first ultra-compact outdoor PTP grandmaster clock with multi-band GNSS receiver and integrated antenna. Part of the OSA 5405 Series of smart synchronization devices for indoor or outdoor deployment, the OSA 5405-MB ensures timing accuracy by eliminating the impact of ionospheric delay variation. This empowers communication service providers (CSPs) and enterprises to deliver the nanosecond precision needed for 5G fronthaul and other emerging time-sensitive applications. The multi-band GNSS receiver and integrated antenna enable the OSA 5405-MB to meet PRTC-B accuracy requirements (+/- 40nsec) even in challenging conditions. For the first time, the technology is available in an edge timing device with minimal footprint, helping operators achieve unprecedented accuracy and reliability as they roll out wide-spread small cell networks. www.adva.com

Stamp size RTK positioning and heading receiver

SkyTraq has announced a 17mm x 22mm size PX1172RH surface mount multiband multi-GNSS receiver module for RTK positioning and heading applications. With dual antenna input, the receiver delivers sub-degree heading & pitch or heading & roll angles on top of centimeter-level positioning. The PX1172RH works with dual frequency GPS/QZSS L1/L2, GLONASS L1/L2, Galileo E1/E5, and BDS B1/B2 global navigation satellite signals concurrently to enable robust positioning and heading performance under more challenging partial-sky environments and to provide fast RTK convergence in seconds. The PX1172RH is ideal for precision guidance applications. www.skytraq.com.tw

Key contract won by Thales Alenia Space

Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), as prime contractor for Galileo First Generation’s Ground Mission Segment, has been selected by the European Space Agency (ESA), on behalf of the European Commission in the Horizon 2020 Satellite Navigation Program (HSNAV), to develop the Advanced Orbit Determination and Time Synchronisation (ODTS) Algorithms Test Platform (A-OATP). This new contract will support the implementation and experimentation of the navigation algorithms that will be used for Galileo Second Generation. thalesaleniaspace.com

Septentrio launches AsteRx-i3

Septentrio has launched the AsteRx-i3— a new product line of high-performance GNSS plus inertial navigation system (INS) receivers. The AsteRx-i3 product family brings to market an array of next-generation receivers from plugand- play navigation solutions to featurerich receivers with raw measurement access. OEM boards are available for rapid integration as well as ruggedized receivers enclosed in a waterproof IP68 housing. Septentrio.com

Hexagon’s Mining division awarded significant project

Hexagon’s Mining division has been awarded a multi-solution project at Toka Tindung gold mine in North Sulawesi, Indonesia. The phased deployment will see Hexagon systems for fleet management, operator alertness, blast monitoring and enterprise analytics implemented by the company’s Indonesian staff at the mine between now and October 2021. Toka Tindung is operated by subsidiaries of PT Archi Indonesia, one of the largest gold producers in Indonesia and Southeast Asia. hexagon.com

New GAJT-410MS protects against RF interference and jamming in marine environments

NovAtel is proud to release GAJT- 410MS, the latest addition to their proven GPS Anti-Jam Technology (GAJT), into the commercial and defense marine markets. This low size, weight and power (SWaP) variant protects civil and military operations from interference and jamming, with jammer directionfinding capabilities for enhanced situation awareness in the marine environment.

The GAJT-410MS provides dynamic protection on both GPS L1 and L2 bands, as well as Galileo E1, QZSS L1 and L2 and SBAS L1 to combat intentional and unintentional interference. If a vessel experiences jamming, the device’s direction-finding capabilities provide improved situation awareness of their RF environment to identify and locate the source of the jamming signals. This commercial off-the-shelf, non-ITAR solution is easy to install or retrofit onto existing fleets, enabling assured PNT for continuous operations, cybersecurity and safe navigation at sea. novatel.com

Unearth joins Trimble’s GIS Partner Program

Trimble has announced that Unearth Technologies, a provider of map-based project tools that help built-world industries to manage physical assets, has joined Trimble’s Mapping & GIS Partner Program. Unearth’s map-based project management software connects field and office teams by providing a unified platform for data collection and work management. As part of the program, Unearth has implemented the Trimble® Precision software development kit (SDK) to enable field teams to perform high-precision Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) data capture in real-time, directly from their Android and iOS apps. www.trimble.com

GMV is selected by ESA as a supplier of the RFCS

GMV has been selected to lead the consortium that will supply a Radio Frequency Constellation Simulator covering both the 1st and 2nd Galileo Generation. Galileo First Generation (shortened to G1G), running since December 2016, consists of space infrastructure (26 satellites to date) and ground infrastructure. Under the G2G RFCS contract GMV teams in Portugal and Spain together with our key partners OROLIA and TECNOBIT are developing a constellation simulator covering both Galileo generations and Galileo Open Service and Public Regulated Service. The RFCS will simulate the progressive deployment of the G2G with its new signals and will be a key element to support the development of Galileo 2nd Generation infrastructure and for the testing of experimental user receivers.

In addition to the simulation of the constellation and radio frequency signals emitted by the satellites, the RFCS will cover many user characteristics such as dynamic behavior, signal impairments such as multipath and interference but also solution hybridization (e.g. inertial sensors) and signal distortions. gmv.com

eCognition Suite Version 10.1

Trimble Geospatial has announced the availability of the latest version of the Trimble® eCognition® Suite. eCognition Suite 10.1 includes a variety of great new tools and features that will streamline existing workflows and open the doors for new types of data analysis. For example, it is now possible for users to import pre-trained 3rd party TensorFlow models for execution directly in Developer. www.trimble.com

Microsoft cloud identity app uses GPS

Microsoft has added identity and access management capabilities employing GPS among other factors to its Azure Active Directory, a cloud identity solution, to counter sophisticated hacking techniques. Two-factor authentication is no longer sufficient to defend against malicious entry. The GPS-based named locations and filters look at a range of signals for authorized user access.

New GPS SmartSole begins testing and certification

GTX Corp, a pioneer in the field of location based wearable GPS human and asset tracking systems and a supplier of Health and Safety personal protective medical equipment, has announced it will begin testing its new Cat M1 LTE SmartSoles across North America, Europe and Australia, and will begin the regulatory certification process for FCC/IC and CE.

The patented and award-winning GPS SmartSoles were designed to address the unprecedented crisis related to Alzheimer’s and autism challenges that the World continues to face. GTXCorp.com

NSSLGlobal partnership with DDK Positioning

NSSLGlobal has entered a strategic alliance with DDK Positioning (DDK), to incorporate enhanced GNSS positioning navigation and timing solutions into its maritime portfolio.

NSSLGlobal will now provide, install and service DDK’s GNSS Precise Point Positioning (PPP) solution which enhances the ability of its customers to precisely locate and track their assets. DDK’s independent GNSS technology is provided exclusively through Iridium’s global satellite constellation. www.nsslglobal.com

Trimble introduces VRS Now correction services to Norway

Trimble has announced the expansion of its VRS Now® correction services across mainland Norway and most outer islands. As part of an ongoing global correction service strategy, the company is adding over 400,000 square kilometers (156,000 square miles) to its European footprint, which now totals 2.5 million square kilometers (975,000 square miles). VRS Now delivers reliable, easily accessible, centimeter-level accuracy that is ideal for professionals in the surveying, GIS and mapping, construction and agriculture industries, as well as many emerging autonomy applications in the automotive and robotics industries. tpsstore.trimble.com

oneNav unveils L5 mobile GNSS receiver

oneNav has announced that it has closed a $21 million Series B funding round, led by GV, with participation from Norwest Venture Partners and GSR Ventures, bringing total funding to $33 million. The company also unveiled the world’s first pure L5 mobile GNSS receiver, which provides the highest location accuracy with half the footprint of existing solutions.

oneNav has also signed a strategic partnership agreement with In-Q-Tel Inc., providing U.S. intelligence and defense agencies with a first-of-a-kind GNSS technology solution. nenav.ai

Orolia selected to deliver the next generation Galileo GNSS simulator

Orolia has been selected by the European Commission and the European Space Agency (ESA) to provide the core GNSS simulation engine for the Galileo Second Generation (G2G) RF Constellation Simulator (G2G RFCS).

Orolia has been selected to participate in the G2G RFCS activity, which will support G2G signals evolution requirements. The primary objective of the G2G RFCS initiative is to design, develop, manufacture, and test an enhanced radio frequency constellation simulator dedicated to Galileo engineering and experiments. This simulation technology will enable scientists and industries to verify, demonstrate, and validate the future G2G configuration. www.orolia.com

Automotive GNSS positioning module for ADAS and autonomy

NovAtel has introduced the PIM222A, part of a new family of automotive GNSS positioning products for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomy.

Built with automotive-qualified hardware in a package that is easy to integrate, the PIM222A leverages SPAN technology from NovAtel to provide accurate position data in urban environments that challenge GNSS availability. Deeply coupled GNSS receivers and inertial measurement units (IMUs) ensure continuous availability of position, velocity and attitude, even when satellite signals are briefly blocked.

The PIM222A, which was created in collaboration with STMicroelectronics, is a lightweight, power-efficient, solderdown module that maximizes flexibility for integration. The receiver design can be applied to low-, medium- and highproduction volumes while retaining a rich array of features, including options such as multi-frequency, multi-constellation, RTK and dualantenna precision. www.novatel.com

TRIUMPH-3 – The latestgeneration receiver from JAVAD

TRIUMPH-3 is capable of efficient tracking even in difficult conditions. It can track all current signals and is ready for any future satellites. No need to pay RTN service providers! Your RTK system communicates via integrated UHF, 4G/ LTE, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth channels.

Receive faster and more reliable RTK solutions with your own base station nearby. TRIUMPH-3 is designed to operate as a base together with TRIUMPH-LS and TRIUMPH-LS Plus to efficiently accomplish any geodetic job. www.javad.com

‘Operate-anywhere’ portable shallow-water tracking system

Sonardyne has launched a new, entirely portable configuration of its shallow water Ultra-Short BaseLine (USBL) system Micro-Ranger 2.

The one-box USBL solution is able to track up to 10 targets out to 995 m. Inside the case is a Micro-Ranger Transceiver (MRT) with 10 m of cable, a GNSS antenna with 5 m of cable, and two Nano transponders and command hub. A built-in battery provides more than 10 hours of continuous use, enough for a full day of activity out on the water. The case can also accept external power from a boat or shore supply.

Sonardyne have also recently introduced an upgraded and extended Nano range which; improves the acoustic performance of the Nano transponder, extends its operational depth range and increases its acquiescent battery life to 90 days. www.sonardyne.com