GPS World

Tag: Alexis Guinamard

  • Software joins hardware at SBG Systems for alternative PNT

    Software joins hardware at SBG Systems for alternative PNT

    Third Generation of the Ellipse Series of IMUs. Clockwise from top: Models D, E, A and N. (Photo: SBG Systems)
    Third Generation of the Ellipse Series of IMUs. Clockwise from top: Models D, E, A and N. (Photo: SBG Systems)

    Not just supporting players, alternative positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) systems strengthen, augment and — when needed — replace GNSS. GPS World explores how companies are using alternative PNT, and talks with Alexis Guinamard of SBG Systems about the company’s latest developments.

    GPS World: What are the main challenges to GNSS that require developing alternatives?

    Alexis Guinamard: GNSS technology can be easily disturbed by a wide variety of factors. Urban canyons or foliage environments can obstruct GNSS signals or cause multipath effects. Intentional and unintentional jamming and spoofing are also a big concern for PNT users.

    Alternative technologies are developed to add robustness to GNSS positioning and useful features like orientation tracking (inertial + GNSS), or ultimately to work in pure GNSS-denied environments (SLAM).

    GPS World: What is your range of products?

    AG: We develop and produce GNSS-aided inertial navigation systems, but also provide a post-processing software (Qinertia). Our latest innovation is the third generation of the Ellipse series — our best-selling product — which is an industrial-grade INS. Based on the same inertial core, we integrated cutting-edge technologies, such as a multi-frequency GNSS receiver and RTK capability, within a miniature form factor.

    A multi-constellation, multi-frequency receiver is much harder to jam or to spoof, which makes the Ellipse-N very robust and able to operate despite interference.

    Finally, the new Ellipse-D, which provides dual-antenna heading capability, has been drastically improved in terms of size, weight and power.

    Our post-processing software is compatible with all our INS products. So, we can post-process these data to obtain centimeter precision in a PPK mode. Qinertia is running a tightly coupled navigation filter to obtain the best navigation performance in post-processed applications.Thanks to the raw data output of the Ellipse’s sensors, it’s really straightforward to do post-processing with Qinertia PPK software and obtain the highest level of accuracy.

    We worked hard to make the user experience as easy as possible. The latest version of Qinertia allows the customer to process either INS systems with GNSS or purely GNSS data.

    GPS World: What are primary uses of your systems?

    AG: We have many advanced robotics applications, including UAV, driverless cars, and agricultural robots. We divide them into mapping applications, remote-sensing applications and control applications.

    Inertial sensors can help a lot for the control applications because we are able to reject false GNSS measurements in both loosely and tightly coupled schemes. We can also use them to provide a precise heading, which is required by many of these applications. So, I would say that advanced robotics is one of the major growth areas for us.

  • SBG Systems debuts line of inertial navigation systems at Xponential 2019

    SBG Systems debuts line of inertial navigation systems at Xponential 2019

    SBG Systems debuted its Quanta UAV series, a new line of inertial navigation systems (INS), at Xponential 2019, which took place April 29-May 2 in Chicago.

    According to the company, the Quanta UAV is a small, lightweight and low-power INS. Designed specifically for UAV survey applications, the Quanta UAV series provides precise orientation and centimeter-level positioning data delivered both in real-time and post-processing.

    “The Quanta UAV series is a new product line specifically designed for UAV applications and, more particularly, to precision applications like lidar mapping and photogrammetry,” Alexis Guinamard, chief technology officer at SBG Systems, told GPS World.

    The Quanta UAV series is also offered on two levels of accuracy: one of its most important benefits, Guinamard added.

    “The main advantage of the Quanta UAV series is high flexibility because we have two difference performance levels: the standard grade, which is suitable for most applications, and for higher altitude surveys we have Quanta Extra, which delivers improved accuracy,” Guinamard said.

    According to SBG Systems, Quanta UAV embeds a web interface for an easy configuration with a 3D view showing all parameters. Its calibration tool automatically aligns the lever arm between the two antennas and the sensor, then re-estimates it in flight for more precision. The Quanta UAV also eliminates the need for ground control points.

    In addition, the product comes bundled with one year of access to Qinertia, SBG Systems’ post-processing software, which will “enable accurate data in post processing,” Guinamard said.

    The single- or dual-antenna also adds another layer of flexibility to the Quanta UAV series. According to SBG Systems, the dual-antenna mode allows a more precision heading, which is an ideal set up for low dynamic flights.

    “I think the flexibility is the key advantage because we have these two performance levels and also the possibility to operate in real-time or in post-processing, and the possibility to operate in single- or dual-antenna,” Guinamard said. “It’s an all-in-one product.”

  • SBG Systems debuts Quanta UAV series at Xponential 2019

    SBG Systems Chief Technology Officer Alexis Guinamard gives GPS World an overview of the company’s Quanta UAV series, which launched at Xponential 2019 in Chicago.

  • SBG Systems presents Ellipse 2 Micro Series at ION GNSS+ 2018

    SBG Systems’ Alexis Guinamard discusses the company’s Ellipse 2 Micro Series at ION GNSS+ 2018 in Miami. The series includes the Ellipse 2 Micro IMU, Ellipse 2 Micro AHRS and Ellipse 2 Micro INS.
     
     
    (Background image: iStock.com/imaginima)

  • Expert Opinions: Trending technologies for UAV navigation

    Q: Where is leading technology trending for UAV navigation in complex, unstructured, and uncertain (GNSS-denied) environments in industrial applications?

    Jeremy Davis, Director of Engineering, VectorNav technologies
    Jeremy Davis, Director of Engineering, VectorNav technologies


    A:     Tight integration between GNSS and inertial navigation systems (INS) can provide accurate, reliable navigation in GNSS-challenged environments, and advances in MEMS inertial technology continue to push the performance of systems that meet the size, weight and power requirements for UAV systems. These GNSS/INS sensors will continue to improve and form the core of the navigation system as additional navigation aids, such as computer vision, are added to address more demanding GNSS-denied applications.

    Alexis Guinamard, Chief technical Officer, SBG Systems
    Alexis Guinamard, Chief Technical Officer, SBG Systems

    A: Industrial UAVs need trustworthy navigation units. Drastic sensor selection, thermal calibration, and signal processing techniques are mandatory to cope with high temperature / vibrating environments. Advanced algorithms design is also a key to make UAV navigation more reliable in challenging environments: An extended Kalman filter that fuses inertial and GNSS data maintains an accurate trajectory, even during GNSS outages. Next challenge is to get real-time inertial data fusion with GNSS, and vision or Lidar sensors!

    Jan Van Hees, Director Business Development, Septentrio
    Jan Van Hees, Director Business Development, Septentrio

    A: Inertial sensors, vision and radar-based distance sensors provide positioning in GNSS-challenged environments. However, experience teaches that even there, GNSS signals can often be received, albeit intermittent or badly disturbed. And GNSS is still the easiest absolute positioning reference available. Therefore, much effort goes into developing robust GNSS technology with reliable quality information, which continues to play a crucial role in the positioning solution, fused with the aforementioned technologies.