GPS World

Category: Mobile

  • Inertial Labs releases laser for remote-sensing apps

    Inertial Labs releases laser for remote-sensing apps

    (Image: Inertial Labs)
    (Image: Inertial Labs)

    Inertial Labs has released a remote sensing payload instrument. The Resepi Hesai XT32 laser is designed for accurate remote-sensing applications. The Resepi laser can be used with commercially available lidar scanners, including Velodyne, Quanergy, Ouster, RIEGL, LIVOX and Hesai, as well as with UAVs.

    Resepi is completely modular, so users have full control for customization. The remote sensing device uses a GPS-aided inertial navigation system with NovAtel RTK/PPK single- or dual-antenna GNSS receiver, integrated with a Linux-based processing platform. It also comes with a 2 TB USB memory drive and has an embedded Wi-Fi cellular modem.

    Resepi has 3-5 cm point-cloud accuracy and can reach heights of more than 200 m above ground level. It is compatible with most UAV models; however, it is typically used with DJI M300, DJI M210 or DJI M600 models.

    The device is suitable for scanning and mapping, precision agriculture with lidar, simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) algorithm development, utility inspection and construction site monitoring. Resepi-supported software includes Hexagon NovAtel, PCPainter and PCMaster.

  • UTStarcom releases SyncRing PTP grandmaster

    UTStarcom releases SyncRing PTP grandmaster

    Image: UTStarcom
    Image: UTStarcom

    UTStarcom has launched the SyncRing XGM30E precision time protocol (PTP) grandmaster. The SyncRing XGM30E is designed for mobile networks and other applications requiring accurate time and frequency synchronization. It is an addition to the company’s SyncRing line of network synchronization equipment.

    The SyncRing XGM30E is an indoor PTP grandmaster offering echo time accuracy of more than ±40 ns, which can meet the stringent timing requirements of demanding applications including 4G and 5G networks. The clock complies with the PTP IEEE 1588-2008 standard, supporting major ITU-T frequency and phase and time profiles.

    SyncRing XGM30E supports synchronous Ethernet (SyncE) output on all service interfaces for accurate frequency synchronization, and SyncE input for enhanced time holdover operation during GNSS outages.

    The grandmaster includes an indoor rack-mount design and power supply redundancy with AC or DC built-in options and has flexible management options. The SyncRing XGM30E is available now.

  • U-blox LTE-M module certified in Japan

    U-blox LTE-M module certified in Japan

     

    Image: U-blox
    Image: U-blox

    U-blox’s SARA-R5 series LTE-M module, based on the company’s low-power wide-area (LPWA) chipset, has been fully certified on all mobile network operators’ LTE-M networks in Japan. The module is the first u-blox internet of things (IoT) product to receive certification with all the Japanese operators.

    The SARA-R5 series is 5G-ready and aimed at LPWA IoT applications such as industrial automation, sensor applications, connected health, metering, asset and vehicle tracing, and telematics. The module is also certified Microsoft Azure and qualified for IoT Core Amazon Web Services.

    The SARA-R5 series has three product variants including the SARA-R500S-61B, the SARA-R510M8S-61B and the SARA-R510S-61B.

    The SARA-R500S-61B offers standard LTE-M connectivity. The SARA-R510M8S-61B includes an integrated u-blox M8 GNSS receiver and a separate GNSS antenna interface, which provides reliable and accurate positioning data concurrent to LTE communication. This module is suitable for mobile applications such as automotive, fleet management and tracking, and telematics.

    The SARA-R510S-61B is designed for low-battery powered applications including metering, security and surveillance, remote monitoring and more.

  • HERE and AWS provide device positioning services to developers

    HERE and AWS provide device positioning services to developers

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    On Jan. 6, HERE Technologies, a location data platform, announced its collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS), a leading cloud platform. This collaboration will deliver improved performance for indoor and outdoor positioning capabilities, enabling AWS third-party developers to track and manage internet-of-things (IoT) devices.

    HERE Positioning enables developers to switch between different localizing technologies, and it does rely exclusively rely on GNSS for the location of a device or application. This is being integrated with the AWS IoT Core Device Location feature, which makes it possible for developers to track and manage IoT devices without relying on GNSS/GPS hardware.

    The integration of the two platforms makes devices and applications location-aware globally with a high-level of positioning accuracy and data security.

    HERE Positioning maintains a global database of more than 200 million Cell-ID and 5.6 billion Wi-Fi access point locations, which is updated and populated through machine learning algorithms. It supports a variety of device types, regardless of operating system, using Wi-Fi and cellular networks.

  • TDK adds to its InvenSense SmartIndustrial family

    TDK adds to its InvenSense SmartIndustrial family

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    Image: TDK

    On Jan. 4, TDK Corporation announced the addition of the IIM-42653 and IIM-42652-I platforms to its InvenSense SmartIndustrial family of compact and low-power sensor platforms. IIM-42653 and IIM-42652-I consist of 6-axis IMUs, which target industrial and navigation applications requiring high force sensitive resistor (FSR) performance or inertial navigation software.

    The IIM-42653 platform—a robust, low-noise, low-power, 6-axis IMU—is capable of a gyro-programmable output of 4,000 dps and an accelerometer-programmable output of 32 g. These features make IIM-42653 ideal for applications including industrial-grade or high-end automated guided vehicles, automated mobile robots and unmanned aerial vehicles.

    The IIM-42652-I platform, a compact 6-axis IMU, offers hardware authentication and can be integrated with TRACK dead reckoning software from Trusted Positioning, a TDK Group company. The TRACK software, which is available for purchase through a licensing agreement, filters GNSS multi-path errors and provides a continuous navigation solution when GNSS signals are unavailable.

    IIM-42653 is available now for select partners and customers only and will be available at TDK distribution partners in April. IIM-42652-I is available now at InvenSense-authorized distributors.

  • TerraStar-X Enterprise test beds now available in China

    TerraStar-X Enterprise test beds now available in China

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    Image: metamorworks/ /iStock/Getty Images Plus/Getty Images

    On Jan. 3, Hexagon and Dayou announced the availability of TerraStar-X Enterprise test beds in Beijing, Shanghai, Anqing and Shenzhen for OEMs in the automotive and micro-mobility industries. Terra-Star-X Enterprise precise-point positioning corrections provide lane-level accuracy with fast convergence for autonomous vehicles and mass-market use.

    The availability of the test beds follows the initial announcement by Hexagon’s Autonomy & Positioning division and Dayou of their partnership aiming to deliver GNSS correction services to the Chinese market. Users of autonomous platforms will now have a single correction service that works in China, North America and Europe.

    OEMs in China can now leverage the test beds with consumer and automotive-grade GNSS receivers to design advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), and other products, such as mobile applications, safety-critical solutions and more.

  • ROCK Robotic announces new product and partnership

    ROCK Robotic announces new product and partnership

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    Image: ROCK Robotic

    On Jan. 6, ROCK Robotic, a geospatial company specializing in lidar-based data processing and high-definition mapping, announced the availability of ROCK Base, a triple frequency RTK base station. Additionally, ROCK Robotic has partnered with the Web3 GEODNET initiative to support critical applications in civil surveying, high-definition mapping, digital twin creation and more.

    Photo:
    Image: ROCK Robotic

    ROCK Base is a resilient, secure, full-constellation GNSS receiver, capable of tracking signals transmitted from GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS, and the IRNSS navigation satellite constellations. It includes 1,400 channels, survey-grade antennae, cables and antennae-mounting equipment required to set up a permanent continuously operating reference station location.

    To make high-definition mapping more accessible and affordable, ROCK Robotic joined the Web3 GEODNET initiative, the largest decentralized GNSS reference network globally. Under the new partnership, ROCK Robotic customers will have access to the GEODNET base-station network to geo-reference ROCK Robotic’s 3D data products to millimeter-level absolute position accuracy, without setting up ground control points. Additionally, ROCK Base is pre-certified on the GEODNET network.

  • Curtiss-Wright offers VPX3-673A module for A-PNT

    Curtiss-Wright offers VPX3-673A module for A-PNT

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    Image: Curtiss-Wright

    In October 2022, Curtiss-Wright Corporation’s Defense Solutions division, a supplier of modular open system approach-based solutions, released the VPX3-673A module. This module is the first to deliver assured position, navigation and timing (A-PNT) along with alternative RF navigation and pntOS architecture.

    The VPX3-673A is a rugged, 3U OpenVPX, form factor module, which integrates with existing navigation sensors in vehicles operating in environments with limited or denied access to GPS, to increase assurance in the platform’s PNT solutions. It is designed to ingest positioning and timing data from multiple sensors and output accurate timing and navigation information on the battlefield using VICTORY data messages.

    It is compatible with the United States Army’s C5ISR/EW Modular Open Suite of Standards and aligned with the Sensor Open Systems Architecture Technical Standard 1.0.

    VPX3-673A includes a low noise chip-scale atomic clock with intelligence provided by Xilinx MPSoc, an alternative RF navigation receiver and a 10-degree of freedom IMU. It supports an internal or external GPS module via a front panel connector. Additionally, the VPX3-673A provides processing resources and sensor interface capabilities needed for operability with a variety of external processing and sensor units.

  • Synaptics launches GNSS IC for IoT devices

    Synaptics launches GNSS IC for IoT devices

    Photo:
    Image: Synaptics

    On Jan. 3, Synaptics released the SYN4778, a small, low power, accurate GNSS integrated circuit for Internet of Things (IoT) devices. SYN4778 is designed to extend battery life, reduce product size, and enhance performance of advanced location-based services for IoT devices, including wearables, mobile accessories, asset tagging and tracking systems, UAVS and transportation navigation.

    SYN4778 includes advanced multi-path interference mitigation using L5 band signals from GPS, Galileo, BeiDou, NAVIC, SBAS, and Quasi Zenith Satellite System (QZSS). The chip also uses L1 satellite bands to reduce the time to first fix, as well as the power consumed, improving end-user experience, and enabling product developers to add additional functionality and features to their IoT devices.

    This GNSS chip includes LTE jamming and signal filtering, and continuous — highly parallel — search and track of all GNSS channels for greater positioning accuracy for LBS applications, specifically in urban environments. Additionally, it offers support for multiple operating systems and third-party software to enable a broader range of application-optimized IoT devices.

    SYN4778 is currently only available to select customers.

  • FocalPoint announces collaboration with General Motors

    FocalPoint announces collaboration with General Motors

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    Image: FocalPoint

    On Jan. 5, FocalPoint announced an investment from GM Ventures, and collaboration with General Motors (GM), on the integration of next-generation GPS technology in the automotive industry. This collaboration will explore the deployment of electric and autonomous vehicles and aims to apply FocalPoint’s technologies into future vehicles produced by GM to make navigation more precise, especially in urban environments.

    Photo:
    Image: FocalPoint

    FocalPoint’s Supercorrelation is designed to increase positioning accuracy in urban environments and is highly resilient to spoofing attacks. It will be integrated into GM vehicles to provide more accurate navigation. The goal of the integration is to enhance and expand GM’s Super Cruise, and upcoming Ultra Cruise, hands-free, driving assistance technology.

    Supercorrelation is already licensed to u-blox and is in advanced trials with other major manufacturers including Molten Ventures, Greshham House, Passion Capital, IQ Capital, Cambridge Angels and more.

  • Hexagon acquires LocLab

    Hexagon acquires LocLab

    Photo:
    Image: Hexagon

    On Dec. 22, Hexagon AB announced its acquisition of LocLab, a German company that specializes in 3D digital twin content creation. LocLab will operate as a part of Hexagon’s Geosystems division.

    This acquisition, which began as a partnership, strengthens Hexagon’s ability to make its Smart Digital Reality, a 3D hub for data management and information, more accessible to new and existing users while giving LocLab’s users a platform to host, share and keep 3D digital twins up to date.

    LocLab’s toolchain leverages several data input formats such as terrestrial videogrammetry, survey data and point clouds, but only requires photos or videos. Hexagon is integrating LocLab’s 3D digital content with its HxDR cloud-based storage, visualization, and collaboration platform. This integration drives HxDR’s expansion as a digital reality platform into the transportation, construction and urban planning industries.

    The integration of HxDR and LocLab’s capabilities strengthens Hexagon’s reality capture and software portfolio while offering LocLab global scalability opportunities through Hexagon’s sales and partner network.

  • ESA’s NAVISP partners with Grimaldi Group

    ESA’s NAVISP partners with Grimaldi Group

     

    Photo:
    Image:  shaunl/E+/Getty Images

    On Nov. 18, the European Space Agency (ESA) announced a Navigation Innovation and Support Programme (NAVISP) partnership with Italy’s Grimaldi Group, as the need for accurate maritime navigation increases. With the Grimaldi Group, NAVISP has taken on the Grimaldi Satellite-Assisted Berthing (GSAB) project, which aims to develop a satellite-based guidance system for docking maneuvers of large vessels.

    NAVISP’s GSAB project will use satellite-based multi-sensor technology to improve the efficiency of maneuvers in ports to increase safety while also reducing CO2 emissions. Maritime navigation is too complex for GPS and Galileo alone, so, by fusing those two systems with PNT sensors, the project can achieve its intended outcome.

    The project is divided into two phases. In the first phase, NAVISP is working on design, development activities, installation of the sensors in a roll-on, roll-off vessel, and running a test readiness campaign. The second phase includes field tests with the equipped ship in the Grimaldi facilities in the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, Europe’s second largest seaport.

    Shipping transport is responsible for more than 80% of goods traded globally, and the Grimaldi Group is one of the largest shipping companies globally with more than 130 ships. As the need for efficient and safe ship transport in and out of ports grows, NAVISP continues to support innovation to improve satellite navigation and positioning systems in the maritime sector, according to ESA.