Tag: correction service

  • Allystar launches QZSS L6D and L6E decoder

    Allystar launches QZSS L6D and L6E decoder

    Allystar Technology Co. has launched its QZSS L6 decoder technology in module TAU-1303, which supports tracking the QZSS signals L6D (CLAS) and L6E (MADOCA).

    The Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) satellite positioning system is operated by Japan as complementary to and an augmentation for GPS. The four satellites in the system broadcast the L6 signal, including L6D and L6E.

    CLAS — the Centimeter-Level Augmentation Service — is provided through the L6(D1) signal, and the experimental augmentation service with MADOCA (Multi-GNSS Advanced Demonstration tool for Orbit and Clock Analysis) is provided through L6(D2) signal.

    For QZSS, which will be fully operational in the future, Allystar’s latest solution can decode the corrections data broadcast from L6D and L6E signals, and assist developers in applying the centimeter-level accuracy by PPP-RTK algorithm with the correction data, according to Justin Yang, Allystar product manager.

    Within its 7.6 x 7.6-millimeter tiny size, the TAU-1303 module provides six dedicated tracking channels  to support tracking L6D and L6E at the same time.

    For professional applications, the TAU1303 comes with built-in support for standard RTCM Protocol (MSM) and Proprietary Protocol, supporting 2,000 bits per second QZSS L6 raw data output directly for third-party integration and application.

    CLAS on L6D channel provides the following error corrections: satellite clock, orbit, code bias, phase bias ionospheric delay and tropospheric delay. MADOCA on L6E channel provides the following error corrections: satellite clock, orbit, code bias and phase bias.

    Allystar TAU-1303 offers superior performance thanks to an on-board 26-MHz temperature-compensated crystal oscillator (TCXO) and a reduced time to first fix because of its dedicated 32-KHz real-time clock oscillator. Based on 40-nanometer manufacturing processes of the Cynosure III GNSS chipset, the TAU-1303 has very low power consumption of less than 40 mA at 3.3V.

    Engineering samples are available.

    How Allystar's QZSS L6 Decoder TAU1303 operates. (Diagram: Allystar)
    How Allystar’s QZSS L6 Decoder TAU1303 operates. (Diagram: Allystar)
  • Anatomy of a centimeter-level precise point positioning service

    Anatomy of a centimeter-level precise point positioning service

    By Markus Brandl, Xiaoming Chen, Herbert Landau, Carlos Rodriguez-Solano and Ulrich Weinbach

    This article updates a July 2012 feature in GPS World, “Real-Time Extended GNSS Positioning: A New Generation of Centimeter-Accurate Networks.”

    The Trimble CenterPoint RTX correction service, enabling centimeter-level absolute positioning around the world without the need for RTK reference-station infrastructure, is now available to many users, including integrators of professional high-precision equipment and consumer products such as in the automotive sector. Access is provided via a software library compatible with any GNSS device. The corrections now contain detailed integrity information for safety-critical applications.

    The RTX infrastructure is made up of approximately 120 globally distributed RTX reference stations. Receivers at these stations transmit measurement data at 1 Hz to the RTX server centers, where the correction data is computed. For redundancy purposes, multiple servers in the United States and Europe are operated. A failsafe architecture avoiding any single point of failure in the processing chain has produced a very high availability of corrections. Today the system supports GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou and QZSS satellites. It is a multi-frequency system supporting two or more frequencies for each satellite system.

    The correction stream is available to users using L-band signals broadcast via geostationary satellites and IP connections. The L-band transmitted RTX data stream uses a bandwidth of 600–2400 baud, and a highly compressed data format with a resolution of 1 millimeter, with an average latency of 8 seconds in L-band mode and 5 seconds in IP mode. The data stream is encrypted via an Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) with a key length of 256 bits to guarantee safe transmission. Data transmission integrity is assured with a 32-bit cyclic redundancy check attached to every message. The RTX correction stream provides information on satellite position, satellite clock, ionospheric and tropospheric models, and code and phase biases.

    The orbit determination is done in real time using a reduced dynamic approach with dynamic models and exploiting the accuracy of the phase measurements after ambiguity fixing. Based on the computed orbits, the satellite clocks are estimated at 1 Hz, where integer ambiguity fixing is performed for the different satellite systems.

    Next, a single-layer global ionospheric model is computed and represented through spherical harmonics. There are currently two areas with a denser network than the global network; these cover Europe and the mainland U.S. with more than 1,000 base stations. Using these stations, regional ionospheric and tropospheric models are computed, which then provide a fast convergence (RTX-Fast service).

    The satellite position and clock information has centimeter accuracy and allows the client to compute precise point positioning (PPP) with carrier-phase ambiguity resolution. Table 1 shows service accuracy.

    Table 1. Accuracy of the RTX corrections from more than three years (June 2015–July 2018) of residuals computation in the European RTX-Fast network. (Table data: authors)
    Table 1. Accuracy of the RTX corrections from more than three years (June 2015–July 2018) of residuals computation in the European RTX-Fast network. (Table data: authors)

    Once the ambiguities are resolved, the position solution is accurate to a few centimeters. The global RTX-Standard service provides convergence times of 7 minutes to 20 centimeters (cm) horizontal error (95%) and to 2.5 cm (95%) in 13 minutes as shown in Figure 2. The regional RTX-Fast service (U.S., Europe) provides convergence times of less than a minute with centimeter accuracy. The warmstart convergence time is approximately 13 seconds.

    Figure 2. Global convergence of RTX out of 52 globally distributed stations covering one month of data. (Image: Trimble)
    Figure 2. Global convergence of RTX out of 52 globally distributed stations covering one month of data. (Image: Trimble)

    The accuracies specified are achievable with precise Trimble GNSS positioning hardware. For integration into non-Trimble devices, an RTX software library is offered, which gives the user real-time access to the individual data in the RTX correction stream. For use of this library in safety-critical systems such as advanced driving-assisted systems (ADAS) or semi-automated driving, this library was certified to follow the ASIL-B ISO 26262 standard and the automotive ASPICE standard. This library is available for easy integration into third-party applications.

    In addition to the real-time RTX solution, a web-based post-processing solution is available for public use free of charge. It is possible to upload static Trimble or RINEX files to the server, post-process the measurement data, and retrieve a precise position in various coordinate frames.

    Service integrity is continuously monitored at independent stations from the RTX tracking networks in Europe and the US. The integrity of the service is provided at the correction data domain. The integrity monitoring part of the RTX system minimizes the risk due to events such as unplanned satellite maneuvers or wrong broadcast ephemeris; satellite signal or clock anomalies; ionospheric storms; or problems in transmitting the RTX correction stream.

    The monitoring stations compute phase observation residuals (with ambiguity fixing) using the station measurements and the received RTX corrections. These residuals represent the actual errors of the corrections as seen by the monitoring stations at the line-of-sight (Table 1). The thresholds at which corrections are considered as faulty are the following: 0.5 m + QI (quality indicator) for orbit + clock corrections and regional tropospheric models, and 1.0 m + QI for regional ionospheric models.

    The integrity monitoring consists of two steps (Figure 1): a pre-broadcast check, where potentially faulty corrections are detected and filtered out before leaving the computing server, and a post-broadcast check, where additional errors in the transmission channel are detected and alarms are issued to the users.

    Figure 1. Generation and transmission of RTX global and regional corrections, including pre- and post-broadcast integrity monitoring. (Image: Trimble)
    Figure 1. Generation and transmission of RTX global and regional corrections, including pre- and post-broadcast integrity monitoring. (Image: Trimble)

    Integrity flags and alarms are constantly inserted into the correction stream and output by the RTX client library. The integrity information notifies clients of the presence of integrity monitoring and provides timely alerts in case of detected correction-data integrity violations. The time-to-alert limit goals are 17 seconds for L-band transmission and 13 seconds for IP transmission for the RTX service.

    The RTX corrections includes quality indicators. In particular, the quality indicator for the satellite clock includes a “DoNotUse” flag to indicate potential problems with the given satellite. This flag prevents the use of the satellite for positioning when received by the user. The quality indicators of the corrections are indeed a first integrity layer. In 2017 the pre-broadcast integrity monitoring was added to act as a second layer. In 2019, with the addition of the post-broadcast integrity monitoring, a third integrity layer was added to the RTX correction data stream.

    The RTX system provides access to centimeter-level corrections allowing centimeter positioning on a global basis. RTX-Fast services are available in Europe and the U.S. with pre- and post-broadcast integrity monitoring currently being deployed.


    The authors are engineers with Trimble Terrasat GmbH, Germany.

  • Septentrio and Sapcorda to demonstrate GNSS positioning for autonomous driving

    Septentrio and Sapcorda to demonstrate GNSS positioning for autonomous driving

    Septentrio, a high-precision GNSS company, and Sapcorda, a specialist in GNSS correction services, will conduct a live demonstration of a safe, high-accuracy positioning and correction solution for automated driving.

    “We are running the demonstration during the course of this week just south of  Las Vegas city center,” Neil Vacans told GPS World. Vacans is Septentrio’s vice president of  global Sales. The demonstration is taking place in Las Vegas during the Consumer Electronics Show, being held Jan. 8-11.

    Sapcorda and Septentrio have put together a solution that is ready for demonstration in Europe and North America.

    The companies have combined their respective technologies to deliver the benefits of SSR (space state representation) technology seamlessly to OEM automakers and Tier 1 integrators. These benefits include decimeter-accuracy within seconds, anywhere over an entire continent, to support autonomy levels from lane keeping to full autonomy in a totally homogeneous coverage, the companies said.

    The GNSS augmentation service is scalable through simple broadcast corrections, and safety-awareness is provided via Sapcorda’s integrity concept and Septentrio’s integrity monitoring engine.

    In December 2018, Septentrio announced its mosaic compact multi-constellation GNSS receiver SiP (system-in-package) module, available in 2019. The Septentrio mosaic, a multi-band, multi-constellation receiver in a low-power surface-mount module with a wide array of interfaces, is designed for mass-market applications like robotics and autonomous systems. The mosaic module integrates the latest GNSS and RF ASIC technology, as well as the robust positioning engine from Septentrio.

    All Septentrio GNSS receivers and modules feature AIM+ technology, an advanced on-board interference mitigation commercially available. Septentrio GNSS receivers can suppress the widest variety of interferers, from simple continuous narrowband signals to the most complex wideband and pulsed jammers.

    “We are excited to be able to provide live demonstrations of Sapcorda’s safe and precise correction service especially designed for autonomous driving,” said Jan Van Hees, business development director at Septentrio. “Sapcorda provides a unique high-precision GNSS correction service designed for fast, homogeneous accuracy at continental coverage, thus ideal for autonomous and mass market applications.”

    “Septentrio specializes in high-precision and high reliability GNSS positioning for a variety of industrial and commercial markets,” said Goran Jedrejčić, business development manager at Sapcorda. “They have developed a range of technologies, including unique jamming robustness and integrity positioning to support safety-sensitive applications in various challenging environments. Combining this with our safety-centered correction service, it is a unique solution for developers of autonomous driving systems.”

    “With fast and efficient implementation of Sapcorda SSR-based correction service into Septentrio’s GNSS-platform, we were able to demonstrate the efficiency of the technology for automotive use in a robust & highly efficient way,” confirmed Jedrejčić. “Septentrio offers a unique blend of GNSS-based technologies and is an ideal partner for both traditional and new markets, with growing demand for high-precision positioning.”

  • Galileo satellites to bring boost to Case IH AFS RTK+ users

    Agriculture equipment maker ​Case IH is enhancing the robustness of its RTK+ correction signal network by adding the European Galileo system to the compatible satellites with which it works.

    The move will increase levels of signal reception and reliability for farmers using Case IH RTK+-guided autosteering and related technologies.

    Real-time kinematic (RTK) systems typically depend on signals from the American GPS or Russian GLONASS satellite networks, both designed primarily for non-civilian use. To give European Case IH users a reliable alternative when using RTK+-guided steering systems with their sub-1.5-centimeter repeatable accuracy, Case IH AFS RTK+ now also uses Galileo.

    The addition of Galileo to the global GNSS constellation helps minimize the risk of signal failure, a key driver for the integration of its signals into the Case IH AFS RTK+ signal system. European satellite network independence is a principal objective, but Case IH AFS RTK+ is also designed to be compatible with existing and planned GNSS satellites and interoperable with GPS and GLONASS.

    Galileo benefits farmers by minimizing downtime from waiting for lost signals to be regained, and ensures consistent efficient use of seed, fertilizer and crop protection products through parallel passes with minimal overlap, thereby maximizing crop potential.

    “The use of GNSS technology is opening up new productivity levels and opportunities in European agriculture, providing farmers with an unprecedented level of knowledge about their crops, livestock and operations while making the sector more efficient, economically competitive and environmentally sustainable,” said Maxime Rocaboy, product marketing manager, AFS technology, at Case IH.

    “Enhanced RTK+ accuracy through incorporation of signals from the Galileo satellite system is a core way in which we can help Case IH tractor and combine users be innovative and competitive as they seek to help develop a sustainable agriculture to feed an ever-increasing world population in an environmentally responsible way,” Rocaboy said.

  • Trimble adds Galileo and BeiDou to VRS Now service in North America

    Trimble adds Galileo and BeiDou to VRS Now service in North America

    Galileo and BeiDou observation data are now included with Trimble VRS Now subscriptions in North America.

    Photo: Trimble
    Photo: Trimble

    The addition of the Galileo and BeiDou constellations allow users to make use of more satellites, enabling more robust performance when working in harsh GNSS environments such as in urban canyons and under canopy, the company said.

    Trimble VRS Now in North America fully supports GPS, GLONASS, QZSS and now, Galileo and BeiDou satellite systems.

    The service is powered by the Trimble Pivot Platform GNSS real-time network software, Trimble said. As a true five-constellation solution, it delivers improved real-time positioning performance for customers in North America.

    VRS Now is designed for surveying, mapping and GIS, construction and agriculture professionals who require high-accuracy positioning in their workflows.

    Adding Galileo and BeiDou observation data provides significant benefits by enabling users to:

    • Operate in environments where traditional GPS + GLONASS systems’ performances are limited
    • Improve accuracy and reliability of GNSS solutions
    • Minimize the effects of multipath and interference

    “By including Galileo and BeiDou data, customers can achieve greater accuracy and positioning performance than ever before,” said Patricia Boothe, vice president of Trimble’s Advanced Positioning Division.

    With the addition of North America, Trimble VRS Now networks worldwide now support all five GNSS constellations. Besides North America, coverage is available throughout Europe, Australia and New Zealand when using a compatible GNSS receiver or display.

    Subscriptions are available through Trimble’s Authorized Business Partners or Trimble’s online store at tpsstore.trimble.com.

    VRS Now provides positioning professionals with instant access to real-time kinematic (RTK) and post-processing (PP) corrections using a network of permanent (fixed) continuously operating reference stations (CORS). Professional management and monitoring 24/7 by a global operations team provides peak performance and high reliability, Trimble said.

  • NovAtel launches TerraStar-C PRO correction service

    NovAtel launches TerraStar-C PRO correction service

    Image: NovAtel
    Image: NovAtel

    NovAtel Inc. has launched its TerraStar-C PRO correction service with multi-constellation support, including the GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and BeiDou constellations.

    Combined with NovAtel’s OEM7 positioning technology, TerraStar-C PRO cuts initial convergence times by nearly 60 percent and offers 40 percent better horizontal accuracy than the current TerraStar-C service, the company said.

    NovAtel’s TerraStar-C PRO offers a robust multi-constellation solution that provides greater positioning accuracy, availability and reliability than before, the company added. With the growing number of operational GNSS satellites, TerraStar-C PRO offers benefits in challenging signal conditions such as multipath, shading, interference and scintillation. High-rate TerraStar-C PRO corrections provide reconvergence in less than 60 seconds following brief GNSS signal interruptions.

    According to NovAtel, TerraStar-C PRO corrections are generated using TerraStar’s proprietary global network of more than 100 strategically located GNSS reference stations. The correction data is delivered worldwide through overlapping geostationary satellites directly to a NovAtel receiver or via cellular IP network.

    With OEM7 triple L-band support, TerraStar-C PRO correction signals from up to three satellites can be tracked and used simultaneously, providing continuous correction data reception when the primary satellite signal is blocked.

    “TerraStar-C PRO enables higher operational efficiency by allowing users to start operations sooner and continue to work through challenging conditions without interruptions,” said Sara Masterson, NovAtel’s positioning services segment manager. “We continue to build our TerraStar portfolio of services and with the addition of TerraStar-C PRO customers can trust that they have not only a highly-reliable precise positioning solution, but also services that immediately translate to increased productivity.”

    TerraStar-C PRO is available immediately as a termed subscription service for agriculture, unmanned, airborne and land applications, such as survey, mapping and GIS and supported on compatible OEM7 products with firmware version 7.05 and later.

  • Trimble RTX achieves greater than 2-cm horizontal accuracy, company says

    Trimble RTX achieves greater than 2-cm horizontal accuracy, company says

    The Trimble RTX GNSS corrections technology can now achieve horizontal accuracies of better than two centimeters, according to Trimble.

    Start-up times, commonly referred to as convergence, have also improved.

    (Photo: Trimble)
    (Photo: Trimble)

    Users can now achieve full accuracy in less than 15 minutes, and as fast as one minute in select areas where RTX Fast network infrastructure is available, the company added.

    This performance is achievable using Trimble’s premier correction service, CenterPoint RTX, delivering RTK-level accuracy outside traditional Virtual Reference Station (VRS) networks, considered the gold standard for high-accuracy corrections.

    Trimble’s RTX network is available throughout most of the world, with the RTX-Fast network coverage available in select geographies in the U.S., Canada and throughout most of Europe when using Trimble RTX compatible GNSS receivers.

    Trimble RTX provides a satellite-delivered correction source. In addition, corrections are available via an Internet or cellular connection, adding to its versatility.

    With satellite-delivered Trimble RTX corrections, users can perform a variety of positioning fieldwork in some of the most remote locations, without relying on traditional ground-based VRS networks or a local RTK base station to receive high-accuracy positioning data.

    By powering on an RTX-capable receiver or display, customers can start working quickly with only a minimal convergence period, Trimble said. As long as users have line of sight to the sky they can work freely without being constrained by the geographic boundaries of a VRS network.

    Offering a suite of correction services, Trimble RTX provides users the flexibility to choose the level of accuracy to suit their application needs from meter to centimeter level. It is designed for a variety of applications including agriculture, survey, mapping, construction, automotive and any location-based service that could benefit from greater precision.

    Trimble RTX also powers Trimble xFill technology, a feature that enables RTK and VRS users to continue working if their primary correction stream is not available. xFill, delivered via satellite, “fills in” for RTK corrections in the event of temporary radio or Internet connection outages. As a result, users can experience fewer interruptions and less downtime.

    “Trimble RTX performance and reliability are changing the positioning game for users who never considered a satellite-delivered correction service for applications traditionally requiring RTK-level accuracy,” said Patricia Boothe, vice president of Trimble’s Advanced Positioning Division. “Trimble RTX offers a global solution delivering similar performance to VRS where terrestrial networks are not available.”

    Subscriptions are available through Trimble’s Authorized Business Partners or Trimble’s online store.

  • u-blox F9 platform designed for high-precision mass market

    u‑blox has rolled out the u-blox F9 technology platform, which was designed to deliver high-precision positioning solutions for mass market industrial and automotive applications.

    The platform combines multi-band GNSS technology with dead-reckoning, high-precision algorithms, and compatibility with a variety of GNSS correction data services, to achieve precision down to the centimeter level.

    u‑blox F9 paves the way for the next generation of high precision navigation, augmented reality, and unmanned vehicles, the company said.

    The u-blox F9 platform will underpin the next wave of u‑blox positioning modules targeting mass market industrial and automotive applications. It uses GNSS signals in multiple frequency bands (L1/L2/L5) to correct positioning errors caused by the ionosphere and deliver fast time to first fix (Fast TTFF).

    Its ability to receive signals from all GNSS constellations (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou) further improves performance by increasing the number of satellites visible at any given time. Stand-alone u‑blox F9 solutions robustly achieve meter-level accuracy.

    To achieve centimeter-level accuracy, u‑blox F9 offers optional on-chip real-time knematic (RTK) technology. In addition to offering an open interface to legacy GNSS correction service providers, it supports the main GNSS correction services, bringing RTK high-precision positioning to the mass market.

    “High precision is the next frontier in positioning for mass markets, with countless applications in need of a robust and scalable high precision positioning solution. u‑blox F9 provides the hardware and integrated software components to address these needs,” said Daniel Ammann, executive director of positioning product development at u-blox.

    Optimized for low power consumption, the u‑blox F9 platform sets a high standard for security with built-in jamming and spoofing detection systems that protect against intentional and unintentional interference. Dead-reckoning technology based on inertial sensors extends high-precision performance to otherwise challenging urban environments.

    Automotive applications of the technology include lane-level navigation for head-up displays and vehicular infotainment systems as well as for vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, a prerequisite for highly automated and fully autonomous vehicles.

    In the industrial realm, u‑blox F9 will enable mass adoption of commercial unmanned vehicle applications including drones and ground vehicles such as heavy trucks or robotic lawnmowers.

    The u‑blox F9 platform’s technology will be showcased at Embedded World in Nuremberg, Germany from Feb. 27-March 1 at Booth #3-139. Product samples will be available later in the year.

  • German ag society approves NovAtel receiver in automatic steering test

    A new report describes the benefits growers can experience using NovAtel’s TerraStar-C and TerraStar-L precise point positioning (PPP) technology with a SMART6-L GNSS receiver for automatic steering.

    The report, “DLG Test Report 6802, NovAtel SMART6L receiver PPP Automatic Steering Test,” was issued by the German Agricultural Society or Deutsche Landwirtschafts-Gesellschaft (DLG).

    DLG promotes technical and scientific progress in the agriculture and food sectors. Set up to test equipment and machinery, the DLG Test Center Machinery and Farm Inputs provide impartial information for practitioners.

    DLG awards a DLG-APPROVED quality mark to farm machinery that passes a limited test programme within a DLG usability test. Using a Fendt 828 Vario tractor, combined with the Fendt “VarioGuide RTK” steering system and the NovAtel SMART6-L receiver, steering accuracy was tested using both TerraStar-C and TerraStar-L correction services.

    NovAtel’s TerraStar-C correction service provides a 5 cm or less (95%) position accuracy, and TerraStar-L provides a 50 cm or less (95%) position accuracy with a 15-cm pass-to-pass accuracy. The DLG test is designed to measure steering accuracy under various conditions as part of the criteria to receive the DLG-APPROVED quality mark.

    The DLG test reported that NovAtel’s TerraStar-C correction service achieved 2-3 cm system steering accuracy on an A-B run on an even track at 8 km/h, and a 3.4 cm accuracy at 15 km/h. The long-term accuracy was reported at 3-4 cm over a 24-hour period. Also, the pass-to-pass error was less than 3 cm over the duration of an hour.

    The DLG test reported NovAtel’s TerraStar-L correction service at 17-18 cm accuracy during an hour A-B run on an even track at 8 km/h, and 10-11 cm accuracy on a contour run at 5 km/h. The pass-to-pass error remained below 15 cm for the duration of the tests.

    NovAtel’s SMART6-L was awarded the DLG-APPROVED quality mark after successfully completing the PPP autosteering test.

  • Trimble expands CenterPoint RTX FAST in North America and Europe

    Trimble has expanded its CenterPoint RTX Fast correction service in North America and Europe.

    RTX Fast reduces the convergence time — the duration needed to reach full precision accuracy — by up to 98 percent faster than other satellite-delivered correction services, Trimble said.

    The service allows customers to realize horizontal positioning accuracy of better than 4 centimeters (1.5 inches) in as fast as one minute. With RTX Fast, farmers, surveyors, geographic information system (GIS) professionals and construction contractors can work faster, improve productivity, minimize input costs and reduce worker fatigue, Trimble added.

    New RTX Fast services have recently launched in Switzerland, Slovakia, Northern Italy, Eastern Poland and the Southern regions of Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

    In addition, Trimble has a 60 percent larger footprint in the Central U.S., including new coverage in Kentucky and Tennessee.

    As the requirement for real-time, absolute positioning grows, Trimble is expanding its RTX Fast coverage to meet the demand both geographically and for the markets it serves, including new emerging applications in vehicle autonomy and location-based services.

    The demand for real-time absolute positioning in driving applications continues to rise as Advanced Driver Assistance Systems mature and accuracy requirements become more stringent. RTX Fast provides the network enhancement necessary to deliver fast, high-accuracy RTX corrections for real-time positioning while on the road.

    “Trimble RTX technology has been adding value to our core markets since its introduction in 2011. And, now we are demonstrating its capability in new applications such as autonomous driving solutions,” said Patricia Boothe, vice president of Trimble’s Advanced Positioning Division. “We are committed to expanding the reach, use and accessibility of Trimble RTX technology, reinforcing its position as a leading solution for improving GNSS performance.”

  • Trimble launches VRS Now correction service in France

    The Trimble VRS Now GNSS correction service is now available in France. The service is designed for a variety of geospatial and construction applications including surveying, cadastral, land administration, and urban and rural construction that would benefit from easy access to high-accuracy, centimeter-level positioning.

    Trimble also now provides Galileo support for VRS Now. Powered by the Trimble Pivot Platform, VRS Now in Europe fully supports GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, QZSS and the Galileo satellite system.

    Galileo support improves network performance and reliability with access to additional satellites, particularly in urban canyons or other harsh environments. The increased number of visible satellites provides additional data observations that enhance positioning integrity to better mitigate errors.

    “Trimble continues to aggressively expand its VRS Now footprint in Europe,” said Patricia Boothe, general manager of Trimble’s Advanced Positioning Division. “With the addition of correction services in France, Trimble VRS Now covers over 179 million square kilometers (732 million square miles) across 10 countries.”

    VRS Now coverage is available throughout the majority of France as well as Belgium, The Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Sweden using a compatible GNSS receiver or display.

    Subscriptions are available through Trimble’s Authorized Business Partners or Trimble’s online store.

  • Galileo boosts GNSS corrections services

    Trimble’s RTX-based correction services now support the Galileo constellation. As a true five-constellation technology that uses GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, QZSS and now Galileo satellites, Trimble RTX delivers improved real-time positioning performance to its users worldwide.

    With accessibility to the Galileo constellation, users now have visibility to more satellites, which can be advantageous for extreme latitudinal positions or in environments where line-of-sight may be limited.

    Surveyors, farmers, mapping and GIS professionals now have a more versatile and robust correction solution wherever they may work, even in the most challenging terrain locales.

    Benefits of adding Galileo to Trimble RTX correction services includes:

    • Increasing the number of in-view satellites, improving the accuracy and reliability of corrections
    • Improving positioning integrity using observations from additional satellites to better mitigate errors
    • Operating at higher cut-off angles, delivering better performance in urban canyons and other less than optimal environments
    • Minimizing multipath and interference through the addition of available satellite signals

    “Trimble is continually investing in its correction service technology to remain at the forefront of the industry,” said Mark Richter, marketing director for Trimble’s Networks and Services business. “Our focus is to ensure that the latest GNSS developments are leveraged to continue to deliver productivity improvements for our customers across the globe.”