GPS World

Tag: Robert Odolinski

  • ION announces 2020 Annual Awards winners

    ION announces 2020 Annual Awards winners

    Logo: ION

    The Institute of Navigation (ION) presented its Annual Awards during the ION International Technical Meeting and Precise Time and Time Interval Systems and Applications Meeting, both held virtually Jan. 25-28.

    The ION Annual Awards Program recognizes individuals making significant contributions or demonstrating outstanding performance relating to the art and science of navigation.

    Robert Odolinski received the Per Enge Early Achievement Award for development of multi-GNSS models for precise real-time kinematic positioning and for the sustained dedication to the research community, future surveyors and navigation professionals. The Per Enge Early Achievement Award is presented in recognition of outstanding contributions made early in one’s career.

    Capt. Andrew P. Zimmerman received the Superior Achievement Award for validating critical navigation processes and collaborating with Air Force tacticians to provide the highest standards of navigation and protection for the Air Force’s premier electronic attack asset. The Superior Achievement Award is presented to recognize an individual who has demonstrated an outstanding performance as a practicing navigator of any vehicle, in any medium — marine, land, air, undersea and space.

    Michael A. Lombardi received the Distinguished PTTI Service Award for system development and leadership in the successful delivery of the U.S. time and frequency standards signals to a variety of domestic and international PTTI users. The Distinguished PTTI Service Award is presented to recognize outstanding contributions related to the management of PTTI systems.

    Jennifer E. Donaldson, Joel J. K. Parker, Michael C. Moreau, Dolan E. Highsmith and Philip D. Martzen received the Dr. Samuel M. Burka Award for their paper “Characterization of On-orbit GPS Transmit Antenna Patterns for Space Users.” Their paper was published in the Summer 2020 issue of Navigation, Journal of The Institute of Navigation, Vol 67, No. 2. The Dr. Samuel M. Burka Award recognizes outstanding achievement in the preparation of a paper advancing the art and science of positioning, navigation and timing.

    Charles K. Toth received the Captain P. V. H. Weems Award for significant contributions to the development and implementation of multi-sensor integrated navigation systems and for demonstrated excellence as an academic mentor and professional leader. The Captain P. V. H. Weems Award is presented to individuals for continuing contributions to the art and science of navigation.

    Karen L. Van Dyke received the Norman P. Hays Award for her significant contributions to civil GPS applications, for her lead role directing the Adjacent Band Compatibility study, and for her commitment to international PNT coordination. The Norman P. Hays Award is given in recognition of outstanding encouragement, inspiration and support contributing to the advancement of navigation.

    Mingquan Lu received the Thomas L. Thurlow Award for significant and sustained contributions to the BDS-3 signals design and BDS-3/GNSS interoperable receivers development. The Thomas L. Thurlow Award recognizes outstanding contributions to the science of navigation.

    Finally, Y. Jade Morton received the Distinguished Service Award for extraordinary service to The Institute of Navigation. The Distinguished Service Award recognizes extraordinary service to The Institute of Navigation.

    ION also announced the new members of its Executive Committee, Council and Standing Committee Chairs following its Annual Awards during the ION International Technical Meeting and Precise Time and Time Interval Systems and Applications Meeting. Find out who they are here.

  • University research uses smartphones for precision GNSS

    New research conducted at the University of Otago, New Zealand, and published in the August issue of Journal of Geodesy demonstrate that it is possible to achieve centimeter(cm)-level precise positioning on a smartphone.

    The research, conducted in collaboration with Curtin University, Australia, combined signals from four different GNSS, according to Otago’s Dr. Robert Odolinski and Curtin University colleague Prof. Peter Teunissen.

    “It’s all down to the mathematics we applied to make the most of the relatively low-cost technology smartphones use to receive GNSS signals, combining data from American, Chinese, Japanese and European GNSS. We believe this new capability will revolutionize applications that require cm-level positioning,” Odolinski says.

    He said to understand the new technology, a look back at the historical scientific context is needed.

    Precise centimeter-level positioning on a smartphone during 24 hours in Dunedin, New Zealand. Blue dots show repeatability of one epoch data in comparison to precise benchmark coordinates. The repeatability is more or less the size of a one-dollar New Zealand coin (diameter of 2.3 cm) in all three dimensions. (Image: University of Otago)
    Precise centimeter-level positioning on a smartphone during 24 hours in Dunedin, New Zealand. Blue dots show repeatability of one epoch data in comparison to precise benchmark coordinates. The repeatability is more or less the size of a one-dollar New Zealand coin (diameter of 2.3 cm) in all three dimensions. (Image: University of Otago)

    “For decades, construction, engineering, cadastral surveying and earthquake monitoring have relied on high-cost, dual-frequency GPS positioning to obtain centimeter-level location information. The challenge is that GPS signals, traveling from Earth-orbiting satellites to receivers on the ground, are disrupted along the way, and this generates errors and limiting precision.

    “The traditional solution is to combine GPS signals sent at two different frequencies to improve the positions, but the antennas and receivers required have been expensive, far beyond the reach of many who would benefit from the technology,” Odolinski said.

    The new approach uses only one of two frequencies but collects data from more satellites for a multi-constellation GNSS solution. The extra data and algorithms are used to improve the positions without adding cost.

    Odolinski and Teunissen have shown that this approach can work in smartphones, producing competitive results compared to dual-frequency GPS solutions (see figure).

    Odolinski believes that countries and industries of all sizes can benefit from using smartphones as GNSS receivers, and is confident commercial application and development will spring from this research.

    “This significant reduction in costs when using smartphones can increase the number of receivers that can be deployed, which will revolutionize a range of disciplines requiring centimeter-level positioning, including precise car navigation, surveying and geophysics (deformation monitoring), to name a few.”

    Read the full research paper.

    Robert Odolinski configuries a smartphone to collect multi-GNSS data. (Photo: University of Otago)
    Robert Odolinski configuries a smartphone to collect multi-GNSS data. (Photo: University of Otago)