Trimble and PTx Trimble have introduced Trimble IonoGuard, a new technology designed to enhance RTK GNSS signal reliability for precision agriculture applications. The system aims to improve positioning accuracy and reduce signal loss during challenging ionospheric conditions.
IonoGuard is now available for users of the PTx Trimble NAV-900 guidance controller and Trimble base stations equipped with the ProPoint positioning engine. The technology was developed to maintain RTK correction integrity and minimize positioning dropouts during periods of high solar activity.
Solar activity peaks every 11 years, with the next maximum predicted in 2025. This phenomenon can significantly impact GNSS signal stability, potentially affecting precision positioning. Solar Cycle 25, which began in 2024 and is expected to continue through 2026, may present substantial challenges with the possibility of global disruptions.
While solar cycle disturbances often go unnoticed by the public, high-precision RTK GNSS users in equatorial regions frequently experience impacts from solar activity throughout the year, which can lead to costly interruptions in agricultural operations.
IonoGuard is accessible through the latest PTx Trimble Precision-IQ firmware release. When used with compatible GNSS hardware, the system aims to deliver improved RTK performance during both routine operations and periods of solar disturbance.
Read a roundup of recent products in the GNSS and inertial positioning industry from the March 2025 issue of GPS World magazine.
Surveying and Mapping
Photo: Eos Positioning Systems
New Eco-Friendly Carrying Case For Eos Positioning Systems’ receivers
The Skadi Gold, Skadi 300 and Skadi 200 GNSS receivers will now be shipped in a field-rugged carrying case made entirely from recycled materials. The case is designed to meet the demands of professionals who utilize GNSS technology in challenging environments. Its construction incorporates durable, eco-friendly materials that can withstand various field conditions, from remote wilderness areas to urban construction sites.
A key feature is its composition of 100% post-consumer recycled resin, which significantly reduces waste and promotes environmental sustainability, according to the company. It is specifically engineered to be shock-resistant and weatherproof.The case is provided as a standard inclusion with every purchase of the Skadi Gold, Skadi 300 or Skadi 200 GNSS receivers at no additional cost.
Multibeam Sonar Designed for bathymetric surveying
The Gemini 1200id is built on the same robust platform as the Gemini 720is multibeam sonar. The device features a 120° horizontal field of view, operating at both 720 kHz and 1,200 kHz acoustic frequencies.
The Gemini 1200id incorporates advanced noise reduction technology to significantly improve the attenuation of waterborne electrical noise to enhance imaging performance. An integrated speed-of-sound sensor ensures high positional accuracy of displayed targets, while CHIRP processing technology enhances target separation over extended ranges.
Compatibility with Tritech’s Genesis software package allows users to control multiple Tritech products from a single interface to streamline operations. The company has also made software development kits available for Windows and Linux operating systems to integrate into various platforms. The sonar’s design includes a custom-developed analog front-end solution with fully differential receiver channels, making it ideal for longer-range applications.
HiPer XRa is a GNSS receiver for surveying, mapping and construction applications. It can benefit a wide variety of users, including construction professionals, surveyors, geographic information systems (GIS) professionals, archeologists, engineering firms and more. The HiPer XR supports GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, IRNSS, QZSS and SBAS.
The new receiver has advanced Topcon Integrated Leveling Technology (TILT) compensation, featuring a calibration-free and magnetic interference-immune integrated IMU that provides up to 60° of tilt for precision measurements in challenging positions. It has signal integrity protection, anti-jamming and anti-spoofing capabilities. Through the myTopcon NOW! website, users can access online training materials, firmware updates and additional software resources.
Airborne Lidar System Ideal for coastline and river surveying
CoastalMapper is an airborne bathymetric lidar system for coastline and river surveying. The CoastalMapper can survey coastlines and rivers 250% faster than previous sensor models, according to Leica Geosystems.
It is suitable for various mapping applications, from assessing infrastructure resilience to monitoring river floods and conducting environmental investigations.
It features a high-performance bathymetric lidar module, a Leica TerrainMapper-3 topographic lidar and an imaging sensor, integrated into a compact and lightweight sensor head. This allows the CoastalMapper to capture up to 1 million bathymetric data points and 2 million topographic data points per second while providing high-resolution imagery with a 5-cm ground sampling distance at typical flying heights.
It integrates with Leica Geosystems’ airborne mapping workflows and offers cluster processing capabilities, allowing users to analyze large datasets and reduce the time from data collection to final deliverables. These outputs can include classified point clouds, digital terrain and surface models, and various imaging products.
Surveying Kit Streamlines base station and checkpoint setup
WingtraGROUND, a comprehensive survey kit, streamlines base station and checkpoint setup for on-site post-processing kinematic surveys with the WingtraONE Gen II, a vertical takeoff and landing UAV. The kit combines receivers, checkpoints and tools into a single, portable workflow.
The system integrates hardware components with a Wingtra tablet interface, which can help surveyors confirm correct receiver placement and avoid common errors associated with improper base station setup and inaccurate coordinates.
Wingtra receivers, equipped with Emlid Reach RS3 technology, provide accuracy within 2 cm, meeting high standards for aerial data validation. These receivers can also function independently for terrestrial surveys in real-time kinematic mode, including point collection and stakeout for various applications.
Galileo HAS-Enabled Receiver Offers positioning capabilities with 20 cm accuracy
The Geode GNS3H supports Galileo High Accuracy Service (HAS). It offers positioning capabilities with 20 cm accuracy worldwide without requiring additional infrastructure or subscriptions.
It is built to withstand tough conditions, making it ideal for demanding fieldwork. The device offers various accessories, including the Geode Grip, which combines the Geode with a data collection device of choice into a single handheld solution. A backpack strap kit and survey pole are also available to enhance mobility and flexibility in the field. The GNS3H can be used for surveying, agriculture, construction, forestry, mining and archaeology.
Expanded Mapping Portfolio 3D mapping technologies and more
Topcon Positioning Systems has become an authorized distributor of Pix4D’s photogrammetry software portfolio.
The partnership aims to enhance reality capture solutions across various industries, including surveying, mapping, utilities infrastructure, public safety, forensics, and architecture, engineering and construction.
The agreement streamlines the procurement process for end users by allowing them to access Pix4D’s advanced photogrammetry software solutions through Topcon’s global distribution network.
The GNSS real-time kinematic (RTK) 5 Click — a compact add-on board for high-precision positioning and navigation demands — features the UM980, an all-constellation multifrequency RTK positioning module from Unicore, with the advanced NebulasIV SoC for enhanced performance.
It supports Swift Navigation’s Skylark precise positioning service, multiple GNSS constellations and RTK positioning for centimeter-level accuracy. The board also features JamShield technology for robust performance in challenging environments, USB connectivity for easy configuration and visual status indicators for module status and GNSS signal reception.
It can be used for a variety of applications, including surveying and mapping, precision agriculture, UAVs, autonomous robots and autonomous driving.
Multi-Band GNSS Antenna Can operate in urban environments
Levity Series’ AHP24510 (L1/L2/L-Band) and AHP54510 (L1/L5/L-Band) directional patch antennas are designed to receive signals from GPS, Galileo, GLONASS and BeiDou satellite constellations.
These antennas offer faster and more accurate signal acquisition and lock, specifically in urban environments. The L-Band capability allows compatibility with high-precision GNSS correction services. The multi-band antennas offer integral redundancy to minimize satellite security blind spots and reduce energy consumption due to faster acquisition, requiring less system uptime to save power.
The Levity Series active antennas feature a 45 mm x 45 mm x 10 mm wide-band, dual-stacked patch design with a dual-feed, low noise amplifier, providing 28 dB to 29 dB gain and filtering. They operate with a maximum antenna VSWR of 1-to-1 from 1,207 MHz to 1,603 MHz, and the passive antenna efficiency ranges from 39.93% to 68.51% in the L1 band. These antennas use right-hand circular polarization to mitigate multi-path interference.
The Levity Series includes other multi-band products for high-precision applications, such as the HP24510A and HP54510A stacked-patch passive components, and the TFM.120A surface-mount front-end module, which covers the full multi-band GNSS spectrum including L-band. These antennas are suitable for various applications, including wearables, transportation, robotics, precision agriculture and autonomous vehicles.
The M9PLUS-HCT-A-SMA is an active multi-frequency GNSS antenna designed for high-accuracy applications. It supports L1/L2/L5 GPS, Galileo, Beidou and GLONASS bands, as well as L-band correction services. The antenna utilizes Maxtena’s proprietary Helicore technology, which offers advanced pattern control, polarization purity and efficiency in a compact form factor.
It integrates a pre-filter specifically engineered to mitigate LTE interference. This is crucial for maintaining signal integrity in environments with dense mobile communication networks, where LTE signals can overlap with GNSS frequencies. The pre-filter can effectively block out-of-band LTE signals, reducing intermodulation risks and ensuring clear GNSS signal reception.
The M9PLUS-HCT-A-SMA is built with rugged, IP67 automotive-grade components and includes an integrated SMA connector. It also features an O-ring for enhanced environmental sealing. Weighing only 24 grams, the antenna is ground plane-independent, making it versatile for various installations. It is particularly well-suited for GIS and RTK applications where high accuracy and reliability are crucial.
The MostaTech G321M is a three-axis fiber optic gyroscope (FOG) that offers high-precision navigation and orientation measurement capabilities. This advanced sensor features a data rate of 8 kHz.
Key features of the G321M include an input range of 400° per second, a bias RMS of 1° per hour and an angular random walk of 0.025 °/√h. Additionally, it has a power consumption of 2 W and an initialization time of 1 second. The G321M is designed with a compact form factor, making it suitable for various applications where size and weight are critical factors.
It is ideal for UAVs, robotics, borehole surveys, image stabilization, gimbal stabilization and underwater vehicles.
High-Precision Lidar Designed for precision applications
The TV1 Lite and the TV1 UAV systems are designed for various precision applications, such as mapping and data collection.
The TV1 Lite features TrueNav technology, a Hesai 32-channel laser scanner and a FLIR 5MP global shutter camera with a 90° field of view. It also includes one year of TV1 Lite Annual Processing with support and maintenance.
TV1 offers customization options, allowing users to choose from 26 MP, 45 MP or 61 MP cameras and various Trajectory Correction Service options.
Flight Control System With autopilot functionality
The Prism Supervisor software combines UAV autopilot flight control systems with AI-based observations processed in real time, aiming to enhance UAV operations.
The system provides a programming framework and software development kit for users to create custom mission scenarios. During flight, Prism Supervisor can adapt its autopilot functionality in real time, generating mission segments and flight plans as needed.
The software features a user-friendly graphic interface for mission planning, real-time visualization and execution. It supports Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS and Android.
Remote ID Receiver Enhances airspace awareness and UAV safety
RIDER is designed to enhance situational awareness by providing real-time detection of UAV activity in sensitive areas. It also seeks to provide a clear visibility of surrounding UAV operations to help avoid potential collisions and ensure safer flight experiences.
The device features a built-in industrial chip SIM that provides global coverage through LTE-M and NB-IoT, ensuring connectivity in various environments.
It operates effectively within a temperature range of -20 °C to +60 °C and is rated IP54 for dust and water resistance. The device complies with ASTM F3411-22A and ASD-STAN EN 4709-002 standards, making it suitable for regulatory environments.
The RIDER can detect signals from up to 5 km with its default antennas and up to 10 km when using an optional high-performance antenna. It is equipped with an internal cellular and Bluetooth antenna, along with an integrated GNSS antenna that provides precise positioning and timestamping capabilities. It supports multiple GNSS frequencies and utilizes Bluetooth and Wi-Fi technologies for Remote ID communications.
Streamlined BVLOS Operations For a variety of applications
The Sentaero 6 UAV is designed for advanced over-the-horizon operations beyond visual line of sight (OTH-BVLOS). It features built-in AI and machine learning capabilities for real-time data processing. The system can be used for surveying, mapping, inspection, asset monitoring and more.
Engineered to streamline operations, the Sentaero 6 offers more accurate and up-to-date intelligence on assets. Its onboard computer can processes data mid-flight.
Future developments will include swarm operations, enabling one human to control multiple UAVs simultaneously; fully remote operations and higher safety standards, such as a parachute for urban missions, according to Censys Technologies.
SBG Systems has significantly updated its Ellipse series sensors, incorporating the latest World Magnetic Model (WMM) to enhance accuracy and reliability in navigation applications. This upgrade is available for all Ellipse sensors, including first-generation models.
Designed for unmanned systems such as UAVs, UGVs and marine platforms, the Ellipse series comprises compact, high-precision inertial sensors. These devices feature built-in three-axis magnetometers that measure Earth’s magnetic field, crucial for accurate heading and positioning data.
Updated every five years, the WMM is a globally recognized mathematical representation of Earth’s magnetic field. The latest version, released in December 2024, ensures precise heading and positioning corrections to account for ongoing geomagnetic changes.
NDAA-Compliant UAV Now integrated with ArcGIS Flight
Esri now supports the Astro Max UAV in its ArcGIS Flight application. The Astro Max is the first Blue UAS-cleared and NDAA-compliant UAV to integrate with Esri’s platform.
The Astro Max, developed by Esri partner Freefly Systems, adheres to the security and performance standards set by the National Defense Authorization Act and the Defense Innovation Unit’s Blue UAS initiative. This industrial UAV is designed to enhance the capabilities of government and enterprise users utilizing ArcGIS Flight.
Autonomous Swarm Control Controls various autonomous platforms
The Autonomous Multi-Domain Operations Resiliency Platform for Heterogeneous Unmanned Swarms (AMORPHOUS) software features a single-user interface to operate thousands of autonomous assets simultaneously. Designed with an open architecture, this software enables the U.S. and allied militaries to control a mix of uncrewed platforms, payloads and systems.
AMORPHOUS includes an intuitive and distributed command-and-control interface to give operators the flexibility to conduct a wider array of intricate military missions. This collaborative autonomy at scale will provide warfighters with a decisive overmatch capability.
L3Harris is developing prototypes using the AMORPHOUS architecture on contracts for the U.S. Army and the Defense Innovation Unit. AMORPHOUS has demonstrated flexibility and interoperability by controlling multiple, separate assets across multiple vehicle types operating in different domains during government-managed tests.
AMORPHOUS supports decentralized decision-making, which enables individual, uncrewed assets to perform tasks autonomously and make real-time tactical decisions inside the network.
Advanced Counter-UAV Radar Multi-console radar control and display system
Cambridge Pixel has developed a radar control and display system for Weibel Scientific’s XENTA surveillance radar, which is designed for modern air defense and counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) applications.
The XENTA radar includes 3D target tracking, continuous target illumination and synthetic receiver beamforming. It is available in two configurations: the XENTA-M for short-range air defense and the XENTA-C for C-UAS operations.
The system is designed to work seamlessly with third-party command-and-control systems, enhancing operational efficiency.
Cambridge Pixel’s library of radar processing software allows users to develop a tailored radar controller specific to the XENTA radar’s requirements. Enhancements were made to existing functionalities, such as improved MIL-STD-2525 overlay graphics and support for dual-redundant operator consoles.
The XENTA radar system can detect small UAVs at distances exceeding 7 km and classify them beyond 5 km. This capability makes it suitable for various applications, including airport security, border control, critical infrastructure protection and event security.
The Pelican 2 agricultural spray UAV has an expanded 300-liter payload capacity and can cover up to 5.3 ha/hr.
It incorporates several technological enhancements designed to meet the demands of agriculture applications. The aircraft features an upgraded four-motor electric propulsion system, a wider 18-m spray swath and advanced lidar and radar systems for fully autonomous day-and-night spraying. These improvements aim to increase efficiency and precision in aerial application while reducing operational costs for farmers.
The Pelican 2’s airframe and structural components are constructed from carbon fiber composites, corrosion-resistant metallic components and 3D-printed assemblies.
Quectel Wireless Solutions has introduced the LG680P, a multi-constellation, quad-band GNSS module designed to provide high-precision positioning for applications such as precision agriculture, intelligent robotics and surveying. It has a multi-constellation capability for accurate and reliable positioning.
The LG680P supports concurrent reception of L1, L2 and L5 frequency bands, which seeks to improve signal quality and precision. Additionally, it is equipped to support advanced signals such as Galileo E6, QZSS L6 and BDS B2b for Precise Point Positioning (PPP) technology. This feature enables high-precision accuracy without requiring local or broadband connectivity. The module’s ability to integrate these technologies makes it suitable for demanding environments where reliable positioning is critical.
The module achieves horizontal accuracy of up to 0.8 cm + 1 ppm, even in challenging urban environments. It has been tested with dual-band corrections to ensure backward compatibility with existing systems while supporting quad-band corrections for optimal performance. This backward compatibility allows the LG680P to replace older dual-band systems seamlessly, offering enhanced precision and futureproofing without requiring immediate infrastructure upgrades.
Features and Applications
To maintain signal integrity in complex electromagnetic environments, the LG680P incorporates professional-grade anti-jamming and interference detection algorithms. It’s built-in NIC anti-jamming technology suppresses multiple narrow-band interferences, improving signal reception and stability. These features make the module highly robust in environments with significant electromagnetic interference.
The LG680P is compact, with a 22 mm by 17 mm footprint that adheres to a widely used industry form factor. It supports multiple interfaces such as UART, SPI, I2C, and CAN, ensuring seamless integration into diverse platforms. The module also supports external active antennas to optimize signal reception and enhance positioning accuracy.
The LG680P is suited for various applications, including autonomous lawnmowers, delivery robots, surveying equipment, and precision agriculture tools. Quectel also offers two external full-band GNSS antennas compatible with the module: the YEGR001W8AH geodetic GNSS antenna with versatile mounting options and the YEGD006U1A compact patch antenna designed for high-precision positioning.
STMicroelectronics has unveiled the Teseo VI family of GNSS receivers. The new receivers integrate multi-constellation and quad-band signal processing on a single chip, achieving centimeter-level accuracy for various applications.
The Teseo VI family includes the STA8600A and STA8610A models, featuring dual independent Arm Cortex-M7 processing cores. These receivers are designed for automotive applications such as advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving, as well as industrial uses including asset tracking, mobile robots and precision agriculture.
The receivers integrate all necessary system elements for centimeter accuracy into one die, supporting simultaneous multi-constellation and quad-band operations. This seeks to simplify product development and enhance reliability in challenging conditions, such as urban canyons.
The Teseo VI+ variant can host enhanced positioning engines developed by third-party companies, providing real-time kinematics for centimeter position accuracy. The Teseo APP2 STA9200MA operates dual cores in lockstep, offering hardware redundancy for applications requiring ISO 26262 ASIL-B functional safety compliance12.
STMicroelectronics’ RF architecture and GNSS baseband design provide quad-band GNSS support (L1, L2, L5 and E6) with the ability to acquire and track only L5, improving performance in difficult conditions.
\All variants include hardware cybersecurity features such as secure boot, over-the-air firmware updates, and output-data protection. The devices comply with UNECE R155 and ISO 21434 specifications for cybersecurity by design. Two new GNSS automotive modules, the Teseo-VIC6A and Teseo-ELE6A, have been introduced to simplify integration of Teseo VI/VI+ ICs on customer platforms and ensure optimal performance.
Topcon Corporation and FARO Technologies have entered a strategic partnership to develop and distribute laser-scanning technology solutions. The collaboration aims to expand access to advanced digital reality tools and result in complementary product developments, such as integrating Topcon and Sokkia systems with FARO products.
The initiative focuses on advancing laser-scanning technologies across key sectors, including construction, surveying, mapping, architecture, forensics, building information modeling and industrial plant and process applications. By combining their expertise, the companies plan to enhance software integration and develop joint product solutions to address user needs more effectively.
GEODNET Foundation, the organization overseeing the GEODNET positioning network, has secured $8 million in a strategic funding round. This investment, led by Multicoin Capital with participation from ParaFi and DACM, brings the project’s total financing to $15 million. The funds will be allocated to support the network’s expanding customer base and develop new applications in robotics and physical artificial intelligence.
Real-time kinematics (RTK) is a navigation technique that enhances satellite-based positioning systems to achieve centimeter-level accuracy in real time. According to GEODNET, the company has established itself as the world’s largest RTK network, with more than 13,500 user-deployed reference stations across 4,377 cities in more than 142 countries. These stations provide high-precision location services for various autonomous systems, including trucks, construction vehicles, agricultural equipment, UAVs and robotic lawnmowers.
GEODNET said its network had experienced significant growth, with its on-chain annual recurring revenue expected to increase by more than 400% compared to the previous year. This growth is attributed to the onboarding of new users, including large industrial companies, governmental organizations and enterprises.
The robotics market is projected to expand to more than $200 billion in revenue by 2030, according to studies from GlobalData. Precision location services are crucial for the training and operating of autonomous robots, UAVs and humanoid robots in complex environments. GEODNET aims to provide the necessary data for these systems to navigate safely and autonomously, both individually and in cooperative swarms.
The GEODNET network consists of reference stations that receive GNSS signals. Each station can deliver precise RTK correction data to devices within a range of approximately 20 km to 40 km. Any device equipped with a GNSS receiver — such as cars, UAVs, mobile phones, or tractors — can connect to the GEODNET network.
GEODNET supports multiple reference stations, including HYFIX’s MobileCM Triple-Band GNSS base station. Network contributors can earn GEOD tokens for hosting base stations. The GEOD token is live on the Solana blockchain, and the GEODNET Foundation is supported by several prominent blockchain and DePIN investors, including Borderless Capital, Multicoin Capital, ParaFi, DACM, CoinFund, Pantera, VanEck, Animoca Brands, Finality Capital Partners, Tangent, North Island Ventures, Modular Capital, Road Capital, Reflexive Capital, Reverie, IoTeX, JDI, SNZ and Santiago R. Santos.
Machine control systems, which combine positioning sensors — both GNSS receivers and inertial systems — with computer displays, give operators better insight into and control over their work. Whether moving dirt on a construction site, spraying crops on a large farm, or moving cargo containers in a port, machine control increases efficiency and precision while decreasing accidents and fuel consumption.
Machine control systems enable operators to accurately position buckets, blades and other implements on their machines without having to first survey and stake the work site, or having to constantly check their work. They give operators a clear reference between the position of the machine bucket or blade and the design surface, thereby increasing their productivity and accuracy. They also utilize labor and equipment efficiently to reduce costs and minimize wear-and-tear. Finally, by collecting data during their operations, they help teams communicate better and share models.
Machine control, which first began to be implemented in the 1990s, is being increasingly adopted across a variety of different types of construction equipment — including graders, dozers, and, more recently, excavators. Now, beyond simply providing operators with a visual guide to the position of their buckets or blades, automated machine control moves the blade to grade by talking directly to the machine’s hydraulics, enabling new or less-skilled operators to perform like long-time professionals and increasing the speed and precision of even the most experienced operators.
The three case studies in this cover story highlight the need for precision control of the implements on earth-moving machines, the importance of good data and the need to make the process as easy as possible for the operator.
The Maldives consists of numerous coral reef islands with low soil-bearing capacity. Using heavy machinery in such an environment requires careful management of movement and precise operations while avoiding damage to local coral reef ecosystems, thus preserving marine life and the natural landscape of the islands.
using heavy machinery among sensitive coral reefs requires careful movement and precise operations to avoid damaging them. Photo: ComNav
As an advanced construction solution, ComNav Technology’s XE100 Guidance System for Excavator employs high-precision GNSS positioning and heading technology coupled with inertial sensors. In construction projects in the Maldives, the XE100 not only provides precise guidance for operators on land but also enables efficient and precise underwater operations in complex marine environments while minimizing ecological impact. Its excellent performance has brought significant benefits to construction projects in the Maldives.
The Maldives’ construction environment is complex and variable, requiring precise equipment to adapt to diverse terrain. The XE100 supports multi-constellation multi-frequency GNSS, delivering centimeter-level accuracy. This ensures that, whether for leveling, slope cutting, or digging, the system delivers precise instructions for bucket operations and guarantees accurate excavator positioning, even in challenging conditions.
ComNav technology’s Xe100 GNSS machine control system delivers centimeter-level accuracy in complex and variable environments. Photo: ComNav
For scenarios requiring underwater operations or mixed land and water tasks, the XE100 overcomes the traditional challenge of locating exact coordinates. The GNSS tablet’s intuitive display of coordinate points helps operators identify work areas and select appropriate excavation actions. This ensures safety, reduces technical barriers, minimizes the need for rework, and significantly enhances construction quality while maintaining high efficiency and precision.
Construction projects in the Maldives often face challenges such as high humidity, high salinity and frequent vibrations. Each component of the XE100 is designed to withstand harsh environments with excellent durability. The system’s modular design also supports expansion to other construction machinery, enhancing flexibility and paving the way for future technological upgrades.
As a nation abundant in marine resources and dependent on tourism, ongoing infrastructure development and maintenance are critical to the Maldives’ economy. The XE100 system improves construction accuracy, reduces operation time, ensures safety, and lowers costs, thereby accelerating project timelines.
Machine control and automation for snow management
The allure of pristine slopes and perfectly crafted terrain parks has always drawn adventurers to the mountains, but the landscape of snow management is shifting dramatically. With rising temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns, climate change poses a significant challenge to the snow sports industry. Natural snowfall is becoming less reliable, leaving resorts dependent on costly snowmaking systems that strain resources and budgets.
Leica Alpine Office enables resorts to achieve operational goals while safeguarding the environment by precisely managing snow management and reducing waste. Photo: Leica Geosystems
For snowparks, these challenges are even more acute. Crafting intricate features such as halfpipes, jumps and rails requires precision and significant amounts of snow — an increasingly scarce resource. Amid these difficulties, the need for sustainability has never been more pressing.
The tech that’s changing the game
Leica Geosystems’ snow management solution, the Leica iCON alpine, paired with Prinoth snow groomers, is helping resorts get more out of less, making the construction of snowparks more efficient and sustainable.
The Leica iCON alpine system leverages GNSS and advanced inclination sensors and inertial measurement units (IMUs) to measure and manage snow depth accurately. Mounted on any snow groomer, this system continuously collects data, ensuring that operators can see the exact snow depth beneath the blade and tracks — accurate to within ±3 cm. In other words, it’s like X-ray vision for your snowcat.
The Leica Icon Alpine, paired with Prinoth snow groomers, is helping to make the construction of snowparks more efficient and sustainable. Photo: Leica Geosystems
Need a perfect jump? Create a 3D model and import the data, which can be read on the screen inside the groomer’s cab. It even handles tricky terrain with features like avoidance zones and anchor point searches. This setup doesn’t just make slopes look good; it helps operators work smarter, not harder.
Snow measurement for World Cup Slalom course
For the past two years, Killington Mountain Resort in Vermont has been utilizing the Prinoth Connect Snow Measurement system powered by the Leica MC1 software.
Killington is one of the first resorts in North America to invest in snow measurement, and it has been vital to executing the Women’s Slalom and Giant Slalom World Cup builds in 2023 and 2024. Killington has the snowmaking capability to cover the race trail, Superstar, with snow in about 100 hours. With the software, the teams can read the snow depth to +/- 3 cm, using snow measurement sensors instead of long metal probes. The software helps increase the efficiency of both snowmaking and grooming, making the build easier for the grooming operators, more straightforward for officials, and safer for the racers.
Leica’s machine control solution has been vital to precisely executing the Women’s Slalom and Giant Slalom World Cup builds. Photo: Leica Geosystems
From the snow to the dirt
However, Leica Geosystems machine control technology is a year-round solution thanks to its versatile Leica MC1 platform, which allows the same hardware used for snow grooming to seamlessly transition into off-season applications such as summer earthworks, trail construction and road maintenance. With a single investment, resorts get a multipurpose tool that eliminates the need for separate systems, cutting costs and complexity.
For instance, in the summer months at the Rieberalp in Davos Rinerhorn, the Leica MC1 solution powers excavation work for projects such as creating a reservoir and ensuring precise and efficient earthmoving. In the winter, the same system transitions to snow groomers, optimizing snow management on the slopes. This effortless switch between applications highlights the adaptability and value of the Leica MC1 platform, enabling ski resorts to get the maximum out of their investment while maintaining top performance year-round.
Technology for more sustainable snowparks
With precision snow management and reduced waste, resorts can achieve operational goals while safeguarding the environment. Adopting digital solutions such as these ensures that ski resorts and snowparks can continue to deliver world-class experiences for generations to come.
Te Ara Tupua is an initiative by the New Zealand Transport Agency aimed at enhancing transport resilience while establishing a walking and cycling route between Wellington and Lower Hutt. The Te Ara Tupua Alliance includes the NZ Transport Agency and its design and construction partners: Downer NZ, HEB Construction and Tonkin + Taylor. To execute this project, the NZ Transport Agency is collaborating with Taranaki Whānui ki te Upoko o te Ika and Ngāti Toa Rangatira as iwi mana whenua. This collaboration inspired the name Te Ara Tupua, referencing the Māori creation story in which Ngake and Whātaitai, two tupua (ancient beings), formed Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington harbor).
The Ngā Ūranga ki Pito-One section of Te Ara Tupua will be built on the harbor’s edge, from Ngā Ūranga Interchange to Honiara Te Puni Reserve in Pito-One and connect with the new Pito-One to Melling section. The project will deliver a new resilient coastal edge protecting the road and rail while providing transport options and a safe route for walking and cycling between the two cities.
The solutions involved include:
Trimble Marine Construction System
Trimble SketchUp
Trimble Stratus Software
The benefits of the project include:
Reduced project timeline.
Improved safety for construction crews and the public.
Increased productivity.
Higher precision placement of embankment blocks.
Reduced environmental impact.
Real-time progress visibility for stakeholders.
Te Ara Tupua will deliver a new resilient coastal edge protecting the road and rail while providing new and safer transport options. Photo: Trimble
Te Ara Tupua is currently under construction along the western coastline of Te Whanganui-a-Tara with the aim of being completed in 2026. The Pito-One to Melling section of Te Ara Tupua is the first completed section of the project and was delivered by the contractors, Fulton Hogan.
The Pito-One to Melling section is a 3 km separated cycling route stretching from Pito-One to the Hutt River Trail near Bridge Street. The new path eventually will join the Ngā Ūranga to Pito-One section of Te Ara Tupua, which connects to the Hutt Road and Thorndon Quay.
The construction of Ngā Ūranga to Pito-One section of Te Ara Tupua includes a 4.5 km shared path, shared path bridge, rock revetments, seawalls and landings. To protect the shared path, road and rail line against wave action, erosion and sea-level rise, an essential part of the new pathway is the construction of embankments (or revetments).
Underwater resilience
Te Ara Tupua is the first project where seismic performance has been considered and tested in the design elements, including the new seawall built over a large active faultline.
Two main types of material are required for this project. Rock is being used for the revetment (the sloping rock seawall), which will protect the reclamation and the path from the sea while the remaining material is general fill. These are being sourced in Taranaki and Golden Bay with rock from Golden Bay being transported by barge, greatly reducing the number of truck movements.
XBlocPlus units are a unique cost-effective solution for Te Ara Tupua. These blocks are poured in the shape of an ‘X,’ which interlock and stack on top of each other to create a seawall with a steeper incline.
Using these interlocking concrete blocks reduces the seawall’s physical footprint and impact on the marine environment, enabling the project to use less material at a lower cost compared to a rock revetment.
Through this innovation, the project team of engineers and ecologists (Te Ātiawa, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Tūwharetoa and Ngāti Apa) worked alongside lead cultural designer, Len Hetet to combine cultural and environmental design, which resulted in Te Ripowai, the unique Te Ara Tupua ecological XblocPlus unit. Te Ripowai speaks of the rippling water and connects to a Te Ātiawa whakatauki of guardianship. The guardians must keep the ripples occurring, else water becomes still and life will cease to exist. Te Riopowai includes surface patterns and textures to encourage growth of marine plants.
The Ngā Ūranga to Pito-One pathway shoreline ultimately will have 6,663 of these blocks of varying shapes.
operators of excavators with grapple attachments needed to move eight different block shapes into place with an 80 mm tolerance. Photo: Trimble
Block placement
Placing these blocks with precision and speed initially created some concern for the project team. Operators in excavators equipped with grapple attachments needed to move the units into place, initially about 4 m underwater, to a tolerance of about 80 mm to assure embankment strength. To further complicate the construction, there are eight different block shapes.
It’s a task purpose-built for real-time digital twins and machine guidance, according to the Alliance. With help from SITECH, the survey team looked to its digital assets.
First, Jan du Preez, survey manager with the Te Ara Tupua Alliance, relied on Trimble SketchUp to accurately model the individual blocks. Then, the team combined the Trimble Marine Construction (TMC) System with a digital model of the excavator. Laser scans along the shoreline provided a digital record of the existing conditions. Even the sequential placement of the blocks is planned in the digital space.
On the job, an operator selects a designated block for placement on the screen, then uses the excavator grapple attachment to pick it up. TMC provides real-time feedback on the block’s position, rotation and tilt as the operator navigates to the appropriate position, even underwater.
Du Preez added, “With TMC, the operators can ‘see’ where they are placing them under the water. Because they’re working in an active tidal area with most of the blocks sitting underwater, the idea was to make the process as easy as possible for the operator with highly visual markers on the screen. Every step is color coded, which allows operators to just focus on the colors, rather than trying to see underwater with the naked eye.”
As the block is placed within the 80 mm tolerance required to interlock with the blocks above, the operator records the as-built position, and the screen shows green. The operator then releases the grapple and moves on to the next block.
When asked about efficiency, du Preez noted, “The initial program specified placing 15 blocks per day. We are currently placing between 35 to 45 blocks per day depending on site conditions. We estimate that we’re seeing about three times the productivity compared with more conventional methodology — though I’m still not sure how we would have done this without TMC. We would have had to come up with some kind of visual marker and then perform quality checks with divers. It would have been time consuming and very costly.”
Shared progress
The benefits of the digital workflows to stakeholders, according to du Preez, are many, with transparency being the overarching benefit.
Unlike a traditional contract where owner and project team are separate, in an alliance model the client is an integral part of the team. That said, while NZ Transport Agency, Waka Kotahi, et al., are involved in the everyday running of the project as part of the alliance, they also have a board. “Every time the Alliance board of directors sees our solution, they are completely blown away by what we’ve been doing and how we’re doing it,” du Preez said. They particularly like the regular drone flights that capture progress updates.
“All survey data, models and regular flight imagery are loaded and stored in Trimble Stratus for sharing so that stakeholders always see the latest project status. The entire Alliance really appreciates this level of real-time digital visibility into the project.”
Ngā Ūranga ki Pito-One is on track for completion in 2026. When complete, the Te Ara Tupua will deliver a safe, connected and resilient route, enabling more people to walk or bike, and connect with local paths in both Wellington and the Hutt Valley.
Topcon Positioning Systems has become an authorized distributor of Pix4D’s photogrammetry software portfolio, expanding access to high-precision positioning and 3D mapping technologies.
The partnership aims to enhance reality capture solutions across various industries, including surveying, mapping, architecture engineering and construction, energy, utilities infrastructure, public safety, and forensics.
The agreement streamlines the procurement process for end-users by allowing them to access Pix4D‘s advanced photogrammetry software solutions through Topcon’s established global distribution network and ensures comprehensive technical support for users.
Topcon Positioning Systems has introduced the HiPer XRa GNSS receiver for surveying, mapping and construction applications. The new receiver is designed to benefit a wide variety of users, including construction professionals, surveyors, GIS professionals, archeologists, engineering firms and others who rely on quality, precision measurements. The HiPer XR supports GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, IRNSS, QZSS and SBAS.
The new receiver has advanced Topcon Integrated Leveling Technology (TILT) compensation, featuring a calibration-free and magnetic interference-immune integrated IMU that provides up to 60° of tilt for precision measurements in challenging positions. It has signal integrity protection, anti-jamming and anti-spoofing capabilities designed to keep data reliable, even in areas with interference or degraded signals.
Through the myTopcon NOW! Website users can access online training materials, firmware updates, and additional software resources.
Taoglas has released a new family of active, multi-band GNSS antennas. Levity Series’ AHP24510 (L1/L2/L-Band) and AHP54510 (L1/L5/L-Band) directional patch antennas are designed for GPS, Galileo, GLONASS and BeiDou satellite constellations.
These antennas offer improved performance through triangulation across multiple satellites, offering faster and more accurate signal acquisition and lock, specifically in urban environments. The L-Band capability allows compatibility with high-precision GNSS correction services, potentially achieving positioning accuracy better than 200 cm.
The multi-band antennas seek to offer integral redundancy to minimize satellite security blind spots and reduce energy consumption due to faster acquisition requiring less system uptime to save power.
The Levity Series active antennas feature a 45 mm x 45 mm x 10 mm wide-band, dual-stacked patch design with a dual-feed, low noise amplifier, providing 28 dB to 29 dB gain and filtering. They operate with a maximum antenna VSWR of 1-to-1 from 1,207 MHz to 1,603 MHz, and the passive antenna efficiency ranges from 39.93% to 68.51% in the L1 band. These antennas use right-hand circular polarization to mitigate multi-path interference.
The Levity Series includes other multi-band products for high-precision applications, such as the HP24510A and HP54510A stacked-patch passive components, and the TFM.120A surface-mount front-end module, which covers the full multi-band GNSS spectrum including L-Band.
These antennas are suitable for various applications, including wearables, transportation, robotics, precision agriculture and autonomous vehicles.
In response to the recent wildfires in Southern California, Topcon Positioning Systems is now offering free access to its GNSS correction services network for emergency recovery efforts. The company is offering a 90-day subscription to its Topnet Live service, which delivers precise positioning data crucial for assessing damaged infrastructure, surveying, utility mapping and operating construction equipment.
The technology is being made available at no cost within affected areas to support first responders, public works teams, and other professionals involved in damage assessment, infrastructure repairs, and rebuilding initiatives. The service is compatible with any brand of receiver capable of using RTCM format NTRIP corrections.
“We want to help the efforts that are ongoing and aid in the future reconstruction of the damaged communities from these wildfires,” said Jason Killpack, director of Topcon emerging business development. “The 90-day emergency subscription service is free to anybody that needs them to get their essential job done.”
Individuals or organizations seeking to activate this service can contact participating Topcon distributors in California. Contact information is available on the company’s website for those interested in utilizing the emergency assistance.
Topcon Positioning Systems has expanded its Topnet Live reference station network by adding 200 new geodetic stations across the United States. This expansion enhances the availability of centimeter-level accuracy for industries requiring precise positioning, such as engineering, surveying, construction and agriculture.
The upgraded network provides advanced network corrections that optimize operational workflows in various sectors. The enhanced infrastructure supports emerging technologies such as automated turf management, precision line marking, imaging systems and UAV operations for mapping and delivery.
This expansion builds upon previous efforts throughout 2024, resulting in a 30% increase in Topnet Live’s total coverage in the United States. The network now offers comprehensive, network-modeled solutions that cater to a wide range of professional requirements across multiple market segments.
The Topnet Live network utilizes Networked Transport of RTCM via Internet Protocol (NTRIP) to stream GNSS corrections data via the Internet for RTK positioning. This technology allows for centimeter-level accuracy by mitigating errors from factors such as ionospheric disturbances, satellite clock deviations and orbit inaccuracies.
