GPS World

Tag: ION GNSS+ 2024

  • Galileo constellation expands with two new satellites

    Galileo constellation expands with two new satellites

    Photo: SpaceX
    Photo: SpaceX

    SpaceX has launched the latest pair of Galileo satellites from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carried satellites 31 and 32 (FM26 and FM32) to their designated orbits.

    This launch, number 13 in the Galileo program, marks a crucial milestone in the constellation’s development. The addition of these satellites completes the designed constellation, with the required operational satellites plus one spare per orbital plane. The new pair will undergo testing at their final altitude of 23,222 km before becoming operational.

    European Space Agency (ESA) Director of Navigation Javier Benedicto highlighted the importance of this launch, stating that the remaining six Galileo First Generation satellites are scheduled for deployment in 2025 and 2026.

    These additional satellites are designed to enhance the system’s performance and reliability further, ensuring uninterrupted delivery of highly precise navigation services.

    At ION GNSS+ 2024, Eric Châtre, head of EU GNSS exploitation and evolution at the European Commission, and Miguel Manteiga, Galileo project manager at ESA, participated in a panel titled “Status of GPS, Galileo, BDS, QZSS, KPS and NavIC.” They shared how 2024 has been a particularly eventful year for the Galileo program. In April, satellites 29 and 30 were launched and entered service in September. The new Public Regulated Service (PRS) signals began broadcasting, offering encrypted navigation for authorized governmental users. A significant upgrade of Galileo’s ground segment was completed without impacting users.

    The Galileo system continues to evolve, with the development of Second Generation (G2) satellites underway. These satellites will feature fully digital navigation payloads, electric propulsion and inter-satellite link capacity.

  • Adtran launches Oscilloquartz Time Scale System

    Adtran launches Oscilloquartz Time Scale System

    Photo: Adtran
    Photo: Adtran

    Adtran has launched its Oscilloquartz Time Scale System, designed to meet the precise timekeeping requirements of national metrology institutes, scientific research facilities and other applications demanding the highest levels of accuracy and traceability.

    The comprehensive system integrates Adtran’s Oscilloquartz grandmaster clocks, GPS/GNSS receivers, and high-performance optical cesium atomic clocks alongside a combination of the phase comparator, reference generator, and time interval counter. This ensures synchronization with coordinated universal time (UTC) and provides robust protection against cybersecurity threats.

    With its customizable design, real-time monitoring, and seamless transition capabilities, the Oscilloquartz Time Scale System addresses the increasing need for resilient and accurate time synchronization across various sectors to ensure operational continuity and data integrity.

  • Rx Networks launches corrections service

    Rx Networks launches corrections service

    Photo: RX Networks
    Photo: RX Networks

    Rx Networks, a GNSS data services provider, has released TruePoint | LITE, a correction service designed for power-conscious applications that require precise and reliable location data.

    TruePoint | LITE aims to deliver sub-meter and lane-level accuracy with global coverage for low-power usage. It is engineered with power efficiency in mind, focusing on applications such as smartphones, wearables, asset tracking and Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

    TruePoint | LITE uses patent-pending predictive technologies designed to reduce dominant GNSS ranging errors—including ionospheric, orbital, and clock errors—to ensure accurate GNSS positioning while minimizing data traffic and conserving battery life.

    TruePoint | LITE leverages proprietary predictive technologies to correct key GNSS ranging errors, particularly ionospheric range errors, according to the company.

  • ION GNSS+ 2024 is quickly approaching

    ION GNSS+ 2024 is quickly approaching

    Institute of Navigation (ION) GNSS+ is the world’s largest technical meeting and showcase of GNSS technology, products and services. This year’s conference will bring together international leaders in GNSS and related positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) fields to present new research, introduce new technologies, discuss current policy, demonstrate products and exchange ideas.

    This year’s conference, scheduled for Sept. 16-20, 2024, at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor in Baltimore, will bring together international experts in GNSS and related positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) fields to share research, unveil new technologies and engage in critical policy discussions.

    The conference will feature more than 300 technical presentations across six sectors, covering commercial and policy aspects as well as research advancements. Attendees can also attend insightful keynote speeches, including a presentation by Oscar Pozzobon, Ph.D., from Qascom, on pushing the limits of satellite navigation systems for lunar exploration.

    The exhibit hall will be open on Sept. 18 -19, showcasing the latest GNSS technology, products and services. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore and engage with industry-leading innovations.

    GPS World, a proud media partner of ION GNSS+ 2024, will attend the conference and be located at booth 215, next to Syntony GNSS and Iridium.

    Click here to view the full ION GNSS+ Technical Program.