GPS World

Category: Uncategorized

  • GPS World 2017 travel and discoveries

    The GPS World staff traveled the world this year, documenting the latest in GNSS technology through articles, videos and photos. Scroll through the map to get an overview from each show, as well as more detailed coverage in the links provided.

  • Examining silver linings in GPS amidst natural disasters

    Examining silver linings in GPS amidst natural disasters

    Illustration courtesy of USA Today.

    Here in the U.S., this past summer saw an unprecedented number of emergency situations. Hurricanes blasted Texas, Florida, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, leaving people stranded and without power, while wildfires ravaged the west.

    So far this year, 15 separate weather and climate disasters have each caused at least $1 billion in damages in the U.S., according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), meaning, 2017 could tie 2011 for the most billion-dollar disasters. The USA Today chart shows those events.

    In Oregon where I live, we experienced unprecendented smoky skies from wildfires — the hazardous air quality affected the health of many.

    The silver lining? Growing expertise in the fields of disaster response, mapping, location awareness, UAVs and imagery. We continue to improve our ability to respond to disasters, such as with Waze traffic alerts for wildfire evacuations and UAVs that bring a virtual doctor to a crisis scene along with medicine. We use state-of-the-art technology to learn more about how, why and when disasters happen with tools such as UAVs that penetrate the mysteries of active hurricanes.

  • What resilient means for defense applications

    Virtually all defense and security applications of GPS/GNSS require additional technology to protect assets and missions against signal interference, whether jamming or spoofing. The upcoming free webinar, Resilient PNT for Military Applications, gives a primer on several of these technology options. Mitigation in this context means that after isolating the unwanted signal, quickly rejecting and replacing it, causing minimal system degradation. In essence, this involves the use of augmentation technologies and diversification strategies to supplement GPS/GNSS, thus reducing the dependence on it.

    Applications relevant to this approach include:
    Airborne: Observation payload (radar, optronics, electronic warfare), flying test bench, flight analysis, tactical UAV navigation;

    Ground: Blue Force tracking, vehicle navigation, satcom on the move (SOTM), Anti IED jamming systems, mobile radios and C4ISR, robotics;

    Marine/Naval: Sensor support (radars, sonars, optronics, electronic warfare), communication networks, offshore/DSO platform.

    Possible sources of such additional technology include those shown in the accompanying figure:

    Click to enlarge.

    The webinar is targeted upon the needs of systems engineers, system integrators, communication engineers, information system security engineers, validation engineers, test engineers, defense engineers, contractors and consultants, application engineers, systems and requirements analysts and system administrators who wish to firm up their understanding of resilient PNT and expand upon the alternatives available to them. Speakers on the webinar will cover the topic from a range of perspectives.

    Mike Jones has worked on a variety of UK and US military airborne platforms around the world. He specializes in the simulation, modeling and hardware implementation of advanced signal processing algorithms, and has led a number of FPGA and ASIC designs for radar, GPS and communications systems.

    Mikel Miller began his career as a satellite systems engineer with the U.S. Air Force, holding numerous test, research and development, and program management positions. He retired with a Ph.D. and rank of lieutenant colonel. He worked until recently as chief scientist for PNT Technologies for the Air Force Research Lab Sensors Directorate, and is now a vice president at Integrated Solutions for Systems (IS4S).

    Miller will broaden the discussion to encompass all three technologies that evolved military applications and platforms now require for synchronized, precision operations: resilient PNT, resilient communications, and resilient cyber. A system-of-systems architecture that integrates and optimizes these three technologies is required to provide trusted and resilient PNT information in GNSS denied/degraded environments.

    Randy Villahermosa, executive director, iLAB, The Aerospace Corporation, will speak on research concepts in complementary PNT, including open-source frameworks and the potential role of signals-of-opportunity navigation. The iLab is a venue for “exploring, prototyping, and collaborating.”

    Lisa Perdue, an expert in testing critical GPS and GNSS systems,  has trained hundreds of engineers and technicians who are responsible for high-reliability positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) applications. Perdue is Spectracom product manager at Orolia, where she directs the organization’s GNSS simulation activities and contributes to its entire portfolio of resilient PNT solutions. She has more than 15 years of navigation and RF systems experience, including 10 years of service with the U.S. Navy, where she was a certified master training specialist.

    Spectracom’s perspective on secure military systems is concisely set out in a whitepaper, “Making Military PNT Systems Resilient Against Threats: Recent Advances.”  After an overview of the field in which many terms and concepts are carefully and helpfully defined, the whitepaper explains the advantages of the new Satellite Time and Location (STL) service. This is a paid option available on the company’s VersaPNT hardware unit, combining a GNSS receiver, inertial measurement technology and high-performance timing oscillators to provide assured PNT in GNSS-degraded and denied environments.

    STL is a new technology available today to harden GNSS-based timing and frequency systems, and in some cases even to replace the GNSS reference; the adaptation of this technology to positioning and navigation applications on slow-moving mobile platforms is currently under development. The STL signal is broadcast by the Iridium constellation of satellites in low-Earth orbit.

    VersaPNT reduces size, weight and power (SWaP) by combining the the PNT functions of multiple independent subsystems  in one portable unit with a modular architecture. For improved resiliency, optional interference detection and mitigation (IDM) software can be added, as well as other services such as STL and BroadShield.

  • How to test: Simulator Q&A with the experts

    “Prepare for Tomorrow: Find Vulnerabilities Today” was the title of our wide-ranging webinar in July that focused on GNSS signal simulation for jamming and spoofing scenarios. We did not have time to address all the questions posed by the audience, so we return to them here.

    Q: While testing receivers, realistic scenarios for jamming and spoofing are very important. What is the typical approach to set the number of interference sources, their type and main signal parameters?

    A: From Spirent Federal Systems:

    Two different approaches are common, those involving the use of an anechoic chamber and those which are lab-based. Each approach has its limitations and merits. Each approach must address the number of significant interferers, their signal powers and the waveforms of the interference signals. Each must also consider the geometric arrangement of these interferers relative to the antenna under test and relative to the simulated constellations under test.

    Changes in signal phase, signal Doppler and signal power are as important for the interference signals as they for the wanted GNSS signals. These changes are caused by the simulated motion of the vehicle and potentially the motion of the interferers. These changes should also include the impact of terrain surrounding the vehicle and the interferers, and also the gain and phase patterns of the receive antenna on the vehicle and the transmit antennas on the interferers. Some interferers might be discounted from the significant set due to their signals being masked from the vehicle by the terrain or antenna patterns or by them being too far from the vehicle to have an impact. These interference signals may become significant as the scenario progresses due to vehicle or interferer motion.

    Simulator graphical user interface. (Image: Spirent Federal Systems)

    Q: In GNSS navigation systems for commercial applications, what emphasis of design effort should be on anti-jamming/anti-spoofing over improving the navigation accuracy?

    A: From Spectracom, an Orolia brand:

    Commercial applications is a broad area, so it will depend on the particular application as to whether it needs more accuracy or more resiliency against AJ/AS, but in general, the accuracy of GNSS is fairly mature. Standard GNSS offers accuracies on the order of ~1 meter. Centimeter accuracy can be achieved with differential or real-time kinematic (RTK). Multi-constellation use can increase availability in areas with limited sky view such as urban canyons. Multi-frequency can aid in the reduction of multipath and improve accuracy. If the application needs accuracy, these features are readily available.

    However, integrity and resiliency are growing needs in commercial applications, especially ones that are in critical operations. Much more can be done to detect jamming and spoofing than what is in standards GNSS receivers today. In our systems, we include an additional software layer called BroadShield, which monitors internal state variables of the receiver, and will alarm on detection. Additional sensors combined with the GNSS receiver such as an inertial measurement unit (IMU), magnetometer, odometer, or even the much stronger Satellite Time and Location (STL) signal offer augmentation during periods of GNSS denial, or in the case of spoofing, authentication of the navigation solution.

    A: From Syntony:

    While both jamming and spoofing are intentional attacks, they are highly different in their set-up and serve very different purposes. Due to their simplicity, most jamming attacks can be mitigated thanks to adaptive filtering or pulse blanking. On the other hand, spoofing is a malicious attack, highly complicated, and requires knowledge of the GNSS signal structure as well as precise timing and positioning.

    The question is thus whether one should emphasize navigation accuracy over the ability to output a position (jamming case) or the possibility to output a completely erroneous position (spoofing case). The answer lies, obviously, in the end application and the coupling of GNSS receivers with other systems. High-precision non-life-critical applications should emphasize navigation accuracy while implementing simple jammer filtering strategies. Life-critical applications, being often coupled with other systems, should ensure the reliability of the solution even if that means being unable to compute a position due potential threats.

    Q: Do you have GPS/inertial navigation system (INS) test capabilities?

    A: From CAST Navigation:

    The CAST-3000 EGI integration system produces GPS RF signals commensurate with simulated IMU sensor data to provide repeatable testing in the integration laboratory for a wide range of military and government applications.

    CAST GNSS/INS simulators generate high-fidelity signals required for emulating the legacy GPS signals as well as those used by next-generation navigation technologies. This is because our sole business focus is supplying GNSS simulators, GNSS/INS test equipment, and GNSS/INS support services to government and military avionics laboratories, prime contractors, and GNSS receiver manufacturers. For 35 years we have provided off-the-shelf products to both the government and U.S. major defense contractors.

    CAST EGI integration tools are used by Northrop Grumman and Honeywell and are now also being used in integration laboratories worldwide. Our equipment supports system integration in major weapons platform labs and development at major military contractor labs. CAST simulators produce high-quality, accurate signals that are used in government, military and commercial labs around the globe.

    A: From IFEN:

    Our NCS TITAN GNSS simulator is able to emulate the presence of IMUs and micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) sensors with the optional available real-time IMU/Sensor Emulation Package (SEP). The SEP upgrades the TITAN to support the simulation of inertial sensors, which nowadays are implemented as MEMS, among others, and of other common aiding sensors. To obtain more accurate positioning for location-based services and navigation, GNSS chipset and receiver manufacturers as well as system integrators combine more and more GNSS navigation with such sensor fusion or signals of opportunity.

    The optional SEP enables controlled and progressive testing of sensor-fusion algorithms when used with NCS Control Center operating software. This software supplies the SEP with an internally- or externally-generated center-of-gravity (CoG) trajectory for the device under test.

    The various sensor models to be emulated by the SEP run within the Control Center software. The device under test (vehicle) input trajectory at the CoG passes through the sensor model, which in turn generates the appropriate sensor output, by taking into account the corresponding error model for each sensor defined.

    A: From Syntony:

    We have added the capability to emulate INS/IMU data in addition to GNSS signals to our Constellator simulator, to offer to the customers a complete testing platform. Constellator can simulate up to six gyrometers and six accelerometers. The attitude of each sensor is defined with respect to the vehicle axes. Deterministic errors can be configured to simulate the axis misalignment and scale factors, and biases can be defined in order to simulate realistic sensors. Stochastic error models are also available such as random walk or Gauss-Markov models for each sensor (gyrometer or accelerometer) to improve the sensor emulation fidelity.

    Q: Do you have detailed scenarios for jamming and spoofing in timing use of GNSS receivers, that is, involving time synchronization for telecommunications companies?

    A: From Skydel:

    The simulated jammer’s signal specification must be very flexible in order to faithfully simulate real-world jamming events. For example, the jammer’s spectral shape should be flexible enough to simulate a Blue Force electronic attack (BFEA) on a GNSS receiver.

    Also, the simulator should be able to simulate dynamic scenarios by varying the power of the jammers as a function of their trajectories and as a function of different antenna patterns.

    Sometimes when testing receivers, the simulated jammers should replicate pre-recorded waveforms from real world. The ability to play back the pre-recorded IQ-baseband signal in conjunction with GNSS signals is another powerful feature of a simulator. Simulation of spoofing attacks on a GNSS timing receiver is only possible when the GNSS simulator provides fine-grained control of transmitted signal. This includes controlling the offsets on the pseudoranges with additive ramps, as well as individual signal power levels at very precise points in time.

    Also, the GNSS simulator must be able to synchronize itself with the live sky’s GNSS signal. Another way to achieve realistic spoofing is to use two simulators controlled independently (that is, full control on constellation, navigation message, propagation time offset, power and so on).

    FIGURE 1. Real-world jamming simulation must take into account key factors such as varying jammer power, as a function of their trajectories and antenna patterns. (Image: Skydel)

    Q: Please discuss how to simulate a smart spoofer that would generate a replica of a constellation (or all constellations) and then produces two full RF transissions: one that is the true signal, and a strong spoofed signal that pulls the receiver to a false location. Can you simulate the two full multi-band RF ensemble?

    A: From Racelogic:

    Two artificial synchronized scenarios could be created using SatGen signal generator software that can reproduce the GNSS signals from a number of constellations. The user could create two separate signal streams, both starting at exactly the same position and time and using the same constellations, chosen by the user.

    The second scenario could then be set to diverge away in position from the first scenario, while staying perfectly synchronized in time. The signal-to-noise ratio of each scenario could be adjusted independently of each other to simulate a spoofing situation where the spoofing signal is much stronger than the real signal. A file containing this twin scenario can be replayed using a LabSat Wideband with two separate RF outputs, each synchronously replaying the two different scenarios. This would closely simulate the actions of a smart spoofer, but in a completely repeatable, and controllable manner.

    A: From Jackson Labs:

    This could be accomplished by either combining the output of two of our CLAW GPS simulators, or by combining the output of a single CLAW simulator with live-sky signals using passive industry-standard splitters/combiners. The CLAW is able to receive a custom ephemeris download in RINEX format to match either the spoofed live-sky constellation, or to generate a synthesized constellation in the case where two CLAW simulators are being used.

    The simulator has a wide RF power adjustment range of over 45-dB, allowing the spoofing signal to be gradually introduced to the primary GPS constellation RF signal. This spoofing simulation could be accomplished with better than 0.5 meter peak-to-peak positioning accuracy and better than 5-ns real-mean-squared (rms) typical UTC (GPS) offset unit-to-unit, allowing the victim receiver to be pulled off of its true (live-sky) position with very high accuracy. Typically, GPS receivers are spoofed easily as long as the UTC timing synchronization is 500-ns or better between the live-sky and spoofed signals.

    Timing synchronization to the spoofed victim GPS signal to within nanoseconds is achievable through the external 1PPS reference input, the simulator accepting a position, navigation and timing (PNT) fix in real time via its NMEA serial and 1PPS inputs. This allows capturing a moving victim receiver by estimating its momentary position, then ramping up the spoofer power, and then presenting the victim receiver with alternate position information as required (see Figures 2 and 3).

    High position and timing accuracy between the spoofed and live-sky signal is important to prevent and mitigate spoofing detection via UTC phase or position jumps that could happen when the receiver gradually or quickly switches over to the spoofed satellite signals.

    FIGURE 2. Spoofing attack on a GPS receiver using a CLAW simulator to spoof a live-sky antenna signal. Initially the spoofer was phase- and frequency-synchronized to UTC(GPS), then spoofer RF power is ramped up, and once the victim GPS receiver is captured, a frequency offset is added to UTC(Spoofer), which pulls the system off-phase. (Figure: Jackson Labs)
    FIGURE 3. Simulating a spoofing attack on a timing application where the spoofer does not know the exact victim antenna location with certainty. The resulting antenna position offset error (50 meters in this simulation) still allows the victim receiver to be captured, and then causes a time error as satellites move in and out of view even with the spoofer being synchronized to UTC(GPS) at all times. This error is clearly visible in the resulting UTC(Spoofer) output from the victim receiver equipment. (Figure: Jackson Labs)

    Q: We want to correctly model and simulate effectiveness of various anti-jamming (AJ) and anti-spoofing (AS) solutions to make informed decisions about which AJ/AS solution is most effective for a specific mission and interference scenario. How can you help?

    A: From Spirent Federal Systems:

    Live-sky testing on a jamming/spoofing range provides a wealth of data, and reassurance that the system under test does work as intended. Record and playback systems (RPS) under live-sky conditions can allow further evaluation back in the lab, after the live-sky tests are complete. Performance parameters of the RPS may degrade the validity of the signal when played back; signal bandwidth and bit-depth are absolutely key, for example. Recordings that use too few bits will degrade the dynamic range of the recorded signals, so significant care should be taken when selecting an RPS.

    Either way, under live-sky or with recorded live-sky, you get what you get. It is extremely difficult to predict what the test parameters actually are. It is perilous to attempt to alter the test parameters after the event. Lab-based or anechoic chamber-based systems have their limitations, but they are repeatable, predictable and tweakable. Again, performance parameters of the simulation system play a key role in the validity of the testing. The ability to calibrate the simulation system to give a repeatable, predictable performance is as important as the realism of the simulation. Carrier-phase accuracy/repeatability among antenna elements and signal timing accuracy are important parameters when evaluating AJ and AS systems.

    Q: We had a receiver where the time stamp for any location report would drift off progressively, up to an hour off of the known true location. What might contribute to this? We do not believe this was an intentional threat, but an artifact of nearby electronics or other system conditions. It actually occurred on a pivot irrigation arm in motion, with substantial vibration. The receiver was electrically isolated. The results were repeatable on the pivot arm, but not on our vibration table.

    A: From Spectracom, an Orolia brand:

    Interesting problem with no obvious answer. Even the worst oscillator will take many months to drift off by up to an hour with no GNSS, even under horrible vibration conditions, so this is an unlikely cause. Is it drift or a jump in error? Nearby electrical noise could cause GNSS denial (jamming), but not erroneous data. That requires spoofing. If you have no reason to believe that it is intentional, that makes spoofing unlikely, but still possible. Is a GNSS repeater or a record/playback GNSS tester operating in the area? These are spoofers, even if they are unintentional.

    If this is a precision agriculture application, then an RTK reference station transmitting erroneous data could be the cause. What time-stamping format is used: local time or UTC? An unlikely but possible scenario is the unit is changing time zones so local time jumps an hour. Is there a processor/software app between your output and the actual GNSS receiver? This could introduce errors. What is the position output indicated when the time drift occurs? The best way to diagnose this is to record the time and position output as log files using a laptop PC connected to the serial data.

    Q: Do your simulators work as well for testing handheld, consumer-grade GPS? Please discuss the differences in testing techniques or approaches for high-precision vs. mass-market receivers?

    A: From Racelogic:

    We have a range of simulators suitable for all levels of GNSS testing. If you don’t need the high fidelity and wide bandwidth of the LabSat Wideband, then the entry level LabSat 3 will also work with any GNSS device including handheld consumer-grade products.

    To fully explore the performance of high-precision receivers, including multipath effects and P-code reception, a wider bandwidth and a greater number of bits would be required to capture and replay all of the available signals. For these applications, we recommend a bandwidth of 56 MHz and at least 4 bits of resolution.

    For testing of consumer-grade, handheld devices with simpler RF front ends, we recommend a much reduced bandwidth of around 9 MHz and only 2 bits of resolution. This smaller bandwidth and fidelity will easily reproduce the majority of real-world conditions, and the resulting data files will be much easier to handle.

    FIGURE 4. Simulator graphical user interface. (Image: Racelogic)

    Q: How many GNSS signals can a software-defined radio produce?

    A: From Skydel:

    The theoretical limits of a software-defined radio (SDR) are based on four distinct characteristics of the SDR: the digital-to-analog converter’s (DAC’s) bit resolution, the maximum sampling rate, the bandwidth and the number of RF outputs. With most SDRs, available bandwidth is defined by the sampling rate.

    With a 16-bit DAC, there is enough dynamic range to generate up to 50 GNSS signals and hundreds of multipath echos (with more than 60 dB of range to accommodate different signal power levels) per RF output.

    For example, with a sampling rate of 50 MSps, a 40-MHz wide signal — combining GNSS constellation signals such as GPS L1 C/A, Galileo E1, GLONASS G1 — can be generated. Nowadays, SDRs can have two or more RF outputs and are able to operate with sample rates of 100 MSps or higher. By distributing the GNSS signals across different RF outputs, the entire GNSS spectrum can be covered at a relatively low cost in terms of hardware.

    A handful of SDRs can easily be synchronized to form multiple RF output systems. In such cases, the complete range of GNSS signals for all visible satellites can be generated at the same time.

    Q: In a dual-frequency receiver would it be possible to still use L1 spoofed/jammed with L2 clean to get an accurate position? Is it possible to do a combination between the two signals in order to save the spoofed/jammed L1?

    A: From IFEN:

    In principal, it is still possible to use L1 spoofed/jammed with L2 clean in a dual-frequency receiver to get an accurate position. Such receivers are available as off-the-shelf products. These receivers use a special algorithm to detect if a GNSS frequency band is spoofed/jammed and automatically switch over to the clean frequency band. However, this principle can only be applied if the entire GNSS spectrum is not completely jammed. Whether a dual-frequency receiver can still use L1 spoofed/jammed with L2 clean to get an accurate position is therefore finally basically dependent on the overall bandwidth of the interferer/jammer.

    With IFEN’s TITAN simulator, it is possible to easily create the corresponding simulation scenarios for the real-time simulation of realistic test scenarios to test the robustness of GNSS receivers against interference/jamming and also spoofing. In doing so, various static and dynamic interference/jamming sources are supported by the simulator’s software.

    A: From Jackson Labs:

    It is possible to achieve a PNT solution using L2 signals only. This requires reception and decoding of either the military L2 P(Y) signal, or reception of the new but still pre-operational L2C commercial signal. Codeless or semi-codeless commercial L1/L2 receivers rely on tracking the carrier phase on L2 to be able to mitigate effects such as solar flares and ionospheric errors; however, they are not capable of generating a PNT solution with L2-only reception as would be the case under this spoofing/jamming scenario.

    P(Y) signal reception on L2 typically requires reception of the coarse acquisition (C/A) signal on L1 prior to tracking P(Y) unless the receiver has its own internal (atomic) time-base synchronized to UTC to the sub-microsecond level.

    On-Demand Webinars

    Simulation against Jamming and Spoofing: With cyber attacks on the rise, it is more critical now than ever to thoroughly test GPS and GNSS systems against jamming and spoofing.

    Integrated Tech for Industrial Positioning: Speakers discuss applications in the electric utility/telecom sector, such as site inspections, UAVs and mapping.

     

  • Trimble releases display system for agriculture applications

    Trimble releases display system for agriculture applications

    Trimble’s GFX-750 display system was designed to provide farmers with more robust signal availability.

    Trimble launched the GFX-750 display system for agriculture applications. According to the company, the display system comes with a simple-to-install, roof-mounted NAV-900 guidance controller featuring its most advanced multi-constellation GNSS receiver.

    The GFX-750 features a high-resolution 10.1-inch display, which is ISOBUS-compatible, a universal communication protocol that Müller-Elektronik, a Trimble company, helped develop. ISOBUS allows one display or terminal to control several implements and machines, regardless of manufacturer, the company said. The display system runs on Trimble’s high-performance Precision-IQ software.

    In addition, the GFX-750 offers flexible connectivity between devices through Bluetooth, WiFi and BroadR-Reach and communication from tractor to farm equipment. It has the ability to connect to signal corrections, including CenterPoint RTK, CenterPoint VRS, Trimble RTX technology and SBAS through the NAV-900 controller. The system is also compatible with Trimble Autopilot and interoperable with Trimble Ag Software.

    “The GFX-750 display system is the perfect solution for a farmer who is ready to get started with precision farming—or who is interested in upgrading to a new system—due to the easy-to-use interface and roof-mounted guidance controller with embedded GNSS receiver,” said Abe Hughes, general manager at Trimble’s Agriculture Division. “This comprehensive display system can enable farmers to more easily adopt precision agriculture solutions across their farm, regardless of vehicle make, model or year.”

    The GFX-750 display system comes with a triple-frequency multi-constellation GNSS receiver from Trimble that uses GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and BeiDou satellites, the company added.

  • Medical drone integrates augmented reality

    Medical drone integrates augmented reality

    A telemedical drone system with holographic technology can quickly put emergency physicians and lifesaving medical supplies in the hands of disaster survivors. The Telemedical Drone Project, known as HiRO (Health Integrated Rescue Operations), is being tested to support the Mississippi Department of Emergency Management, Homeland Security, the National Guard and NATO.

    Screenshot from HiRO video. (Courtesy of Paul Cooper)

    It is expected to be production-ready in early 2018.

    HiRO provides immediate access to a physician through a wireless video connection. When the portable critical care kit arrives, the doctor appears on a touchscreen display to direct treatment.

    Smart glasses allow a person on scene to move away from the kit while maintaining audio and visual contact with the physician. Holographic technology lets the physician to see the disaster scene and direct care through a hands-free, motion-enabled augmented reality headset.

    Osteopathic physicians Italo Subbarao and Paul Cooper partnered with Dennis Lott, director of the UAV program at Hinds Community College in Mississippi, to design and build a next-generation disaster drone.

    “These drones have impressive lift and distance capability, and can be outfitted with a variety of sensors, such as infrared, to help locate victims,” Lott said.

    HiRO drone and telemedical kit

    • Augmented reality (AR) operating on a Microsoft HoloLens headset enables a remote physician to treat multiple victims.
    • Automated medication bin allows remote physician to unlock specific compartments, giving bystanders safe access to medications and equipment supported by video guidance from the doctor.
    • Integrated holographic electronic health record system display helps remote physician monitor multiple patients in the field.

  • Esri ArcGIS helps firefighters with mutual response

    The International Association of Fire Chiefs, Intermedix and Esri have signed an agreement to build the National Mutual Aid System or NMAS.

    The NMAS will be the next-generation version of the IAFC’s Mutual Aid Net tool built in 2008. The NMAS will use Esri ArcGIS and Intermedix’s WebEOC, a crisis information management software, to manage and track emergency services resources during mutual-aid responses.

    During large-scale emergencies and disasters, it is critical for response personnel to have easy access to a mutual-aid system for managing their resources. WebEOC will allow IAFC to manage information sharing, event reporting and task management in a central, web-based environment that allows IAFC to connect to partner agencies and organizations during response efforts.

    The use of spatial data to identify and respond quickly and effectively is also paramount. Esri’s ArcGIS platform brings mutual aid management data into a location context, integrating that information into spatial analysis technology that emergency responders around the world use every day.

    The IAFC has long been the leader in supporting state and local fire and emergency management communities in disaster management. The current Mutual Aid Net is used to identify, request and deploy resources for mutual aid support.

    The NMAS will use the latest technology to help decision makers accomplish these tasks faster, easier and more accurately.

    The use of Intermedix’s WebEOC and Esri’s ArcGIS platforms provides information sharing, decision support and situational awareness capabilities to jurisdictions, regions and countries around the globe.

    The foundation of NMAS will be on the WebEOC platform which through the ArcGIS Extension for WebEOC will provide access and integration to Esri online tools and dashboards.

    The result of this integration is the near real-time data availability of WebEOC information within ArcGIS Online applications, without the need for any development, middleware or technical expertise.

    “The IAFC is extremely pleased to partner with Intermedix and Esri to build the next generation of the National Mutual Aid System,” said Tommy Hicks, IAFC’s Chief Programs & Technology Officer and Assistant Executive Director. “Ensuring that emergency managers and responders have real-time information and resources at their fingertips is an essential to protecting their communities from harm.”

    “Identifying the status and availability of resources for mutual aid support has always been challenging,” said Russ Johnson, Esri global director, emergency response. “In today’s environment with increasingly complex multi-jurisdictional incidents, this need is greater than ever. Through the leadership of IAFC and the partnership between Esri and Intermedix, the ability to know the availability of required mutual aid resources and immediately request them will be realized. This will be a major step forward in supporting public safety agencies throughout the country.”

    “Intermedix looks forward to our partnership with IAFC and an expansion of our partnership with Esri,” said Bob Watson, Intermedix president of preparedness solutions. “Our mission is to serve those who save lives, and the National Mutual Aid Net project is perfectly aligned with that mission. The only effective way to respond to emergencies is through collaborations and partnerships between public and private organizations. The National Mutual Aid Net takes that principle and puts it into practice. We are honored to be a part of this undertaking.”

  • Septentrio launches AsteRx-m2a, AsteRx-m2a UAS boards

    Septentrio launches AsteRx-m2a, AsteRx-m2a UAS boards

    Septentrio debuted the AsteRx-m2a and AsteRx-m2a UAS GNSS OEM engines at Commercial UAV 2017, held Oct. 24-26 in Las Vegas.

    The two new OEM boards provide precise and reliable multi-frequency, all-in-view real-time kinematic (RTK) positioning and heading — along with interference technology — with low power consumption, the company said.

    Both boards are smaller than a credit card and feature Septentrio’s AIM+ interference mitigation and monitoring system. AIM+ can suppress a wide variety of interferers, from simple continuous narrowband signals to the most complex wideband and pulsed jammers.

    The AsteRx-m2a board by Septentrio. Photo: Septentrio

    Increasing levels of radio-frequency pollution, coupled with the intrinsic danger of self-interference in compact systems such as UAS, makes interference mitigation a vital element in any UAS system that uses GNSS positioning.

    Both boards are designed to bring high-precision positioning and attitude to any space-constrained application. According to the company, both receivers are designed to serve as core components in any multi-sensor application.

    The AsteRx-m2a UAS is aimed specifically at unmanned applications, bringing plug-and-play compatibility for autopilot systems such as ArduPilot and Pixhawk. Event markers accurately synchronize camera shutter events with GNSS time. The board can be powered directly from the vehicle power bus via its wide-range input.

    The AsteRx-m2 UAS board by Septentrio. Photo: Septentrio

    The AsteRx-m2a UAS works seamlessly with GeoTagZ software, providing offline re-processed RTK accuracy without the need for either ground control points or a real-time datalink.

    “We’ve taken the hugely successful AsteRx-m2 and added a second antenna input for high-precision GNSS heading,” said Gustavo Lopez, OEM product manager at Septentrio. “No need to manoeuvre around in a figure of ‘8’ trying to initialise INS heading or find space or additional power for a separate INS module now. All you need is a second antenna and you’re good to go.”

    Septentrio is located at booth 206 of Commercial UAV Expo 2017.

  • VTOL drone company Wingtra partners with Pix4D

    VTOL drone company Wingtra partners with Pix4D

    Wingtra One in the air. (Photo: Wingtra)

    Professional drone company Wingtra is partnering with photogrammetry company Pix4D. Pix4D’s software suite is now available to WingtraOne users, both directly and via Wingtra’s distributors.

    WingtraOne, Wingtra’s main product, is a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) UAV that enables data collection for a variety of industries. The partnership with Pix4D aims to augment its status with an end-to-end solution including 2D map and 3D model construction from aerial data.

    The WingtraOne drone bridges the gap between traditional multi-rotors and fixed-wing drones, the company said. It takes off and lands vertically like conventional multirotors, but once in flight, the drone tilts forward to fly like a fixed-wing aircraft.

    Being able to carry heavy payload such as the Sony RX1RII, the drone offers high mapping accuracy, while covering an area of 980 acres (400 Ha) at 3 cm/px (1.2 in/px) GSD or the equivalent of 570 football fields.

    The WingtraOne is available in use in Europe, China, the United States and Australia for applications ranging from surveying and precision agriculture to glacier monitoring.

    Wingtra (booth 109) and Pix4D (booth 415) are exhibiting at Commercial UAV Expo Americas, which takes place Oct. 24-26 in Las Vegas.

    Map made by Pix4D pictures taken by WingtraOne with RX1RII camera. (image: Wingtra)

    Turning Information into Insight. Wingtra’s diverse user base is complemented by Pix4D, whose product range is aimed at the surveying and agriculture industry, among others.

    Pix4D has allows professionals to generate high-quality point clouds, orthomosaics, surface and terrain models from aerial imagery. Some of its popular offerings include Pix4Dmapper for precisely georeferenced 2D maps and 3D models, and Pix4Dag for accurate reflectance and index maps (NDVI, NDRE).

    With WingtraOne’s autonomous aerial data collection and Pix4D’s advanced data-analysis capabilities offered as a single bundle, professional users can now expect a plug-and-play solution. “We are keen on collaborating strongly in our upcoming events. Actually we are meeting very soon at UAV Expo in Las Vegas,” Bailey said.

    “The bond between the companies was established some time ago, since realizing the potential of pairing high-resolution aerial images with cutting-edge photogrammetry modeling software,” said Caroline Bailey, Pix4D regional sales manager for Europe. “We are very happy to announce the decision to become official partners.”

    Leopold Flechsenberger, sales manager at Wingtra, added, “We have always aimed at providing the best survey-grade aerial imagery to our users, so Pix4D was an obvious choice from the start. From now on, Wingtra is offering a reduced price on WingtraOne drones, when bundled with Pix4Dmapper.”

  • New DJI tech identifies and tracks drones

    AeroScope addresses safety, security and privacy concerns while protecting drone pilots

    DJI has unveiled AeroScope, its new solution to identify and monitor airborne drones with existing technology that can address safety, security and privacy concerns.

    AeroScope uses the existing communications link between a drone and its remote controller to broadcast identification information such as a registration or serial number, as well as basic telemetry, including location, altitude, speed and direction.

    Police, security agencies, aviation authorities and other authorized parties can use an AeroScope receiver to monitor, analyze and act on that information. AeroScope has been installed at two international airports since April, and is continuing to test and evaluate its performance in other operational environments.

    “As drones have become an everyday tool for professional and personal use, authorities want to be sure they can identify who is flying near sensitive locations or in ways that raise serious concerns,” said Brendan Schulman, DJI’s vice president for policy and legal affairs. “DJI AeroScope addresses that need for accountability with technology that is simple, reliable and affordable — and is available for deployment now.”

    DJI demonstrated the system Oct. 12 in Brussels, Belgium, showing how an AeroScope receiver can immediately sense a drone as it powers on, then plot its location on a map while displaying a registration number. That number functions as the equivalent of a drone license plate, and authorities can use it to determine the registered owner of a drone that raises concerns.

    In March 2017, in response to growing calls by governments worldwide for remote identification solutions, DJI released a white paper describing the benefits of such an approach to electronic identification for drones.

    AeroScope works with all current models of DJI drones, which analysts estimate comprise more than two-thirds of the global civilian drone market. Since AeroScope transmits on a DJI drone’s existing communications link, it does not require new on-board equipment or modifications, or require extra steps or costs to be incurred by drone operators. Other drone manufacturers can configure their existing and future drones to transmit identification information in the same way.

    Because AeroScope relies on drones directly broadcasting their information to local receivers, not on transmitting data to an internet-based service, it ensures most drone flights will not be automatically recorded in government databases, protecting the privacy interests of people and businesses that use drones. This approach also avoids substantial costs and complexities that would be involved in creating such databases and connecting drones to network systems.

    This system is consistent with DJI’s problem-solving approach to drone regulation, which aims to strike a reasonable balance between authorities’ need to identify drones that raise concerns and drone pilots’ right to fly without pervasive surveillance.

    DJI has led the industry with safety and security advances such as geofencing and sense-and-avoid technology, and believes the rapid pace of innovation provides the best means to address new policy concerns.

    Drone identification settings will be included in DJI’s initial drone software to allow customers to choose the content of their own drone’s identification broadcast to match local expectations both before and after identification regulations are implemented in different jurisdictions.

    To protect customers’ privacy, the AeroScope system will not automatically transmit any personally identifiable information until regulations or policies in the pilot’s jurisdiction require it.

    “The rapid adoption of drones has created new concerns about safety, security and privacy, but those must be balanced against the incredible benefits that drones have already brought to society,” said Schulman. “Electronic drone identification, thoughtfully implemented, can help solve policy challenges, head off restrictive regulations, and provide accountability without being expensive or intrusive for drone pilots. DJI is proud to develop solutions that can help distribute drone benefits widely while also helping authorities keep the skies safe.”

    For more information about AeroScope, contact [email protected].

  • DigitalGlobe releases images of Northern California wildfires

    DigitalGlobe has released high-resolution satellite images of the wildfires burning in Northern California. These wildfires have killed at least 21 people, destroyed at least 3,500 structures, and burned more than 115,000 acres.

    The Oct. 10 images were collected using the Shortwave Infrared (SWIR) sensor on DigitalGlobe’s WorldView-3 satellite, which is uniquely able to pierce through the wildfire smoke to see where the fires are burning on the ground. For comparison, the ground and the fire line are completely obstructed by smoke in the natural color image of the same area (see the larger overview image on the first slide).

    The Oct. 11 images were taken by DigitalGlobe’s GeoEye-1 satellite. Some of these are natural color, while others are shown in the Very Near Infrared (VNIR), where burned areas appear gray and black and healthy vegetation is red.

    Additionally, DigitalGlobe has activated its Open Data Program, which provides imagery to support recovery efforts in the wake of large-scale natural disasters. Pre- and post-wildfire imagery of the affected areas are available to emergency responders on the Santa Rosa wildfires page.

    Fountain Grove Golf Club in Santa Rosa, California, natural color. (Satellite image ©2017 DigitalGlobe.)
    Fountain Grove Golf Club in Santa Rosa, California, natural color. (Satellite image ©2017 DigitalGlobe.)
    Coffey Park in Santa Rosa, California, color-infrared. Santa Rosa, California. (Satellite image ©2017 DigitalGlobe)
    Coffey Park in Santa Rosa, California, color-infrared. Santa Rosa, California. (Satellite image ©2017 DigitalGlobe)
    The northwest fire line of the wildfire that devastated Santa Rosa, California, taken by satellite Oct. 10. (Satellite image ©2017 DigitalGlobe)
    The northwest fire line of the wildfire that devastated Santa Rosa, California. SWIR image taken by satellite Oct. 10. (Satellite image ©2017 DigitalGlobe)

  • Sharper Shape, SkySkopes string transmission lines using drones

    A pair of companies is using unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for powerline construction.

    Sharper Shape, a drone-based automated inspection provider, and SkySkopes, a professional UAS flight operator, took on a project in cooperation with an investor-owned utility.

    Photo: Sharper Shape
    Photo: Sharper Shape

    The mission used the Sharper A6 UAS to string sock lines for a 675-kilovolt line construction project.

    Sock pulling, the act of flying a strong and lightweight rope and attaching it to the towers, is typically performed via helicopters or by workers climbing the towers.

    Both these methods involve risk to both helicopter pilots and ground crews. The use of UAS is eliminating the previously complex process — consisting of several steps of reattaching the rope — and decreasing the risk of injury for people involved.

    The mission highlighted how UAS are a safe and effective option for many applications in the utility industry beyond basic inspections, according to Matt Dunlevy, CEO and president of SkySkopes.

    “This is a great proof of concept for unmanned aircraft because we proved that they can string both the outboard lines and the center line through the middle of the center phase of a tower,” Dunlevy said. “There are risks associated with both helicopter and tower climbing methods. Now there is another option as proven by Sharper Shape and SkySkopes.”

    Photo: SkySkopes
    Photo: SkySkopes

    “When the utility first reached out there were lots of unknowns,” said Paul Frey, director, electric utilities for Sharper Shape. “Working as a team, we pulled together, developing a test plan and executing the flights.”

    The team modified a heavy-lift small UAS to carry line, and then ran five test flights to test objectives related to pulling the line through each of the tower phases and setting the line on the center pulley.

    SkySkopes’ pilots are trained for difficult missions, often flying advanced heavy-lift multi-rotor aircraft with precision where autonomy is impractical.