GPS World

Author: GPS World Staff

  • Aerosense surveying drone markers use u-blox positioning

    Japan-based Aerosense Inc. has commercialized its AEROBO marker solution for drone surveying using the u‑blox NEO‑M8T timing module.

    Photo: Aerosense
    Photo: Aerosense

    Conceived to compute absolute time to within 20 nanoseconds using incoming GNSS signals, the NEO-M8T lets users access raw GNSS data output, making it attractive for positioning applications that rely on post-processing GNSS data to enhance location accuracy.

    Aerosense’s surveying solution is designed to reduce the time spent surveying construction sites. By combining ground markers equipped with a GNSS receiver with surveying drones and cloud-based data processing, Aerosense has converted huge workloads into a user-friendly application.

    The surveying operation on the site involves setting up ground markers fitted with u‑blox NEO‑M8T high-performance GNSS receivers. The smart ground markers send the GNSS data they receive to the cloud, where it is post-processed using a static surveying algorithm to achieve high accuracy.

    The AEROBO solution can transform high-resolution drone images into a survey-accurate map by using the absolute geographic coordinates of specific points on the surveyed terrain. Images gathered by overflying the terrain with the drones are combined to create centimeter-precise outputs, including orthomap views, 3D models and point clouds.

    The challenge that engineers at Aerosense faced while developing their solution was achieving sufficiently high position accuracy. “We found a robust solution to the accuracy challenge by using the u‑blox NEO‑M8T high-performance positioning module,” said Satoru Shimizu, project leader of AEROBO technology development at Aerosense.

  • Geneq introduces SXblue Premier GNSS receiver

    Geneq introduces SXblue Premier GNSS receiver

    Geneq has launched the SXblue Premier GNSS receiver, which is available in a submetric version (GNSS) or centimetric version (real-time kinematic, RTK).

    The new SXblue Premier GNSS receiver is equipped with the Pacific Crest Maxwell 6 Trimble technology with BD910 (GNSS version) and BD930 (RTK version) OEM boards, delivering 220 channels to acquire and track GNSS signals from all constellations in view. It makes effective use of GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS and SBAS signals for outstanding highly precise positioning.

    The SXblue Premier is small and light weight, and rugged for field work. It is equipped with dual mode for Bluetooth V2.1 and Bluetooth V4.0, ensuring the unit’s wireless communication with any Android or Windows terminal. With its two models, the user will have large efficiency and flexibility on the field either with SBAS corrections or RTK reference networks.

    In addition, SXblue Premier can be configured for Wi-Fi hotspots, allowing users to connect and access a web management platform. It also can be used as a data link, providing a quick connection to the internet to receive corrections from reference station (CORS) networks so that it can process RTK measurements.

    With its internal memory using an 8-GB solid state disk, SXblue Premier provides enough storage space for field data collection or raw data recording for a high data sampling rate.

    Multiple compatible software programs — including FieldGenius, Carlson, Collector for ArcGIS — will meet the users’ diverse need, making SXblue Premier more powerful and flexible.

  • 2018 Simulator Buyers Guide

    2018 Simulator Buyers Guide

    GPS World’s 7th annual Simulator Buyers Guide features tools, devices and software from leading providers.

     

    CAST NAVIGATION IFEN GMBH JACKSON LABS TECHNOLOGY INC.
    RACELOGIC SKYDEL SPIRENT FEDERAL SYSTEMS
    SYNTONY GNSS TALEN-X OROLIA/SPECTRACOM

    CAST NAVIGATION

    CAST-5000 GPS wavefront generator

    The CAST-5000 produces a single coherent wavefront of GPS RF signals to provide repeatable testing in the laboratory environment or anechoic chamber. The basic system generates four independent, coherent simulations that reference a single point and is upgradeable to support seven elements for CRPA testing. With an intercard carrier- phase error of less than 1 millimeter, the CAST-5000 is extremely accurate.

    The system generates a wavefront of GPS when its GPS RF generator cards are operated in a ganged configuration. Each generator card provides a set of GPS satellites coherent with the overall configuration. Several RF generator cards may be utilized together, ensuring phase coherence among the bank of signal generator cards.

    The CAST-5000 Controlled Reception Pattern Antenna (CRPA) tester allows a full end-to-end test of the antenna system. The CRPA antenna, antenna electronics and the GPS receiver can be tested as a unit with or without radiating signals.

    Features

    • Generates single coherent wavefront of GPS
    • 6-DOF motion generation capability
    • Complete SV constellation editing
    • Post-mission processing via ICD-GPS-150/153
    • Differential/relative navigation
    • Antenna pattern modeling
    • Waypoint navigation
    • RAIM events
    • Multipath modeling
    • Spoofer simulation
    • Satellite clock errors
    • External trajectory input
    • External ephemeris and almanac
    • Several iono and tropo models
    • Modifiable navigation message
    • Modeled selective availability
    • Time-tagged satellite events
    • Selectable host vehicle parameters

    www.castnav.com
    Phone: 978 858-0130
    Email: [email protected]

     

    IFEN GMBH

    NCS Titan and NavX-NCS Essential Simulators

    NCS TITAN GNSS Simulator

    The NCS TITAN GNSS simulator is a leading-edge satellite navigation testing and R&D solution. It is fully capable of multi-constellation and multi-frequency simulation for a wide range of GNSS applications. The NCS TITAN GNSS simulator consists of the TITAN RF signal generation unit and NCS Control Center navigation simulation software (on MS Windows and Linux OS).

    The NCS TITAN is flexible and offers exceptional performance. With up to 256 channels and up to 4 RF outputs per chassis, the extra complexity and cost of using additional signal generators or intricate architectures involving several hardware boxes is minimized. For customers with advanced simulation needs, several TITAN units can be combined (CRPA testing with 8, 12 or 16 RF outputs at several frequencies simultaneously).

    The NCS TITAN GNSS simulator provides all current and future signals for GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, NavIC/IRNSS, QZSS, SBAS L1 and L5 in one box. All signals are available using a flexible licensing scheme.

    NavX-NCS Essential Simulator

    The NavX-NCS Essential is an easy-to-use multi-constellation GNSS simulator focused on R&D, system integration and production testing for single-frequency applications such as consumer, automotive and location-based services (LBS) applications.
    The NavX-NCS Essential provides unique capabilities, including emulating various vehicle motion sensors for today’s multi-sensor vehicle navigation systems. It offers integration with Google Earth (for accurate trajectory visualization), superior high-dynamic range (for indoor and urban canyon simulation) and Assisted-GPS (A-GNSS) performance test case support.

    www.ifen.com
    Email: [email protected]
    Phone: +49 8121 223820

     

    JACKSON LABS TECHNOLOGY INC.

    CLAW 18-channel real-time GPS simulator for manufacturing testing, laboratory and desktop simulation applications

    The CLAW simulator operates as a fully stand-alone simulator with multipath simulation capability, external real-time NMEA to GPS-RF transcoding capability, sub 5-ns UTC time-encoding accuracy. It can work either from internally stored motion files, a fixed-position, externally applied NMEA stimulus input, or controlled via a Jackson Labs Windows application. The CLAW allows comprehensive scenarios to be set up inACKcluding uploading of custom almanac and ephemerides via RINEX import, and full control of simulation time and date making it easy to simulate GPS events such as leap seconds and week 1023 rollover events. The highly accurate simulator can be used as an embedded module to transcode modern GNSS or inertial navigation system (INS) position, navigation and timing signals including SAASM and M-code into legacy GPS RF signals. This capability allows retrofitting any existing legacy GPS receiver to the latest Assured-PNT capability. It can also be used as a GPS firewall to automatically detect and mitigate spoofing and jamming events.

    RSR transcoder GPS simulator for retrofitting existing legacy GPS equipment to any GNSS, INS and atomic holdover capability

    The size of a postage stamp, the RSR Transcoder is based on the Jackson Labs CLAW simulator technology and is designed to be integrated into systems requiring retrofit of existing GPS legacy equipment with INS and atomic clock holdover capability, as well as the latest GNSS capability such as Galileo, GLONASS, BeiDou, SAASM, M-code and CSAC technology. Because the RSR Transcoder is fully self-contained, it also can work as a generic stand-alone GPS simulator for manufacturing environments or laboratory use. It is compatible with various external MIL-STD GPS receivers for glueless integration into existing vehicles by replacing the existing GPS antenna with the RSR Transcoder connected to an external GNSS receiver and optional high-performance INS. The RSR Transcoders ability to convert latest-generation GNSS receiver NMEA information into legacy GPS RF signals can also be used to upgrade low-performance legacy GPS receivers with modern –167 dBm and SBAS tracking capability for indoor reception and increased PNT accuracy in challenged environments.

    Said Jackson, (702) 233-1334
    www.jackson-labs.com

     

    RACELOGIC

    LabSat 3 Wideband

    LabSat is a cost-effective and intuitive GNSS simulator.

    New to the LabSat range of GNSS record and replay devices is LabSat 3 Wideband, which continues with the established reliability, cost-effectiveness, and simplicity of operation that are the benchmarks of the LabSat system.

    A recording bandwidth of 56 MHz allows for the capture of a very wide range of live-sky satellite signals:

    • GPS: L1 / L2 / L5
    • GLONASS: L1 / L2 / L3
    • BeiDou: B1 / B2 / B3
    • QZSS: L1 / L2 / L5
    • Galileo: E1 / E1a / E5a / E5b / E6
    • IRNSS: L5
    • SBAS: WAAS / EGNOS / GAGAN / MSAS / SDCMx

    Depending on the desired bandwidth, recording resolution can be set to 2, 4, or 6 bit. Check out the GNSS frequency guide on the LabSat website — labsat.co.uk — to see exactly which signals can be recorded and at which resolution.

    Even with this greatly increased capacity over the original LabSat 3, the new simulator remains extremely easy to use: one-touch recording, no connection to PC required, battery powered for up to two hours, and with a removable 1-TB solid-state hard drive that can be replaced in no time, the LabSat 3 Wideband is convenient to use. It measures a compact 167 x 128 x 46 millimeters and weighs 1.2 kilograms.

    The LabSat 3 Wideband can now be controlled via a web browser. Easily accessed via the Ethernet connection, the HTML interface graphically displays bandwidth, center frequency and signal capture.

    An online demonstration of this is also available on the LabSat website.

    www.labsat.co.uk
    Phone: +44 (0)1280 823803

     

    SKYDEL

    SDX: Software-Defined GNSS Simulator

    SDX uses GPU-accelerated computing and software-defined radios (SDR) to create an advanced and fully-featured GNSS simulator. SDX is available as a complete turnkey system or software only, from simple test benches to 32 RF outputs test systems. The software-defined approach offers many benefits:

    • COTS hardware offers economies of scale and eliminates dependency upon dedicated hardware platforms
    • Generic hardware enables users to repurpose their equipment for different projects.
    • Uncompromised performance with high dynamics and accuracy
    • Record user interactions and export them as scripts to automate complex use cases intuitively. The export feature reduces the learning curve for advanced concepts
    • Advanced signal customization (signal signature, private encryption, etc.)

    SDX key features

    SDX is ideal for design and validation of GNSS receivers, complex integration, academic research, NAVWAR and test engineering. Applications include radiated emissions testing in anechoic chambers, CRPA testing, receiver testing under interference (jamming and spoofing), aerospace and automotive scenarios, RTK and more. Skydel engineering and research teams offer direct support to clients to ensure prompt deployment and integration, or to review advanced customization requirements.

    • Multi-constellation (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, SBAS), multi-frequency (upper and lower L-band) support
    • Selectable RF, IF frequency and IQ File Data
    • Encrypted GPS codes
    • Fully-integrated jammers (static or moving) with more than 120-dB jamming-to-signal ratio
    • Multipath
    • Additive pseudorange ramps
    • Message modification and corruption
    • 1000-Hz update rate and high dynamics
    • Space (LEO-GEO), air and ground vehicle with 6DoF trajectories
    • Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) integration
    • Raw data logging
    • Real-time receiver deviation analysis
    • Powerful and simple API
    • On-the-fly reconfiguration
    • Multiple simulator synchronization

     

    SPIRENT FEDERAL SYSTEMS

    GSS9000, CRPA Test System, GSS6450, GSS200D

    Spirent Federal provides test equipment that covers all applications, including research and development, integration/verification and production testing.

    GSS9000

    The Spirent GSS9000 Multi-Frequency, Multi-GNSS RF Constellation Simulator can simulate signals from all GNSS
and regional navigation systems. The GSS9000 offers a four-fold increase
in RF signal iteration rate (SIR) over Spirent’s GSS8000 simulator. The GSS9000 SIR is 1000 Hz (1 ms), enabling higher dynamic simulations with more accuracy and fidelity. It includes support for restricted and classified signals as well as advanced capabilities for ultra-high dynamics. Users can evaluate the resilience of navigation systems to interference and spoofing attacks, and have the flexibility to reconfigure constellations, channels and frequencies between test runs or test cases.

    CRPA test system

    Spirent’s Controlled Reception Pattern Antenna (CRPA) Test System generates both GNSS and interference signals. Users can control multiple antenna elements. Null-steering and space/time adaptive CRPA testing are both supported by this comprehensive approach.

    GSS6450

    The GSS6450 RF Record Playback System (RPS) takes RF recording and playback systems to a new level of performance and flexibility, while being housed in a small (8.5 x 7.8 x 3 inch) portable case. The GSS6450 can record any GNSS signals currently available with bit depths up to 16 bits (I&Q) and bandwidths of up to 50 MHz. The flexible product structure allows the system complexity to grow with the user’s testing needs.

    GSS200D

    The GSS200D is an end-to-end solution that builds up a complete picture of interference activity at the site of interest. It continuously monitors the GNSS frequency bands for interference, and then captures them for analysis. The GSS200D supports multi-frequency applications.

    Jeff Martin, [email protected]
    Kalani Needham, [email protected]
    Tyson Gurney, [email protected]

    Spirent Federal Systems
    1402 W. State Rd.
    Pleasant Grove, UT 84062

    www.spirentfederal.com
    [email protected]
    phone: 801-785-1448
    fax: 801-785-1294

     

    SYNTONY GNSS

    CONSTELLATOR, ECHO

    Constellator is a high-end GNSS simulator capable of supporting all constellation signals available today and tomorrow and providing a high level of service: standalone mode (on ground and in space), hardware-in-the-loop mode with very small latency and high internal frequency update (1 kHz), multi-frequency, up to 200 channels, all typical synchronization interfaces, and the ability to generate any additional signal for realistic simulation (jamming, spoofing, multipath, etc.).

    The Constellator product is available in different ranges, from an entry-level unit supporting L1C/A up to a six-signal-frequencies/200 channels rack, supporting the most demanding configurations.

    Constellator is used extensively in the aeronautic, space and defense industries, where the requirements are highly demanding. Constellator has been carefully evaluated and selected by major industrial companies and agencies worldwide, and is used to test aircraft receivers, spacecraft, launchers and similar systems for defense and armies. Particularly in the space domain, Constellator implements the most accurate models (earth gravity, drag, etc.) needed to achieve “meter-precision” in standalone mode around a complete orbit.

    Constellator is based on modern, powerful software-defined radio (SDR) systems, which make it capable of extreme adaptability and upgradeability after purchase, even without any hardware upgrade. Though a high-end simulator, it is cost-effective because of its software-based architecture; instead of requiring one RF stage per signal, it requires just one per frequency band used.

    The Echo Record and Playback unit allows users to record real-life signals and environments and replay them in the laboratory, which is always more realistic than any simulation.

    Echo is typically used to replay predefined complex and very long realistic scenarios, avoiding the need to use costly satellite simulators for long-run tests or for production tests.

    Echo offers three RF channels of 100-Mhz bandwidth each, 16 bits I, 16 bits Q, and more than 10 hours of record and replay duration. As such, it is high-end record/replay equipment, offering high-end replay fidelity.

    www.syntony-gnss.com
    Email: François Goudenove, chief sales officer, [email protected] (ask François for the contacts of distributors in the U.S., Europe, India, China, South Korea, Japan.)
    Phone: +33.5.81.319.919

     

    TALEN-X

    BroadSim and PANACEA

    BroadSimSoftware-defined GNSS simulator

    • Intuitive control using Skydel’s SDX software interface
    • Model true and spoofed signals
    • Generate high-fidelity jamming and interference signals
    • Utilize 4 RF outputs with multiple simultaneous constellations
    • Generate and simulate multiple signal types
    • GPS: L1 (C, C/A, P, Y, AES-M), L2 (C, P, Y, AES-M), L5
    • GLONASS: G1, G2
    • Galileo: E1, E5a/b
    • BeiDou: B1, B2
    • SBAS

    PANACEA

    Autonomous PNT performance and vulnerability test suite

    • Simultaneously control, collect and analyze data from up to 32 units under test (UUT) in real time
    • Compatible with 100+ different receiver brands
    • Manages receiver communication, standardizes output for easy post-test analysis
    • Time synchronization to live-sky
    • Simulate dynamic scenarios with parameters such as jamming patterns, motions, power loss, delays and more

    www.talen-x.com
    Email: [email protected]

    OROLIA/SPECTRACOM

    All constellations, all frequencies

    For users responsible for mission-critical positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) applications, the Spectracom GSG series of GPS/GNSS simulators is an essential tool to evaluate risk of jamming, spoofing or other threats.

    Spectracom GSG-5/6 series simulators are an easy-to-use and feature-rich way to harden GPS-based systems without the limitations of testing from “live sky” signals. The Spectracom platform approach allows users to buy only what they need today and upgrade later. The adaptability of the GNSS RF generation platform can extend to applications for intelligent repeating.

    Test solutions

    • Position accuracy and dynamic range/sensitivity
    • Simulate movements/trajectories anywhere on or above Earth
    • Sensitivity to GPS impairments: loss of satellites, multipath, atmospheric conditions, interference, jamming and spoofing
    • Conducted or over-the-air RF
    • GPS time-transfer accuracy
    • Effect of leap-second transition
    • Multi-constellation testing
    • Modernization signals/frequencies
    • Keyless military SAASM, dual-frequency and survey-grade receiver testing
    • Application packages for RTK, CRPA (controlled radiation pattern antennas)
    • Hardware-in-the-loop integration
    • Test solutions for eCall and ERA-GLONASS

    Infrastructure possibilities

    • Zone-based indoor location (intelligent repeating)
    • Pseudolite applications

    The GSG-6 Series 64-channel multi-frequency, advanced GNSS simulator is powerful enough for any cutting-edge test program. GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou, QZSS and NAVIC (IRNSS) signals are available across multiple frequencies. It is designed for military, research and professional applications.

    The GSG-5 Series 16-channel multi-constellation L1-band GNSS simulator is designed for commercial development/integration programs. For users developing commercial products with GNSS capability, the GSG-5 will shorten test programs with confidence.

    The GSG-51 single-channel signal generator is designed for one purpose — fast, simple go/no-go manufacturing test and validation, ensuring the manufacturing line is operating at full capacity with confidence in quality.

    spectracom.com
    E-mail: [email protected]
    Phone: +1-585-321-5800

  • GSA and Thales launch EDG²E for aviation navigation with Galileo

    GSA and Thales launch EDG²E for aviation navigation with Galileo

    The European GNSS Agency (GSA) has officially launched the equipment for dual frequency Galileo, GPS and EGNOS project (EDG²E) with a consortium led by Thales. The four-year project intends to develop a dual-frequency multi-constellation receiver, enabling enhanced navigation capabilities, support standardization and certification preparation, and facilitate the expected increase in air traffic, both in Europe and globally.

    The prototype EDG²E receiver use GPS and Galileo signals as well as those from the European SBAS multi-constellation EGNOS. The project aims to achieve a prototype demonstration by 2021. At the end of the EDG²E project, the first SBAS dual-frequency GPS+Galileo receivers for aviation will be ready for final development and use in the aviation sector and in other safety-critical applications. Fully achieved receivers are foreseen to be installed in commercial aircraft by 2025.

    EGNOS, certified for use in aviation since February 2011, is developing its own next generation, called EGNOS V3, to further enhance performance by complementing both the EU Galileo and the US GPS satellite navigation constellations.

    “EGNOS v3 will provide aviation users with an increased quality of services, better accuracy and extended coverage area among other key performance indicators” said Jean-Marc Pieplu, GSA head of the EGNOS Services Programme. “Fundamental Element Programme is a medium that supports development of terminals and antennae fostering use of E-GNSS in all domains. In this perspective,EDG²E is an important step for GSA as it will contribute to availability of high technology products on the aviation market, taking benefit of Dual Frequency Multi Constellation feature offered by EGNOS v3.”

    The consortium includes Thales, Thales Alenia Space and ATR, as well as contributions from Dassault Aviation and the French Civil Aviation Authority.

    Feature image courtesy of the European Space Agency (ESA).

  • Software-based GNSS receiver available on Cadence digital signal processor

    A software-based GNSS receiver from Galileo Satellite Navigation (GSN) is now available for the Cadence Tensilica Fusion F1 digital signal processor (DSP).

    The software-based GNSS receiver allows customers to add full GPS functionality with design flexibility and long-term upgradeability at a minimal cost, low power and no physical size to today’s cost-sensitive internet of things (IoT) applications, according to Cadence Design Systems.

    To get the lowest possible power, GSN accelerated the performance of its GPS software receiver by creating several custom instructions to run on the Tensilica Fusion F1 DSP. As a result, the GPS software requires less than 110 MHz for full 12-satellite functionality.

    Additionally, with this software-based solution, customers can reduce the overall processor requirements to meet less-demanding location-based use cases such as asset tracking.

    “The Tensilica Fusion F1 DSP delivers outstanding performance for the implementation of our GNSS receivers, providing a low-power footprint required for IoT applications,” said Eli Ariel, CEO at GSN. “This enables customers to easily upgrade their Fusion F1 DSP-based designs to future satellite systems such as Beidou, GLONASS and Galileo via software. By leveraging several customized instructions in the Fusion F1 DSP, we were able to keep the required processor speed at the same frequency compared to DSPs with more than three times the processing power.”

    “GSN’s software-based approach for GNSS allows our Fusion F1 DSP customers to precisely scale their GNSS receiver requirements to meet their applications needs,” said Gerard Andrews, group director marketing, at Cadence. “The availability of GSN’s technology on this low-power DSP platform allows our customers to add location-based services at minimal cost and power.”

    The Tensilica Fusion F1 DSP offers low-energy, high-performance control and signal processing for a broad segment of IoT/wearable markets. This highly configurable architecture is specifically designed to excel at always-on processing that requires a merged controller plus DSP, ultra-low energy and a small footprint.

    The DSP is efficient in running the narrowband wireless communications standards typically associated with IoT device communications, including protocols such as Bluetooth Low Energy, Thread and Zigbee using IEEE 802.15.4, Wi-Fi 802.11n and 802.11ah and GNSS.

  • Omnitracs partners with Peloton on driver-assistive truck platooning

    Fleet management company Omnitracs LLC has partnered with Peloton Technology, a developer of connected and automated vehicle systems for U.S. and global freight carriers. Omnitracs and Peloton will collaborate to bring Peloton’s truck platooning technology to Omnitracs customers.

    The partners will also develop joint solutions that combine each company’s safety, efficiency and fleet management capabilities.

    Peloton will begin filling pre-orders of its flagship platooning product for Class 8 trucks in 2017. The technology synchronizes braking and acceleration between pairs of trucks through the integration of vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications with radar-based collision avoidance systems, enabling the trucks to travel safely at aerodynamic following distances.

    The Peloton system generates 4.5 percent fuel savings for the lead truck and 10 percent for the follow truck in a two-truck platoon, according to independent testing by the North American Council for Freight Efficiency.

    Image: Omnitracs
    Image: Omnitracs

    For the driver of the follow truck, the Peloton system works similarly to adaptive cruise control with the added safety feature of V2V communications to enable automated braking within 0.1 second of braking by the lead truck. The driver of each truck controls steering while the platooning system coordinates speed and distance between the trucks,  meeting the definition of SAE Level 1 automated driving.

    Platoons are managed continuously by a cloud-based Network Operations Center that connects to trucks through cellular and Wi-Fi communications. Cloud-based supervision limits operation of platoons to specified roads in safe driving conditions.

    Here is a video explaining Peloton platooning.

    Peloton will help to roll out practical, cost-saving automated vehicle technology featuring leading-edge cybersecurity to Omnitracs customers, beginning with two-truck platooning. Omnitracs has a large customer base in the long-haul trucking segment which stands to benefit significantly from platooning.

    “Peloton has developed technology that is on the cutting edge of advanced driver assistance systems and the automated vehicle movement,” said John Graham, CEO of Omnitracs. “Its emphasis on spatial awareness is a crucial and foundational component of improving truck safety and fuel efficiency.”

    “We are excited to be part of the first partnership of a commercial platooning system supplier with a leading fleet management provider,” said Joshua Switkes, founder and CEO of Peloton Technology. “We will offer expanded opportunities for platooning across the broad customer base that Omnitracs has attracted by focusing on cost advantages for fleets.”

    A key operational benefit of the partnership for fleet customers will be optimized matching opportunities for inter-fleet platooning, leveraging Omnitracs’ routing and dynamic dispatch applications to provide navigation assistance and clear savings calculations for scheduled and ad-hoc platoons of trucks from different fleets.

    “This partnership will offer benefits to fleets of all sizes,” said Butch Winters, Peloton’s vice president of products, sales and business development. “In addition to helping fleets find more opportunities for platooning, we’re working with Omnitracs on new product features to enhance safety and efficiency for fleets and drivers.”

    Co-developed solutions from the partnership may include integrated cloud-based fleet management services and hardware.

  • PNT Roundup: Positioning integral to system design of 5G cellular networks

    PNT Roundup: Positioning integral to system design of 5G cellular networks

    The cellular 5G standard targets latencies under 1 millisecond, data rates of up to 10 gigabits per second, extremely high network reliability and better accuracy in positioning. With location awareness becoming an essential feature in many new markets, positioning is considered as an integral part of the system design of upcoming 5G mobile networks.

    The cellular industry is currently implementing Long-Term Evolution (LTE)-Advanced, which might be called “4G” mobile broadband. Simultaneously, the industry is preparing the next step, a fifth-generation (5G) system. It will process communication 10 times faster than 4G, according to experts. 5G rollout will be complete in many international metropolitan areas by 2020.

    Positioning Performance for 5G NR and other technologies in different environments. (Image: Fraunhofer IIS)
    Positioning Performance for 5G NR and other technologies in different environments. (Image: Fraunhofer IIS)

    Adaptive array antennas

    In addition to the precise positioning it will afford, 5G shares another characteristic with GPS/GNSS: adaptive array antennas for digital beamforming (DBF). Adaptive arrays have many advantages for PNT, primarily in mitigation for multipath, jamming and spoofing.

    Adaptive antenna arrays with DBF are becoming increasingly important for PNT in challenging signal environments. DBF combines multiple antenna inputs to generate gain in arrival direction of the desired satellite signal and to create spatial nulls in the direction of jamming. (See the January 2017 Innovation column “Correlator beamforming for low-cost multipath mitigation” and the February follow-up, “Mitigating interference with a dual-polarized antenna array in a real environment.”)

    Picocells

    Emerging applications of DBF in 5G involve dense networks of picocells, small cellular base stations that typically cover a small indoor area. Picocells extend coverage where outdoor signals do not reach well, and add network capacity in areas with very dense phone usage. 5G architectures will use adaptive array technology to achieve high data rates, spectrum reuse and communications robustness.

    The implications for PNT are that 5G will require improved (relative) PNT to operate effectively, and picocells will be a source of PNT information in constrained environments.

    5G involves massive directional communications via multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO), enabling high-bandwidth communications in fading (multipath) channels by using multiple antenna inputs to adapt to channels. It can do this without knowledge of user location, but it adds to the processing complexity. The directional capability can enable multiple users to be serviced in a picocell at different frequencies, while permitting spectrum re-use by nearby picocells through narrow beamwidth and the limited range of millimeter-wave (mmWave) frequencies.

    The PNT implications of 5G architectures, according to Gary McGraw of Rockwell Collins, are that 5G picocells will be synergistic with PNT in challenged environments — naturally, indoor and dense urban. They will necessitate development of distributed, networked PNT processing and infrastructure.

    Fraunhofer

    The 5G positioning framework will integrate a multitude of sensors into a hybrid positioning scheme, according to the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits (IIS) in Germany. Fraunhofer IIS is currently prototyping low-latency and high-precision positioning systems for legacy LTE and future 5G New Radio (5G NR).

    5G NR enables positioning by providing high bandwidths for precise timing, new frequency bands at mmWave, massive MIMO for accurate angle-of-arrival estimation and new architectural options that support positioning. Improved accuracy, robustness and latency can be achieved, according to the institute.
    5G provides fast and reliable access to moving objects to achieve time-critical process control and optimization in industrial environments. Increased contextual awareness of goods, parts, machines and workers will enable new interaction and collaboration, the institute said.

  • Blade Runner 2049 special effects powered by Esri CityEngine get Oscar nod

    UPDATE: Denis Villeneuve’s Blade Runner 2049 took home the Oscar for Achievement in Visual Effects on March 4. Visual effects supervisors John Nelson, Paul Lambert, and Richard R. Hoover, plus special effects supervisor Gerd Nefzer, took the stage to accept the award.

    Framestore, a visual arts studio in Montréal, Québec, has received an Oscar nomination for Best Visual Effects made possible, in part, by Esri CityEngine.

    Designers at Framestore used the software to create a detailed futuristic city based on present-day Las Vegas for the movie Blade Runner 2049.

    “We were tasked in creating a futuristic Las Vegas for the year 2049. We had to fly over the main strip of Vegas on a long sequence shot,” said Didier Muanza, lead environment TD, Framestore. “CityEngine seemed to be the best choice to help us generate a modern-day model of Vegas, which was used as the base for the futuristic version.”

    Esri CityEngine is a sophisticated 3D modeling software used in professions such as urban planning and architecture as well as film and other entertainment industries. Esri is a global spatial analytics company.

    Framestore designers used CityEngine for only one month, yet generated a set that was 6.759 kilometers long and 4 kilometers wide and included more than 1,400 buildings. Realistic textures were based on aerial and oblique photos of the Las Vegas main strip.

     

    Blade Runner 2049 has already received the BAFTA award for Special Visual Effects. The 2018 Academy Awards ceremony takes place Sunday.

  • ADS-B system for helicopters gets boost from Becker Avionics

    Becker Avionics Diversity Mode S Transponder with ADS-B certified.

    Avionics technology provider Becker Avionics has received certification for the company’s BXT6500 family Mode S transponder, designed for the rigorous flying environment characteristic of helicopter operations.

    Paired with a FreeFlight Systems’ 1203C SBAS/GNSS sensor, the remote-mounted solutions provide helicopter operators a complete and cost-effective way to equip with ADS-B Out for the upcoming Jan. 1, 2020, mandate.

    The Becker BXT6500 family Mode S transponder is diversity-capable and available for installation on non-TCAS equipped aircraft. A non-diversity option is also available.

    The FreeFlight SBAS/GNSS (WAAS/GPS) 1203C sensor.

    In addition to providing clients with ADS-B compliance, the system features enhanced privacy settings that can disable both ADS-B and Mode S transmissions — a feature unique to the BXT6500 family.

    “We are pleased to announce this new milestone in our transponder product line,” said Forrest Colliver, managing director. “This new system showcases how we tailor our compact, robust and durable avionics to our clients’ requirements in order to provide the best solution for where and how they fly.”

    The system is a part of the company’s robust BXT6500 line of ADS-B Mode S transponders. Manufactured with a standard ARINC 429/743 output, this transponder easily integrates with the FreeFlight Systems Model 1203C SBAS/GNSS sensor for complete ADS-B Out compliance, and can be installed either as dual installation for primary transponder interrogations or as single install for a dedicated ADS-B transmission.

    For more information, visit with Becker Avionics at booth C4935 and FreeFlight Systems at booth C1137 during HAI’s Heli-Expo happening this week in Las Vegas, Nevada.

  • Septentrio to supply GNSS boards for WingtraOne mapping drone

    Septentrio to supply GNSS boards for WingtraOne mapping drone

    Belgian GNSS receiver manufacturer Septentrio was selected by Swiss drone manufacturer Wingtra to supply GNSS OEM receiver boards and PPK processing software for the recently-launched WingtraOne PPK drone.

    The combination of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) technology and a high-spec post-process kinematics (PPK) brings wide-area coverage at ultra-high precision.

    Following a flight, the GNSS data of the WingtraOne is processed offline using Septentrio’s PPK software. This combines the drone data with correction data from a nearby reference receiver to get accurate cm-level geolocations for every photograph.

    The on-board high-resolution Sony RX1RII camera, AsteRx-m2 UAS receiver board combined with Septentrio’s PPK library, and Pix4D photogrammetry processing software are together able to produce ground precisions of 1.3 centimeter (cm) horizontal and 2.3 cm vertical.

    Image: Wingtra
    Image: Wingtra

    “With the WingtraOne PPK, we can offer a world first in drone photogrammetry — wide coverage at ultra-high precision,” said Armin Ambühl, CTO of Wingtra. “In a single one-hour flight, the WingtraOne can cover 130 ha (320 acres) delivering mapping with GSDs [ground sample distance] below 1 cm/pixel with absolute accuracy down to 1.27 cm.”

    He continued, “WingtraOne’s advantage is twofold: it combines VTOL with the latest PPK technology from Septentrio. With VTOL we can offer the best of both worlds: multirotors and fixed-wings. Vertical take-off and landing means hands-free operation and a smoother ride for the on-board camera payload. Secondly, efficient flying in fixed-wing mode means far greater coverage than any comparable multirotor.”

    “We are proud and excited to be part of this innovative project with Wingtra pushing the boundaries of aerial photogrammetry,” said Gustavo Lopez, product manager at Septentrio. “The WingtraOne incorporates our AsteRx-m2 UAS OEM board and, photogrammetry applications requiring high-precision, low-latency positioning are what it does best. The board is specifically designed for quick and easy integration and, with Septentrio’s world-first, multi-frequency PPK, cm-level precision can now reach the parts dual-constellation solutions feared to tread.”

  • Orolia GPS/GNSS passive anti-jam antenna offers horizon blocking

    Orolia GPS/GNSS passive anti-jam antenna offers horizon blocking

    Model 8230AJ antenna from Spectracom

    Designed primarily for applications such as homeland security, Spectracom’s 8230AJ antenna provides protection in high-interference environments where additional resilience is needed, such as communications networks, financial systems and power grids, the company said.

    Orolia, through its Spectracom brand, said the antenna, Model 8230AJ, is a drop-in replacement for the company’s Model 8230. Its conical antenna pattern rejects interference from the horizon and is simple to mount using the same pipe supports, without new cabling. All that is required is a new bracket.

    “Model 8230AJ is a high gain (40 dB) GNSS outdoor antenna covering GPS L1, GLONASS L1, BeiDou B1, Galileo E1, and QZSS L1,” said David Sohn, product manager at Spectracom. “It uses a three-stage low noise amplifier, a mid-section SAW, and a tight pre-filter to protect against saturation by high level sub-harmonics and L-band signals. It is designed especially for harsh environments, is IP67 rated, and improves resilience and protects against jamming and spoofing.”

    According to the company, the AJ antenna rejects signals for the lower elevation angles – where most interference comes from – and only receives signals from the higher elevation angles where the satellites are. While this reduces the number of satellites the receiver will see, for timing applications only a few satellites are needed. Moreover, with multi-constellation receivers, an increasing number of satellites are available.

    With the increasing prevalence of jamming and spoofing, industries with critical infrastructure must take measures against interference.  GPS and GNSS in general have well-known vulnerabilities and limitations that require protection and mitigation: the signals are easily disrupted by unintentional interference from radio transmitters, they are extremely weak, cannot penetrate buildings and can easily be jammed, and civilian signals are not encrypted and can easily be spoofed.

    The new anti-jam outdoor antenna is appropriate for anyone who uses a time server, including Spectracom customers who own a SecureSync, VersaSync or Netclock, according to the company.

    Image: Spectracom
    Image: Spectracom

  • Fugro’s GNSS rig positioning chosen for Norway’s Statoil

    Fugro has won a long-term contract to provide GNSS-based rig positioning services to Statoil Petroleum AS.

    The contract includes positioning of all the Statoil operated rigs on the Norwegian continental shelf and associated Statoil vessels.

    Fugro’s specialized satellite positioning systems, utilizing all available navigation satellites (GPS, GLONASS, Beidou and Galileo), will be permanently installed on the Statoil-operated rigs and vessels.

    The robustness and accuracy (better than 3 centimeters) of these satellite systems, in conjunction with Fugro’s latest navigation software and technology developments, will ensure the best possible service for Statoil, Fugro said.

    Developments in technology will bring two significant benefits to Statoil: by remotely configuring the offshore systems from Fugro’s onshore bases, mobilization time will be reduced and fast-track operations will be enabled.

    Fugro will providing GNSS positioning services to Statoil Petroleum’s oil rigs and vessels. (Photo: Fugro)

    Berit Sagatun, commercial manager for Fugro, cited the company’s track record in the delivery of innovative rig positioning systems.

    “For decades Fugro has been at the forefront of the rig positioning market in Norway,” Sagatun said. “Our knowledgeable and responsive project management team, combined with our highly skilled and experienced offshore personnel, ensures safe and efficient operations for Statoil.”