Richard Desrochers discusses Geneq, Inc.’s pre-launch of its SXBlue III GNSS RTK Receiver while at the 2014 InterGeo Conference and Trade Fair held October 7-9 in Berlin.
Author: GPS World Staff
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Geneq Talks Pre-Launch of SXBlue III GNSS RTK Receiver at InterGeo
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Galileo Service Provision Delegated to the European GNSS Agency
The European GNSS Agency (GSA) and the European Commission have concluded an agreement that delegates a range of exploitation tasks for Galileo to the GSA, providing a framework and budget for the development of services and operations through 2021.
The signing of the Galileo Exploitation Delegation Agreement serves as an initial step towards the full Galileo Exploitation Phase.
According to the governance structure set out in the Agreement for the Galileo programme, the European Commission is responsible for the overall programme supervision, the European Space Agency (ESA) is entrusted with the deployment phase, while the GSA is responsible for the exploitation phase.
As to the exploitation phase, the GSA’s responsibilities include:
- Provision and marketing of the services
- Management, maintenance, continuous improvement, evolution and protection of the space and ground infrastructure
- Research and development of receiver platforms with innovative features in different application domains
- Development of future generations of the system
- Cooperation with other GNSS
- All other required activities to ensure the development and smooth running of the system
“With Galileo, we aim to provide a tangible service to European citizens, and this Delegation Agreement ensures we have the tools and funding necessary to achieve this,” said GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides.
The Galileo exploitation phase will be progressively rolled out starting in 2014-2015, with full operability scheduled for 2020.
The agreement was signed between Daniel Calleja Crespo, director-general of the Enterprise and Industry Directorate-General at the European Commission and Carlo des Dorides, executive director of the GSA. The agreement specifically sets the actions to be implemented, the amount of funding provided, and the conditions for the overall management.
The implementation period of the agreement runs until 2021, with a comprehensive review of its functioning by the end of 2016. The maximum current EU contribution amounts to EUR 490 million, which will cover procurement and grant activities, including the GSA-ESA working arrangements and a programme management reserve, along with related research and development activities. The financing of the full exploitation phase will be confirmed during a mid-term review before the end of 2016.
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Juniper’s New Rugged Handheld Designed for Data-Collecting Efficiency
The Allegro 2 by Juniper Systems. Photo: Juniper Systems Juniper Systems announced its newest rugged handheld computer, the Allegro 2, at the InterGeo 2014 trade show, held September 7-9 in Berlin. The handheld is the latest in the company’s Allegro product line, “with every bit of reliability,” the company says, but now with some major advancements.
According to Juniper Systems, the Allegro 2 was designed for data-intensive applications, with meticulous attention paid to the engineering and design of the handheld to maximize efficiency and precision, both of which are critically important to high-volume data collection.
Compared to the Allegro 1, the Allegro 2 has a newly designed keyboard in a QWERTY and numeric layout, with large, glove-friendly buttons for rapid — even non-visual — data entry. The new handheld features a custom Sun-to-Shade display that is 20 percent larger than the previous Allegro. It offers excellent visibility in any lighting conditions, the company said.
The Allegro 2 is powered by an Overtime Technology battery, providing a 20+ hours of runtime. Its touchscreen uses capacitive technology, providing excellent durability, as well as crystal-clear imagery and greater sensitivity to touch, Juniper Systems said. The Allegro 2 has significantly enhanced GNSS performance, extended Bluetooth range, camera and video options, and a more powerful processor than the Allegro 1.
“The Allegro 2 is our next-generation product, and it includes all of the latest enhancements available in its sister product, the Archer 2,” said John Florio, product manager at Juniper Systems. “The Allegro 2 was built from the ground up, based on user feedback on the jobs they have to do. Whether the customer is grading lumber in a log scaling yard, running a robotic total station, or performing a close-interval pipeline survey, the Allegro 2 is the best solution for the field today.”
The Allegro 2 is scheduled to begin shipping in November.
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New Version of PPP-Wizard Demonstration Software Published
A new version of the open source PPP-Wizard user software has been published. The link to download the wizard is being provided on request, so the International GNSS Service (IGS) can keep track of interested users.
The PPP-Wizard is defined as a precise point positioning with integer and zero-difference ambiguity resolution demonstrator. Available for non-commercial purposes, it performs real-time PPP using corrections streams provided by the IGS Real Time Service. It features:
- GPS and GLONASS code and phase measurements (mono or dual frequency)
- Ambiguity resolution on GPS thanks to the new standardized phase biases messages (with the compatible CLK91 stream)
- Advanced RAIM
- SBAS iono for single-frequency receivers (u-blox and nvs receivers)
- Fast reconvergence using iono estimation
- Compatibility with rtklib and BNC (rtrover interface)
- Multiple receivers processing
- Preparation for augmented regional networks (tropo & iono interface)
- C/C++ portable and light implementation
The PPP-Wizard demonstrator is a “proof of concept” of the zero-difference ambiguity resolution method developed in the orbit determination service at CNES.
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Sokkia Announces Next-Generation Geodetic Reference Receiver
The Sokkia GNR5 geodetic receiver. Photo: Sokkia Sokkia announces the latest addition to its line of geodetic GNSS reference receivers — the GNR5. Making use of 452 channels optimized to track the full GNSS spectrum, the GNR5 is designed to assign any visible signal to any available receiver channel.
“The GNR5 is a comprehensive connectivity solution,” said Charles Rihner, vice president of the GeoPositioning Group. “Whether using the built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi wireless communication options, or standard Ethernet, serial and USB connections — the system provides a powerfully integrated reference station that is capable of tracking the GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou, QZSS and SBAS constellations.”
Additional features include high-precision code and carrier phase measurements up to 100 Hz, Power over Ethernet (PoE), and advanced receiver management features.
The new receiver is on display at InterGeo 2014, being held this week in Berlin.
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Altus, Entegra Combine to Provide Tough Tablet with RTK Positioning
The APS-GeoPod. Photo: Altus Positioning Systems Altus Positioning Systems, a Septentrio company, has integrated its APS-GeoPod product with Entegra Technologies’ Crossfire Pro Tablet. This collaboration, targeting the oil and gas, survey, GIS and transportation industries, provides a high-performance tablet-based solution for enabling ultra-precision RTK of sub-meter or centimeter accuracy.
Altus is showcasing the APS-GeoPod and Crossfire Pro tablet, along with the full range of Altus products, at booth A1.060 and outside Booth FG.006 at InterGeo 2014 being held this week in Berlin, Germany.
According to Altus CEO Neil Vancans, the Altus APS-GeoPod and the Entegra Crossfire Pro Tablet provide a combination of precision, performance and features that make it ideal for energy services, land surveys and other GIS-related applications.
APS-GeoPod is a compact GPS/GLONASS RTK and DGNSS receiver that adds high-precision RTK positioning to USB-compatible tablet PCs. “This unique product gives users the convenience of adding RTK precision to any on-board application on mobile devices geared to the field service professional,” Vancans said.
The Entegra Crossfire Pro tablet. Photo: Altus Positioning Systems APS-GeoPod features include:
- Compact dual-frequency GNSS module
- Low power consumption (<1 Watt)
- USB 2.0 interface
- Internal L1 GPS/GLONASS antenna
- NMEA integration with GIS software
The Crossfire Pro tablet features the multi-touch interface and communication capabilities of smartphones, the large display and ergonomics of consumer tablets, and the daylight-readable screen and durability of rugged tablets. Safety features include UL 1604 Class I/Division II certification for operation in hazardous locations. To users, Crossfire Pro delivers a customizable tablet for exacting daily activities, resulting in greater efficiencies, response times, productivity and customer service levels, the companies said.
Crossfire Pro tablet features include:
- ADAPTIVE PERFORMANCE — Powerful, latest-generation processors, wireless communications, connectivity, and outdoor-viewable displays
- ADAPTIVE EXPANSION — Standard and custom expansion modules — tailored to suit your workflow
- ADAPTIVE CONNECTIVITY — Flexible user interactivity, including multi-touch displays (finger, glove and stylus), configurable I/O ports, clamshell keyboard and smart docking stations
- ADAPTIVE RUGGEDIZATION — Variations in ruggedness to stand up to drop, shock, moisture, dust, temperature, and more.
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Antcom Discusses Unmanned Systems, Geodetic Survey Antennas at InterGeo
Robert Dumont of Antcom Corporation discusses the company’s unmanned systems antennas and geodetic survey antennas while at the InterGeo Conference and Trade Fair held October 7-9 in Berlin.
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Topcon Announces Geodetic Reference Receiver and Antenna
Topcon’s NET-G5 receiver and CR-G5-C antenna. Photo: Topcon Topcon Positioning Group announces the next generation of its geodetic GNSS reference receivers and antennas — the NET-G5 receiver and CR-G5-C antenna.
The announcement was made at InterGeo 2014, being held this week in Berlin.
Using Vanguard and Universal Tracking technologies, the NET-G5 receiver incorporates 452 channels capable of tracking the full GNSS signal spectrum, including modernized GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou, QZSS and SBAS signals. Universal Tracking has the advantage and capability to assign any visible GNSS signal to any available receiver channel.
The NET-G5 receiver is designed to work as a complete system connectivity solution, with built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, for flexible wireless communications or via standard Ethernet, serial and USB connections. Other features include: High-precision code and carrier phase measurements up to 100 Hz; Power over Ethernet (PoE) and an all new Topcon receiver web interface with advanced receiver management features.
“Comprehensive communication support, advanced web-server capability, and extended operating times are among the new features supported on the NET-G5. Coupled with the CR-G5-C antenna, the new systems provides a powerful, interference protected network solution,” said Charles Rihner, vice president of the Topcon GeoPositioning Group.
“Whether you are installing an all-new GNSS network infrastructure, expanding or upgrading an existing network, looking for a premium campaign receiver or stand-alone RTK base station, the high-performance NET-G5 is designed to provide the most advanced reference station solution available in the market,” Rihner said.
The CR-G5-C is a full-wave geodetic choke-ring antenna designed to address evolving requirements for reference networks and infrastructure monitoring applications. “The CR-G5 antenna has excellent vertical phase center stability over the entire GNSS frequency band, providing superior performance in tracking low elevation satellite signals,” Rihner said. “This new model employs cavity filter technology to more aggressively combat radio frequency interference in difficult environments.”
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Spectra Precision Launches Central Cloud Service, New Software Versions
Spectra Precision introduced a new cloud computing service for Spectra Precsion applications. The company also announced new road modules for version 5.5 of its Survey Pro software and for Spectra Precision Survey Office.
The announcements were made at InterGeo 2014, being held this week in Berlin.
Spectra Precision Central is a new cloud computing service. Photo: Spectra Precision Spectra Precision Central. A dedicated cloud computing service for Spectra Precision survey applications, Spectra Precision Central offers survey teams in the field and office the ability to rapidly exchange survey and project data with team members when and where it is needed.
“Spectra Precision Central is a straightforward and uncomplicated solution that offers significantly improved data management efficiency for virtually any size land survey firm,” said Olivier Casabianca, Spectra Precision business area director. “Field crews can store project data to a Central account in the cloud using a data collector with Survey Pro, a connected computer or most smartphones and have the data immediately available to other work groups in the field or office. All data is synchronized for either online or offline use by any connected office computer and data collector.”
As part of the Spectra Precision Central service, users can download Survey Pro Central, a free smartphone app, which enables iOS and Android devices to connect directly to the Spectra Precision Central system. Survey Pro Central provides another easy way to access documents, upload and download files, and manage survey data. Survey Pro Central also supports a coordinate viewer, a raw data viewer, and a map display that can also use Google maps. Whatever sensor is being used, a total station or GNSS receiver, the Spectra Precision Central system provides the hub to permit crews to transfer and share data through their Central cloud account.
A one-year Spectra Precision Central license is included with the purchase of any model Spectra Precision data collector with Survey Pro. Each Central account can have as many users and logins as the business requires. Maintaining the Survey Pro extended warranty annually automatically renews the license. Data in the account is always available, even if the subscription expires, by simply synchronizing the data in the Central cloud to the office computer.
Survey Pro Version 5.5. Spectra Precision Survey Pro version 5.5 now includes a new road module and integration with Spectra Precision Central. Survey Pro version 5.5 is the latest release in 20 years of continuous development.
Survey Pro version 5.5 is fully integrated with the new Spectra Precision Central cloud system. Files can be automatically or manually synchronized to the cloud which then synchronizes data back to the office or smart phones. This new feature provides access to a user’s data whenever they need it and provides an off-site backup service for valuable data.
The new road module is used for importing, managing, and staking roads. The module directly supports the data from the new version of Spectra Precision Survey Office. Now roads can be designed in Survey Office, exported to Survey Pro on the data collector, and staked in the field providing a complete system. The new system includes a number of improved and enhanced features as well as new graphic and data views.
Other features include a new GNSS interface to improve workflows, a new multi-point backsight setup routine, and many other enhancements.
The new version will be available for all customers who are current with a maintenance plan. Customers who are not current can purchase a new maintenance plan to get the latest updates including a Spectra Precision Central account.
Spectra Precision Survey Office. Spectra Precision Survey Office (SPSO) now includes support for advanced roading that allows for allows for the creation, import, export and edit of corridors and roads.
The new roading module allows users to create cross-sections, create points at intervals, add in material layers and the ability to create and edit templates. This allows for the integration of Survey Pro field software and SPSO office software for a complete solution.
In addition to roading, the SPSO software now includes traverse adjustment, importing of Esri Shapefiles, additional geoid modules, smooth curve feature code and import and export functionality for FAST survey job files.
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New Trimble Products Focus on Geospatial Imagery
Trimble introduced several new products at InterGeo 2014, being held this week in Berlin, with a focus on incorporating data from photographs and imagery into geospatial databases.
Trimble also offered an expanded GNSS portfolio for surveyors that includes the Trimble NetR9 Geospatial receiver; the Trimble Geo7X with Trimble Access field software onboard; and enhanced Trimble xFill functionality that provides continuous RTK level accuracy when paired with a Trimble CenterPoint RTX subscription. The new additions offer surveyors more flexibility in the field to meet a variety of work requirements. Learn more here.
Photo: Trimble Inpho version 6.0. Trimble announced a new version of its photogrammetric software suite, which provides highly automated workflows for photogrammetry and remote sensing professionals so they can process thousands of airborne images with high precision. Inpho version 6.0 increases efficiency by reducing project turnaround times and improves the quality of deliverables via new automated and interactive tools and satellite triangulation functionality.
A new satellite triangulation function in Inpho version 6.0 allows professionals to quickly generate deliverables from satellite imagery data and expand their capabilities, addressing the needs of industries such as environmental, forestry, agriculture and land management. Automatic tie point extraction and bundle block adjustment provides improved orientation of satellite images. The highly automated process results in a significant reduction in office processing time so projects can be delivered with quality precision in a shorter turnaround time.
Photo: Trimble eCognition Essentials. eCognition Essentials is a new software solution for geospatial and remote sensing professionals performing land-cover mapping tasks using satellite imagery. eCognition Essentials offers an intuitive image analysis solution that allows users of all levels to quickly produce high-quality, Geographic Information System (GIS)-ready deliverables.
Leveraging core eCognition software technology, eCognition Essentials is easy to use with its simplified and intuitive interface. eCognition Essentials reduces analysis error as it applies predefined and structured rules to analyze and transform imagery data into relevant geospatial information. The new automated image analysis functions — such as image segmentation or sample-based classification — combined with a set of interactive tools for quality control offer users a streamlined workflow for quicker project turnaround times.
Trident version 7.0 is a new version of the mobile data analysis software designed to efficiently manage, interpret and extract features from digital images and point cloud data collected via land mobile systems. Enhancements in the new version significantly reduce the time required for geospatial professionals to transform land mobile sensor data into relevant geospatial information used in civil engineering, transportation and GIS mapping. In these applications, Trimble Trident can be used for surface modeling, roadway sign and pole detection, lane marking detection, edge and breakline detection, road geometry and clearance measurements.
Trident version 7.0 offers increased automation functionality to deliver results more quickly. Updated feature extraction tools within the software provide greater reliability and minimize manual editing and verification. Trident version 7.0 breakline detection routines now include a cross-sectional workflow for rapid and progressive development of supervised roadway breakline models.
Photo: Trimble Trimble V10 Imaging Rover. The Trimble V10 is an integrated camera system that precisely captures 360-degree digital panoramic images for visual documentation and measurement of the surrounding environment. Enhancements include additional integration options and high-dynamic range (HDR) imagery. The Trimble V10 offers an accessible and efficient means of visually documenting site conditions to perform measurements in the office, produce more powerful deliverables and speed up decision making for managers on or off the site.
In addition to the R10 GNSS receiver, the Trimble V10 Imaging Rover now seamlessly integrates with Trimble’s R-Series GNSS receivers — the Trimble R8, R6 and R4 — and TSC3 controller. Through this seamless integration, geospatial professionals can easily capture high-quality, geo-referenced panoramic images to document the surroundings. Now more Trimble customers can take advantage of the Trimble V10’s powerful capabilities. In addition, a new two-piece power rod option enables easy transportation of the Trimble V10.
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Galileo FOC Anomaly Traced to Design Ambiguity, Says Inquiry Board
The root cause of the anomaly that sent two Galileo satellites into the wrong orbit is a shortcoming in the system thermal analysis performed during stage design, and not an operator error during stage assembly, according to findings by an independent inquiry board.
The Independent Inquiry Board was formed to analyze the causes of the anomaly occurring during the orbital injection of satellites in the Galileo constellation by a Soyuz rocket launched from the Guiana Space Center on August 22. The board announced its definitive conclusions on Tuesday following a meeting at Arianespace headquarters in Evry, near Paris.
The board was created on August 25 by Arianespace, in conjunction with the European Space Agency and the European Commission. It is chaired by Peter Dubock, former inspector-general of ESA. Its conclusions draw on data supplied by Russian partners in the program, and are consistent with the final conclusions of the inquiry board appointed by the Russian space agency Roscosmos.
The anomaly occurred during the flight of the launcher’s fourth stage, Fregat, designed and produced by NPO Lavochkin. It occurred about 35 minutes after liftoff, at the beginning of the ballistic phase preceding the second ignition of this stage.
The board’s conclusions confirm that the first part of the mission proceeded nominally, which means that the three-stage Soyuz launcher was not at fault. The Inquiry Board also eliminated the hypothesis that the anomaly could have been caused by the abnormal behavior of the Galileo satellites.
The scenario that led to an anomaly in the orbital injection of the satellites was precisely reconstructed, as follows:
- The orbital error resulted from an error in the thrust orientation of the main engine on the Fregat stage during its second powered phase.
- This orientation error was the result of the loss of inertial reference for the stage.
- This loss occurred when the stage’s inertial system operated outside its authorized operating envelope, an excursion that was caused by the failure of two of Fregat’s attitude control thrusters during the preceding ballistic phase.
- This failure was due to a temporary interruption of the joint hydrazine propellant supply to these thrusters. The interruption in the flow was caused by freezing of the hydrazine.
- The freezing resulted from the proximity of hydrazine and cold helium feed lines, these lines being connected by the same support structure, which acted as a thermal bridge.
- Ambiguities in the design documents allowed the installation of this type of thermal “bridge” between the two lines. In fact, such bridges have also been seen on other Fregat stages now under production at NPO Lavochkin.
- The design ambiguity is the result of not taking into account the relevant thermal transfers during the thermal analyses of the stage system design.
The system thermal analyses have been reexamined in depth to identify all areas concerned by this issue. Given this identified and perfectly understood design fault, the board has chosen the following corrective actions for the return to flight.
- Revamp of the system thermal analysis.
- Associated corrections in the design documents.
- Modification of the documents for the manufacture, assembly, integration and inspection procedures of the supply lines.
Arianespace said these measures can easily and immediately be applied by NPO Lavochkin to the stages already produced, meaning that the Soyuz launcher could be available for its next mission from the Guiana Space Center as from December 2014.
Beyond theses corrective actions, sufficient for return to flight, NPO Lavotchkin will provide Arianespace with all useful information regarding Fregat’s design robustness, which is proven by 45 successful consecutive missions before this anomaly.
Following the announcement of the Independent Inquiry Board’s conclusions, Stéphane Israël, chairman and CEO of Arianespace, said: “I would first like to thank Peter Dubock, who chaired the board. Their work, with the support of Russian partners, enabled the rapid identification of the root cause of the anomaly and the corrective measures to be applied. Since the corrective measures are easy to deploy by NPO Lavochkin, we are looking at the resumption of Soyuz launches from the Guiana Space Center, as early as December 2014. The resolution of this anomaly will enable a consolidation of the reliability of Fregat, which had experienced 45 consecutive successes until this mission.”
