GPS World

Author: GPS World Staff

  • Trimble Field Link Software for Construction Gets New Version

    Trimble is offering Field Link 2.20, the latest version of its software for management of layout tasks associated with building construction. The new release extends field layout capabilities for contractors and field teams, providing task-based workflows, customizable views, and a touch-screen user interface designed to optimize the information presented.

    To find the exact location of a point in the field, users can now visualize where they are inside the 3D model relative to the layout point in their Trimble Field Link software, giving a more intuitive, realistic 3D perspective viewpoint and making it easier to navigate to the selected point.

    Trimble Field Link Version 2.20 encompasses updates to Trimble Field Link for MEP and Trimble Field Link for Structures field software, which now include augmented 3D model support, and an enhanced in-model perspective layout view for a more productive and realistic field layout experience. Trimble Field Link also provides users with better visualization, navigation and rendering of building models, as well as the capability to import much larger, more sophisticated models.

    In addition to the advancements made in performing layout-specific tasks, Trimble Field Link adds reporting routines to detail layout productivity, and the ability to document existing site conditions for information requests (RFIs).

    Bentley Systems. Trimble also announced its collaboration with Bentley Systems to enhance information mobility between the design and field construction processes. This collaboration enables users to share their 3D constructible models between design and engineering applications and Trimble Field Link 2.20 via Bentley’s mobile i-model technology. A Bentley CONNECTIONS Passport, which entitles use of Bentley’s mobile apps and mobile i-models, is provided with Trimble Field Link.

    Bentley i-models are containers for the open exchange of infrastructure information that enable project team members to share and interact with complex project data and across product lines and technology platforms. Using i-models, project teams can exchange and distribute packages of information within multi-organizational, multi-disciplinary, and multi-phase construction projects to continue uninterrupted workflows, and to easily adapt to real-time project changes.

    “By joining forces with Bentley, Trimble is giving contractors and other building construction professionals greater choice, accuracy and flexibility in performing their field layout tasks,” said Mark Sawyer, general manager of the General Contractor / Construction Manager Division of Trimble Buildings Group. “Our companies share complementary visions of boosting productivity in all facets of construction projects, and we’re pleased to connect our advanced technologies to deliver greater benefits to the industry.”

  • Travel Oracle App Aimed at Business Traveler Safety

    HX Global’s new Travel Oracle mobile app provides an instant lifeline for business travelers and expatriate employees as well as access to critical information and support, before and during their travels, the company said.  Key features include an instantly accessible Mayday call, automated personal tracking, online storage of all travel documents, instant news reports of unrest pushed to impacted travelers, e-learning travel security certification and destination profiles.

    “Duty of Care requires that measures be taken to protect employees and Travel Oracle accomplishes that,” said Gregory Cain, president of HX Global. “Emergencies can strike at any time. On average, we airlift six medical emergency cases every day and respond to more than 450,000 assistance calls every year. The Travel Oracle app provides a safety net for employees and employers to provide protection for security issues and medical emergencies.”

    “Traveler tracking systems have provided travelers and corporations with peace of mind over the years, but they have significant limitations,” said Dave Sarafinas, managing director and senior vice president of HX Global.  “Travel Oracle overcomes those limitations by making traveler tracking personal and proactive.  This new tool helps corporations provide end-to-end travel security.”

    Travel Oracle leverages eLearning, live personal tracking and situational awareness to drive traveler empowerment. Combined with HX Global’s global capabilities and resources in the event of an emergency, a Travel Oracle traveler will be safer, and employers have the confidence that they have exceeded duty of care responsibilities.  Key features include:

    • Emergency Call Function – calls are instantly sent to a 24/7 Command Center
    • Mayday Alert-Personal Tracking – alerts nominated contacts of traveler whereabouts via email, takes situational photographs, sends an audio recording and current GPS location, if pre-authorized
    • Online Personal Profile & Documents – online storage of travel documents and photographs
    • News Alerts and Live Support – global incident monitoring service with real-time country alerts sent directly to employee mobile devices.  Access to 24/7 Emergency Assistance Helpdesk
    • e-Learning – travel safety courses, including certification upon successful completion
    • Country Profiles – comprehensive country briefings on over 200 countries including country risks and cultural differences

     

  • Rohde & Schwarz Joins M2M Alliance

    On April 1, Rohde & Schwarz joined the M2M Alliance, the largest association for the machine-to-machine sector.

    “The advanced networking between people and machines and among machines themselves is completely changing our lives. It is opening up entirely new fields of application for our wireless test solutions,” said Jörg Köpp, who is responsible for the M2M/NFC market segment at Rohde & Schwarz. “With our commitment to the M2M Alliance, we want to promote this future-oriented technology worldwide.”

    “We are very pleased to welcome Rohde & Schwarz to the M2M Alliance and gain a wireless specialist that has stood for quality and innovation in wireless communications technology for 80 years,” said Eric Schneider, first chairman of the M2M Alliance. “The company’s wireless test solution expertise and comprehensive portfolio make it an asset to the entire M2M industry.”

    The reliability and security of mobile and wireless technologies are crucial to the success and acceptance of M2M applications. There are many industries where wireless applications have not previously played a role, but now even household appliance manufacturers, for example, are facing the challenge of integrating wireless components into their products. They need to verify that these components function correctly and obtain any necessary certification.

    Rohde & Schwarz supports these users by providing T&M equipment for almost all mobile, wireless and positioning technologies, from LTE/LTE-Advanced, UMTS/HSPA(+), CDMA2000, Bluetooth and WLAN wireless Internet access to GPS/Galileo. Rohde & Schwarz also offers specific test solutions for eCall and vehicle-to-vehicle communications. Solutions for secure M2M communications and monitoring of associated networks round out the portfolio.

  • GPSTrackIt Monitors Fleet Health With Vehicle Diagnostics

    GPSTrackIt now offers Vehicle Diagnostics through its Fleet Manager dashboard to give fleet operators information about a fleet’s health in real time. The information is the same as that used by professional mechanics to identify why a check engine light is on.

    Since 1996, vehicles sold in the United States have been equipped with an On Board Diagnostics (OBDII) port. Mechanics plug a handheld computer into the port to read the codes produced by the on-board computer. GPSTrackIt offers two ways to gain the benefits of vehicle diagnostics — with its new CP3000V plug-and-play device or the L2000V adapter cable.

    The vehicle diagnostic codes received are used to determine the health of the various systems (ABS, Airbags, etc.) throughout the entire vehicle. In addition to the engine codes themselves, the system reports on a variety of indicators and parameters related to the codes.

    “A key feature is that this engine diagnostic data can be used to trigger SMS text or email alerts,” said Eddie Bermudez, GPSTrackIt’s Product Development Manager. “These alerts would be sent to designated personnel. Being able to identify problems early helps reduce and often times eliminate costly repairs.”

  • GPS IIF-6 Launch Tracked by GPS, Not Radar

    Friday’s launch of a Delta 4 rocket carrying the latest GPS satellite was tracked via GPS itself instead of by radar, reports Spaceflight Now in an article.

    United Launch Alliance’s Atlas and Delta rockets are transitioning to GPS metric tracking for range safety functions, which protect the public and property should a launch vehicle veer off course. The move is a money-saving upgrade to the military’s aging range infrastructure.

    A special avionics system on the launcher transmitted the location. For decades, most rockets launching from Cape Canaveral, Florida, and Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, have been tracked by C-band radar.

  • Public Safety Organizations Support FCC Rule to Help Find Wireless 911 Callers

    Many of the nation’s leading public safety and public health organizations submitted comments this week in support of a proposed Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rule to help emergency responders more quickly and accurately find 911 callers using wireless phones from indoor locations.  More than 300 individuals and organizations filed during the initial comment period with the overwhelming majority supporting the FCC proposal.

    Among those supporting the rule were many of the largest and most respected organizations representing 911 professionals, police officers, fire fighters, EMS workers, public safety professionals, older Americans, heart attack and Alzheimer’s patients, and the deaf and hard of hearing.  They were joined by hundreds of individual 911 dispatchers and first responders who submitted personal comments through the FCC’s web site or in survey responses that were filed with the FCC.

    “The support for this rule across the public safety and public communities is truly breathtaking,” said Jamie Barnett, director of the Find Me 911 Coalition and former chief of the FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau. “These organizations are on the front lines of emergency response, and they know that lives are being lost every day because 911 professionals cannot quickly find indoor callers using wireless phones.  The urgency of this rulemaking is unquestionable, and we commend Chairman Wheeler and the other commissioners for their leadership by taking fast action on it.”

    According to the FCC’s estimates, at least 10,000 lives a year could be saved by improvements in response time through the FCC’s proposed rule. All of the comments submitted are online.

    Find Me 911 is an effort supported by more than 200,000 individuals, as well as national and local organizations. The individuals and organizations represent a broad range of 911 operators and first responders — emergency medical services personnel, fire fighters and police. Find Me 911 seeks to ensure that the FCC moves forward quickly to establish a reasonable, measurable level of location accuracy for emergency calls made indoors, enabling first responders to locate emergency calls from wireless phones from all locations rapidly and efficiently.

    Among the organizations filing joint or individual comments in support of the FCC’s proposed rule were:

    • Law Enforcement
    • International Association of Chiefs of Police
    • National Sheriffs’ Association
    • Fire Fighters
    • International Association of Fire Fighters
    • International Association of Fire Chiefs
    • Emergency Medical Professionals
    • National Association of State Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Officials
    • National Association of EMS Physicians
    • National Association of EMTs
    • National EMS Management Association
    • American College of Emergency Physicians
    • 9-1-1 Professionals
    • National Association of State 911 Administrators
    • National Emergency Number Association
    • Association of Public Safety Communications Officials
    • CALNENA
    • Texas 9-1-1 Alliance
    • Texas Commission on State Emergency Communications
    • [Texas] Municipal Emergency Communication Districts Association
    • San Francisco Department of Emergency Management
    • Nebraska Public Safety Commission
    • Older Americans
    • AARP
    • Alliance for Retired Americans
    • Public Health
    • Alzheimer’s Association
    • American Heart Association
    • Public Safety
    • National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners
    • National Public Safety Telecommunications Council
    • Deaf and Hard of Hearing
    • Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
    • National Association of the Deaf
    • Association of Late-Deafened Adults
    • Cerebral Palsy and Deaf Organization
    • California Coalition of Agencies Serving the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

    Deaf and Hard of Hearing Consumer Advocacy Network

    Technology Access Program, Gallaudet University

     

  • GPS IIF-6 Launched into Orbit Following Weather Delay

    GPS IIF-6 Launched into Orbit Following Weather Delay

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    The sixth GPS Block IIF satellite was successfully launched Friday at 8:03 p.m. local time. Built by Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems of El Segundo, California, GPS IIF-6 launched aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

    The launch was originally planned for Thursday evening, but bad weather led to a 24-hour hold. One hour remained in the countdown when the launch was scrubbed.

    Two more GPS IIF satellites are scheduled to launch before the end of the year.

    Below is a video of the launch.

    Here are launch highlights.

    This patch commemorates the launch of GPS IIF-6, nicknamed Rigel.
    This patch commemorates the launch of GPS IIF-6, nicknamed Rigel.

    GPS IIF-6 is nicknamed Rigel. All of the Block II-F satellites have been named after stars. Rigel is is the brightest star in the constellation Orion and the seventh brightest star in the night sky, with a visual magnitude of 0.12.

    In the patch commemorating the launch, Orion is depicted with an alligator head. This is in reference to the “Night Gators,” the part of the launch team that is responsible for moving payloads to the launch pad, which has typically occurred at night.

    A slideshow of photos from United Launch Alliance:

    A slideshow of images from Spaceflight Now.

    Innovation Editor Richard Langley helped compile this report.

  • Russian Proton-M Crashes, Loses Another Payload

    In 2013, Russia lost three GLONASS satellites when their launch aboard a Proton-M rocket went awry, sending the satellites crashing into the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan instead of aloft into space. Before that, in 2010, three other GLONASS satellites ended up in the Pacific Ocean aboard a Proton-M rocket.

    This week, on  May 15, another Proton-M satellite crashed, this time with the Ekspress-AM4R telecommunications satellite aboard.

    Launch of the Proton-M rocket took place from Launch Pad 39 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome at 21:42 GMT. However, an unspecified failure was noted during third stage flight. The rocket and satellite are lost, according to a NASA Spaceflight article.

  • CGSIC Issues Notice on Problem with Certain GPS Devices

    Flawed processing of GPS satellite data in some GPS receiver chipsets has caused concern, but the problem is not with the GPS constellation itself. “SVN 64 broadcasts a data message that clearly indicates SVN 64 is unusable for navigation. Nevertheless, the U.S. government has confirmed that certain GPS receivers are using data from SVN 64, in violation of GPS interface specifications, resulting in outages or corrupted, inaccurate position calculations,” Executive Secretariat Rick Hamilton, Civil GPS Service Interface Committee (CGSIC), said in a May 15 message.

    Read the full text of the message below.

    Known Problem with Certain GPS Devices

    May 15, 2014

    Recently, many GPS users have reported intermittent GPS outages in their devices.  After investigating, the U.S. government has linked the problem to flawed processing of GPS satellite data within certain GPS receiver chipsets.  The GPS satellite service continues to function as designed and is fully operational and available worldwide.

    The problem affects only user equipment that erroneously ignores the satellite health status information broadcast from every GPS satellite.  The problem is not related to the April 28, 2014, activation of civil navigation messages on the GPS L2C and L5 signals.

    Since March 15, 2014, the Air Force has been conducting functional checkout on a GPS satellite, designated Space Vehicle Number (SVN) 64. SVN 64 broadcasts a data message that clearly indicates SVN 64 is unusable for navigation. Nevertheless, the U.S. government has confirmed that certain GPS receivers are using data from SVN 64, in violation of GPS interface specifications, resulting in outages or corrupted, inaccurate position calculations.

    The Air Force testing is scheduled to end in mid-May 2014 at which time SVN 64 will begin normal operation.  At that point, these problems may stop occurring. Meanwhile, the U.S. government urges all GPS device makers to review their products for compliance with the GPS interface specifications, and if necessary, to issue software/firmware updates to users as soon as possible. View specifications.

    Users experiencing GPS outages should check with their device manufacturers for available software/firmware updates.  In addition, any civil user seeing unusual behavior in GPS user equipment should report it to the U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center (NAVCEN).  Aviation users should file reports consistent with FAA-approved procedures. Military users seeing unusual behavior should report it the GPS Operations Center (GPSOC).

    Please direct any civil user questions to NAVCEN at (703) 313-5900,
    http://www.navcen.uscg.gov
    Please direct any military user questions to the GPSOC at (719)
    567-2541, DSN: 560-2541,
    [email protected]  https://gps.afspc.af.mil
    Military alternate: Joint Space Operations Center, (805) 606-3514,
    DSN: 276-3514, [email protected]

    See also: Technical explanation for device makers (PDF)

    V/R
    Rick Hamilton
    CGSIC Executive Secretariat
    GPS Information Analysis Team Lead
    USCG Navigation Center
    703-313-5930

  • NovAtel Launches OEM617D Single-Card GNSS Receiver with RTK

    NovAtel Launches OEM617D Single-Card GNSS Receiver with RTK

    NovAtel's OEM617D receiver.
    NovAtel’s OEM617D receiver.

    NovAtel Inc. has released the OEM617D receiver, a compact, dual-antenna, dual-frequency, single-card receiver with NovAtel’s ALIGN heading functionality and RT-2 Real Time Kinematic (RTK) GNSS positioning technology, in dynamic and static environments.

    NovAtel made the announcement at AUVSI’s Unmanned Systems 2014, being held this week in Orlando, Florida.

    The OEM617D offers complete dual-frequency operation with GPS, GLONASS, and BeiDou signals maximizing GNSS availability globally. It also tracks Galileo, SBAS, and QZSS. It is designed for rotary-wing aircraft, marine, autonomous ground vehicle, and other applications requiring precise position and heading accuracy.

    NovAtel’s advanced firmware and correction capabilities enhance the positioning performance of the OEM617D receiver, the company said. Firmware is field upgradable and scalable, depending on application needs. In addition to RTK centimeter-level real-time positioning, and ALIGN precise heading and relative positioning, the OEM617D offers GLIDE for decimeter-level pass-to-pass accuracy and RAIM for increased GNSS pseudorange integrity.

    “We continually listen to our customers to ensure we develop new innovations that address their performance requirements and ensure their competitive success in the marketplace,” said Cameron Henderson, NovAtel’s product manager, Core Cards. “With the release of OEM617D, we’ve delivered robust and accurate positioning on our smallest form factor, making it a great solution for the unmanned market.”

  • FlexPak-S GNSS Enclosure Delivers SAASM Positioning for Defense

    FlexPak-S GNSS Enclosure Delivers SAASM Positioning for Defense

    NovAtel's FlexPak-S GNSS SAASM enclosure.
    NovAtel’s FlexPak-S GNSS SAASM enclosure.

    NovAtel has launched the FlexPak-S GNSS SAASM enclosure. The FlexPak-S contains a NovAtel dual-frequency OEM625S receiver card integrated with L-3’s XFACTOR Selective Availability Anti Spoofing Module (SAASM) onboard. The FlexPak-S is security-approved by the GPS Directorate for operational use.

    NovAtel made the announcement at AUVSI’s Unmanned Systems 2014, being held this week in Orlando, Florida.

    When keyed by authorized defense integrators, the FlexPak-S provides centimeter-level Real Time Kinematic (RTK) Precise Positioning Service (PPS) solution by taking the raw measurements from the XFACTOR SAASM and applying them to NovAtel’s Advanced RTK algorithms. The FlexPak-S can be handled as unclassified when keyed.

    In the Standard Positioning Service (SPS) fallback mode, the FlexPak-S continues to provide centimeter-level accuracy by utilizing NovAtel’s dual-frequency civil GNSS positioning engine. FlexPak-S’ fallback mode is configurable for GPS or GPS+GLONASS. Adding GLONASS tracking increases position performance in obstructed sky conditions, which is a benefit for unmanned ground vehicles.

    FlexPak-S was developed for size-constrained environments, so it’s compact and lightweight, NovAtel said. Despite its size, the rugged GNSS enclosure has been engineered to ensure reliability, even in harsh environments. The IP67 housing is water-resistant and operates in a wide temperature range. FlexPak-S also allows for easy integration with standardized hardware connections and NovAtel’s comprehensive set of software commands. The SAASM position is provided via a dedicated communication port, as well as through NovAtel’s software command protocol, allowing for maximum flexibility. FlexPak-S uses the same form factor as the FlexPak6 design.

    “FlexPak-S is a great option for customers looking for a reliable solution in environments where size is critical, like UAV and robotics applications,” said Shane McEwen, product manager for NovAtel Enclosures. “With standard software and hardware connections, integration is simplified so there is a quicker time to market.”

    The FlexPak-S is available to order immediately.

     

  • Disruption in Australia Traced to User Equipment

    User equipment incorrectly interpreting data from a satellite set “unhealthy” led to an apparent constellation outage for roughly 1,000 fleet vehicles across Australia in April. The problem was traced to the way a GPS/telecomm chip reacted to an extended navigation test aboard SVN-49, having to do with the recently launched IIF satellite, SVN-64.

    Although SVN-49 was set unhealthy at the time, the integrator-equipped fleet vehicles across the continent experienced periods of several hours without satellite visibility, in unobscured environments.

    The U.S. Air Force GPS Operations Center reported that in mid-May tests, “PRN 30 [was] broadcasting almanac datasets that do not reflect constellation changes that occurred since it was last uploaded with navigation message data.  [. . . ] The utilization of these almanacs in a manner that regards the time of week, but neglects or mishandles the week number (effectively executing as if the current week number is the week number associated with these almanac parameters), will result in an increasing error in visibility determination and other almanac based estimations (elevation/azimuth, Doppler shift, SV clock offset from GPS time, etc) as the dataset’s actual week offset from the current week increases.”

    The situation occurred once previously,  in 2011 with Mercedes in Europe. The problem was traced to chips from the same manufacturer, installed by the car-maker’s integrator partner, also misinterpreting data from a satellite set unhealthy while broadcasting system test data.