GPS World

Tag: SkyTraq

  • Navigating Urban Roads

    Navigating Urban Roads

    From its very first issues, 31 years ago, this magazine has covered the role of GPS, now GNSS, in guiding ships, trains and automobiles. What were then some of the most aspirational visions of future applications are now routine. For all forms of transportation, navigation is a safety-critical issue. This is particularly true in the case of cars on public roads, which is also where the technical challenges are the greatest. Ships mostly travel in deep waters, far away from other traffic and fixed obstructions, and nearly always enjoy an unobstructed line-of-sight to GNSS satellites. So do trains, which have the additional advantages of being kept, literally, on track and of operating in controlled environments, with hardly any concerns for unexpected intrusions on their path. Cars, trucks, and busses, on the other hand, must contend with many other vehicles, including those with distracted, drowsy, drunk, or drugged drivers, as well as cyclists, pedestrians, accidents, construction and a bedeviling myriad of sudden and often unpredictable circumstances. Additionally, their view of the sky is often limited by overpasses, tunnels and tall buildings, which challenge GNSS-based navigation with signal occultation and multipath, and their view of their surroundings is often blurred by weather conditions.

    Currently, prototype autonomous vehicles carry cameras, lidar scanners, radars and ultrasonic sensors to provide positioning relative to mapped features, as well as for collision avoidance. However, some use cases require absolute positioning sensors, consisting of GNSS receivers coupled with inertial sensors. For example, autonomy levels 3 and 4 require dynamic error bounds of no more than a few meters most of the time under challenging highway conditions and levels 4 and 5 will require this level of accuracy even in deep urban canyons.

    This month’s cover story highlights progress in several transportation-related GNSS/PNT applications

    u-blox partners with Bird e-scooters

    Domino’s delivers with Nuro

    u-blox shares autonomous insights

    Hexagon guides Indy Autonomous Challenge

    Swift Navigation provides precise corrections

    Skytraq Technology modules meet market needs

    SBG Systems drives GNSS+inertial in Paris

    Featured Photo: Bird

  • Skytraq Technology modules meet market needs

    Skytraq Technology modules meet market needs

    SkyTraq Technology, a fabless semiconductor company, develops GPS/GNSS chipsets and modules for meter-level accuracy vehicle navigation and tracking applications and for centimeter-level accuracy real-time kinematic (RTK) surveying and precision guidance applications.

    Photo: SkyTraq
    Photo: SkyTraq

    The company’s chipset design is driven by market trends, said Oliver Huang, the company’s general manager. He explained the company has moved from single-frequency to dual-frequency devices.

    SkyTraq’s chipset is designed to be common hardware for different target applications enabled by customized software. Traditionally, in the automotive market, vehicle navigation systems have relied on fusing GNSS receivers with dead-reckoning technology that uses micro-electromechanical (MEMS) inertial measurement units (IMUs) and wheel-tick data.

    “We are now seeing more aftermarket vehicle tracking applications that take advantage of superior GNSS/DR performance using untethered dead-reckoning technology that uses sensor fusion of GNSS receiver and MEMS IMUs without the need for wheel-tick data,” Huang said. “GNSS receivers with decimeter or better accuracy, combined with dead-reckoning that uses low drift IMUs, will be important in emerging autonomous vehicle applications.”

    SkyTraq’s PX100 chipset for L1 meter-level accuracy applications and centimeter-level accuracy RTK applications uses L1 and L1/L2 signals from all four major GNSS constellations (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and BeiDou).

    Because of the trend toward high-precision, which requires good carrier-phase raw measurement data, the biggest challenge in receiver design is with the antenna, Huang explained. “Using an advanced semiconductor process, one can have low power, small size chipsets taking advantage of all the available GNSS signals, yet there is no small antenna capable of producing high-quality carrier phase data for high-precision GNSS applications. So far, we have only seen bulky RTK antennas capable of generating high-precision results.”

  • SkyTraq introduces automotive-grade dead-reckoning receiver

    SkyTraq introduces automotive-grade dead-reckoning receiver

    Photo: SkyTraq
    Photo: SkyTraq

    SkyTraq Technology Inc. has launched a GNSS/inertial measurement unit (IMU) suitable for both automotive pre-installation and aftermarket.

    The robust PX1120D dead-reckoning module integrates a 6-axis IMU and a concurrent quad-GNSS chipset, forming a sensor-fusion solution that maximizes positioning accuracy even in challenging environments. The PX1120D receives concurrent GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/Beidou/QZSS signals.

    For automotive pre-installation applications where vehicle wheel-tick signals are available, the PX1120D provides wheel-tick sensor fusion with automotive dead-reckoning. In aftermarket applications where wheel-tick signals are unavailable, the PX1120D provides an untethered dead-reckoning sensor-fusion solution.

    A single PX1120D module provides both automotive and untethered dead-reckoning functionality, simplifying logistics. The PX1120D provides 100% position coverage. It is suitable for infotainment systems, telematics control units, vehicle tracking, and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) applications that require the highest performance and reliability, as well as uninterrupted positioning.

    The PX1120D supports flexible mounting in any orientation. Its auto-calibration feature simplifies the installation procedure.

    The 12 x 16 mm PX1120D offers continuous navigation in tunnels and underground parking lots. It can output attitude, gyroscope and accelerometer sensor data, making it useful for black-box driver behavior monitoring and insurance accident reconstruction.

    The PX1120D uses an AEC-Q100 qualified chipset and is manufactured in ISO/TS-16949 certified plants. An engineering sample, evaluation kit and datasheet will be available by the end of August. Volume delivery to customers begins in the fourth quarter of this year.

  • SkyTraq launches stamp-size RTK positioning and heading receiver

    SkyTraq launches stamp-size RTK positioning and heading receiver

    Photo: Skytraq
    Photo: Skytraq

    SkyTraq is offering a new multi-band, multi-GNSS receiver module for real-time kinematic (RTK) positioning and heading applications, suitable for autonomous vehicles. The PX1172RH surface-mount receiver measures 17 x 22 mm, about the size of a postage stamp.

    With dual-antenna input, the PX1172RH receiver delivers sub-degree heading and pitch or heading and roll angles on top of centimeter-level positioning under both dynamic and static conditions. This removes the dependency on vehicle movement to initialize an inertial measurement unit (IMU) for attitude determination.

    The PX1172RH is unaffected by magnetic surroundings and does not require calibration. It offers higher heading reliability and performance than magnetic heading sensors or single-antenna GPS sensors.

    Photo: Skytraq
    Photo: Skytraq

    The PX1172RH works with dual-frequency GPS/QZSS L1/L2, GLONASS L1/L2, Galileo E1/E5 and BDS B1/B2 GNSS signals concurrently to enable robust positioning and heading performance under challenging partial-sky environments and to provide RTK convergence in seconds. The PX1172RH is suitable for autonomous precision-guidance applications.

    A PX1172RH sample, datasheet and evaluation boards will be available in May, with mass production scheduled for June.

  • SkyTraq offers multi-band GNSS receiver with 1-cm position accuracy

    SkyTraq offers multi-band GNSS receiver with 1-cm position accuracy

    Photo: SkyTraq
    Photo: SkyTraq

    SkyTraq is offering a 12 x 16 millimeter multi-band real-time kinematic (RTK) receiver for centimeter-level accuracy positioning applications. The PX1122R works with all the four GNSS, using GPS L1/L2C, Galileo E1/E5b, GLONASS L1/L2 and Beidou B1I/B2I signals concurrently to maximize positioning availability even in difficult urban environments.

    A single-chip system-on-chip, the PX1122R is designed to deliver reliable, centimeter-level accuracy positioning for autonomous unmanned ground or aerial vehicles, the internet of things, and traditional land surveying and precision farming applications.

    The PX1122R has an RTK initialization time under 10 seconds and a maximum update rate of 10 Hz. Its update rate provides in-time positioning with a fast response time and improved guidance for fast-moving applications, the company said.

    Moving-base RTK for GNSS precise heading is also supported. By using two PX1122R and two antennas with 1-meter separation, highly accurate 1-sigma heading accuracy of 0.13 degree can be obtained; such heading accuracy is immune to magnetic interference and unaffected by the receiver’s speed.

    The PX1122R can serve as a key component to provide precise position and heading information for autonomous applications. PX1122R sample, data sheet and evaluation boards are available now.

    Founded in 2005, SkyTraq Technology Inc. develops high-performance chipset and module solutions for the consumer market. Its initial product is L1-GPS-centric, and now its products cover L1, L2, L5, L6 band GPS/GLONASS /Beidou/Galileo/QZSS/NavIC/SBAS applications.

  • SkyTraq introduces GPS/GAGAN receiver module for Indian market

    SkyTraq introduces GPS/GAGAN receiver module for Indian market

    SkyTraq Technology Inc., a fabless GNSS positioning technology company, has introduced the S1216F8-GI2, a NavIC + GPS/GAGAN receiver module for the emerging Indian market.

    It integrates L1/L5 RF front-end and baseband processor capable of receiving up to 14 L5 NavIC signals and up to 20 L1 GPS/GAGAN signals simultaneously. With currently usable six NavIC signals and three GAGAN signals, it offers a total of 18-23 usable signals for navigation compared to 9-14 usable signals with conventional GPS receivers, providing improved accuracy in urban canyon environments with signals often blocked by high buildings.

    The S1216F8-GI2 has form-factor and pin-out compatability with popular 12 x 16-millimeter GPS receiver modules, so customers using those GPS modules can effortlessly migrate to NavIC/GPS capability by drop-in replacement and changing to an L1/L5 antenna.

    For emerging intelligent transport systems (ITS) applications requiring NavIC/GPS capability in India, S1216F8-GI2 enables fast time-to-market for product manufacturers, the company said.

    NavIC sub-frame data output is a useful feature of the S1216F8-GI2. It can output NavIC broadcast warning messages related to weather alerts, forecast, and natural disasters such as cyclones, earthquakes and tsunamis.

    An S1216F8-GI2 engineering sample, evaluation kit and datasheet is available. Volume delivery to customers begins in late March. The S1216F8-GI2 is manufactured with ISO/TS 16949 automotive certification.

  • Launchpad: OEM, survey and mapping products

    Launchpad: OEM, survey and mapping products

    OEM

    Module for system integrators

    Size, weight and power designed for smaller unmanned platforms

    MB-Two module by Trimble.
    MB-Two module by Trimble.

    The MB-Two GNSS module delivers highly accurate GNSS-based heading plus pitch or roll in an advanced industry standard form-factor for system integrators. The module’s embedded Z-Blade GNSS technology uses all available dual-frequency GNSS signals equally, without any constellation preference, to deliver fast and stable centimeter-accurate position and heading information. The MB-Two is designed for a wide variety of applications such as unmanned, agriculture, automotive, marine and military systems. The MB-Two features an enhanced dual-core GNSS engine with 240 channels capable of tracking L1/L2 frequencies from the GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and BeiDou constellations. The GNSS engine supports Trimble RTX correction services, including CenterPoint RTX and RangePoint RTX, delivered worldwide via L-Band satellite. The MB-Two combined with CenterPoint RTX delivers centimeter-level positioning without requiring a local base station or VRS network.

    Trimble, trimble.com

    Dead-reckoning receiver

    High performance, uninterrupted positioning for vehicle applications

    The S1722DR8 GNSS dead-reckoning receiver, compared to a U.S. penny.
    The S1722DR8 GNSS dead-reckoning receiver, compared to a U.S. penny.

    The S1722DR8 GNSS dead-reckoning receiver integrates a three-axis gyroscope/accelerometer and barometric pressure sensor with a GNSS receiver. Using wheel speed data from a vehicle, the S1722DR8 achieves 100-percent coverage. It can be flexibly mounted in any orientation, and does not have to be placed horizontally as do conventional dead-reckoning solutions that use a single-axis gyroscope. Its auto-calibration feature simplifies installation, while the short calibration time upon first use improves the user experience. The barometric pressure sensor provides highly accurate altitude information, which is useful for differentiating floor levels of multi-story parking garages or stacked highways.The S1722DR8 measures 17 x 22 millimeters. It offers continuous navigation even in GPS-signal-denied environments such as tunnels or underground parking lots.

    SkyTraq Technology, www.skytraq.com.tw

    SURVEY & MAPPING

    Rover radio

    Data link for GNSS/RTK and precise positioning

    HX-DU1603-ROVER-RADIOThe HX-DU1603D rover radio is an advanced, high-speed, Bluetooth-enabled wireless data link designed for GNSS/RTK (real-time kinematic) surveying and precise positioning. It is a lightweight, ruggedized UHF receiver for digital radio communications between 410 and 470 MHz in either 12.5- kHz or 25-kHz channels, which can be widely used in GNSS/RTK surveying and GNSS precise positioning systems. The HX-DU1603D is equipped with a Bluetooth transceiver for cable-free communications with external devices. It features an internal, rechargeable battery for ease of use and portability that allows long operational hours. Its display screen and buttons can be used to configuration parameters such as frequency, protocols, power display, serial port baud rate and air baud rate. By deploying the technology, users can instantly communicate with GNSS precise positioning receivers that share the same protocols throughout the world. The rover radio HX-DU1603D joins the line of Harxon products that include 25W base radio HX-DU8602T with simplex and 35W base radio HX-DU8608D with Duplex.

    Harxon, harxon.com

    3D modeling software

    Accurate point clouds from images

    3D-Model-of-small-object-with-eyesMap3D-OEyesMap3D generates accurate 3D models and point clouds, measured directly from images. It allows users to create high-density points clouds with textures achieving a realistic 3D model appearance. It is able to measure accurately on the images to generate true orthophotos, and geo-reference and scale the results. eyesMap3D users can use their cameras, mobile phone or camera drone to capture images. The program is compatible with most popular software packages on the market. The goal of maker eCapture is to allow the user to easily generate and work with 3D models and photogrammetric tools, while maintaining data quality.

    eCapture, www.ecapture.es

  • SkyTraq Launches RTK Receiver for UAVs, Mobile

    SkyTraq Launches RTK Receiver for UAVs, Mobile

    Skytraq-S2525F8-BD-RTK-W
    SkyTraq’s S2525F8-BD-RTK multi-constellation RTK receiver is designed for UAV and mobile platforms.

    SkyTraq Technology, a fabless GNSS positioning technology company, is introducing the S2525F8-BD-RTK, a cost-effective, low-power single-frequency RTK receiver for unmanned aerial systems and mobile platforms requiring centimeter-level position accuracy.

    The S2525F8-BD-RTK multi-constellation RTK receiver supports GPS, BDS, QZSS, and SBAS, simultaneously tracking up to 28 satellites. With its 25 x 25 millimeter form factor, 300-mW power consumption and 3 gram weight, it is designed for any outdoor applications requiring high-precision RTK positioning.

    S2525F8-BD-RTK supports both base station and rover modes. As a rover, it receives RTCM 3.0 or 3.1 data from a base station, or raw measurements from another S2525F8-BD-RTK receiver serving as base station, and performs carrier phase RTK processing to achieve relative positioning with 1 cm + 1 ppm position accuracy within 10-Km baseline.

    Its compact evaluation board has serial interface connector supporting direct connection to Ardupilot and Pixhawk autopilots for UAS testing. A Bluetooth 2.1 module is included on-board to simplify outdoor evaluation using Bluetooth-connected smartphone or tablet to receive remote base station data via NTRIP client software over the Internet.

    S2525F8-BD-RTK engineering sample, datasheet, reference design and evaluation kit will be available in October. Volume production delivery to customer begins in November 2015.

  • The Business — January 2015

    The Business section from the January 2015 issue. Download the PDF.

    Includes:

    • CSR Preparing for Large Indoor Location Market
    • FAA Grants UAS Exemption to Trimble Navigation
    • Leica’s GNSS Unlimited Allows for Upgrades
    • Broadcom Launches Location Hub with Galileo Support for Smartphones
    • SkyTraq GNSS Receiver Module Provides Indoor/Outdoor Positioning
    • Briefs

  • SkyTraq GNSS Receiver Module Provides Indoor/Outdoor Positioning

    SkyTraq S2525DR8 Photo: SkyTraq Technology
    Photo: SkyTraq Technology

    SkyTraq Technology, Inc., a fabless GNSS positioning technology company, has introduced an all-in-one S2525DR8 GNSS dead-reckoning module, with integrating MEMS sensor and interface logic on-board. The module is designed for road vehicles requiring high accuracy 100 percent positioning availability.

    The S2525DR8 offers accuracy for both indoor and outdoor positioning. It is based on SkyTraq’s Venus 8 multi-GNSS platform and uses a high-performance automotive-grade XV-8100CB analog output gyroscope and 16-bit differential ADC. A 3D option adds a barometric pressure sensor on-board, offering improved accuracy for altitude reading and altitude change detection over an accelerometer-based scheme in 3D dead reckoning.

    Another monitoring option adds an accelerometer on-board, offering high-accuracy vehicle acceleration monitoring for driver behavior characterization, accident reconstruction analysis, or trigger event recording. The S2525DR8 is compact at 25 x 25 millimeters. It contains a level shifter on board, capable of direct interface to a vehicle odometer and forward/reverse signals ranging from 3V to 30V.

    The SPI interface pins on the module allow autonomous data logging to an external SPI Flash memory device. For high-performance vehicle navigation systems, S2525DR8 provides continuous navigation inside tunnels and underground parking lots without signals; highly accurate barometric altitude enables identification of which level the vehicle is on in a stacked multi-level high-way or a multi-story car park. For automatic vehicle locating or fleet management systems, location can be identified immediately after power on, whether the vehicle is outdoors or indoors under a signal-denied environment.

    The S2525DR8 provides reliable, uninterrupted position, speed and heading information in challenging environments; it is suitable for demanding vehicle navigation and tracking applications requiring the highest accuracy and availability, SkyTraq said. The S2525DR8 is now being manufactured in ISO/TS 16949 automotive-certified factories; an evaluation kit, sample, datasheet, and reference design are available now. A 3D option with barometric sensor and a vehicle-dynamics monitoring option with accelerometer will be available in the first quarter of 2015.

  • SkyTraq Launches Miniature Programmable GNSS Receiver Module

    SkyTraq‘s new family of high-performance system-in-package (SiP) GNSS receiver modules supports GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS and SBAS.The modules integrate SkyTraq Venus8 positioning engine, 1MByte Flash memory, LNA, SAW filter, high precision 0.5ppm TCXO, RTC crystal, and other passive components within tiny 10mm x 10mm x 1.3mm package. The smallest configuration requires only antenna and power to have position fix and generate NMEA output.

    This new 10mm x 10m sized GNSS module family consists of Venus858F-GL GPS/GLONASS receiver module, Venus858F-BD GPS/Beidou receiver module, and Venus838F GPS receiver module. All three modules support additional QZSS and SBAS signal. The three modules are pin compatible; one application design works for all three models.

    Within the consumer and industrial GNSS segment, these modules feature industry’s fastest 50Hz GPS, 20Hz GPS/Beidou, and 20Hz GPS/GLONASS update rate, 29sec cold start TTFF, and better than -160dBm tracking sensitivity.

    Module interface includes two UART, four SPI, one 2-wire interface (I2C compliant), and two PWM among the 28 function-multiplexed digital I/O. A customized Arduino IDE can be used to program the modules, making use of the on-chip peripherals and sharing the internal 32bit RISC, IEEE-754 compliant FPU, and memory resources. Venus838F GPS module has roughly 50MIPS + 490KByte Flash + 45KByte RAM available for user programming.

    Optimized for lowest bill of material cost, the dime-sized modules are designed for high-volume cost-sensitive GNSS applications. Combined with properly tuned antenna fitted to customer’s application design, it provides optimal performance at lowest system cost.

    To lower barrier of adopting latest satellite navigation technology, the traditionally higher-priced GPS/GLONASS and GPS/Beidou receiver modules are offered at same price as the GPS receiver module.

    Volume delivery of all three modules to customers begins in May 2014; engineering sample, datasheet, reference design, and evaluation kits are available now.

  • The Business — February 2014

    The Business section from the January 2014 issue (Download the PDF). Includes: 2014 Receiver Survey Addendum (for the full survey, click here); FAA Selects Six Sites for UAV Research; NovAtel Supplies Reference Receivers for IRNSS Ground Segment; SkyTraq Seeks Crowdfunding for GPS/BeiDou Development Board; Hemisphere GNSS Names Chuck Joseph President and CEO; Honda Joins Google Alliance to Develop GPS Solutions; Garmin Launches New Outdoor Series; Saelig Introduces Low-Cost SMD Antennas; Events