INDUSTRY

IDS GeoRadar extends IQMaps software to more GPR solutions

IDS GeoRadar, part of Hexagon announced that it is extending the IQMaps software application to a wider range of GPR systems. IQMaps is IDS GeoRadar’s post-processing software application for advanced ground penetrating radar (GPR) data analysis, enabling fast interfacing between the user and GPR data. https://idsgeoradar.com

Intermap announces its second contract to enable urban air mobility

Intermap Technologies announced a new contract with a leading Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) provider to integrate Intermap’s certified aviation terrain data to continue the development of an urban air mobility platform. Integrating NEXTView into UTM systems empowers operators to plan and execute eVTOL aircraft flights based on predetermined flight paths for efficient urban air taxi services. www.intermap.com

Surface-mount embedded GNSS antenna by

Linx Technologies has expanded on its Splatch antenna series with the release of the ANT-GNL1-nSP, a surface-mount embedded GNSS antenna supporting GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, Beidou and QZSS in the L1/E1/B1 bands. The antenna exhibits notable performance in a compact size (10 mm x 8 mm x 1 mm) and features linear polarization and an omnidirectional radiation pattern. https://linxtechnologies.com

Swift Navigation adds BeiDou support

Swift Navigation has expanded the capabilities of its Skylark precise positioning service to several product tiers. With new services providing realtime kinematic (RTK) and differential GNSS (DGNSS) options, Swift meets the broadening needs of its growing customer base. In addition, new BeiDou signal support and regional coverage has been added. Skylark is Swift’s cloudbased GNSS corrections service designed to deliver affordability, high accuracy and fast convergence, eliminating the complexity of deploying and maintaining GNSS networks. http://swiftnav.com

CHC Navigation launches Landstar8 data-collection app

CHC Navigation has released LandStar8, a field surveying and mapping application for Android devices. It is versatile, modular and customizable for topographic tasks such as surveying, stake out, cadastral, mapping and GIS. Building on the legacy of LandStar7, the new LandStar8 provides features such as a refined user interface, streamlined workflows, faster operation, and integrated cloud services.Cloud connectivity is built in, for backup, data storage or remote technical support. https://chcnav.com

Realistic testing to emerging LEO satellite applications

Spirent Communications plc has announced availability of SimORBIT, the first high-accuracy orbital modelling software solution specifically developed for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite simulation. Created in partnership with spaceborne receiver developer SpacePNT, Spirent SimORBIT enables developers to calculate LEO orbits and their distinctive characteristics more precisely and realistically for GNSS/PNT testing.

This capability complements the ability of Spirent’s simulation systems to generate non-ICD signals via I/Q injection, or by the unique Spirent “Flex” feature, enabling new space based PNT signals to be developed in the lab as realistically as possible. www.spirent.com

Orolia’s Ultima-S emergency locator transmitter

Orolia was recently acquired by Safran Electronics and Defense, recently certifications for the Ultima-S survival emergency locator transmitter (ELT). The Ultima-S is a new generation ELT installed in either the cabins or life rafts and relays accurate aircraft location information to search and rescue teams.

The Ultima-S provides free and global coverage service through the dedicated Cospas-Sarsat infrastructure while meeting the highest aviation safety standards. It offers non-rechargeable lithium batteries that are compliant with the latest FAA and EASA special conditions standards, also known under TSO-C142b/DO227A. The Ultima-S also meets the most recent ELT performance and environmental standards through TSO-C126c. Once activated, a 406MHz distress signal is transmitted and includes the ELT location thanks to the Ultima-S internal GNSS receiver. www.orolia.com

Hexagon, OSASI partnership

Hexagon’s Safety, Infrastructure & Geospatial division and OSASI Technos Inc. announced a partnership to deliver next-generation disaster management and monitoring solutions. The wide area remote monitoring systems with 3D visualization capabilities will allow governments to detect, predict and simulate impending disasters, enabling them to better plan for and respond to emergency events. The partnership brings together OSASI’s advanced on-site sensors and monitoring solutions with the realtime situational awareness and location intelligence capabilities of Hexagon’s Luciad Portfolio. hexagon.com

GMV’s positioning solution is now on the road

GMV has recently reached the milestone of incorporating its safe, high precision and reliable positioning technology onboard vehicles of the German premium car manufacturer BMW Group. Its positioning solution comprises two components: an onboard Positioning Engine software (PE) and a GNSS Correction Service (CS). The CS provides BMW Group vehicles with corrections to the Broadcast Ephemeris for different GNSS constellations, augmentation data to remove local atmospheric effects and safety-related information for computing a reliable user position. The PE integrated in the vehicles’ on-board unit also uses the corrections, together with GNSS signals and information from other sensors, to compute a trustable vehicle position, speed, and heading.

GMV in Australia and New Zealand

GMV has signed an agreement with Lockheed Martin Corporation to develop the processing and control centers for the Southern Positioning Augmentation Network system, known as SouthPAN. This project is a joint initiative of the Australian and New Zealand governments with the purpose of providing a satellitebased augmentation system (SBAS) for navigation and precise point positioning (PPP) services. GMV will also be responsible for monitoring both of these services in the region and for ensuring compliance with the committed performance levels.

SouthPAN is also the first system with these characteristics available in the Southern Hemisphere. With this new program, Australia and New Zealand will be contributing to improved global coverage and interoperability for services of this type, by joining the list of countries and regions that already have their own SBAS system, such as the USA (WAAS), Europe (EGNOS), India (GAGAN), and Japan (MSAS).

In Australia, the development, entry into service, and operation of the SouthPAN system are being supervised by the Australian government’s geoscience agency, Geoscience Australia, in collaboration with New Zealand’s equivalent agency, known as Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand. In 2020, the two agencies signed the Australia New Zealand Science, Research and Innovation Cooperation Agreement (ANZSRICA). Over the next 20 years, the Australian government will be contributing 1.4 billion Australian dollars to the SouthPAN project. www.gmv.com