Topcon Positioning Group is updating its data-collection software for the SmoothRide resurfacing workflow solution. RD-M1 Collect 2.0 includes updates designed to facilitate and optimize mapping of road conditions.
Topcon is exhibiting at Intergeo 2017 in Hall 2.1, Booth A2.008, and in Hall FG, Booth 005. Intergeo takes place Sept. 26-28 in Berlin, Germany.
The improvements feature an improved interface that is designed to simplify setup and automatically detect the position of the wheel sensor during data collection, the company said.
An RD-M1 Collect 2.0 graphical interface status bar indicates the optimum speed for collecting road information based on project requirements, helping the software deliver the best results for the project.
Memos is a new feature designed to allow operators to create balloons with messages on the map while collecting data that also can be made visible in the processing software, enabling specific site conditions to be noted for future reference.
The new Manage Runs feature is designed to enable operation without necessitating Windows explorer to be open.
Large buttons make using a tablet or laptop with touchscreen easy. Operators can copy data collections to a USB drive, delete them from the hard drive, and add or remove them from the manager.
The RD-M1 Collect 2.0 new Plan Route feature allows for the import of kml files of predetermined routes, designed to ensure nothing is missed on the drive.
Using the new map downloader, operators can have all map details visible while collecting data, without an internet connection. Overlapping locations can be managed by creating areas where predefined overlaps are required for the project.
Leica Geosystems has released the Leica GS18 T, a fast GNSS RTK rover, as well as the latest versions of Leica Captivate field software and Leica Infinity office software.
Leica made the announcement at Intergeo 2017, held Sept. 26-28 in Berlin, Germany.
The announcement expands the Leica Captivate Experience. With the addition of calibration-free GNSS and various upgrades to the Captivate field software and Infinity office software, users continue the immersive experience with self-learning GNSS and engaging, intuitive software interfaces.
“In my business, speed is the name of the game,” said Manny Sangha, owner of Sangha Geomatics & Land Survey Inc. in Vanderhoof, Canada. ” With my GS16, I’ve been able to reduce time spent on every project. I can only see this getting faster and improving efficiency with the GS18. No longer having to level the pole nor calibrate the system, this is a real value for me and a game-changer in the industry.”
Calibration-free tilt compensating GNSS
According to Leica Geosystems, the GS18 T is the a calibration-free tilt compensating GNSS solution immune to magnetic disturbances.
GNSS measurements can be taken from any position on site, saving users up to 20 percent of time in the field over conventional surveying practices, because they no longer need to hold the pole vertical to level the bubble.
The GS18 T uses precise inertial measuring units (IMUs) and not a compass, so that users can measure with a tilted pole close to buildings, underneath cars and close to metallic objects.
With integrated quality assurance, the GS18 T records exactly how the pole was leveled during the measurement. The GS18 T then stores the values, ensuring measurement traceability and complete quality reporting.
Software updates
Fully supporting the GS18 T, Leica Captivate v3.0 field software and Leica Infinity v2.4 office software now offer users a more immersive means of control on site and at the desk.
Captivate now allows configuration of the GS18 T for all measuring and staking applications and the visualization of tilt compensated measurements. Measured data can be directly imported into Infinity or exported into a variety of formats suitable for CAD packages.
Within Infinity, users can visualise the measured data, including the creation of reports providing full traceability and quality assurance for themselves and their clients.
Hexagon AB showcased its geospatial and construction portfolio at Intergeo 2017 in Berlin, Germany.
Hexagon’s sensor portfolio combined with a range of software creates solutions that support the geospatial and construction industries.
According to the company, visitors were able to explore a number of solutions, including mobile mapping; asset collection and management for geographic information systems (GIS); 3D laser scanning; photogrammetry; remote sensing; airborne sensors and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs); global positioning and monitoring like GNSS; construction project controls and progress documentation; utility detection; measurement software and cloud-based dynamic mapping. Hexagon will be at booth A1.024 in Hall 1.1.
“Hexagon is focused on creating smart digital realities,” said Hexagon President and CEO Ola Rollén. “At Intergeo, we will demonstrate the productivity and savings that can be realized from digitalizing customer workflows, automating processes and ensuring all stakeholders have access to dynamic, critical information.”
During the conference portion of Intergeo, Hexagon executives addressed the growing need for digitalization in geospatial and construction industries:
Transformation through digitalization. Hexagon Geosystems President Juergen Dold provides the Intergeo opening keynote exploring the need for businesses to transform from efficient digitisation to connected digitalisation for continued progress.
The power of combining cost, schedules and models in the cloud. Director of Global Business Development for HxGN SMART Build at Hexagon PPM, Cathi Hayes, explains how SMART Build integrates model, schedule, cost and digital layout capabilities into a single solution that addresses the most critical phases of construction planning and execution.
Hexagon integrated solution for utility detection and mapping. Leica Geosystems Construction Tools President Katherine Broder and IDS GeoRadar President Alberto Bicci present how to achieve high productivity in mapping utilities with Hexagon’s underground detection portfolio, including ground penetrating radar (GPR) solutions.
Escaping the flatlands. Hexagon Geospatial President Mladen Stojic envisions new and easier approaches that ingest the influx of data, use automated approaches to extract the signal from the noise and provide intuitive ways of communicating insights to decision makers and field teams so they can shape smarter change.
Connecting perceptions with reality in the world of BIM, GIS and survey. Leica Geosystems Laser Scanning Vice-President of Business Development Faheem Khan looks at the benefits of sensor fusion, the growth of digital reality solutions and how both are affecting project lifecycles in the real, digital world.
Streamlining UAV workflows for surveying, construction and inspection. Leica Geosystems Product Manager for UAV Solutions Valentin Fuchs and Leica Geosystems Director of Marketing and Communications for UAV Solutions Benjamin Federmann deliver a series of presentations and hands-on demonstrations on how Hexagon integrates UAVs as part of the technology tool kit to digitalise workflows.
The announcement was made at Intergeo 2017, the world’s largest conference on geodesy, geoinformatics and land management.
Comprised of a survey grade, multi-frequency, multi-constellation GNSS reference station complete with a foam Ground Control Target with integrated carrying case, the Smart Target Base Station logs the raw GNSS observables required to perform centimeter level post-processed Differential GNSS positioning of UAVs, and acts as a photo-identifiable Ground Control Point (GCP) for quality control.
Cost effective, simple to operate, and supported by both the Applanix POSPac UAV GNSS-inertial post-processing software for direct georeferencing on UAVs and Trimble UASMaster photogrammetric software, the Smart Target Base Station makes aerial mapping from UAVs easier, according to Trimble.
Users can place the foam target with its receiver in the project area and stake it down. With the included smartphone app or web user interface, users can remotely begin logging the raw GNSS observables data collected by the target that is required for post processing.
At the end of the mission, the user retrieves the target and downloads the raw GNSS data along with the data collected from the Trimble APX UAV GNSS-inertial system installed in the UAV.
Global coordinates of the reference station are computed automatically using the Trimble Centerpoint RTX post-processing service in POSPac UAV or, if local coordinates are desired, the foam target can be centered over an existing reference point.
“Efficient mapping from UAVs using cameras, lidar and other sensors requires the right solutions that need to be simple and easy to use,” said Joe Hutton, director of inertial technology and airborne products at Applanix, a Trimble Company. “The Smart Target Base Station is a result of listening to our customers’ needs for a GNSS reference station to support direct georeferencing on UAVs that is cost-effective, easy to deploy in all terrains, and does not require special knowledge to operate. Aerial surveyors can quickly realize greater value and significant cost savings with this system, while obtaining high accuracy.”
The Trimble GNSS Smart Target Base Station operates autonomously for up to four hours with its embedded lithium ion battery. Extended operation can be achieved with a user-supplied external USB battery.
At Intergeo 2017, Septentrio debuted the Altus NR3: a multi-frequency, quad-constellation (GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou and Galileo) RTK receiver for survey and GIS applications.
The Altus NR3 features Septentrio’s AIM+ interference mitigation and monitoring system, allowing continued operation in the presence of both intentional and non-intentional interference. According to the company, it combines advanced GNSS features with a robust communications suite in a compact, low-power and easy-to-use unit.
The Altus NR3 is configurable as either a rover or a base station. It offers one-touch logging and Septentrio’s on-board web interface so users can monitor and configure the unit as well as collect data using any Wi-Fi-capable device.
Data collection is done using either SurvCE or Septentrio’s PinPoint Data Collector with data updating to the cloud. Septentrio’s open interface and fully documented data formats are widely supported, making the Altus NR3 easy to integrate into any existing workflow, the company said.
“We’ve built on the flexibility, reliability and ease-of-use that our Altus line is famous for, and we’ve added all-in-view RTK and the most the most advanced interference mitigation system on the market today,” said Gustavo Lopez, product manager at Septentrio. “Locations with bad visibility or at risk of interference that were previously off limits can now benefit from high-precision GNSS positioning, saving both time and cost.”
At Intergeo 2017, Hemisphere GNSS released its next-generation multi-frequency, multi-GNSS S321+ and C321+ GNSS smart antennas.
The S321+ and C321+ are upgrades to the previous versions S321 and C321 and offer added benefits, according to the company. Powered by the Eclipse P326 OEM board, the smart antennas support 394 channels and can simultaneously track all satellite signals including GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo and QZSS, making them robust and reliable.
S321+ and C321+ come standard with two long-life lithium batteries providing up to 12 hours of operation. The batteries are hot-swappable, so users can change them without stopping work, maximizing efficiency and return on investment.
The S321+ and C321+ GNSS smart antennas are being featured at the Hemisphere GNSS booth in Hall 2.1/stand C2.008 at Intergeo 2017 in Berlin, Germany, Sept. 26-28.
The S321+ and C321+ combine Hemisphere’s Athena GNSS engine and Atlas L-band correction technologies with a new webUI, offering an unparalleled level of customer-friendly performance. The ruggedized antennas are designed for challenging environments; both meet IP67-standard requirements.
The S321+ and C321+ come in two versions, with 4G LTE optimized for either North American or international locations.
Powered by Athena GNSS engine, the S321+ and C321+ provide best-in-class, centimeter-level RTK. Athena excels in virtually every environment where high-accuracy GNSS receivers can be used. Tested and proven, Athena’s performs with long baselines in open-sky environments under heavy canopy, and in geographic locations experiencing significant scintillation.
“The S321+ and C321+ represent the advanced technology, durability, and ease of use that our customers have come to expect,” said Miles Ware, director of marketing at Hemisphere GNSS. “By upgrading these systems with increased functionality and management capabilities, we are offering unbeatable value to the industry.”
Atlas GNSS Global Corrections. The S321+ and C321+ ship pre-configured to test-drive corrections from Hemisphere’s Atlas L-band correction service. The bundled solution provides users worldwide with an easy way to utilize Atlas, including Hemisphere’s Atlas H10 service offering 8 cm 95 percent accuracy (4 cm RMS). They also use Hemisphere’s aRTK technology, powered by Atlas, which allows the receivers to operate with RTK accuracies when RTK corrections fail. If the S321+ and C321+ are Atlas-subscribed, they will continue to operate at the subscribed service level until RTK is restored.
The S321+ is designed for use in applications such as land or marine survey, GIS, mapping, and construction. Together with SureFix, Hemisphere’s advanced processor, the S321+ delivers high-fidelity RTK quality information that results in guaranteed precision with virtually 100% reliability.
The C321+ was designed specifically for construction environments, adding another system component that empowers heavy equipment manufacturers to deliver their own machine control and guidance solutions to their customers. The C321+ can also be paired with Hemisphere’s recently announced SiteMetrix site management software platform that helps manage all of your construction jobsite activities, including grade and volume checking.
Microsemi Corporation, a provider of semiconductor solutions, today announced its new approach to protecting critical infrastructure against GPS spoofing and jamming threats.
The BlueSky GPS Firewall is designed to provide security protection for GPS-delivered position, navigation and timing (PNT) data. It can be deployed in-line between any standard GPS antenna and stationary GPS receiver to provide protection against GPS signal incidents, both intentional or accidental, before they enter a GPS receiver system.
Microsemi is making BlueSky GPS Firewall Evaluation kits available in advance of its full production release, both in response to the growing number of GPS incidents and their potential threat to critical infrastructure, and to assist customers in rapid adoption.
BlueSky GPS Firewall filters the GPS signal in real time, removing anomalies before the signal is consumed by the downstream GPS receiver. This creates an intelligent and secure barrier against jamming and spoofing, and prevents the GPS receiver from being impacted by such incidents.
Deployment of the BlueSky GPS Firewall does not require any new cabling or alteration of the pre-existing antenna installation and is interoperable with standard GPS receivers. Additionally, the BlueSky GPS Firewall incorporates an Ethernet interface for remote management and monitoring and includes a secure web interface that any browser can use for configuration and set-up of the device.
The BlueSky GPS Firewall includes a broad range of data validation rules based on real, live-sky GPS threats, both intentional and unintentional. Similar to network security threats, new GPS vulnerabilities are on the rise and Microsemi is continuously tracking GPS signal manipulation including spoofing threats, jamming attacks, multipath signal interference, atmospheric activity and many other issues that can create GPS signal anomalies, disruptions and outages.
These advancements are incorporated into the software platform of the BlueSky GPS Firewall, which can be updated remotely using Microsemi’s TimePictra management system.
GPS Dependency
The dependency on PNT is increasingly important to critical infrastructure sectors such as telecommunications, energy, transportation, emergency services, financial services and enterprise infrastructure, and is mainly provided through GPS.
“Worldwide critical infrastructure dependency on unprotected GPS receivers is a serious security risk. These receivers are susceptible to jamming and spoofing incidents and the industry recognizes this as an increasing threat,” said Randy Brudzinski, vice president and business unit manager of Microsemi’s Frequency and Time division. “The vast number of GPS systems already in operation means a significant investment would be required if every system was to be replaced. Microsemi’s BlueSky GPS Firewall is a cost-effective and easy-to-deploy solution to protect GPS without requiring replacement of deployed GPS systems.”
Published best-practice documents by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) describe steps that can be taken to mitigate outages and disruptions with GPS reception. In alignment with these documents, Microsemi’s new BlueSky GPS Firewall provides critical infrastructure sectors with a first line of defense against GPS threats to help build out a secure, robust and resilient PNT platform for their infrastructures.
According to the 2017 GNSS Market Report, Issue 5, by the European GNSS Agency, professional market segments such as maritime, rail, telecom/utility/enterprise, surveying, aviation, agriculture and drones which use GNSS devices to operate their infrastructures, enable billions of people globally to benefit from them on a day-to-day basis—whether by enjoying the produce of sustainable and cost-effective agriculture, by using efficiently coordinated transport networks, or by leveraging on GNSS-synchronized telecommunications networks. The total installed base of GNSS devices in these professional segments was estimated at 14.4 million units in 2015 and is expected to grow to 97.8 million units by 2025.
The GPS World staff is reporting from Intergeo Sept. 26-28 in Berlin, Germany. The massive trade show, dubbed the “global hub of the geospatial community,” brings together more than 17,000 visitors from more than 107 countries and features approximately 525 exhibitors. Check out some of the latest industry news, as well as photos and videos from the event.
The NeoRTK System is a high-performing GNSS RTK system. It includes a multi-constellation and multi-frequency GNSS engine and various communication protocols. With a high-end GNSS antenna inside, NeoRTK can speed the time to first fix (TTFF) and improve the capability of anti-jamming. The 16G internal storage and up to 32G external SD card, along with the built-in large-capacity battery for 10-hour field work, improves surveyors’ productivity, while the radio module makes long distance operation more convenient. A smart personal digital assistant offers high readability and fast access to essential functions and modes. The NeoRTK system also has an adjustable measurement rod with automatic tilt compensation.
Real-time professional-grade positioning information
The SXblue Platinum is a high-accuracy GNSS receiver compatible with iOS, Windows and Android Bluetooth. Powered by 394 channels, the SXblue Platinum uses all constellations (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou and QZSS) with triple frequency, and provides the ability to use global or local coverage for corrections (SBAS, L-band and RTK). With the scalable SXblue Platinum Basic, users can activate any frequency or constellation at any time following initial purchase. The receiver is also field-upgradable, which means that these options can be remotely activated when convenient. It also has an L-band signal correction via Hemisphere’s Atlas service. With its new Tracer technology, the receiver can sustain its level of accuracy when the Atlas signal is interrupted.
Turns Android devices into data-collection systems
Trimble Catalyst DA1 antenna attaches to a smartphone running a Catalyst-enabled app.
The Catalyst software-defined GNSS receiver for Android devices is now available through Trimble’s global distribution network. Through Catalyst and a special antenna, customers can access positioning-as-a-service to collect geolocation data with Trimble or third-party apps on smartphones, tablets and mobile handhelds. When combined with a plug-and-play digital antenna and subscription to the Catalyst service, the receiver provides on-demand GNSS positioning capabilities to turn consumer Android devices into centimeter-accurate data-collection systems. Catalyst requires a Catalyst-enabled location app for Android; a Catalyst subscription, with accuracy options ranging from 1 meter to centimeter level, and the small, lightweight DA1 antenna, which plugs directly into Android smartphones and tablets. A range of Catalyst-enabled applications have been developed for geographic information system (GIS) data acquisition, cadastral land management, topographic mapping and ground control for unmanned aircraft systems (UAVs).
Updated with improved workflows and innovative features
ArcGIS Pro 2.0 is Esri’s next-generation desktop geographic information system (GIS). It is tightly integrated with the rest of the ArcGIS platform, so that users can complete more of their workflows solely in ArcGIS Pro, such as map creation and data management. Getting started with new projects has vastly improved with Favorites. In ArcGIS Pro, users can modify topology properties directly. An enhanced traverse tool improves COGO workflows. Highly requested context menu options for importing and exporting data included in the Catalog pane. 3D navigation controls enable exploration of 3D landscapes, and views of 3D and 2D maps can be synced. Layouts are more useful and powerful with embeddable dynamic interactive charts. Improvements to 3D drawing including feature drawing by camera distance. Enhanced lighting of 3D objects make 3D visualizations even better. Analytics improvements include fill-missing-values tools and enhanced spacetime cubes.
For pilots to use GPS as primary means of navigation
The GPS-4000S sensor provides GPS-based navigation and enables GPS-based approaches for aircraft equipped with flight management systems. The sensor’s Space-Based Augmentation System (SBAS) capabilities enable use of GPS as the primary means of navigation in areas of SBAS coverage. The GPS-4000S uses up to 10 GPS satellites and two geostationary SBAS satellites. However, users can calculate navigation with a minimum of four GPS satellites with acceptable geometry or three satellites plus calibrated barometric altitude. With additional satellites, the system’s Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (RAIM) detects and isolates defective satellites while improving navigation accuracy. Predictive RAIM capability determines if the future satellite geometry at the destination airport will support planned arrival procedures.
Efficient image recognition engine and functional safety
Renasas autonomy is an advanced driving assistance system (ADAS) and automated driving platform. The first rollout under the new platform is the R-Car V3M high-performance image recognition system-on-chip (SoC), optimized for use in smart camera applications, surround view systems and lidars. For smart camera applications, the R-Car V3M focuses on enabling NCAP (New Car Assessment Program) features. It is equipped with an integrated ISP and delivers high performance for computer vision, while supporting low power consumption and a high level of functional safety. The R-Car V3M SoC complies with the ISO26262 safety standard, delivers low-power hardware acceleration for vision processing and is equipped with a built-in image signal processor, freeing up board space and reducing system manufacturers’ costs.
GTN 650 is a fully integrated solution in a small package ready and approved for installation in hundreds of makes and models of aircraft, including helicopters, by the U.S. FAA, Europe EASA, Canada TCCA and Brazil ANAC. It combines GPS, communication and navigation functions with powerful multifunction display capabilities such as high-resolution terrain mapping, graphical flight planning, advanced navigation, multiple weather options, connectivity and traffic display. The SBAS/WAAS-certified, 15-channel GPS receiver generates five position updates per second, letting pilots fly GPS-guided localizer performance with vertical guidance (LPV) glidepath instrument approaches down to as low as 200 feet. The system includes a complete package of very high frequency (VHF) navigation capabilities, with a 200-channel VHF omni-directional radio range (VOR)/instrument landing system (ILS) with localizer and glideslope.
Device includes critical driving and business tools
The OverDryve 7 Pro is part of Rand McNally’s OverDryve OS Connected Vehicle platform. It is E-Log ready and has a high-resolution 7-inch screen. Designed for truck drivers, the OverDryve 7 Pro has truck-specific navigation and routing with points of interest, advanced lane guidance, toll costs, warnings and fuel logs. Other features include hands-free calling and texting, voice assistance and in-cab entertainment. The powered magnetic mount includes a commercial-grade GPS boost. The unit comes pre-loaded with the Rand McNally DriverConnect2 logbook app, which can be paired with a compatible Rand McNally electronic logging device (ELD) to provide a fully compliant electronic logging solution.
The Here+ RTK GNSS kit, is built around the u‑blox NEO‑M8P high-precision real-time kinematic (RTK) GNSS module. HEX offers an open-source drone autopilot, the Ardupilot, which the kit supports. The kit consists of a round rover designed to be mounted on the drone. It is connected to the flight controller using the supplied 8‑pin CLIK-Mate connector (for the autopilot Pixhawk2) or an optional 4 pin + 6 pin DF13 connector (for the Pixhawk1). The base station with its smaller GNSS receiver and an external antenna complete the equipment. HEX’s goal is to promote open source drone technology to a larger community and assist drone companies with affordable accessories for a wealth of applications, such as agricultural drone, powerline inspection, precision farming, logistics or 3D mapping.
Hybrid electric propulsion provides longer operating time
The Hercules is a long-endurance multi-rotor UAS with a hybrid electric propulsion system and patent-pending aerodynamic design improvements. These two technologies enable the aircraft to fly up to 3.5 hours or carry a 4-pound payload for 2 hours. The aircraft has a 36-pound gross weight and is intended for FAA Part 107 operations. Hercules is useful for applications that benefit from long endurance such as precision agriculture, mapping, first responders and infrastructure inspection. The increased flight time enables up to 45% reduction in cost per acre for the operator to acquire data, while the increased payload capacity avoids repeat overflights with swapped out payloads.Three gallons of fuel is enough energy to fly the aircraft for the whole day. The battery contains enough energy to fly the aircraft for an additional 2 minutes following failure of the combustion engine, enabling the aircraft to make a safe landing.
Survey-level accuracy for small unmanned aerial systems
The Loki GNSS positioning system allows users of DJI Phantom 4 Pros and Inspire 2 drones, as well as most drones using higher end cameras, to achieve survey-level accuracy with minimum ground control. For positioning accuracy, Loki uses the Septentrio AsteRx-m2 GNSS engine with 448 hardware channels. A patent-pending method by GeoCue detects camera events from the UAV and synchronizes them to GNSS positioning. Loki is a self-contained kit that provides the hardware and software needed to equip a drone with a post-processed kinematic (PPK) multi-frequency, multi-constellation, differential, carrier-phase GNSS. The adapter cable is splug and play. Using a local base station (not included), Loki provides centimeter-level positioning with minimal, and in some cases, no ground-control points (though GCPs are always recommended for quality assurance).
The Phoenix Ranger RL1-UAV produces photorealistic 3D point-cloud data collected efficiently over extensive regions. For law enforcement, the data can provide greater context, awareness and tactical accuracy. Agencies typically use ground-based lidar as a forensic crime-scene mapping technology. Aerial lidar is efficient for larger, outdoor scenes because line-of-sight issues can restrict ground lidar scans from capturing the entire area. Benefits for law enforcement include exposing unmapped trails hidden in remote backwoods; determining width, elevation and length of roads; detecting micro topography hidden by vegetation; and gathering ground-surface information affected by human activities. The Phoenix Ranger RL1-UAV provides survey-grade (cm-level) accuracy with 920-meter laser range and outstanding intensity calibration. Options include IMU and dual-GPS upgrade for increased accuracy.
Comtech Telecommunications Corp.‘s Command & Control Technologies group — part of Comtech’s Government Solutions segment — has been awarded contract modifications totaling $4.2 million.
The contract modifications are part of a five-year sustainment support contract for the U.S. Army’s Project Manager Mission Command (PM MC) Blue Force Tracking (BFT-1) program.
BFT-1 is a battle command, real-time situational awareness and control system. Under the five-year BFT-1 sustainment contract, Comtech performs engineering services, satellite network operations and program management.
A U.S. soldier preparing his Blue Force Tracker before departing Camp Victory, Iraq in 2005. (Photo: Petty Officer 1st Class Brien Aho, U.S. Navy)
Comtech continues to perform engineering services, satellite network operations and program management through a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract with Time & Materials (T&M) and Cost Reimbursement elements. The base performance period began April 15, 2017 and ends April 14, 2018, and the contract provides for four twelve-month option periods exercisable by GSA.
Of this amount, $3 million was received during its fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 and $1.2 million was received during its first quarter of fiscal 2018. This additional funding applies to the original award in April 2017, which today totals $7.7 million of the total potential value of the base year. These modifications fulfilled the government’s obligation to fund the Firm Fixed Price (FFP) portion of the contract.
“We are pleased that our Army customer recognizes the value of Comtech’s services,” said Fred Kornberg, president and CEO of Comtech Telecommunications Corp. “Comtech is committed to providing the Army and its soldiers with the highest level of support to enable them to complete their missions.”
Blue Force Tracking systems consist of a computer, used to display location information, a satellite terminal and satellite antenna, used to transmit location and other military data, a GPS receiver (to determine its own position), command-and-control software (to send and receive orders, and many other battlefield support functions) and mapping software, usually in the form of a geographic information system (GIS) that plots the BFT device on a map.
The system displays the location of the host vehicle on the computer’s terrain-map display, along with the locations of other platforms (friendly in blue, and enemy in red) in their respective locations.
BFT can also be used to send and receive text and imagery messages, and Blue Force Tracking has a mechanism for reporting the locations of enemy forces and other battlefield conditions (for example, the location of mine fields, battlefield obstacles or bridges that are damaged.)
The Command & Control Technologies group is a provider of mission-critical, highly-mobile C4ISR solutions. Comtech Telecommunications Corp. designs, develops, produces and markets innovative products, systems and services for advanced communications solutions. The Company sells products to a diverse customer base in the global commercial and government communications markets.
TerraGo is exhibiting at Intergeo 2017, which is taking place Sept 26-28 in Berlin, Germany.
“Intergeo brings together the global leaders of the industry and creates an exceptional forum for interpersonal collaboration and the opportunity to show the industry’s only zero-code platform to visitors from nearly 100 countries,” said Stuart Miller, international sales manager at TerraGo. “The event gives us a chance to dialogue and understand our visitors’ goals before we demonstrate our technology. Then by understanding their specific objectives, we can show them how to customize geospatial apps for their unique requirements.”
TerraGo’s GeoPDF products enable free, lightweight GIS applications and have evolved into a de facto standard around the globe, helping organizations get more value — for more users — from their current investments in GIS and imagery platforms, the company said.
Also, TerraGo Magic enables end users without development skills to build custom apps that enable high-accuracy, survey-grade GNSS with advanced GIS and mapping features on Android and iOS devices.
TerraGo’s exhibition will be located at the UK Pavilion, Hall 1.1, Booth D1.016. Click this link to schedule a time for a live demonstration.
Carlson Software is now offering Atlas GNSS global correction service in the latest release of its data-collection software SurvCE.
Using approximately 200 reference stations worldwide, Atlas produces its correction signals via L-Band satellites distributing coverage from 75° N to 75° S, ensuring Earth’s landmass is covered. Such ability makes it the most flexible service on the market to date, Carlson Software said.
“Atlas equals or excels beyond the performance standards of other services and interfaces seamlessly with Carlson SurvCE to boot,” said Karl Nicholas, special projects director at Carlson Software.
Atlas supports multiple RTK-capable GNSS receivers including the current Carlson BRx6. Through Carlson SurvCE’s library of compatible drivers, any third-party GNSS receiver using the Athena engine can also use Atlas.
Capabilities
Positioning Accuracy: Atlas provides positioning accuracies down to 2 cm RMS in certain applications
Positioning Sustainability: Cutting-edge position quality maintenance in the absence of correction signals
Convergence Time: Industry-leading convergence times of 10 – 40 minutes
Scalable Service Levels
H100: 100 cm 95 percent (50 cm RMS)
H30: 30 cm 95 percent (15 cm RMS)
H10: 8 cm 95 percent (4 cm RMS)
Subscriptions to Atlas can be added to the Carlson BRx6 or other supported GNSS receiver when using SurvCE version 5.06 or later through a certified Carlson dealer or at carlsonsw.com/atlas.
The improvements feature an improved interface that is designed to simplify setup and automatically detect the position of the wheel sensor during data collection, the company said.
