Broadcast Date: Thursday, November 19, 2015 On-Demand Available Until: Saturday, November 19, 2016 Moderator: Alan Cameron, Editor-In-Chief and Publisher, GPS World Speakers: Lasse Klingbeil, Ph.D., Institute of Geodesy and Geoinformation, University of Bonn; Jeffrey Fayman, Ph.D.,VP, Planning & Development, Geodetics; Florent Hennart, GNSS specialist, Airbus Defence & Space; Jan Van Hees, Director of Marketing and Business Development, Septentrio Summary: A university research team and three commercial manufacturers shared their first-hand experiences in — and expert insight into — the creation of unmanned aerial vehicles.They presented their operational UAV designs, discussed the project requirements, aspects of construction and integration of sensors — and also shared test results from their recorded flights.
Broadcast Date: Thursday, December 17, 2015 On-Demand Available Until: Saturday, December 17, 2016 Sponsor:Applanix Moderator: Alan Cameron, Editor-In-Chief and Publisher, GPS World Speakers: Eric Gakstatter Contributing Editor, GPS World, Geospatial Solutions; Marko Peljhan
Co-founder, C-ASTRAL; Doug Long, Strategic Marketing Director, Applanix, a Trimble Company Summary: Private operators and commercial UAV/mapping service providers will cover the basics of UAV operation for mapping, showing results of their work and giving tips for successful project completion.
Broadcast Date: February 18, 2016 On-Demand Available Until: February 18, 2017 Sponsor:NovAtel Summary: Our expert panel will discuss the use of RF detection system-equipped UAV jammer hunters, the performance of null-steering techniques for GNSS receivers and more in this one-hour webinar. Speakers: Adrien Perkins, Stanford University and James T. Curran, Ph.D., European Commission
Broadcast Date: Thursday, March 10, 2016 On-Demand Available Until: March 18, 2017 Sponsor:Spectracom Summary: Our expert panel will cover fundamentals for good testing, case studies on specific signal simulation projects and special considerations for multi-constellation performance. Speakers: Julian Thomas, Racelogic; John Fischer, Spectracom; and John Pottle, Spirent Positioning, Spirent Federal and Spirent
The project raised the dam height by 60 centimeters, reinforcing existing abutments and adding two piano key spillways.
At the Razisse dam in southwest France, a Spectra Precision Focus 35 robotic total station was used to monitor structural movements during major repairs.
The Focus 35 total station on the job.
The Focus 35 monitored to a half-millimeter accuracy movement of the arch dam abutments during a critical six-week period in the project. Raising the height of the dam was expected to cause the abutments to settle, so the Focus 35 was positioned to measure XY movement to ensure they were settling properly and within expectations.
Measurements were taken at each step, with results communicated in real time to the contractor through an Excel file. The results enabled engineers to make critical decisions on whether to move further into the project. The final movement was less than a tenth of a millimeter, well within the acceptable value.
Spirent Communications plc is releasing a new series of multi-frequency, multi-GNSS RF constellation simulators. The GSS7000 series provides an entry to multi-frequency testing, with a modular approach to enable this new precision GNSS simulation system to expand with users’ needs.
The GSS7000 system will suit receiver, system and application developers who want to take advantage of new satellite navigation systems and the better accuracy offered by civilian, multi-frequency GNSS.
“Testing across multiple GNSS systems requires more channels and more frequencies with accurate modeling across multiple constellations,” said Stuart Smith, lead product manager for Spirent’s Positioning business unit. “The GSS7000 is a new type of simulator in terms of capability and flexibility. We have gone above and beyond traditional thinking to create a new system for a new era of GNSS test.”
Spirent Communications’ GSS7000 series of multi-frequency GNSS simulators provides a modular approach to testing.
The GSS7000 series offers faithful emulation of all civil GNSS systems and regional augmentation systems, and allows devices to be tested under a multitude of operating environments and error conditions, the company said. The GSS7000 has the flexibility to reconfigure satellite constellations, channels and frequencies between test runs or test cases. Four software control variants are offered.
For existing Spirent customers, the GSS7000 has been designed to be backward compatible, enabling the re-use of existing test cases. It allows full in-field upgradeability to add constellations, channels, and other options such as interference generation and sensor simulation.
Drone-maker 3DR is teaming up with Esri to integrate 3DR’s Site Scan software with Esri Drone2Map.
3DR made the announcement at the Esri User Conference, held last week in San Diego.
Designed for the field professional, Site Scan is an intuitive, powerful and open aerial data capture and analytics platform that delivers an end-to-end solution ready-made for existing mapping and survey workflows, 3DR said in a news release. With Site Scan and Drone2Map, Esri customers can safely, quickly and easily conduct surveys with the Solo smart drone and effortlessly deliver that data to ArcGIS and ArcGIS Online.
“Aerial data capture technology is bringing about a revolution in surveying and mapping,” said Lawrie Jordan, Director of Imaging and Remote Sensing at Esri. “We are thrilled to partner with 3DR to streamline the creation of professional imagery products with Site Scan and Drone2Map for ArcGIS. Together we will accelerate the development and use of remote sensing across all industries.”
Site Scan automatically calculates a flight plan and Solo autonomously executes both flight and image capture. Images are processed and integrated with Esri Drone2Map to create high-resolution georeferenced maps and digital elevation models to share as tile or feature services in ArcGIS and ArcGIS Online.
“Capturing site data today is costly, time consuming and often dangerous. Drones can easily go where it’s inefficient or unsafe for field personnel, making it easier to accurately measure our world so we can better analyze and manage it,” said Chris Anderson, CEO of 3DR. “We’re delighted to partner with such a great industry leader and integrate Site Scan with Esri Drone2Map. Together, we offer a complete solution for site capture that will help our customers create maps that tell stories, record change over time and perform analysis all while saving time, saving money and keeping humans out of harm’s way.”
Site Scan makes it safer and easier than ever for people in land management, GIS, mapping, energy, infrastructure and related fields to aggregate and process multiple forms of aerial imagery and data and easily incorporate them into the Esri tools they use every day, 3DR said.
Engineering and survey firm McKim & Creed, based in Fort Worth, Texas, is one customer. “Utilizing the 3DR Solo and SiteScan allowed McKim & Creed to confidently collect accurate spatial information in dangerous and demanding environments where it would have been difficult to use traditional survey methods,” said Christian Stallings, R&D Manager at McKim & Creed.
“Using Esri’s Drone2Map software, surveyed ground control and 3DR’s Solo, we were able to collect detailed elevation information and high-resolution orthophotography over a dredging containment pond operated by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). This approach proved to be accurate and kept people out of harm’s way — which would only be achievable using this approach,” Stallings said.
3DR designed Site Scan as an open and extensible platform. On the hardware side, the Solo smart drone has open gimbal and accessory bays, which give both 3DR and their global technology partners the ability to integrate additional cameras and sensors.
Additionally, Solo firmware updates optimize the drone’s flight profile and performance. On the software side, 3DR continually updates the Site Scan application so that customers can take advantage of the most recent and advanced analytics technologies.
With Site Scan, even users new to drone technology will fly with confidence from day one. The Site Scan app includes 3DR’s airspace safety information software, which alerts users if they’re about to fly in restricted airspace. They can then pull up a map of the area with all restrictions around them clearly marked.
To support enterprise customers further, 3DR offers Success Services, including the Premier Success Plan. Included with their purchase of Success Services, all Site Scan users will have access to experts on Site Scan and Solo. They will also have a Solo overnight replacement guarantee should anything go wrong with one of their drones.
Site Scan with Solo Enterprise is available immediately for order on store.3dr.com, priced at $3249 with a monthly service fee of $499 paid annually with a 12-month commitment.
Dewberry, a privately owned professional services firm, has completed the National Hydrography Requirements and Benefits Study (HRBS) for the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
The firm conducted the study — sponsored by USGS and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service — to establish a baseline understanding of national business uses, needs and associated benefits for national hydrography data and to inform the design of an enhanced future program that balances requirements, benefits and costs.
Dewberry collected more than 400 responses from federal agencies; commissions; non-profits; private and commercial entities; and local, state, and tribal governments from across the 50 states, Washington, D.C., and American Samoa.
Participants were asked to provide detailed information about the hydrography data required to accomplish their missions, including positional accuracy, stream density, smallest contributing watershed, smallest mapped body of water, update frequency, post-event updates and level of detail. They were also asked what analytical functions and integration levels are required between hydrography data and other datasets.
Dewberry collected responses regarding hydrography data access methods, including required data types or formats, geographic extents, data or service access methods, required elevation-hydrography data integration, and the impact of hydrography data errors.
Study respondents reported budgets associated with annual programs supported by hydrography data and what future annual benefits they anticipate from an enhanced data program.
“Hydrographic data is integral to a variety of mission-critical activities performed throughout the U.S.,” said Dewberry associate and project manager Sue Hoegberg. “Our report gives USGS a far greater understanding of the requirements and benefits associated with potential enhancements to a national hydrographic data program, one that — if all reported requirements were met — would help users realize an estimated $602.5 million in annual program benefits.”
Based on Dewberry’s results, the top business uses of hydrographic data are to manage river and stream flow, riverine and stream ecosystems, water resources, flood risks and wildlife and habitat, as well as track water quality — six uses that account for $545 million of the estimated future annual benefits.
The top requirements for integration with other datasets are elevation, stream flow, wetlands, soils and land cover.
Hexagon AB has launched HxGN SMART Build, an enterprise construction management software solution designed to alleviate cost overruns and delays.
SMART Build facilitates the convergence of construction planning and execution through real-time clarity, accountability and management of the project lifecycle. This empowers construction executives with top-down visibility of progress and deviations and field crews with automation and real-time access to the relevant and up-to-date information they need every day on the job site, Hexagon said.
“General contractors face an almost impossible challenge with the number of variables they deal with every day,” said Hexagon President and CEO Ola Rollén. “SMART Build will deliver cost savings, improved workflows, increased productivity and countless other benefits to an industry seeking a better way to deliver projects on time and on budget. Hexagon has long been a leader in information technology software solutions for large scale construction in the process, power and marine industries and HxGN SMART Build is our next-generation offering, providing the AEC/BIM industries with a fully integrated solution that did not previously exist.”
Leveraging industry leading technologies from Hexagon’s Process, Power & Marine and Geosystems businesses, SMART Build is a fully integrated construction solution that brings all relevant project information together on a single platform — from design down to the smallest tasks — in a secure, cloud-based environment.
Participants at all levels can access data and information any time, from anywhere — from 2D drawings and 3D models, to work packages, detailed instructions, point clouds, and as-built measurements, to project progress and deviations from plan. This real-time visibility and transparency clarifies, connects and simplifies the construction management process, the company said.
Measure, a United States’ commercial operator of drones, and DJI, manufacturer of unmanned aerial vehicles, are partnering to pair advanced UAV technology with operational excellence so commercial enterprise customers can achieve their most demanding business goals.
“Our partnership with DJI allows Measure to enhance technical capability and scale business operations across all verticals,” said Measure CEO Brandon Torres Declet. “This alliance will allow our companies and franchisees to be the vanguard of innovation for commercial UAV operations, using DJI’s proven technology and our experienced pilots.”
“Businesses increasingly recognize that having a knowledgeable and experienced operator at the controls is key to using UAV technology most effectively,” said Jan Gasparic, Strategic Partnerships and Business Development, DJI.
“Measure’s application-specific pilot training and deep knowledge of flight regulation allows them to set the standard for commercial UAV operations in the field,” Gasparic said. “We are looking forward to expanding our successful relationship with Measure, allowing more businesses to perform critical functions faster, safer, more efficiently and at a lower cost.”
Alongside the service collaboration, Measure and DJI will assist organizations to develop and deploy UAV operations in the fields of agriculture, energy and media. Organizations will now have a comprehensive partner to explore demanding operations such as spraying with DJI’s Agras MG-1 agricultural drone, or broadcasting live directly from a UAV to a newsroom. This partnership demonstrates Measure and DJI’s commitment to fostering a vibrant commercial ecosystem to accelerate the economic growth and innovation of the drone industry.
Averna, a developer of test solutions and services for electronics device-makers, has acquired 100 percent of U.S.-based Nexjen Systems for an undisclosed amount.
Nexjen Systems is a full-service integrator with expertise in mechanical test systems, RF automated test equipment, industrial control, measurement and monitoring systems, and automation control panels.
Nexjen Systems, a division of Jenkins Electric Company, was created in 2005 to service Jenkins Test & Measurement customers in the southeast region. Located in Charlotte, North Carolina, Nexjen Systems is a National Instruments Alliance Partner.
Nexjen Systems’ president, Darren Lingafeldt, and vice president, Brian Esque, will continue to participate in the day-to-day operations and expansion plans as Averna employees.
“Averna is extremely pleased to announce the acquisition of Nexjen Systems and welcomes its employees to the team,” stated François Rainville, vice president of sales and marketing for Averna. “Nexjen Systems represents an exceptional opportunity to expand Averna’s presence in the Eastern USA in each of our major market segments as well as tap new resources, solutions, and expertise to offer an extended Test & Quality Solution portfolio.”
Darren Lingafeldt, president for Nexjen Systems, added, “We are delighted to join the Averna team and provide our long-standing customers with additional opportunities to deliver their test and quality projects worldwide as well as benefit from Averna’s renowned global support.”
A new speaker and a new mapping technology have joined the line-up for next Thursday’s (July 28) free webinar, “Laser Rangefinders, Lidar, Cameras and More: Other Sensors Integrated with GNSS for Special Mapping Requirements.” Survey and mapping consultant Eric Gakstatter will speak on the use of digital cameras, laser rangefinders, and lidar.
Eric GakstatterHe joins Joakim Rydell, author of the magazine’s July cover story, “See Into the Smoke with Inertial,” and Paul Adkins, global communications manager for Laser Tech, Inc. Overall, the panelists will present valuable business and technical information to increase workflow efficiency with smart devices, apps, rangefinders and cameras, and to keep attendees on the forefront of new GIS field data collection methods.
Field data collection and mapping is booming in many industrial, business, defense and other organizational workflows. The demand for accuracy and data richness constantly increases, and the frontiers for mapping and navigation are steadily pushing outward through all types of obstructed environments — or inward. These new positioning challenges are met by a range of sensors complementing GNSS: laser range-finders, inertial measurement units, cameras of various kinds and more.
Practitioners and researchers in these industries will find this GPS World webinar material profitable:
Survey and Defense
Mining and Construction
GIS Mappping and GPS Mapping
Forestry and Natural Resource Management
Utilities and Telecommunications
Speakers:
Joakim Rydell Senior Scientist, Swedish Defense Research Agency
“Inertial Navigation and Dense Distance Measurements from a Range Camera”
A prototype for soldiers and first responders in dangerous environments integrates inertial navigation with near-infrared images and dense distance measurements from a range camera using active illumination. This produces real-time results on a tablet computer. Experiments demonstrate that the system provides good positioning and mapping performance in a range of indoor environments, including darkness and smoke.
Paul Adkins Global Marketing Communications Manager, Laser Technology, Inc.
“GIS Field Data Collection Using Smart Devices “
Learn how to increase GIS field data collection workflow efficiency utilizing smart devices (BYOD), internal GPS and apps with compact total station laser rangefinders. Also, using the camera function on the smart devices and/or laser.
Eric Gakstatter Contributing Editor, GPS World, Geospatial Solutions
Gakstatter is a contributing editor for the Geospatial Solutions Monthly e-newsletter, an e-newsletter focused on geospatial technologies. He owns and operates his own drone or UAV. Following 10 years of work experience within the GPS/GNSS industry, since 2000, he’s been a power user of GPS/GNSS technology as well as a consultant with capital management companies; federal, state and local government agencies; and private companies on the application and/or development of GPS technology. Since 2006, he’s been a contributing editor to GPS World magazine and the Geospatial Solutions website.
Moderator:
Alan Cameron Editor-In-Chief, GPS World
Cameron is editor-in-chief and publisher of GPS World magazine, where he has worked since 2000. He also writes the monthly GNSS System Design e-newsletter and the Wide Awake blog.
Averna, a developer of test solutions and services for electronics device-makers, has acquired 100 percent of U.S.-based Nexjen Systems for an undisclosed amount.
