GPS World

Author: GPS World Staff

  • Esri and PCI Geomatics Announce Imagery Grant Program to Support Natural Resources Management

    Esri, PCI Geomatics, MDA, and RapidEye announced their new Natural Resources Imagery Grant Program. The grant program will provide software, data, and training for detecting and analyzing land-cover change through the combined use of geographic information system (GIS), image processing, and remote-sensing technologies.

    According to the announcement, the program is designed to foster innovative approaches that solve natural resources management problems, the Natural Resources Imagery Grant Program will provide 20 grants valued at $100,000 each. The grant includes the following:

    • Esri GIS software and training
    • PCI Geomatics imagery processing and analysis software and training
    • MDA RADARSAT-2 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery
    • RapidEye 5-meter multispectral imagery

    “GIS and image processing are mission-critical technologies in natural resources management,” said Jack Dangermond, president, Esri. “This grant opportunity will help organizations expand their existing imagery or GIS infrastructure and more efficiently support sustainable land-use management.”

    Companies, educational institutions, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), state and regional governments, or tribal governments within the United States may apply. Eligible projects are those that focus on remotely sensed imagery beyond the visible spectrum. Preferred projects will also demonstrate increased efficiency, productivity, or accuracy.

    “Technology leaders and innovators should be presented with opportunities to advance their resources projects,” said Terry Maloney, president and CEO, PCI Geomatics. “This imagery grant program will bring solutions to the natural resources industries through inventive and operational use of satellite imagery.”

    Applications for the Natural Resources Imagery Grant Program will be accepted beginning in September 2012 and ending November 16, 2012. Learn more at esri.com/imagerygrant.

     

  • Topcon Releases High-Accuracy RTK system, HiPer SR

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    Topcon Positioning Systems has unveiled the HiPer SR — an advanced GNSS RTK receiver that Topcon describes as having “the most compact and lightweight design of any fully integrated precision receiver — ever.”

    With the HiPer SR, Topcon is expanding the delivery of high-accuracy RTK technology to a variety of users — surveyors who need a tool for small boundary or stakeout work, non-traditional users such as landscape architects who need a low-cost mapping solution, and law enforcement or any others requiring high-accuracy 3D positioning.

    Cable-free and weighing under 2 pounds, the rugged and fully integrated design delivers a 1,000-foot working radius through Topcon’s new LongLink technology. The LongLink wireless data link was developed specifically for the HiPer SR, and provides reliable and interference-free RTK base-to-rover communications that don’t require an FCC license to operate, Topcon said. Base and rover units can be used interchangeably.

    The HiPer SR can also be a dedicated network rover. All standard RTK correction formats and network protocols are supported, and a comprehensive range of field workflows are realized with the Magnet family of cloud-enabled software solutions.

    The HiPer SR’s 226-channel Vanguard GNSS chip provides precision measurement and advanced multipath rejection, offers support for all modernized GNSS constellations, and incorporates Topcon’s patented Universal Tracking Channel technology whereby any channel can track any available signal, reducing power consumption and system weight. As more GNSS signals come online, this flexibility enables the 226-channel Vanguard design to scale up and track more signals than other GNSS systems.

    Additional features of the HiPer SR include:

    • Quartz Lock Loop technology. Designed by Topcon engineers for superior GNSS tracking in high-vibration environments, such as on a four wheeler;
    • Capable of simultaneous LongLink operation with multiple rovers;
    • Sealed battery pack provides more than 15 hours of operation;
    • Lightweight and shock-resistant magnesium alloy housing, allowing the HiPer SR to take a 6 ft. (2m) pole drop onto concrete

  • TomTom Business Solutions Debuts Software Alliance Program

    TomTom Business Solutions has launched the TomTom Software Alliance Program, a software integration, marketing, and sales program that delivers additional value to commercial fleets by integrating core TomTom fleet management technology with industry leading software, the company said. TomTom already has more than 100 industry leading software partners from the office automation, CRM, ERP, and Field Service Automation sectors as well as specialized industry software for towing, service, and transportation fleets.

    TomTom’s Software Alliance Program provides easy access to TomTom Business Solutions’ set of APIs, enabling the development of integrated “over-the-road” vehicle and driver management capabilities, the company said. Leveraging these APIs and the company’s industry-leading map data, IQ routes, and HD traffic, TomTom and its partners can rapidly deploy a host of solutions including: quickest ETA vehicle assignment, real-time ETA calculations, two-way communications for dispatching and work-order flow, integrated turn-by-turn navigation, real-time GPS tracking, and driver safety features.

    “Our fleet customers are already realizing a high degree of value from TomTom’s fleet management solutions and our value-added software partners,” said Michael Geffroy, vice president, TomTom Business Solutions. “Our decision to make more of our core technology freely available to more software companies shows our commitment to partnering. We believe our new Software Alliance program will lead to greater levels of innovation and value-add to a broader range of commercial fleets.”

    “Working with TomTom, we have significantly increased the value of our solution for our customer, and this has enabled us to generate more revenue and profits to our company,” said Jim Weaver, CEO of Tracker Management. “We are very excited about exploiting the new APIs to factor real-time traffic info into our capabilities.”

    “TomTom is an essential component of our solution and path to market,” said Greg Wietholter, president of Route Solutions. “Having a partner with a clear focus on developing over-the-road management solutions allows us to focus on our core competencies. The new software alliance program gives us more opportunities to remain competitive and on the leading edge of technology.”

  • Tallysman Wireless Introduces Wideband, Low Cost GPS-L1/GLONASS Antenna

    Tallysman Wireless, Inc., has announced the latest addition of the TW4320/4322 to its line of antenna products. The TW4320/TW4322 antennas are small wide-band, high-performance antennas housed in a compact IP67 magnetic mount enclosure, with a three-meter cable and a wide range of connectors.

    “Most small low-cost GPS and GLONASS antenna have narrow-band patch elements tuned mid-way, but which are 2-dB down in both signal bands,” said Gyles Panther, CEO of Tallysman Wireless. “The TW4320/22 antennas feature a patch element with a 40% wider bandwidth and a very low noise amplifier which together allows the full benefits of multi-constellational GNSS to be realized.”

    The TW4320/TW4322 antenna covers the GPS L1, GLONASS L1, and SBAS (WAAS, EGNOS, and MSAS) frequency bands (1575 to 1606 MHz). It features a small patch element with 40 percent wider bandwidth than previously available in this format. It provides both GPS-L1 and GLONASS signals in the 1-dB received power bandwidth.

    The TW4320/TW4322 has a two stage low-noise amplifier with a mid-section SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave). A tight pre-filter is available in the TW4322 to protect against saturation by high-level sub-harmonics and L-band signals.

    Features:
    •    
40% wider bandwidth in the same format
    •    Axial ratio: 6 dB max
    •    Low noise LNA: 1 dB
    •    High rejection mid-section SAW filter
    •    Available pre-filter (TW4322)
    •    High gain: 28 dB typ.
    •    Wide voltage input range: 2.5 to 10 VDC
    •    IP67 weather-proof housing
    Models:
    •   TW4320 – GPS/GLONASS antenna, three-meter cable, SMA Male 32-4320-xx-yyyy
    •   TW4322 – GPS/GLONASS antenna, with pre-filter, three-meter cable, SMA Male 32-4322-xx-yyyy

  • Walgreens Gets Mapped

    Walgreens, the largest U.S. drugstore chain, announced a partnership with in-store mapping and search startup aisle411. As a result of this partnership shoppers can use their iPhone or Android smartphones to view maps of any of the 7,907 Walgreens stores and locate products down to a particular section of each aisle. Walgreens is said to be the first U.S. national retailer with all of its stores mapped in a mobile application.

  • Trimble Expands Positions Software to Streamline Esri Workflows

    Trimble has introduced the Trimble Positions Mobile extension, a streamlined choice for integrating Trimble’s GNSS professional field solutions and data verification into the Esri ArcGIS for Windows Mobile environment.

    The Trimble Positions software was first introduced as a development kit to Trimble’s GIS developer community in late 2011. Today, the software suite has expanded to provide a streamlined option for users who wish to work directly with Esri’s ArcGIS for Windows Mobile technology.

    “Now, common Trimble and Esri users have a streamlined workflow between their Trimble devices and the Esri mobile software environment,” said Daniel Wallace of Trimble’s GIS Data Collection Division. “Because all data is verified and validated before it reaches Esri’s Enterprise GIS, each update adds value, making the geo-database more reliable and more useful.”

    Using Trimble GNSS receivers, field workers can collect GNSS data for all feature geometries while leveraging the performance features of Trimble handhelds for improved productivity in tough GNSS environments. Data can be automatically posted to the enterprise server from the field where Trimble Positions Desktop add-in is used to process and validate the data coming in from field crews. Office administrators can check for new sessions, differentially correct the data, and verify that the data meets accuracy requirements before updating the enterprise database.

    This release adds real time and postprocessed corrections support for Trimble’s GNSS receivers, including the Trimble GeoExplorer, Juno, Nomad, and Pro series receivers.

  • TMW Systems Partners with FleetLocate to Provide an Integrated Approach to Trailer Utilization

    TMW Systems, provider of enterprise software to transportation and logistics companies, has announced a new partnership with Spireon. This partnership will provide for-hire carriers and private fleets with detailed information on trailer location, capacity, and trailer operations to improve utilization and compliance. The partnership provides pre-built integration between Spireon’s FleetLocate solution and TMW Systems’ TMW Suite and TMT Fleet Maintenance solutions.

    The TMW Suite integration with FleetLocate captures GPS position information from trailers, whether tethered or not. The TMT Fleet Maintenance now captures GPS position information and mileage. The integration provides automatic scheduling of preventive maintenance work based on actual miles traveled and automatically alerts the maintenance department when a trailer requiring repairs or maintenance enters the yard.

    The integrated solutions are being used by a number of fleets:

    • Bengal Transportation Services — Integration gives Bengal the benefit of viewing the entire fleet of trucks and trailers on one screen. Dispatchers have a complete view of tractors, trailers, drivers, and loads.
    • Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated — The integration provides CCBCC with a systematic way to track trailers within their TMW Suite dispatch system.
    • Matheson Trucking, Inc. — The integration provides Matheson with real-time updates when trailers move and also tracks accumulated mileage.  Operations and maintenance personnel receive a notification when a trailer is ready for service.

    “FleetLocate is a unique trailer platform that provides continual, real-time views of an entire trailer fleet,” said Scott Vanselous of TMW Systems. “Through the partnership with FleetLocate, our customers receive valuable operational and reporting capabilities within TMW Suite and TMT Fleet Maintenance software to improve utilization and reduce costs associated with their trailers.”

  • Trimble Adds RFID to its AllTrak Asset and Tool Management System

    Trimble introduced a new version of its Trimble AllTrak Asset and Tool Management System that includes an RFID scanner for its Trimble Nomad outdoor rugged handheld computer running the Microsoft Windows Mobile operating system. With RFID capabilities, the AllTrak System allows building construction contractors to more easily track and manage their jobsite assets and tools. In addition, the system increases return on investment by improving asset utilization and monitoring equipment to avoid losses.

    According to the announcement, using the Trimble Nomad with the new RFID scanner, contractors can perform a variety of functions such as asset check-in, check-out, transfers and inventory validation much faster than traditional bar code scanning by interfacing with small passive RFID tags fixed to the assets. With an effective range of 3 to 4 feet, RFID technology does not require line of sight for the tag to be read, making it an ideal technology for reading the tags of multiple assets that are in a pickup, service truck or tool crib. Users can also attach the ThingMagic USB RFID Reader to a desktop or laptop when a portable solution is not required.

    Trimble reports that by utilizing the popular RFID tag protocols “UHF EPC Gen2” or “ISO18000-6C”, the new Trimble AllTrak System is specifically designed for general contractors, as well as concrete, steel, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and site prep subcontractors who use tools with embedded or attached RFID tags that support these protocols. Trimble AllTrak distributors can also provide RFID tags that can be attached to assets.

    “With the acquisition of ThingMagic, we were able to bring their experience in RFID technology to existing platforms within the Trimble Building Construction portfolio of hardware and software solutions,” said Pat Bohle, general manager of Trimble’s Building Construction Division. “We chose the Trimble AllTrak System as the first product in the portfolio due to the logical affinity of delivering increased productivity to the process of tracking the physical whereabouts of tools and jobsite assets.”

    Trimble AllTrak with RFID support is available now through Trimble’s Authorized Distributors of layout solutions for MEP and Structures contractors.

  • GPS SVN49 Resumes Transmissions Using PRN24

    News courtesy of CANSPACE Listserv.

     

    The GPS Block IIR-M satellite, SVN49, resumed transmissions as PRN24 at about 18:35 UTC on August 9, 2012. The signals are marked unhealthy and the satellite is not included in broadcast almanacs. SVN49 was launched on March 24, 2009, but remains out of service until an L1/L2 satellite multipath issue is resolved.

    Although not in the almanacs, a number of stations of the International GNSS Service are tracking SVN49. See: http://gge.unb.ca/test/IGS_stns_tracking_G24_223.pdf

    SNV49 previously operated between March 28, 2009, and May 6, 2011, as PRN01 and between February 2 and March 14, 2012, as PRN24.

  • Telmap Upgrades Its Premium Voice Offering in Germany

    Mobile location-based services company Telmap has partnered with Sony Music, allowing users of the Telmap Mobile Location Companion in Germany to choose from a selection of voices that will guide their navigation sessions.

    Telmap voices from Sony Music launched in June around the excitement of the European Championships and are available to Vodafone Germany users through Vodafone’s Find&Go app. The launch offered two European Championship themed parody voices recorded by famous German comedian and radio personality Chris Böttcher. In July a new SpongeBob Squarepants voice was introduced and additional voices are in the pipeline. Users can download these voices for a one-time purchase of 4.99€ per voice with no restrictions on usage. Telmap is planning to offer Sony Music themed voices in other territories and through other carriers in the near future.
     
    “We are excited to collaborate with Sony Music in offering a selection of location-specific voices that will provide a fun factor to our users’ navigation experience. This added-value offering plays well into our efforts of delivering a truly local user experience by providing the voices of local celebrities and figureheads who are relevant to specific territories and thereby appealing to specific users.” – said Tsipi Joseph, Telmap's director of marketing.
     
    “With Telmap we have found the ideal partner for us and our navigation system voice program which is active in 27 territories. We plan to expand our product range further in the future and trust that we will realize more exciting projects with Telmap on our side,” said Daniel Federauer, business development manager for Sony Music Entertainment.
        

  • China Begins Work on Beidou Navigation System Test Network

    China will build a testing and certification network for its Beidou satellite navigation system over the next three years to sharpen the system’s global competitiveness, according to a Friday statement from the Certification and Accreditation Administration, as reported by the Xinhua news service.

    An authoritative testing and certification system with uniform standards and legal support will secure the Beidou system’s safe operation and accelerate its industrialization, said the statement. By 2015, a national testing center will be set up in Beijing, while another seven local sub-centers will be established across the nation, it said. The centers will test the safety and accuracy of products designed for use with the system and qualify them for civilian use.

    China began to construct the Beidou system in 2000 with a goal of breaking its dependence on GPS by 2020. Authorities plan to launch a total of 30 satellites to complete the system. The 12th and 13th satellites will be launched at the end of April.

    The Beidou system has been used by 120,000 civilian and military users to date, according to the statement.

  • GSAT-10 with GAGAN Spreads Its Wings in Test Before Ariane 5 Launch

    India’s GSAT-10 telecommunications satellite — one of two passengers for Arianespace’s upcoming Ariane 5 mission in September — has been put through its paces during pre-flight preparations at the Spaceport in French Guiana, including a solar panel deployment test, according to Arianespace.

    Also aboard GSAT-10 is the GAGAN (GPS and GEO augmented navigation) payload, which will support the Indian government’s implementation of a satellite-based regional capability to assist aircraft navigation over Indian airspace and in adjoining areas. The initial GAGAN payload was carried aboard the GSAT-8 spacecraft, orbited by Arianespace on an Ariane 5 mission in May 2011.

    The solar panel checkout involved the extension of its multi-segment solar panels, validating the proper operation before they are definitively stowed against the satellite in the final lift-off configuration. The test uses an overhead latticework that helps support the solar panel’s weight — simulating zero gravity conditions of space as the panel opens to its full length.

    Performed under the control of GSAT-10 satellite team members, the extension validation was conducted in the S5C high bay area of the Spaceport’s S5 payload preparation center — the largest individual hall in this facility.

    GSAT-10 was developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and will meet the growing need for Ku- and C-band transponder capacity.  It is to become part of the Indian National Satellite (INSAT) system of geostationary spacecraft — representing one of the largest domestic communications satellite networks in the Asia-Pacific region.

    Configured with 12 Ku-band, 12 C-band and 12 extended C-band transponders, GSAT-10 utilizes the I-3K satellite bus developed by ISRO, with a power capability of some six kilowatts and a liftoff mass estimated at 3,400 kg.

    The upcoming Ariane 5 flight with GSAT-10 and the Astra 2F satellite as its co-passenger is set for September 21 from the Spaceport’s ELA-3 launch
    complex. This will be Arianespace’s fifth mission from French Guiana in 2012 with the heavy-lift workhorse.

    Below, one of GSAT-10’s two solar panels is extended during deployment verifications performed in the Spaceport’s S5 payload preparation center.

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