GPS World

Category: Mapping

  • Woolpert to collect lidar data for USGS

    Woolpert to collect lidar data for USGS

    Photo: Landscape of Badwater Basin salt flats, with halite textures under a vibrant pink sky during sunset or sunrise at Death Valley National Park. (Photo: StephenBridger / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images)
    Landscape of Badwater Basin salt flats, with halite textures under a vibrant pink sky during sunset or sunrise at Death Valley National Park. (Photo: StephenBridger / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images)

    The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has commissioned Woolpert to collect Quality Level 1 lidar data and conduct ground control surveys throughout Southern California in support of the 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) and The National Map.

    Overseen by the USGS National Geospatial Program, 3DEP provides the nation’s first comprehensive, high-resolution topographic elevation data integrated into The National Map. The data will be accessible to local, state and national agencies to consider when making decisions that affect the immediate safety of life, property and the environment, as well as for long-term infrastructure planning.

    Woolpert will collect roughly 60,000 km2 of aerial lidar data throughout Inyo County, California, including parts of the Mojave Desert and Death Valley National Park, using a Leica TerrainMapper. QL1 data are collected at eight points per square meter.

    “Woolpert has had the honor of supporting USGS’ 3D Elevation Program since its launch nearly a decade ago,” said John Gerhard, Woolpert vice president and program director. “Critical decisions that depend on accurate and available elevation data are being made every day, and we are incredibly proud to continue our support for the U.S. Geological Survey and its commitment to completing the nation’s first-ever baseline of consistent high-resolution elevation data.”

    Gerhard added that the data acquired for this project will also support the USGS 3D Hydrography Program (3DHP). The project is underway, and data is expected to be acquired by fall 2024.

     

  • An inside look at Trimble’s new product suite

    An inside look at Trimble’s new product suite

    Photo: Trimble
    Photo: Trimble

    From May 14 to 16, more than 1,400 attendees gathered at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland, Ohio for Trimble’s Innovate 2024 User Conference.

    At the conference, Trimble announced its upcoming asset lifecycle management suite, Trimble Unity. The software suite offers comprehensive capabilities that enable owners to efficiently plan, design, build, operate and maintain their assets.

    Trimble Unity provides an end-to-end solution that connects teams across all lifecycle phases, giving them access to critical data to make decisions. From designers, engineers and contractors to asset managers, inspection and maintenance crews, Trimble Unity offers all stakeholders visibility to reliable data across digital workflows that help foster collaboration, improve project outcomes and reduce the total costs of asset ownership.

    Trimble Unity capabilities includes:

    • Trimble Unity Construct: A cloud-based construction project and program management capability that provides insights to improve process control and reduce cycle times. It is powered by Trimble e-Builder.
    • Trimble Unity Maintain: An enterprise asset management capability that streamlines work activity, planning and analysis to optimize resource allocation and infrastructure reinvestment. It is powered by Trimble Cityworks AMS, Trimble AgileAssets and Trimble Unity Work Management.
    • Trimble Unity Permit: A permitting, land management and licensing capability for streamlining public and back-office operations required to manage permits, licenses, right-of-way and code enforcement. It is powered by Trimble Cityworks PLL.
    • Trimble Connect: A connected data environment that unifies asset data in files, native file formats and 3D modes to streamline accessibility and collaboration.

    In addition, Trimble Unity includes Trimble Unity Field, an all-in-one mobile application enabling field workers to design, build and maintain assets more efficiently, leading to improved productivity, reduced technology costs and improved community confidence.

    GPS World met with Senior Vice President for Trimble’s Owner and Public Sector, Cyndee Hoagland, for an exclusive interview about the new product suite, how GIS plays a pivotal role in the asset management lifecycle and more.

    Photo: Trimble
    Photo: Trimble

    What sectors can benefit from this new product suite?

    For the public sector side, federal, state and local governments. Think cities, municipalities, state departments of transportation (DOTs), airports and transit authorities. For the private sector, healthcare facilities and universities.

    Is Trimble adding any new capabilities to the applications within the suite?

    We added a GIS capability to e-Builder along with Trimble Unity Field, so the mobile application of e-Builder is new. We did not have a capability for location-based information within the application itself, but it is now included, which is the added GIS capability.

    How do data strategy and GIS play a role?

    Most of our users on the enterprise asset management side are GIS-centric, having GIS and GPS experience. They recognize and understand the value of location data combined with asset data. For example, it is so much better for an inspector to know the location of bolts that need to be repaired before the work begins.

    Additionally, from a GIS perspective, if you are thinking about the GPS elements, and location and spatial data relative to an asset from the planning stage, through design and construction all the way to operation and maintenance, that data can be used to more efficiently operate and maintain the asset over its lifecycle. This asset lifecycle management approach allows the owner to reduce their total cost of ownership for that asset by as much as 40%.

    Do you have an example?

    Let’s say a bridge costs $1 million to plan, design and construct. Historically, $3 million would then be spent on operations and maintenance across the bridge’s service life, bringing the total cost of ownership of the bridge to $4 million. However, using an asset lifecycle management approach, owners can reduce that $4 million cost by up to 40 percent, saving $1,600,000 on the total cost of ownership of that bridge.

    These enormous savings are possible because owners can track the location, condition and attributes of the bridge throughout the asset lifecycle and use that information to make better decisions for managing the asset. Owners can access information such as the location of the bridge, the type of asphalt used to build it, the geometry of all the components that create that bridge and more. All that asset-specific information is available in a GIS geolocated model, which is highly valuable not just for the owner, but for the design and contractor teams along the entire asset lifecycle.

    Are there benefits of using a mobile mapping platform to collect data as opposed to using a UAV?

    They serve different purposes. UAVs go up in the air at key points in a project to give owners an update on the project performance and how much is getting completed.

    Another way of capturing rich asset data quickly is mobile mapping and terrestrial laser scanning. What you will see, for example, is that a state DOT will have to provide information to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) relative to all their lane miles. In large scale projects, a vehicle-mounted mobile mapping system can be used to capture highly accurate and immersive asset data at highway speed. That data will then go into an asset management system, where it can help users prioritize where the road repairs need to take place.

    Will artificial intelligence (AI) be integrated into this suite in the future?

    AI is already being used today to transform large amounts of real-world data into information. If an owner has collected data to inspect a bridge, for example, the highly accurate and rich data from mobile mapping and UAV systems can show an owner where exactly repairs are needed. The datasets are, however, extremely large, and AI built into processing and analysis software can help reduce tedious tasks, such as extracting features. This streamlined analysis of the data helps to inform owners on how to best manage and maintain their assets.

    The key capabilities of the Trimble Unity Asset Lifecycle Management Suite will be available beginning in June 2024.

  • Trimble releases new GNSS receiver

    Trimble releases new GNSS receiver

    Photo: Trimble
    Photo: Trimble

    Trimble has introduced the Trimble R980 GNSS system, the newest addition to its GNSS receiver portfolio. The R980 features communication capabilities to support uninterrupted field operations.

    The Trimble R980 can be used for land surveying, transportation infrastructure, construction, energy, oil and gas, utilities and mining projects. It features Trimble’s ProPoint GNSS positioning engine and inertial measurement unit (IMU)-based tilt compensation using Trimble TIP  technology. These features make it suitable for dense urban environments and under tree canopy, removing the need to level the pole when capturing data points.

    The R980’s communication capabilities include a dual-band UHF radio and an integrated worldwide LTE modem for receiving corrections from a local base station or VRS network. Able to operate on 450 MHz, 900 MHz or LTE bands, users have flexibility in how they receive and transmit RTK corrections. It operates in both 450 MHz and 900 MHz bands, allowing for interoperability with a range of existing industry solutions.

    The R980 also supports the Trimble Internet Base Station Service (IBSS) for streaming RTK corrections using Trimble Access field software for connected workflows.

    A 12-month subscription to Trimble CenterPoint RTX real-time corrections, delivered via satellite or internet, is included on new R980 receivers. This provides reliability without the need for a local base station or VRS network, the company says. The service provides centimeter-level corrections and is complemented by the Trimble xFill correction service that extends RTK positioning during signal interruptions.

    The receiver includes Trimble IonoGuard technology, which mitigates ionospheric disturbances for RTK GNSS and Trimble Everest Plus for multipath mitigation performance. IonoGuard technology improves positioning availability in periods of increased solar activity, such as the recent G5 geomagnetic storms that occurred around the world.

  • Teledyne introduces nautical chart production solution

    Teledyne introduces nautical chart production solution

    Photo: Teledyne
    Photo: Teledyne

    Teledyne Geospatial has launched the CARIS AutoChart, a nautical chart production solution. 

     Traditionally, the production of nautical paper charts has been labor-intensive and time-consuming. It often involved challenges related to manual data entry, complex chart formatting and the integration of various data sources. Recognizing the need for a modern, technology-driven approach, CARIS AutoChart is a comprehensive software solution tailored specifically to the needs of nautical chart producers. 

     The solution can automatically generate charts in PDF/TIF from ENC data. Users can seamlessly import data from ENC files to create comprehensive and up-to-date nautical charts in PDF and/or TIFF format. CARIS AutoChart can generate chart templates from existing chart portfolios maintained with CARIS paper chart composer or CARIS HPD paper chart editor. 

     The software solution is designed to be flexible and scalable, accommodating the unique needs of chart production facilities of all sizes. It can be used by hydrographic offices, port or waterways authorities. 

  • HERE Technologies launches fleet optimization package

    HERE Technologies launches fleet optimization package

    Photo: HERE Technologies
    Photo: HERE Technologies

    HERE Technologies has launched its Fleet Optimization software package, designed to enhance the efficiency and scalability of fleet management operations.  

    The Fleet Optimization package aims to meet the needs of the transportation and logistics industry. It offers location-based features using HERE’s artificial intelligence (AI) to tackle the complexities of routing operations for commercial fleets.  

    The package is a robust set of location-based application programming interfaces (APIs). The key components and features of the HERE Fleet Optimization package include: 

    • HERE Tour Planning uses map content and complex routing scenarios that consider real-time and historical traffic, alongside vehicle and road restrictions, to provide optimal deployments of multi-vehicle commercial fleets.  
    • HERE Routing creates optimized, safe and accurate navigation solutions customized to truck, light commercial vehicle and two-wheeler routing profiles. 
    • HERE Geocoding and Search validates and enhances the accuracy of addresses and optimizes route planning through precise geocoordinates, ensuring fleet movements are based on the most accurate and current data available. 
    • HERE Map Rendering offers up-to-date, detailed map data, in raster and vector formats, with rich attributes used specifically by commercial vehicles — including road restrictions, bridge heights, road topology and topography. This feature offers drivers visualization and cues for reliable commercial vehicle navigation. 

    A key benefit of the package is the incorporation of variables such as vehicle profiles, driver availability and delivery schedules, to provide instantly optimized tours and more precise estimated time of arrival (ETA).  

    The package is available for in-house software developers and integrated software vendors. The location-based APIs within the package are accessible directly in a user’s environment, with HERE offering the toolsets, workspaces and APIs for custom development.  

    The HERE Fleet Optimization package is built to run natively on Amazon Web Services (AWS), HERE Tour Planning and HERE Location Services, including Geocoding, Search, Maps, Navigation, Routing, Fleet Telematics and more. 

  • Research roundup: Navigating urban environments

    Research roundup: Navigating urban environments

    GNSS researchers presented hundreds of papers at the 2023 Institute of Navigation (ION) GNSS+ conference, which took place Sept. 11-15, 2023, in Denver, Colorado, and virtually.

    The following four papers focused on ways to combat GNSS jamming and spoofing. The papers are available at bit.ly/3UMAS13.

    GPS World will be attending this year’s ION conference in Baltimore, Maryland on Sept. 16-20.

    Photo: flashfilm / The Image Bank / Getty Images
    Photo: flashfilm / The Image Bank / Getty Images

    Fault free integrity of urban driverless vehicles

    For positioning in urban environments, systems can be integrated with an inertial navigation system (INS) to help provide continuous navigation through GNSS signal outages. Besides GNSS, another approach for positioning in urban environments is feature-matching. For example, light detection and ranging (lidar) can measure distances and angles for environmental features, such as local landmarks, which can then be associated with known feature locations stored in an onboard database.

    This paper investigates how GNSS and INS, when augmented by lidar ranging from local landmarks, can offer safe navigation through a real-world urban environment under fault-free assumptions to achieve 100% availability of fault-free integrity, with requirements corresponding to maximum standard deviations between 0.05 m and
    0.1 m in both lateral and longitudinal directions. The team determined which system elements and parameters are the most critical to urban navigation performance, including individual INS noise parameter specifications, average vehicle speed, kinematic constraints, landmark density, integrity requirements and the effects of velocity updates.

    The team simulated GNSS availability along a 9 km urban transect in downtown Chicago. They considered multi-sensor integrated navigation architectures consisting of INS, ZUPT, GNSS, lidar, WSSs, and NHL and HL kinematic constraints to improve navigation availability. The simulation involved developed measurement models and a tightly coupled INS/multi-sensor integration scheme using an extended Kalman filter (EKF).

    The results revealed that the accelerometer and gyroscope random walks contribute to the total position error considerably more than the accelerometer and gyroscope drift for the driverless vehicle application, especially when the vehicle is moving at low speeds. Intentional vehicle stops with ZUPT inputs mitigate the error propagation but increase drive time. Velocity updates from WSSs can partially calibrate along-track position errors but do not completely reset the INS drifting position errors. Position reference updates are required to handle the concentrated succession of GNSS-denied conditions in the Chicago transect.

    Kana Nagai, Matthew Spenko, Ron Henderson and Boris Pervan;“Fault-free integrity of urban driverless vehicle navigation with multi-sensor integration: A case study in downtown Chicago.”

    3D vision-aided GNSS

    In this work, researchers aim to solve the major problem of GNSS/RTK positioning for autonomous systems through a deep exploration of the relationship between GNSS satellite measurements and visual landmarks in urban canyons. A 3D vision-aided method was proposed to improve GNSS real-time kinematic (RTK) positioning. The effectiveness was verified through several challenging data sets collected in urban canyons of Hong Kong using low-cost automobile-level GNSS receivers together with an automobile visual/inertial sensor suite.

    To mitigate the impact of reflected non-line-of-sight (NLOS) reception, a sky-pointing camera with a deep neural network was employed to exclude these measurements. However, NLOS exclusion results in distorted satellite geometry. To fill this gap, complementarity between the low-lying visual landmarks and the high-elevation satellite measurements was explored to improve the geometric constraints. Specifically, inertial measurement units (IMUs), visual landmarks captured by a forward-looking camera, and healthy GNSS measurements were tightly integrated to estimate the GNSS-RTK float solution. The integer ambiguities and the fixed GNSS-RTK solution were then resolved. The effectiveness of the proposed method was verified using several data sets collected in urban canyons in Hong Kong.

    The research indicated that GNSS-RTK promises potential solutions that may provide accurate, cost-effective, and drift-free positioning services for autonomous systems with specific navigation requirements. Unfortunately, the performance of the GNSS-RTK is significantly challenged in urban canyons due to the poor quality of GNSS measurements and satellite geometric distributions caused by signal blockage and reflections from surrounding buildings.

    Weisong Wen, Xiwei Bai, and Li-Ta Hsu; “3D vision aided GNSS real-time kinematic positioning for autonomous systems in urban canyons.”

    Low-cost inertial aids for GNSS

    The rise of connected and automated vehicles has created a need for robust globally referenced positioning with increasing accuracy. Carrier-phase differential GNSS (CDGNSS) — a real-time variant for mobile platforms commonly known as real-time kinematic (RTK) GNSS — is a centimeter-accurate positioning technique that differences a receiver’s GNSS observables with those from a nearby fixed reference station to eliminate most sources of measurement error.

    In this paper, researchers expand the navigation filter component of the CDGNSS system by tightly coupling with an inertial sensor and with vehicle dynamics constraints, and by incorporating measurements from multiple vehicle-mounted GNSS antennas. It also develops a novel robust estimation technique to mitigate the effects of multipath and allow for graceful recovery from incorrect integer fixes.

    The estimator was evaluated using the publicly available TEX-CUP urban positioning data set, yielding a 96.6% and 97.5% integer fix availability, and a 12 cm and 10 cm overall (fix and float) 95th-percentile horizontal positioning error with a consumer-grade and industrial-grade inertial sensor, respectively, over more than two hours of driving in the urban core of Austin, Texas.

    A performance sensitivity analysis showed that the false-fix detection and recovery scheme is key to achieving an acceptably low false integer fixing rate of 0.3% and 0.4%, respectively. Having a second vehicle-mounted GNSS antenna significantly increased integer-fix availability, decreased false-fix rate, and improved both root-mean-square and 95th-percentile positioning performance as compared to a single-baseline CDGNSS configuration.

    James E. Yoder and Todd E. Humphreys; “Low-cost inertial aiding for deep-urban tightly coupled multi-antenna precise GNSS.”

    Benchmarking urban navigation algorithms

    In this work, to facilitate the research and development of reliable and precise positioning methods using multiple sensors in urban canyons, the research team built a multisensory dataset, UrbanNav, collected in diverse, challenging urban scenarios in Hong Kong. The dataset provided multi-sensor data, including data from multi-frequency GNSS receivers, an IMU, multiple light detection and ranging (lidar) units and cameras.

    Meanwhile, the ground truth of the positioning — with centimeter-level accuracy — is postprocessed by commercial software from NovAtel using an integrated GNSS real-time kinematic and fiber optics gyroscope inertial system.

    Detailed presentations are provided for sensor systems, spatial and temporal calibration, data formats, and scenario descriptions. Also, the benchmark performance of several existing positioning methods is included as a baseline.

    Based on the evaluations, the team concluded that GNSS can provide satisfactory results in a middle-class urban canyon if an appropriate receiver and algorithms are applied. Both visual and lidar odometry are satisfactory in deep urban canyons, whereas tunnels are still a major challenge. Multisensory integration with the aid of an IMU is a promising solution for achieving seamless positioning in cities.

    Li-Ta Hsu, Feng Huang, Hoi-Fung Ng, Guohao Zhang, Yihan Zhong, Xiwei Bai, and Weisong Wen; “Hong Kong UrbanNav: An open-source multisensory dataset for benchmarking urban navigation algorithms.”

  • Wingtra releases mapping software

    Wingtra releases mapping software

    Photo: Wingtra
    Photo: Wingtra

    Wingtra has released its WingtraCLOUD software, designed to simplify data collection and streamline the onboarding of surveyors and pilots.

    WingtraCLOUD offers a user-friendly flight planning experience, plus time-saving features including site-based file organization, advanced 3D planning, coordinate system by sites and improved connectivity via cloud syncing in a single environment.

    It aims to simplify and streamline site setup and team collaboration. WingtraCLOUD’s features simplify and accelerate planning and introduce a new level of transparency among stakeholders with enhanced wireless functionality. Users can now provide insights to regional and global site managers across projects.

    WingtraCLOUD allows users to maximize Wingtra aerial data and services, offering UAV program scaling and business advantages across a variety of industries.

  • Point One Navigation launches new features for Polaris Network

    Point One Navigation launches new features for Polaris Network

    Photo: Point One Navigation
    Photo: Point One Navigation

    Point One Navigation has released a new “Tags” feature for its precise positioning Polaris network.

    The Tagging feature aims to simplify building and using positioning networks and systems for a wide range of applications including surveying, construction, fleet management, AgTech, robotic devices, UAVs and autonomous vehicles.

    With this upgrade, users can access streamlined searchability, precisely defined analytics and the ability to control devices at scale. According to Mark Wilkerson, Point One Navigation’s Product Manager, “The most powerful aspect of our tagging system is that it fundamentally changes the way customers can integrate their systems with ours.”

    Users can now work with P1’s API as if it were one of their native applications. The tagging features allow users to query data in the system using their native IDs, model numbers, regions and more.

    It now supports real-time operations with Point One’s GraphQL subscriptions API and features a device search UI in the web app. This allows users to filter and query their devices by tags, connection status or attributes. By using the new search feature, support teams can quickly pull up all active devices and display them on a map in real time. Changes made in either the web app or the API update in real-time.

  • Launchpad: Upgraded surveying software, application suite, GPS integrity module

    Launchpad: Upgraded surveying software, application suite, GPS integrity module

    A roundup of recent products in the GNSS and inertial positioning industry from the June 2024 issue of GPS World magazine.

    SURVEYING & MAPPING

    Photo:

     

    Upgraded surveying software
    With an improved CAD engine

    Survey Master 3.5.0 includes an enhanced CAD engine. A measurement grade has been added to the CAD to improve the software’s utility in design and planning projects. Additionally, the latest version features expanded CAD drawing and survey functions to offer users a comprehensive toolset — including point, line, polyline, curve, arc, square, rectangle, polygon, circle and text. Survey Master 3.5.0 features CAD capture mode from any point and allows users to easily display or hide point icons.

    The system added the Dominican predefined coordinate system, SBAS configuration, PPP and RTK PPP fusion, updated satellite frequencies and an external datalink CDL7 configuration. Existing software users can update directly in Survey Master.
    Comnav Technologies, comnavtech.com

    Photo:

    Scanning kit
    Combines photogrammetry with RTK precision

    The Pix4D & Emlid Scanning kit combines advanced photogrammetry with real-time kinematics (RTK) precision for quick data capture when documenting trenches and as-builts, performing volumetric measurements and enhancing aerial data with terrestrial scans. It includes the PIX4Dcatch app and the Emlid Reach RX RTK rover.

    The PIX4Dcatch app allows precise scanning for both photogrammetry and lidar projects. The hardware features the Emlid Reach RX RTK rover, which comes with an ergonomic handle and accessories. It is integrated with PIX4Dcatch and provides real-time positioning through NTRIP.

    The kit works with any correction network or GNSS base station broadcasting RTCM3. The rover gets a fix in less than five seconds, offering centimeter-accurate positioning in challenging conditions. It can also be used with the survey pole as an RTK rover for data collection and stakeout.

    Designed for urban surveying, the Reach RX rover is lightweight, rated IP68, sealed and protected from water and dust.

    The PIX4Dcatch mobile app allows users to use a smartphone for scanning, access RTK precision data through integration with Reach RX and generate a digital model within minutes. Users can also store, annotate, measure and share data online in PIX4Dcloud as well as verify geolocated positions and visualize the project in AR. It extracts insights from both terrestrial and aerial data and features online and offline processing, advanced photogrammetry capabilities, team collaboration and AR for CAD overlays.
    Emlid, emlid.com

    Photo:

    UAV surveying software
    Now with planimetric survey capabilities

    Virtual Surveyor version 9.5 is a smart UAV surveying program featuring new planimetric survey capabilities. Users can survey 2D features from UAV orthophotos and add them to a 3D topographic model generated from the same data set.

    The integrated Terrain Creator app photogrammetrically processes UAV photos to build survey-grade digital surface models (DSMs) and orthomosaics. These transfer seamlessly to the traditional Virtual Surveyor app where users can generate CAD models, create cut-and-fill maps and gather other 3D topographic information.

    No third-party software is needed to create surveys from UAV data. The system is ideal for users in construction, surface mining and excavation projects.
    Virtual Surveyor, virtual-surveyor.com

    Photo:

    RTK technology
    For GIS needs

    RTK Torch is designed for high-precision geolocation and GIS needs. It has tri-band reception and tilt compensation.

    The RTK Torch can provide millimeter-grade measurements. Users can connect a phone to the device over Bluetooth and receive the NMEA output and work with most GIS software.

    The RTK Torch features Zero-Touch RTK technology, which gives connected devices WiFi credentials for a hotspot or other WiFi network. The device will begin receiving corrections without any further setup, with no NTRIP credentials required. These corrections are obtained over WiFi from u-blox PointPerfect and are available in the United States, Europe and various parts of Australia, Canada, Brazil and Korea.

    The RTK Torch includes a one-month free subscription to PointPerfect. Additional subscriptions can be purchased if desired. If PointPerfect coverage is not available in the area, corrections from a local base station or service can be provided to the device over NTRIP, delivered via Bluetooth or WiFi.

    It is housed in an IP67-rated enclosure. It is waterproof when submerged up to 1 m for up to 30 minutes when the USB cover is closed. Under the hood of the SparkFun RTK Torch is an ESP32, a UM980 L1/L2/L5 high precision GNSS receiver from Unicore, and an IM-19 for tilt compensation. The addition of the L5 reception makes this portable GNSS device ideal for densely canopied areas where normal L1/L2 reception may have problems.
    SparkFun, sparkfun.com

    Photo:

    3D laser scanner
    For indoor and outdoor mapping

    The VZ-600i terrestrial laser scanner offers a broad range capability from 0.5 m up to 1,000 m and is suitable for indoor and outdoor 3D mapping applications. It features 3D position accuracy of 3 mm, less than 30 sec scan time for high-resolution scans with 6 mm point spacing at 10 m, weight less than 6 kg (13 lbs), 2.2 MHZ PRR, three internal cameras and is GNSS integrated.

    Designed for mobile mapping applications, the system is suitable for architecture, engineering and construction (AEC), building information modeling (BIM), as-built surveying, forensic and crash scene investigation, archeology, forestry and more.
    RIEGL, riegl.com

    OEM

    Photo:

    Application suite
    Featuring GRIT Technology

    The NovAtel Application Suite Version 2.0 now includes GNSS Resilience and Integrity Technology (GRIT). The GRIT Monitor application allows users to observe radio frequency (RF) interference through a comprehensive dashboard to make informed decisions to maintain robust positioning.

    GRIT is RF interference detection and mitigation technology available on all OEM7 GNSS receiver products, including individual cards and enclosures such as smart antennas, PwrPak and MarinePak.
    It includes positioning and device status overviews to serve as a mitigation assistant that indicates whether interference is detected. It features an interactive spectrum viewer, which shows all constellations and frequency bands (spectrum and waterfall), and a signal matrix indicating the signal quality and interference status by frequency band and constellation.

    The updated suite also introduces firmware compatibility and improvements to the user interface and extends support to include MarinePak, among other enhancements. The Manage application, previously known as Setup and Monitor, now supports satellite tracking for L-Band and SBAS and offers a global map view of connected receivers.

    Version 2.0 of the NovAtel Application Suite is designed to assist users in maintaining accurate GNSS positioning by quickly identifying and responding to RF interference. This update is targeted to industries that require precise location data, such as aerial mapping, agriculture and autonomous vehicle navigation.
    NovAtel, novatel.com

    DEFENSE

     

    Photo:

    Upgraded UAS
    With silent VTOL capabilities

    The VXE30 Stalker unmanned aerial system (UAS) features the new “Havoc” configuration, designed to double the system’s flight endurance and payload capacity.

    With the Havoc upgrades, the VXE30 can now support the complex demands of both small tactical units and larger brigade-level operations without extensive reconfiguration. The upgrades are designed to make the UAS more versatile across various military applications.

    The VXE30 Stalker UAS has silent, vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capabilities and is payload agnostic with the Havoc configuration. It supports easy integration of third-party payloads and subsystems through a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA), requiring no additional training for current operators.
    Edge Autonomy, edgeautonomy.io

    Photo:

    CUAS technology
    Adheres to NDAA standards

    This counter-unmanned aircraft system (CUAS) is a high-speed kinetic interceptor UAS that utilizes advanced autopilot algorithms for calculating and tracking precise target trajectories, neutralizing Group 1 and 2 aerial threats with pinpoint accuracy.

    The system is manufactured in accordance with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to ensure it meets the federal requirements necessary for immediate deployment in both military and industrial settings in the United States.
    Nearthlab, nearthlab.com

    Photo:

    GPS integrity module
    Seamlessly integrates with existing platforms

    The Shift5 GPS integrity module is a platform-agnostic solution for military, aviation, rail, maritime and space applications.
    With real-time access and analysis of onboard data, the module assesses changes in navigational position through multi-faceted anomaly detection methods, which alert operators to GPS spoofing attacks as they happen.

    Using data collected from onboard systems, the module uses algorithmic position analysis to identify significant position deviations and GPS data validation to verify GPS information accuracy. Discrepancies or deviations that indicate tampering trigger an immediate notification, allowing operators to initiate standard operating procedures (SOPs) rapidly and accurately.

    The module is designed for cross-platform deployment, across commercial and military planes, locomotives, vessels and aircraft, as well as on other critical systems such as radar, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and weapon guidance systems. It seamlessly integrates with existing platforms and can deploy directly to onboard hardware.

    It offers multi-faceted detection and alerts for GPS spoofing attempts, designed to improve the safety and reliability of navigation systems. It uses physics-based spoofing detection to determine whether reported changes in position are physically possible to provide an effective method for initial spoofing detection. The system analyzes data from all sources to detect subtle, sophisticated spoofing attempts, which is essential for identifying more complex spoofing strategies that may evade traditional spoofing detection techniques.

    Shift5 alerts can be integrated into existing SOPs to help preempt contamination of other positioning and navigation data, such as inertial navigation calibration against false GPS data. Metadata about the time, location, duration and estimated position of the attack can be passed for inclusion in threat mapping and other geospatial systems for future route avoidance.
    Shift5, shift5.io

    Photo:

    VTOL UAS
    Designed for military forces

    The Rogue 1 loitering munition UAS is designed to provide military forces with enhanced versatility, survivability and lethality in modern combat environments.

    The Rogue 1 is an optionally lethal, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capable of engaging both moving and stationary targets, including armored vehicles and dismounted threats. It features a unique mechanical interrupt fuzing system that allows for the drone to be safely recovered and reused if the mission is aborted or targets are disengaged.

    Equipped with advanced electro-optical and FLIR Boson 640+ thermal cameras, Rogue 1 offers day and night long-range reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities. The system’s gimballed payload allows for precise targeting, facilitated by a novel coupling between sensors and warhead. Operators can customize the munition with various modular, mission-specific payloads to effectively engage different types of enemy targets.

    It has a flight time of 30 minutes, can reach burst speeds exceeding 70 mph and has an operational range of over six miles, making it suitable for missions in harsh battlefield conditions, including communication- and GPS-denied environments.
    Teledyne FLIR Defense, flir.com

    UAV

    Photo:

    Delivery winch
    Improves safety and operational capabilities

    A2Z Drone Delivery has released new safety features and hardware upgrades for its RDS2 commercial UAV delivery winch, including a weatherproof cover and an auto-releasing bag hook. This aims to improve safety and operational capabilities as well as aid in regulatory compliance for beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations.

    The system features entanglement auto-detection, which autonomously detects tether entanglements and allows the system to safely abandon the tether to prevent damage to the UAV. This feature can be customized to recognize different types of obstructions, whether at altitude or during the landing phase, enhancing safety across a variety of operational scenarios.

    Additionally, the overweight payload rejection feature ensures that the payload weight does not exceed the 5 kg limit. This is useful when picking up payloads from third parties, as it automatically confirms that the weights are within safe flying limits before proceeding with the mission. The RDS2 now includes Tether Lifecycle Alerts, which notify operators when the winch’s tether, rated for up to 800 deliveries, requires replacement.
    A2Z Drone Delivery, a2zdronedelivery.com

    Photo:

    Integration platform
    For fully autonomous operations

    Flinks is designed for one-click integrations with third-party applications and devices. The platform aims to streamline the coordination of various systems involved in UAV operations, creating end-to-end automated workflows for fully autonomous systems.

    It allows users to connect the FlytBase platform with critical business systems such as alarm systems, video management, data processing and more. By eliminating the need for complex, time-consuming manual interventions, Flinks is designed for users to seamlessly incorporate autonomous drones into their existing operations.

    By joining the Flinks Partner Program, organizations can access FlytBase’s global network of UAV service providers, system integrators and enterprise customers.
    FlytBase, flytbase.com

    MACHINE CONTROL

    Photo:

    Antenna
    Integrates with heavy construction equipment

    The iCON 120 machine smart antenna offers scalable and flexible machine control solutions for construction professionals.

    The iCON 120 is a GNSS antenna intended for integration within the existing Leica MC1 platform. Using the iCON 120, operators can benefit from a tailor-made, Leica MC1-based machine control, allowing for more streamlined operations and consistent workflows with a variety of heavy construction equipment and application requirements.

    Leica iCON 120 users can start with a single GNSS solution using a satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS), such as WAAS or EGNOS, or a HxGN SmartNet service. The HxGN SmartNet family offers network real-time kinematics (RTK) with RTK bridging and precise point positioning (PPP) services that work exclusively with Leica Geosystems GS sensors. The new smart antenna can be easily switched, with quick mounting and dismounting, between Leica MC1-prepared machines.

    Users can optionally upgrade their basic-level machine-control solution with the Leica CR50 communication unit to receive RTK correction data via radio or modem. The CR50 features a web interface, automotive ethernet communication, worldwide cellular modem and integrated dual-frequency UHF radio.
    Leica Geosystems, leica-geosystems.com

    Photo:

    GNSS smart antenna
    For construction Site Positioning

    The R780 GNSS Smart Antenna is designed for construction site positioning. It features a dual-band radio (450/900 MHz) that connects to diverse base stations and job sites without additional external radios. The dual Trimble Maxwell 7 GNSS ASIC chip allows the system to perform in challenging GNSS environments such as a blocked sky, multi-path or degraded signal.

    An activated and ready-to-use Trimble CenterPoint RTX subscription is included for the first 12 months. CenterPoint RTX is point positioning technology that provides real-time, centimeter-level corrections via satellite or cellular/IP.

    Using the R780 with Trimble FieldLink software supports underground and long-distance layout projects as well as QA/QC and field positioning tasks. The R780 can serve as a GNSS rover or as a base station for other GNSS operations including machine control.
    Trimble Civil Construction, heavyindustry.trimble.com

  • Surveying & Mapping: Overlapping technologies and professions

    Surveying & Mapping: Overlapping technologies and professions

    Wangjie Zhao, an employee of CHC Navigation. (Photo: CHC Navigation)
    Wangjie Zhao, an employee of CHC Navigation. (Photo: CHC Navigation)

    For decades, surveying — which consists largely of making measurements to determine the relative positions of points above, on or beneath Earth’s surface — had much higher accuracy than mapping for geographic information systems (GIS) — which is mostly based on aerial photogrammetry for base maps and field data collection of the locations of features. When I started in this field a quarter century ago, we typically classified GPS receivers as survey grade, resource grade or consumer grade, with “resource grade” referring to field data collection for GIS.

    Today, however, the accuracy of all receivers has greatly increased — thanks to improved chipsets, new GNSS constellations, and a plethora of corrections services — and those three categories are no longer relevant. Therefore, surveying and mapping are increasingly overlapping.

    For this cover story, I asked the same three questions about mapping and surveying to representatives of four companies. 

    CHC Navigation — Rachel Wang, product manager of survey and engineering product line

    Hexagon — Craig Hill, VP marketing and services, surveying solutions, Leica Geosystems

    OxTS — Geoff Besbrode, product marketing executive

    Trimble — Chris Trevillian, director of product marketing, Geospatial Solutions

    Additionally, click below to read insights from:

    Surveying and mapping are increasingly overlapping. What are the remaining differences between them, in terms of accuracy requirements and challenges in the field?

    CHC Navigation
    While advances in technology such as lidar and photogrammetry are narrowing the gap, there are still notable differences between surveying and mapping. Surveying often requires centimeter- or even millimeter-level accuracy at specific points. In contrast, mapping focuses on collecting dense 3D data over large areas. Although the accuracy of mapping point clouds is steadily increasing, the integration of ground-based GNSS data collection with aerial imagery and lidar is becoming widespread. Mapping tends to be less labor-intensive and involves fewer safety risks in the field, but it requires a unique skill set, particularly in point cloud processing.

    Hexagon
    Traditionally, surveying and mapping differ primarily in their accuracy requirements and application scales; however, this paradigm is changing with mapping becoming increasingly accurate. Surveying focuses on high-precision geospatial data of specific points. From road, rail and tunnel construction to high-rise buildings, there is no substitution for the precision delivered by surveying equipment and procedures. In contrast, mapping focuses on larger areas.

    Recent advancements in sensor technology, including both airborne and mobile mapping systems such as the Leica CityMapper-2 and the Leica Pegasus TRK, have significantly improved the efficiency and precision of mapping, bringing it closer to the levels achievable with traditional surveying equipment.

    OxTS
    Surveying comes with a large overhead during the data collection process. It requires meticulous preparation and attention to detail to achieve high accuracy in the raw data. GNSS quality, lever arms, user operation, etc., can all cause problems later on. Getting any part of the process wrong can have major cost implications through having to redo the process.
    Mapping is focused on the act of aligning that data to datums and control points after the surveying process is completed but it also requires major attention to detail in aligning coordinate frames and origin points in order to avoid baking in any errors that lead to mistakes being made once the map data is handed over to a customer

    The problem is that if the surveying process wasn’t accurate, the mapping process will not have a solid foundation in the raw data to deliver accurate maps, so they are inherently tied to each other.

    Trimble
    Surveyors today have many tools in their toolbox, giving them flexibility across surveying and mapping applications. There are many highly accurate, easy-to-operate data capture systems to choose from these days, but challenges grow when combining and analyzing vast amounts of data from different sensors in the office to provide final deliverables. This has made field-to-finish software that delivers technological integration, workflow optimization and adaptability essential for the job.

    Mapping projects often require less accuracy, but a lot of advanced survey technology is entering the mapping domain (e.g., mobile mapping and laser scanning) because of easier field operations and increasing understanding of the value of rich data to asset management.

    The data were collected in and around a car park to prove how Lidar Inertial Odometry (LIO) can be used to retain accuracy for longer periods without GNSS updates. (Photo: OxTS)
    The data were collected in and around a car park to prove how Lidar Inertial Odometry (LIO) can be used to retain accuracy for longer periods without GNSS updates. (Photo: OxTS)

    What is your company’s niche in surveying/mapping?

    CHC Navigation
    CHC Navigation (CHCNAV) has been at the forefront of positioning and navigation for more than two decades, continually adapting to meet the diverse needs of the surveying and mapping industry. Our innovative solutions often lead the industry in providing end-to-end, integrated technology fusion — GNSS, inertial measurement unit (IMU) and imaging lidar — as a standard that empowers geospatial professionals worldwide. CHCNAV strives to provide accessible, value-added solutions from the start, positioning itself as a key technology enabler for the geospatial community.

    Hexagon
    Whether you are mapping an entire city or surveying a site for construction, capturing reliable and precise geospatial data is essential. Hexagon’s niche lies in its commitment to innovation, its extensive portfolio and the convergence of superior hardware, intelligent software solutions and expert services — enabling precise, efficient and scalable surveying and mapping for diverse needs. Our multitude of solutions, whether handheld, tripod-mounted, flying, or vehicle-mounted, are designed to collect data efficiently and safely from complex or dangerous environments — enabling the greatest accuracy and high-value deliverables.

    Furthermore, Hexagon is uniquely positioned with its robust suite of software solutions that work seamlessly with our hardware, such as Reality Cloud Studio, Leica Cyclone, Leica Captivate or Leica Infinity for collecting, processing, modeling, analyzing, and presenting data. We offer end-to-end solutions that not only provide high accuracy but also ensure productivity and ease of use.

    OxTS
    OxTS offers localization and georeferencing technology that can help accelerate the collection of high accuracy survey data, allowing more work to be completed in a given time frame without compromising on accuracy.

    Trimble
    Trimble is known for offering a wide range of highly accurate and reliable data capture sensors but our “niche” — our truly unique offering — is our ability to offer comprehensive solutions that make our customers more productive and their projects more streamlined. We do this through hardware and software solutions that enable highly efficient survey and mapping workflows that connect field and office operations. Our software helps transform the captured data into true information utilizing an increasing number of AI-powered tools while our cloud services allow customers to share the data with a variety of stakeholders, unlocking the transformational power of geospatial data.

    What is your latest surveying/mapping product? What are its key specs, markets and applications?

    Hexagon
    Among our surveying and mapping solutions, the Leica BLK ARC stands out with its flexibility to integrate with various robotic and mobile carriers. The BLK ARC provides autonomous laser scanning with static and dynamic scans, creating 3D digital twins and ensuring operator safety. Similarly, the Leica BLK2GO introduces an agile, handheld mobile scanning solution, capturing point clouds and images, with a user-friendly design. Both solutions are great allies for professionals requiring accurate, efficient, and versatile mobile scanning solutions.

    For those looking to offer wide-scale data-capturing capabilities and overcome capacity constraints, the Leica Pegasus TRK mobile mapping system stands out because it can gather extensive data quickly and accurately. Its high-resolution data capture, advanced lidar technology, and enriched 3D point cloud capabilities ensure detailed and comprehensive datasets. Building on this range of solutions, the autonomous flying laser scanner Leica BLK2FLY enhances surveying efficiency by capturing hard-to-reach areas and environments. Its user-friendly operations, advanced obstacle avoidance and seamless cloud-based data integration make it a valuable tool for enhanced productivity and safety in surveying work.

    CHC Navigation
    Our latest offering, the RS10, demonstrates the integration of surveying and mapping technologies by combining GNSS RTK, laser scanning and visual SLAM into a unified platform. The RS10 enhances traditional GNSS capabilities with V-lidar and SFix technologies. V-lidar enables non-contact offset measurements up to 15 m, ideal for rover applications. Meanwhile, SFix technology leverages laser and visual SLAM data to deliver 5 cm accuracy within one minute in environments with weak or absent GNSS signals. This breakthrough enables accurate GNSS measurements in challenging environments such as indoor spaces and urban canyons, bringing simplified workflows and increased productivity to professional surveying and mapping.

    OxTS
    OxTS recently released Lidar Inertial Odometry (LIO), which offers improved localization in GNSS-obstructed environments while maintaining a fully global frame output. It means that survey data can retain accuracy for longer in harsher GNSS environments but doesn’t give up the global reference to coordinate frames used by surveyors and does not require ground control points to be anchored to those coordinate frames.

    Trimble
    The newly released Trimble Business Center (TBC) v2024.00 delivers on its commitment to innovation by offering technological integration and workflow optimization, as well as adaptability and innovation for the ultimate field-to-finish workflow. A key highlight in the new release is the seamless integration of survey data delivery for pavement inspection within AgileAssets, which bridges the gap between Esri and Autodesk through feature services for more efficient pavement management.
    In addition, AI technologies provide enhanced point cloud classification and new feature extraction routines for game-changing analysis of aerial, terrestrial, mobile mapping and tunneling data. Collaboration also is greatly enhanced through Trimble Connect for seamless data integration across TBC and Trimble Access field software.

    Josh Humphriss, surveyor at Storm Geomatics Limited, surveys a stream with a Trimble GNSS system in Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire, England in 2022. (Photo: Michael Dix, Marketing Communications Manager, Trimble, Inc.)
    Josh Humphriss, surveyor at Storm Geomatics Limited, surveys a stream with a Trimble GNSS system in Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire, England in 2022. (Photo: Michael Dix, Marketing Communications Manager, Trimble, Inc.)
  • The transformative power of mobile mapping for transportation infrastructure

    The transformative power of mobile mapping for transportation infrastructure

    Point cloud and 360-degree image collected with the Leica Pegasus: Two Ultimate. (Photo: Leica Geosystems )
    Point cloud and 360-degree image collected with the Leica Pegasus: Two Ultimate. (Photo: Leica Geosystems )

    The latest mobile mapping innovations are transforming how we manage, design and monitor our critical infrastructure — in particular, reshaping road maintenance. Through the advance of mobile mapping and reality capture imagery, our ability to map, proactively survey and even design roads, from simulating the vibration of a vehicle on a road to mapping out city routes, is drastically improving through the symbiosis of the digital and physical worlds.

    Leveraging data: Traditional vs autonomous mapping
    Traditional methods for assessing damage to road surfaces are highly manual, field-based, labor-intensive and time-consuming. Visual inspection, for example, comes with resourcing challenges, data exhaustivity and inaccurate assessments, making quality assessment and control a challenge. There is limited accurate analysis of how the road changes over time, and the work involves significant safety issues, with surveyors required to work in the field near live traffic and often requiring the traffic to be interrupted to allow measurements to be taken.
    By contrast, automated laser scanning solutions provide spatial geometry for precise measurements that imagery-only methods cannot capture when assessing damage to road surfaces. They overcome any inaccuracies or lack of detail regarding location and circumstances. This technology also allows professionals to study the surrounding context of the road and measure the depth of a hole or the size of a crack with spatial data, which visual methods cannot capture. Hexagon’s mobile mapping systems, used for virtual road management and maintenance, enable access to a completely virtual environment to unlock the insights this data provides, transforming how we manage our infrastructures. With spatial data collected over time, asset degradation and other factors foundational to maintaining road infrastructure can be predicted by the more effective leveraging of data.

    With geospatial data allowing the accurate mapping of potholes, rutting and depressions alongside accurate location mapping using GIS, asset managers can map the data onto real-world imagery to create an interactive, 3D model integrating the physical world and geospatial data. Combined, this unlocks insights and overhauls efficiency for asset managers performing road maintenance, allowing them to prioritize and make decisions based on data live in the field.

    Veris deploys Hexagon’s solutions for road mapping
    Recently, Hexagon’s technology was used by Veris, a provider of spatial data services to deliver end-to-end solutions for road management and maintenance in Australia. It combined a Leica Geosystems mobile mapping system, the Leica Pegasus:Two Ultimate, with Hexagon M.App Enterprise to create a high-quality, configurable solution and designed its own bespoke software platform RoadSiDe.
    Veris used the mobile mapping system on the Hume and Melba Highways to identify and assess road defects and ground penetrating radar (GPR) to rapidly perform data capture of the road corridor. Then, RoadSiDe analytics and machine learning enabled the delivery of the data and insights using M.App Enterprise and Luciad Fusion, integrating 3D visualizations and 2D dashboards to identify, assess and quantify the road condition as part of the only full 3D road condition and corridor platform. The in-house solution for scripts and automation Veris developed made it simple for their clients to visualize and interact with the data, providing analytics and value-added services on demand that offered valuable insights for its clients.

    As part of the surface defects workflow they use for analysis, Veris takes the raw point cloud data and compares it with the ideal road exterior to create a surface difference model, followed by contours and improved defect definition. This cross-comparison and integration allows them to use and visualize the data they acquired by precisely measuring the gaps and holes. Veris efficiently captured road cracking in detail with its additional 12MP/20MP camera system. These are then mapped into the RoadSiDe dashboard, and cracking width and length are captured within the geodatabase. Machine learning is used to detect cracks in the road surface before pixels are classified into clusters and projected onto the original images for verification and quality assurance. This can then be integrated with location coordinates, allowing clients to see precisely where each cracking is located. With this georeferenced data digitized and visualized, Veris can leverage as much of its data as possible into the most effective platform for its users.

    Expanding the scope of mobile mapping
    The data captured by mobile mapping solutions is just as helpful in designing roads as in maintaining them and can be incorporated into the construction of future roads and city planning. The data even can be used to simulate, for example, the movement of a heavy truck through city streets to examine whether it will impact potholes or damage any road signs, allowing asset managers to predict and prevent damage and maintain road infrastructure for years to come.

  • Mosaic launches mobile mapping system with integrated Inertial Labs INS

    Mosaic launches mobile mapping system with integrated Inertial Labs INS

    Photo: Mosaic
    Photo: Mosaic

    Mosaic has introduced the Meridian mobile mapping system designed to enhance geospatial and surveying technologies. The system integrates the Mosaic X camera with Inertial Labs INS/lidar to improve mapping accuracy.

    The Meridian system offers a 74MP native resolution and 13.5K resolution panoramas using precisely synchronized camera modules. The design minimizes image overlap to offer clearer and more consistent panoramas. The integrated INS system has a vertical accuracy of 2 to 3 cm and a precision of 2 to 4 cm.

    It offers seamless, out-of-the-box operations with fully integrated and calibrated components. The Meridian system is designed for ease of use and requires only minutes of training. In addition, it features a rugged design to ensure performance in challenging environments.