Tag: Quantum Reversal

Launchpad: Inertial sensors, ground control targets

A roundup of recent products in the GNSS and inertial positioning industry from the December 2020 issue of GPS World magazine.

OEM

Inertial system

Ready for UAVs, robotics

Photo: Inertial Labs

The INS-DU is a high-performance strapdown inertial navigation system (INS) that determines position, velocity and absolute orientation of a platform it is mounted to. Its dual-antenna u-blox receiver provides 1-cm real-time kinematic (RTK) position from RTCM 3 RTK corrections and supports multiple GNSS constellations. Designed for UAVs, land vehicles and marine vessels, the INS-DU uses a range of aiding data to deliver a highly accurate solution for GNSS-denied environments. It uses a miniAHRS with 3-axes each of precision magnetometers, accelerometers and gyroscopes to provide orientation. It contains algorithms for the motion of robots, autonomous vehicles and antennas.

Inertial Labs, inertiallabs.com

Space modules

Hardened for extremes

Photo: Sensonor

The high-accuracy tactical-grade STIM277H gyro module and STIM377H inertial measurement unit (IMU) were designed to meet space segment needs. Both have hermetic aluminum enclosures, and all parts are tested for fine and gross leak to conform to MIL-STD-883J, Class H. While a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) product, Sensonor has carried out extensive radiation characterizations. The design is tested for a 20+ years operating life through high-temperature operating life (HTOL) testing. Backwardly compatible with Sensonor’s other IMU and gyro modules, STIM277H and STIM377H are designed for satellite attitude and orbit control systems (AOCS), launchers, portable target acquisition systems, UAV payloads, land navigation systems, turret stabilization, missile stability and GNSS-supported navigation systems.

Sensonor, sensonor.com

OEM boards

Optimized for low-power consumption

Photo: Septentrio

The AsteRx-m3 family features GPS/GNSS OEM boards optimized for power consumption and ease of integration. An easy-to-integrate design enables short set-up times and faster time-to-market. The AsteRx-m3 offers multi-frequency, multi-constellation positioning combined with Septentrio’s GNSS+ technology while optimizing power. The AsteRx-m3 Pro rover receiver tracks signals from all available GNSS constellations on three frequencies, and operates both in single- and dual-antenna modes. The AsteRx-m3 ProBase is designed to operate as a reference station for RTK and PPP-RTK networks. The AsteRx-m3 Pro+ is a full-feature OEM receiver board flexible enough to fit into any application and to be used either as a rover or a base station in a single- or dual-antenna mode.

Septentrio, septentrio.com

GNSS anti-jam units

Fight RF interference

Photo:

New anti-jamming antennas available are the QR200 GPS dual-frequency L1/L2 anti-jamming antenna, the QR201 GNSS multi-frequency band anti-jamming antenna, and the QR202 GNSS multi-frequency band anti-jamming antenna with additional L-band reception (1520–1560 MHz). All models provide robust GPS or GNSS navigation and block intentional jamming and unintentional RF interference timing or 3D positioning. All three are lightweight (230 grams for the QR1xx series and 500 grams for the QR2xx series) with low power consumption (1–1.5W typically, depending on configuration), and can be mounted on any platform (cars, poles, drones, etc.).

Quantum Reversal, quantumreversal.com

Positioning sensor

Centimeter-accurate positioning

Photo: FixPosition

The Vision-RTK positioning sensor is a compact centimeter-accurate solution with high reliability and availability in challenging environments. The module integrates two real-time kinematic (RTK) GNSS receivers and visual inertial navigation. Its sensor-fusion algorithm is based on deep integration of GNSS, camera and inertial sensors. Real-time sensor fusion provides centimeter-accurate absolute positioning in any outdoor environment.

Fixposition, fixposition.com

SURVEYING

Ground control targets

Designed for UAV lidar surveys

Photo: RouteScene

Deploying ground control targets on accurately surveyed ground control points (GCP) assures that a UAV lidar survey has been properly executed. UAV lidar surveys are typically undertaken in remote, rural and sometimes hazardous locations where no fixed points are available, such as solid surfaces or concrete features. Routescene’s GCPs are raised from the ground using a mini tripod. A built-in bubble level enables accurate leveling and removes the need for a tribrach. Robustly engineered, the targets stay in position during adverse and windy conditions, reducing the risk of repositioning during a survey. They are covered with highly retro-reflective material to provide high-intensity returns. As a result, the targets are easily identifiable and can be automatically extracted from the geo-referenced point cloud.

Routescene, routescene.com

Rugged tablet

Handheld computing with GNSs

Photo: Panasonic

The Toughbook A3 Android tablet is aimed at the mobile workforce. It has an outdoor viewable screen and patented rain-touch functionality. With a 10.1-inch screen and 6-foot drop rating, the A3 enables users across industries to tackle tough jobs and critical applications. The Qualcomm SDM660 chipset, which supports BeiDou, Galileo, GLONASS, GPS, BeiDou QZSS and SBAS. 4G LTE Band 14 EM7511 multi carrier mobile broadband with GPS. The tablet has a powerful octa-core processor, an optional integrated barcode reader, an insertable smart card reader and an insertable stylus. The A3 has a 5-foot drop rating and IP65 certification for dust and water resistance.

Panasonic, panasonic.com

UAV

Autopilot

Avionics for advanced control of unmanned systems

Photo: Embention

Veronte Autopilot 1X is a miniaturized avionics system for advanced control of unmanned systems. The control system embeds a suite of sensors and processors with datalink radio, with reduced size and weight. The control system Veronte Autopilot 1X adds fully autonomous control capabilities to any unmanned system for complete operation. The Veronte control system is fully configurable for payload, platform layout, control phases and control channels. It uses real-time kinematic (RTK) positioning and provides cloud connectivity, sense-and-avoid support, electromagnetic interference and vibration isolation.

Embention, embention.com

Commercial drone

Offers centimeter-level accuracy

Photo: Auterion

The Astro commercial drone platform is equipped with Freefly’s multi-band, real-time kinematic (RTK) system, which provides centimeter-level precision with a u-blox F9P GNSS module. The drone is equipped with a 60-megapixel Sony camera. A customized version of Skynode powers each Astro, providing LTE connectivity, an onboard Linux mission computer, and seamless connectivity to Auterion Mission Control and Cloud Suite. The Auterion ecosystem provides robust, secure and scalable drone planning, flight and compliance management solution.

Freefly, freeflysystems.com

TRANSPORTATION

Guidance system

For pilots in aerial applications

Photo: Insero

The guidance system AgPilotX for aerial applicators uses three wireless components: a GPS/GNSS lightbar, a hub and an Apple iPad. The smart components run off their own computer, communicating to each other wirelessly. The AgPilotX Smart Lightbar has onboard GPS+GLONASS as well as a GNSS antenna, so there is no need to run an antenna up to the aircraft canopy. The Lightbar logs the data, while a hub connects the switches (swath advance, swath decrement, spray on/off) and peripherals, and an iPad runs the interface software through an Apple App. All logs are saved as unique jobs and can be returned to at any time. The lightbar is not dependent upon the iPad to operate and will continue to work the active job even if you start using a different App or even shut the Apple device completely off.

Insero, inserosolutions.com

Antennas

High accuracy for autonomous vehicles, robotics

The Colosseum X XAHP.50 antenna. (Photo: Taoglas)

Two new active, multiband GNSS antennas are engineered for applications that require critical high-accuracy positioning and timing, including autonomous driving and precision agriculture. The MagmaX2 AA.200 is designed for space- and weight-constrained applications, such as robotic lawnmowers. Embedded versions are also available. It is a low-profile active multiband GNSS magnetic mount antenna for use across most major constellations including GPS (L1/L2/L5), GLONASS (G1/G2/G5), Galileo (E1/E5a/E5b) and BeiDou(B1/B2). The Colosseum X XAHP.50 is a geodetic-quality small-dome antenna suitable for a vehicle roof mount or pole mount. It is engineered to operate with high-precision capabilities on the full GNSS spectrum. Sub meter positional accuracy better than 55 cm is achievable, even without the use of RTK correctional services.

Taoglas, taoglas.com

January 4, 2021
Quantum Reversal adds new GNSS anti-jam units to product offerings
The QR100 and QR201 anti-jamming devices. (Photo: Quantum Reversal)

Quantum Reversal has added several new models to its flagship anti-jamming line. The company introduced in February the QR100 L1/L2 GPS anti-jamming unit and the QR101 L1/L2 GPS anti-jamming antenna.

The current solution consists now of five products designed for the commercial market to solve the issue of unintentional RF interference or jamming:
- QR100 – GPS dual frequency L1/L2 anti-jamming unit
- QR200 – GPS dual frequency L1/L2 anti-jamming antenna
- QR101 – GNSS multi frequency bands anti-jamming unit
- QR201 – GNSS multi frequency bands anti-jamming antenna
- QR202 – GNSS multi frequency band anti-jamming antenna with additional L-band reception
  (1520-1560 MHz)
All models provide robust GPS or GNSS navigation solution, blocking intentional jamming and unintentional RF interference for services such as timing or 3D positioning.

All the products are lightweight (230 grams for QR1xx series and 500 grams for QR2xx series) with low power consumption (1-1.5 Watt typically, depending on the configuration), and can be mounted on any platform (cars, poles, drones, etc.).

Quantum Reversal operates in the information and wireless technology sector, developing innovative wireless and antenna technologies for various commercial markets. The QR team has experience designing products for applications in space, underwater, robotics and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for the commercial and user end. Each application requires a specific solution to deal with specific environmental (pressure, temperature, vibration, etc.) and operational conditions.

The company sells stand alone products as well as OEM products that can be integrated within the customer products.
October 28, 2020
Launchpad: GNSS antennas, gyroscopes, lidars

A roundup of recent products in the GNSS and inertial positioning industry from the June 2020 issue of GPS World magazine.

OEM

GPS Tester

Compact antenna testing for mobile deployments

Photo: Zonu

The ZonuSkyShot is designed for quick testing during the critical installation phase of an antenna at a new site build or small-cell integration. The compact tester is designed for integrating a Zeno GPS solution, but works as a neutral testing device. SkyShot is a compact GPS receiver that detects the presence of a GPS signal, indicated on the top-panel LED. The receiver can be accessed via the USB port on the base unit, allowing the user to see the available satellites by using the app provided with the system and available at the Optical Zonu website. The receiver can simultaneously track up to 16 satellites while searching for new ones. Because of this, a problem can be found and mitigated when a GPS antenna is installed, rather than when hardware is being integrated further down the line. Close-out of projects can be indicated with screenshots of satellite visibility via the micro-USB port to a laptop.

Optical Zonu, opticalzonu.com

Police antenna

Seamless installation on leading 2020 police sport utility vehicles

Photo: PCTEL

The Trooper TRP-20INT antenna platform supports the high-speed requirements of complex RF communication systems used for critical communications in FirstNet public safety and intelligent transportation systems. The antennas feature two 5G elements compatible with cellular routers supporting 600-MHz to 6-GHz frequencies. PCTEL’s proprietary high-rejection multi-GNSS technology is included for high-precision tracking and asset management.

PCTEL, pctel.com

Anti-jam unit

Mitigates RF interference

Photo: Quantum Reversal

The QR-100 L1/L2 GPS anti-jamming unit mitigates RF interference or jamming signals using a spatial domain of an antenna array reception pattern. Three passive antennas of the customer’s choice can be connected to the QR-100 unit using built-in SMA connectors. The unit default configuration (no jamming signal present) has a 120-degree phase gradient between antenna elements to maximize the reception of GPS right-hand circularly polarized (RHCP) signals. This feature allows the unit to be connected to either RHCP-type antennas or linearly polarized antennas. The default configuration of the unit is designed to connect to passive GPS antennas.

Quantum Reversal, quantumreversal.com

Gyroscopes

Two and three Axis for use in harsh environments.

Photo: Inertial Labs

Inertial Labs’ TAG-200 two-axis and TAG-300 three-axis gyroscopes are developed for electro-optical systems, gimbals, line-of-sight, and pan-and-tilt platforms for stabilization and pointing applications. TAG-200 and TAG-300 use advanced-performance, tactical-grade MEMS sensitive elements to accomplish complex tasks requiring accurate stabilization of assorted platforms. The gyroscopes, designed for use in harsh environments, can withstand extreme shock and vibration in accordance with MIL-STD-810 ground mobile use. They are fully digitized, include built-in test functions and have no moving parts. The gyroscopes include low noise, low latency, wide bandwidth, high data rate, low bias drift, low VRE, high MTBF and are ITAR-free. They are factory calibrated over the operational temperature range and are quality assurance and quality compliance tested and supplied with individual calibration and acceptance test certificates.

Inertial Labs, inertiallabs.com

SURVEYING & MAPPING

Grade Control

Version 2 of software adds features

Photo: Trimble

Earthworks Grade Control Platform version 2.0 features improvements to enable faster return on investment, increase productivity and decrease training time for operators. Horizontal Steering Control for dozers automatically controls the machine to follow any horizontal alignment such as a back of a curb, breakline, roadway centerline or bottom of slope, without operator assistance. Augmented reality for excavators enables users to understand 3D models, cut/fill information, slope data and other bench points and reference points on the in-cab display in context, without the need to interpret complex 2D plans or stakes. A new mastless motor grader configuration gives operators an improved range of blade motion, allowing for machine control in applications where it previously was not possible. Integrated Trimble Loadrite Payload Management displays grade control and accurate payload data on one screen, increasing mass haul productivity and efficiency by preventing underloading, and improving safety by avoiding overloading. Trimble Earthworks is also now available for compact grading attachments with dual GNSS, single GNSS and total station guidance options. The Earthworks Assistant App provides access to Earthworks learning material and documentation, allowing for a shorter learning curve and less downtime for operators.

Trimble, trimble.com

Tilt function

New feature for automatic excavator

Photo: Topcon

The addition of advanced tilt and rotation functionality allows Automatic Excavator operators to easily swivel or tilt the bucket with automatic boom control for faster and more efficient excavation. If excavator operators are in situations such as at the top of the slope, grading a long incline and not totally perpendicularly lined up, the added feature makes it easier to position the cutting edge of the bucket to the surface. Operators can excavate more quickly, moving the excavator fewer times with less wear and tear on the chassis. It is also beneficial when navigating around manholes, trenches and tight spaces.

Topcon, topcon.com

TRANSPORTATION

Lidar sensors

For L3/L4 autonomous driving

Photo: Livox

The Horizon is a high-performance lidar sensor built for Level 3 and Level 4 autonomous driving. It has a long-distance detection range of up to 260 meters, high-density point clouds, and is so small it can be embedded easily into vehicles. The Tele-15 has achieved a reliable detection range of up to 500 meters, offering improved safety for high-speed autonomous vehicles. Both the Horizon and Tele-15 high-performance lidar sensors feature a new scanning method that offers improved sensing performance at a low cost.

Livox Technology, www.livoxtech.com

INS module

1.3°/hr automotive IMU sensor

Photo: Aceinna

The IMU383ZA is a high-accuracy, triple-redundant inertial measurement unit (IMU) for guidance and navigation solutions in autonomous machines and vehicles. It integrates triple-redundant, 3-axis micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) accelerometer and gyroscope sensors. The IMU383ZA is pin-compatible with the IMU381ZA and offers high performance of 1.3 deg/hr, 0.08 deg/root-hr. The miniature module is factory-calibrated over the –40° C to +85° C industrial temperature range to provide consistent performance through extreme operating environments for a wide variety of applications.

Aceinna, aceinna.com

June 2, 2020
Quantum Reversal releases GPS L1/L2 anti-jamming unit and antenna

Photo: Quantum Reversal

Quantum Reversal has released the QR100, a novel L1/L2 GPS anti-jamming unit, and the QR101, an L1/L2 GPS anti-jamming antenna, designed for the commercial market to solve the issue of unintentional RF interference or jamming.

The QR100 uses three external passive or active GPS antennas of the user’s choice, while the QR101 has three passive L1/L2 antennas embedded inside the enclosure. Low power consumption of 1 Watt and low cost allow for a wide range of applications where the continuity of GPS service is a must.

“Clever RF signal nulling in the RF domain allowed us to eliminate the need for signal processing, and hence, significantly reducing the power consumption when compared to existing military solutions,” said Waldemar Kunysz, Quantum Reversal President and CTO.

The technology prevents the RF front-end from saturation when the interfering signal is very strong due to its power or close proximity to the antenna. This extends the range of the operation for mobile applications and reduces susceptibility to nearby sources of interference for any type of fixed installations.

Learn more at the company’s website.

February 28, 2020
New CRPA concept antenna designed

By Tony Murfin
GPS World Professional OEM Contributing Editor

In today’s world where local conflicts can spill over into many other places, it’s become common to encounter GPS signal jamming. Even in locations that defense forces might have considered “backwater” in terms of technology, enemies can apparently launch attack drones, jam adjacent countries, and generally render GPS, if not GNSS, useless for navigation.

The U.S. military came up with anti-jam technology to counter foreseen jamming scenarios several decades ago, but the initial seven-element controlled radiation pattern antenna (CRPA) designs were bulky and required multiple RF antenna cable connections to large, remote receiver processor units. These units not only processed the signals to derive position, but also eliminated jammer and satellite signals in the direction from which the jamming signal was received (null processing). Most of these early units were large and power hungry, so their application was limited to larger aircraft and ships.

Anti-jam technology has gradually evolved over time. Component integration and miniaturization has enabled CRPA performance to be self-contained within the antenna enclosure. At least one design has now migrated the null-processing into the same enclosure as the CRPA antenna, and is sold on a commercial basis to several military forces around the world. The device outputs a single composite RF signal that has been cleaned of any detected jamming signals for use by both commercial and military remote receivers alike.

Now Quantum Reversal (QR) — a new company based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada — has come up with a novel design that processes the CRPA signal in the RF domain, eliminating the need for extensive null-processing electronics. Without these signal-processing electronics, power requirements are reduced from about 15–30 watts to around 1 watt, the size is smaller (4 inches in diameter versus the nominal 6–8 inches in diameter), and cost is significantly lower. These reductions might allow this new anti-jam technology to move into small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) applications, timing networks, and reference monitoring networks where continuous uninterrupted GPS/GNSS service is mandatory.

This antenna is designed to enable continuous navigation using GPS or GNSS signals in the presence of unintentional low- to medium-power interference signals. It should be able to reduce the power of an unintentional interference or jamming signal by 35–45 dB, depending on whether it contains three or four CRPA antenna elements.

Increasing the number of antenna elements of the QR design improves the null depth (on average 8–10 dB per antenna element) at the expense of increased circuit complexity, power consumption and antenna size. An average null depth of –70 dB may be possible with a seven-element CRPA antenna. (Image: Quantum Reversal)

See also:

Access denied: Anti-jam technology mitigates navigation warfare threats, By Matteo Luccio
J-Shield filters out interference, By Tracy Cozzens

December 10, 2019