INDUSTRY

Fast production tests for GNSS solutions with new production tester from Rohde & Schwarz

Rohde & Schwarz now offers a new, speed-optimized production tester – the R&S SMBV100A vector signal generator equipped with the R&S SMBV-P101 package. During production testing of modules and receivers for satellite-based communications, the basic GNSS signal reception and the connection between the antenna and GNSS chipset need to be checked.

The GNSS production tester simulates separate satellites for the GPS, Glonass, BeiDou and Galileo navigation standards in the L1/E1 band specifically for these production tests. The four satellites can be activated individually, each with a high dynamic range of 34 dB. Level changes can be made on the fly without interrupting the signal, enabling users to simultaneously perform independent sensitivity tests for each navigation system. The 1 pps or 10 pps GNSS marker allows exact time synchronization between the tester and the DUT. Pure, levelstable CW signals can also be generated to calibrate the test setup or to simulate interferers. www.press.rohde-schwarz.com

New robust GNSS receiver from QinetiQ

QinetiQ has announced a major breakthrough in developing a robust navigation receiver which will utilise the Galileo, and particularly the secured Public Regulated Service (PRS). The prototype receiver is a multi-constellation, multifrequency, all in view receiver which can receive and process the Galileo PRS as well as Galileo Open Service and GPS Standard Positioning Service. It is also designed to utilise other GNSS signals including GLONASS and Beidou systems as well as space-based augmentation services (SBAS) such as WAAS and EGNOS.

MicroSurvey FieldGenius 8 survey software

FieldGenius 8 is the newest version of the powerful survey data collection software. Developed through close market collaboration and feedback from users, it provides tight control over crucial aspects of field data collection through expanded toolsets and an enhanced user experience. It also includes improvements to road alignments, an onboard basic measurement mode, dynamic screen rotation, and expanded ASCII export options. Additionally, the already long list of supported coordinate systems, geoids, instruments, and data collectors has been expanded in the newest version of FieldGenius, making it easy to integrate into any existing survey operation.

Phase One iXU-R Aerial Camera Series

Phase One Industrial has announced iXU-R aerial camera series. Available in 80 MP, 60 MP and 60 MP achromatic versions, these cameras feature dedicated interchangeable 40 mm, 50 mm and 70 mm Phase One Rodenstock lenses equipped with central leaf shutters that can be quickly changed in the field. They offer unprecedented flexibility in aerial applications. The Phase One iXU-R systems have been designed to address the aerial data acquisition market’s needs for a small, lightweight camera with the high resolution of a medium format system, plus high performance optics, flexibility to fit into small places and Phase One’s fastest 80 MP platform.

RIEGL becomes LASzip Sponsor for LAS 1.4 Extension

RIEGL Laser Measurement Systems, Austria has become a sponsor of the award-winning LASzip compressor. Their contribution at the Silver level will kickoff the actual development phase of the “native LAS 1.4 extension” that had been discussed with the LiDAR community over the past two years. This “native extension” for LAS 1.4 complements the existing “compatibility mode” for LAS 1.4 that was supported by Gold sponsor NOAA and Bronze sponsors Quantum Spatial and Trimble Geospatial. The original sponsor who initiated and financed the open sourcing of the LASzip compressor was USACE – the US Army Corps of Engineers. http://laszip.org

Carlson Software Releases Surveyor2

Carlson Software recently released its new Carlson Surveyor2, the newest model in its Carlson Surveyor line of data collectors. It is paired with Carlson’s easyto- use software to provide a powerful, complete solution for surveying, stake out, construction layout, and GIS mapping. Designed and manufactured by Juniper Systems, the Carlson Surveyor2 is built to withstand the harshest conditions, with an IP68 rating for dust and water and superb durability when dropped or exposed to cold, heat, or other rugged environments.

Bluesky Maps Solar Potential of 100,000 Properties

Working with resource efficiency company Sustain, Bluesky has mapped around 100,000 Housing Association properties across the UK, measuring their potential for energy generation from solar panels. Using a combination of high resolution aerial photography and detailed 3D models, Bluesky can accurately predict the potential for solar energy generation for individual houses based on a number of factors, including roof size and aspect as well as possible interference from neighbouring properties or trees. www.bluesky-world.com

NAUTIZ X8 ultra-rugged field computer

Handheld Group has announced new expansion pack features for its NAUTIZ X8 rugged PDA. The new functionalities will make it even more versatile for field workers in a number of market segments, including forestry, surveying, construction, field services, warehouse projects and logistics. It has become immensely popular in the GIS, land surveying, public safety, forestry and military sectors. www.handheldgroup.com

SP80 Bests GNSS Competitors in Rainforests of Southern Chile

In the temperate rainforest of the Los Lagos Region of Southern Chile, where rainfall annually exceeds 1,500 mm and two thirds of the days are rainy, the dense forest canopy is a huge challenge for GNSS receivers. One survey firm, Motivazion, headquartered in Puerto Montt, a port city just below the rainforests, makes its living surveying under the densely canopied forest and rugged terrain. In an effort to ensure it was using the best GNSS receivers for the conditions, Motivazion recently conducted field tests to determine just which brand excelled. Motivazion’s owner, Jorge Mesias, said he typically uses a combination of total stations and GNSS receivers for his work. “If understory performance could be improved, efficiency would increase dramatically and reduce the need for using the more time consuming total station,” said Mesias. “We had been having generally poor results with our current GNSS receiver, that’s why I decided to examine several additional competing brands,” he added.

Field tests were conducted in the nearby Lake Rupanco area near a small town of the same name. A light rain fell at all times during the two-day test. The test routine consisted of surveying a total of 21 points in two days. Results were compared to points established by a total station. “The SP80 was the clear winner among the GNSS receivers as it achieved remarkable results compared to the benchmark total station results,” said Mesias. spectraprecision.com

Airbus, Lime Microsystems partner for GNSS receiver

Lime Microsystems and Airbus Defence and Space, with funding from Innovate UK (formerly the Technology Strategy Board), have begun a joint development of GNSS products. Airbus D&S, using Lime’s Field Programmable RF (FPRF) transceiver technology, is developing a robust timing receiver that exploits signals from the new Galileo satellite navigation constellation.

It is envisaged that a highly integrated Field Programmable RF (FPRF) solution based on Lime’s technology and an innovative system implementation of the kind provided by Airbus D&S will provide a high performance GNSS product with the potential for integration with other wireless capabilities. www.onlineamd.com

Alibaba and Chinese weapon maker invest millions in new satellite positioning company

E-commerce giant Alibaba and government-owned China North Industries Group Corporation–also known as Norinco Group–launched Qianxun Positioning Network, a satellite positioning service provider, in Shanghai on August 18, 2015.

The company will provide precise positioning services to the nation, industries, and the public by combining the technology of cloud computing with the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System. It will also provide data accumulation and data fusion services. http://www.zdnet.com

Rockwell Collins introduces ARINC

Rockwell Collins has unveiled ARINC UrgentLink, the first national disaster communications network for public safety that enables first responders, public health, public safety and critical industry officials to communicate with each other when traditional networks are damaged or destroyed. Available as a subscription-based service, the ARINC UrgentLink network uses Federal Communications Commission (FCC) licensed radio frequencies specifically authorized for disasters and Rockwell Collins’ proprietary High Frequency (HF) technology. www.rockwellcollins.com

OxTS create the world’s first Locata+INS system

OxTS have successfully integrated a Locata receiver with their Inertial+ to create the world’s first Locata+INS device—capable of achieving centimetre level accuracy where GPS systems fail. The Inertial+ series, first developed in 2008, was designed for users who had an external GNSS receiver already, but still wanted to gain the benefits of an inertial system. They have been able to combine OxTS’ Kalman filter and expertise in GNSS/IMU integration with their existing systems, without having to pay again for survey-grade integrated receivers. Inertial+ has expanded from just GNSS receivers and become the first inertial navigation system to integrate a Locata receiver, combining the many benefits of both systems. Locata is an innovative positioning system designed to complement rather than replace GPS, by addressing the issues and shortfalls of a GPS.

Trimble News

High-Speed Data Communications Link for Industrial Applications

Trimble has introduced the new Trimble® TMR1 data link, an advanced, software-defined industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) radio band, networked transceiver providing license-free wireless communications around the world. The TMR1 data link offers dual-frequency operation with 902- 928 and 865-870 MHz, available throughput up to 2.6 Mbps, and range as high as 70 miles. With the seamless integration of serial and Ethernet, coupled with the high throughput, video can easily be streamed across the data links or sensors such as flowmeters or temperature/pressure gauges can be installed for continuous Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and monitoring applications. www.trimble.com

Trimble Launches VRS Now Service in Georgia and New Mexico

Trimble has announced the launch of Trimble® VRS Now™ correction service in Georgia and New Mexico. The commercial subscription service provides surveyors, civil engineers, and geospatial professionals in the region with instant access to Realtime Kinematic (RTK) GNSS corrections without the need for a base station. www.trimble.com