GPS World

Tag: Geospatial Solutions

  • Copernicus Masters 2019 submissions now open

    The Copernicus Masters competition awards applications and solutions that use Copernicus data to tackle important challenges. Submissions for the 2019 awards opened on April 1.

    The demand for Earth observation (EO) data is exploding in order to find innovative solutions for today’s challenges such as climate change, food security or water supply.

    With more than 15 terabytes of free EO data generated by the Copernicus programme every day, the Copernicus services deliver near-real-time data on a global level — contributing towards the sustainable management of the environment.

    Simultaneously, the Earth observation industry is constantly growing. New data platforms are being developed to receive and process the huge amount of satellite data collected from the Sentinels — and other contributing commissions.

    These data platforms are established on the cloud and work with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning, enabling the development of new applications in the EO sector.

    The Copernicus Masters 2019 — Europe’s leading innovation competition for Earth observation (EO) — is searching for such outstanding applications, solutions, and business concepts from future-oriented SMEs, startups, universities and individuals in the fields of business, research and higher education.

    From April 1 to June 30, participants in the Copernicus Masters 2019 can submit their innovative EO solutions to eight challenges offered by the following world-class partners: European Space Agency (ESA), the German Aerospace Center (DLR), Astrosat, Planet, BayWa and Airbus together with sobloo and the German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI).

    “The Copernicus Masters is the innovative driver for future-oriented applications and business concepts using Earth observation data. This creates socio-economic benefits through public services all over Europe. Besides, it supports business ventures and high-tech jobs in Europe’s digital economy,” states Josef Aschbacher, director of ESA’s Earth Observation Programmes. ESA is an initiating partner of the Copernicus Masters and has set a challenge for participants every year since 2011.

    Participants can demonstrate their innovative use of Earth observation data across a wide variety of challenge topics, including the fields of future EO, Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, energy, health, sustainable living, smart farming, and digital transportation, as well as maritime, defence & security.

    “Since 2011, the Copernicus Masters competition has evolved into the leading innovation platform for promoting user uptake of Earth observation data in a commercial, societal and sustainable context. Each year, it showcases new solutions and trends, serving as an integral part of an international EO innovation network,” adds Thorsten Rudolph, managing director of AZO, the competition organizer.

    Together with cash prizes, challenge winners will receive access to an international network of leading Earth observation organizations, substantial satellite data quotas, and business development support worth more than EUR 450,000 in total. The Overall Winner will receive an additional cash prize of EUR 10,000.

    For more details on this year’s challenges, prizes, and partners, visit www.copernicus-masters.com. For more information, see space-of-innovation.com. Additional information on the Copernicus programme is available at www.esa.int/copernicus and www.copernicus.eu.

  • WingtraOne offers RedEdge-MX vegetation camera option

    Photo: MicaSense
    Photo: MicaSense

    The WingtraOne vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) fixed-wing mapping drone now carries the RedEdge-MX multispectral sensor for vegetation mapping.

    The WingtraOne is a VTOL drone that allows for flexible take-off and landing, with automated vertical take-off and landing even on gravel or in forest isles.

    The WingtraOne provides wide coverage for comprehensive and high-quality multispectral image gathering, with coverage of up to 160 ha (395 ac) with 8.2 cm (3.2 in)/px GSD at 120 m/ 394 ft in one flight.

    The Terrain Following feature provides for intuitive flight planning with fully automated functionality, the company said.

    The RedEdge-MX features a patent-pending DLS 2 and a calibrated reflectance panel that enhances radiometric calibration and provides useful data for comparison of results over time, improving crop and stand monitoring.

    The camera captures five narrow spectral bands: red, green, blue, near infrared and red edge. It generates plant health indexes and RGB (color) images from one flight, and is calibrated for precise, repeatable measurements.

    Standard data outputs are compatible with almost all processing platforms.

    Learn more about the bundle here.  

  • Airbus and SSC join on Pléiades Neo for Earth observation

    Swedish Space Corporation (SSC) and Airbus have signed a contract for SSC ground segment support services to the new Pléiades Neo constellation of high resolution Earth Observation satellites.

    The contract marks an important step in the long-term partnership between SSC and Airbus, and extends the capabilities of both companies.

    The first two very high-resolution Pléiades Neo satellites will be launched in mid-2020, followed by a second pair in 2022. They will join the existing Airbus constellation of optical and radar satellites, and will offer enhanced performance, and the highest reactivity in the market.

    SSC will provide comprehensive ground segment support for the Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP), as well as routine on-orbit support for Telemetry, Tracking and Control (TT&C) and data reception.

    Ground Network. The core SSC ground network for Pléiades Neo will consist of the unique dual polar ground station solution of Kiruna, Sweden, and Inuvik, Canada ­— often referred to as “Kinuvik” as it is operated as a virtual single polar station.

    The partnership also includes an option to provide potentially higher data volumes at a later stage, using the southern hemisphere station of Punta Arenas, Chile.

    The optimized and highly resilient SSC ground network provides effective tasking and downloading of large data volumes more than once every orbit, enabling rapid delivery of Pléiades Neo data from anywhere on Earth.

    The ground network has been designed by SSC and Airbus to complement Airbus’ Direct Receiving Stations (DRS) as well as the Airbus SpaceDataHighway relay satellite system, while being flexible to adapt to changing seasonal needs and to give critical network diversity.

    “The Pléiades Neo constellation will be adding two million km² per day at 30-cm resolution to Airbus’ imagery offering. As tasking and downloading will be possible in every orbit, up to 60 times a day for the constellation, we need to rely on very efficient commercial polar communication services,” said François Lombard, head of Intelligence Business at Airbus Defence and Space.

    “Pléiades Neo is a cutting edge very high resolution Earth Observation constellation, and this represents a huge milestone in the close cooperation between Airbus and SSC. We are proud to be able to support Airbus in providing such critical optical imagery for the global marketplace”, said Stefan Gardefjord, CEO at SSC.

  • Golden Software Grapher 14 offers enhanced plotting functions

    Image: Golden Software
    Image: Golden Software

    Golden Software, a developer of software for data visualization and analysis, has released Version 14 of the Grapher scientific graphing package with new plotting and customizing functionality. Available today, Grapher 14 is downloadable by all users with active maintenance agreements.

    A preview version of Grapher 15 is now available, giving active users pre-release access to new fit curve and statistical plotting capabilities.

    “Grapher users will find we have focused overall on making the software easier to use in version 14 and the version 15 Preview,” said Leslie McWhirter, Grapher product manager. “New plotting functions were created as a direct result of feedback from users.”

    The Grapher software gives users deeper insights into their data by providing them with 80 flexible and easy-to-use 2D and 3D graphing tools for plotting, analyzing and displaying scientific data sets. The package is used extensively by scientists and engineers in oil & gas operations, hydrologic/geochemical studies, environmental consulting, mineral exploration and academic research.

    The most notable new or upgraded features in Grapher 14 include the following:

    • Enhanced Plotting – Ability to plot data in rows and columns, perform one-button Durov class plots, and easily generate multi-plot reports.
    • Improved Bar Charts – Bar charts are more versatile, offering variable bar widths and differentiated fill colors for negative and positive.

    With Grapher 14 now available, Golden Software developers have already begun creating the Preview version of Grapher 15. This allows customers to try new functions relatively early in the development process and provide feedback before the final version is released.

    “In Grapher 15 Preview, we are developing new features related to fit curve, axes and statistical functionality,” said McWhirter. “These will improve the ability of Grapher users to model, analyze and interpret their data.”

    Specifically, these Grapher 15 upgrades will include:

    • Fit Curve Improvements – At the request of geologists, geophysicists, mining and oil-and-gas professionals, it is now possible to add X=F(Y) fit curves to model borehole log data. Fit curves can now also be added to class plots to model all or individual classes.
    • Axes Upgrades – Break Axes are enhanced so users can customize the break mark and add a break distinguisher to the plot itself. Ternary plots have also been upgraded to enable users to rotate the axis direction, a useful option in geochemical analysis.
    • Statistical Enhancements – Grapher 15 Preview will give users greater control over how values in Box-Whisker plots are graphed. In addition, there will be new mathematical options to expand on the functionality of the summation plot.

    Other upgrades in Grapher 15 Preview will include the following:

    • Vary color fills above and below the intersection of two plots
    • Specify custom colors via RGB values to color scatter plot symbols
    • Assign colors from a gradient to scatter plot symbols based on numeric worksheet values

    Grapher exports integrate seamlessly with all Golden Software packages, including Surfer for data visualization and mapping, Voxler for 3D data rendering, and Strater for subsurface modeling.

    Details on Grapher 15 Preview may be accessed here: What is Grapher Preview.

  • Blue Marble Geographics updates Global Mapper GIS software

    Global Mapper v.20.1 offers a new zoom tool in the path profile view. (Photo: Blue Marble Geographics)
    Global Mapper v.20.1 offers a new zoom tool in the path profile view. (Photo: Blue Marble Geographics)

    Blue Marble Geographics has released Global Mapper v.20.1, the latest version of its GIS software. According to the company, version 20.1 offers a wealth of new and updated geospatial tools, as well as performance improvements throughout the application.

    Enhancements to version 20.1 include a new zooming function in the path profile window, a digitizer tool for automatically closing gaps between features and, for lidar module users, a point proximity query function.

    Global Mapper’s path profile tool, which is used to create a cutaway view of a terrain layer or point cloud, now offers a simple way to zoom in the view for a close-in perspective of a specific area, the company said. It also now includes a new legend display that differentiates each individual layer when multiple overlapping surfaces are displayed.

    The software’s digitizer now includes a simple tool for eliminating slivers or overlapping areas from adjacent features, ensuring the topological integrity of the data. In addition, users can now use an added option that allows the establishment of a default projection, with every imported layer automatically reprojected to adhere to this system.

    Finally, version 20.1 release offers new and upgraded functionality in the lidar module. The module now features a proximity search function that highlights points of a particular classification within a certain distance of other point types or line features.

    “The release of version 20.1 of Global Mapper provides a perfect illustration of Blue Marble’s unique, user-focused development philosophy,” said Blue Marble’s President Patrick Cunningham. “Each of the major new features and functions, including the new Path Profile tools and lidar proximity querying, is directly attributable to specific requests from our customers. We encourage all Global Mapper users to continue this line of communication to ensure that the software is meeting everyone’s needs.”

  • Golden Software enhances 3D data visualization in Surfer 16

    Topographic surface with well sample data and water level. (Image: Golden Software)
    Topographic surface with well sample data and water level. (Image: Golden Software)

    Golden Software, a developer of scientific graphics software, has enhanced the visualization capabilities in version 16 of its Surfer gridding, contouring and 3D surface mapping package. Geologists, environmental consultants and geospatial professionals can use Surfer 16 to interpret complex scientific data.

    “We have improved every aspect of core functionality in Surfer 16 so it’s faster and easier to make meaningful custom maps,” said Golden Software CEO Blakelee Mills. “Surfer users will find the new version generates more accurate representations of physical, chemical and structural properties, allowing them to make better decisions.”

    Surfer is a robust 3D data visualization and mapping software that enables users to model their data sets, apply an array of advanced analytics tools, and graphically communicate the results. Known for its fast and powerful contouring algorithms, Surfer is used extensively by geologists in mining and oil & gas activities and by hydrologists in environmental monitoring projects.

    The primary improvements in Surfer 16 have been made in the color mapping and Contour Map capabilities:

    Equal Area Stretch. Similar to Histogram Equalization, this new feature lets the user stretch colors across the distribution of data, creating a proportionate representation of the data variation and enhancing the visualization’s contrast. This means that tightly distributed data can be displayed as quickly varying colors in the generated colormap, making it easier to spot anomalies in data values. Colors can be stretched automatically or manually across the histogram of data values.

    Equal Area Contouring. Another new feature added to surface mapping functionality, Equal Area Contouring allows the user to calculate the geographic distribution of contours so they align more precisely with the geophysical data they represent. This results in a more accurate visualization of geophysical data sets, which are seldom linearly distributed.

    “The combination of Equal Area Stretch and Contouring creates striking visual maps that vividly highlight data distribution,” said Mills. “This makes it easier to interpret and understand geophysical and geochemical concentrations in the subsurface.”

    Surfer 16 includes three other enhancements:

    • True 3D Point Data. Surfer has always accurately displayed lidar point cloud data, and this 3D visualization capability has been expanded. Now any 3D vector data can be represented in three dimensions in 3D View. Clients who use Surfer to visualize subsurface wells can use this to display the well path. It can also be applied to quickly check the quality of 3D grids.
    • Enhanced Attribute Management. Surfer now has commands to calculate geometry — such as area or perimeter length — and add those values to object attributes. These calculations can be performed either to create new attributes or modify existing ones with updated information. One of the key advantages of this enhancement is that area data can be normalized and attributed to objects for generation of more accurate choropleth maps.
    • Kriging with External Drift. Surfer is known for its powerful kriging functions, and this capability is even better in v16 with the addition of Kriging with External Drift. This allows users to add a secondary data set for use as a proxy in interpolating the primary data set with the goal of yielding better estimated values. Surfer users asked for this new function because it typically lets them obtain and use less expensive data sets to supplement a more expensive one.

    “Surfer has a reputation for high-quality graphic outputs, powerful gridding algorithms, and ease of use – and we have improved each of these capabilities in Surfer 16,” Mills said.

  • LandViewer offers long-term observations, enhanced vegetation analysis

    LandViewer, a cloud service developed by EOS Data Analytics, provides access to satellite data and fast-paced analytics. In recent months, it has undergone numerous updates, which have expanded the existing catalogue of satellite imagery, introduced more tools for analysis and added other new features.

    By the end of 2018, free space and airborne data available for browsing, analysis and download via LandViewer included imagery from the European Space Agency’s (ESA’s) Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-1, NASA-USGS’s Landsat 8 and previous missions, MODIS, CBERS-4 and NAIP.

    This broad selection of Earth observation data has grown even larger with the addition of high-resolution commercial imagery from Airbus, SpaceWill and SI Imaging Services.

    LandViewer has evolved into a single platform. On top of open-source data, users can freely explore the potential of commercial data with global coverage, short revisit periods, and spatial resolution up to 40 centimeters.

    The current catalogue includes imagery from Pléiades 1a/1b, SPOT 5, SPOT 6 and SPOT 7, along with KOMPSAT-2, 3, 3A and SuperView. The high-resolution imagery browser offers free preview, automatic price calculation by selected area, and fast image delivery within three business days via cloud EOS Storage.

    Preview of KOMPSAT-3A image collected over Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport on Oct. 29, 2018. (Photo: EOS)
    Preview of KOMPSAT-3A image collected over Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport on Oct. 29, 2018. (Photo: EOS)

    Long-term observations. An abundance of available data, such as weekly updated Sentinel-2 imagery and historical Landsat data, has made it much easier to monitor changes over long time spans. Rather than taking a long time to select and process years of satellite data to get a multitemporal perspective, the LandViewer’s new Time Series Analysis will crunch the remote sensing data and deliver the results in an easily interpretable graph.

    Sentinel-2 time series graph generated for agricultural fields in Kansas state. (Screenshot: EOS)
    Sentinel-2 time series graph generated for agricultural fields in Kansas state. (Screenshot: EOS)

    Users can select an area of interest (AOI), and a satellite dataset and a time period between 1 month and 10 years. The algorithm can then pick all imagery with minimum cloudiness and calculate NDVI, NDWI or NDSI in just a few moments. By default, the generated Time Series graph contains lines (representing the min, max, mean and std values) that can be hidden or displayed for convenience; whenever an unusual spike or drop in values is noticed, a satellite scene that represents that part of the curve can be visualized to establish the cause. The results can be downloaded either as an image (.png), or a .csv file for working in Excel.

    Enhanced vegetation analysis. Users searching for an in-depth look at vegetation cover can use LandViewer’s new spectral indexes: SAVI, EVI, ARVI, GCI, SIPI and NBR. These indexes complement generalized NDVI analysis by making corrections for atmospheric and topographic effects or soil brightness influences, depending on vegetation density, climate and elevation in the area of interest.

    The NBR index is designed to highlight burned areas against healthy vegetation; the difference between pre-fire NBR and post-fire NBR values can be applied to estimate the severity of burn.

    The use of several indexes simultaneously enables better insight into plant health and helps to identify stressed or infected vegetation at an early stage.

    Sentinel-2-derived SAVI analysis of an arid agricultural region in Saudi Arabia. (Screenshot: EOS)
    Sentinel-2-derived SAVI analysis of an arid agricultural region in Saudi Arabia. (Screenshot: EOS)

    User-friendly legend and area calculation. Another new LandViewer feature, the index legend, is designed to solve the problem of interpreting the index results, a common issue for new users. Now when a spectral index is applied over the selected territory, the user can view a detailed legend, where each color-marked class contains a short description.

    For example, calculation of NDVI will identify and highlight areas with “dense”, “moderate”, “sparse vegetation”, “open soil” or “no vegetation”.

    Screenshot: EOS
    Screenshot: EOS

    Another new time-saving functionality is that the area of each class within the spectral index legend is calculated automatically, in both square meters and by percentage.

    Also, the expanded Area of Interest (AOI) tool enables bulk uploading of AOIs and speeds up work by allowing simultaneous visualization and fast switching of all AOIs on a map for imagery searches or new scene subscription.

    Advanced zone analytics. By introducing the clustering function, EOS’ remote sensing experts and software developers have taken LandViewer’s spatio-temporal analytics to the next level. With this function, users can run unsupervised satellite data-based classification of an area up to 200 square kilometers into as many as 19 clusters (or zones). This process involves setting custom parameters (size/number of zones) and waiting a few moments for LandViewer to build a raster image of the area with color-marked zones, and a vector layer outlining the boundaries. Both outputs can be downloaded.

    This scalable analysis can provide various insights across agriculture, forestry, coastal monitoring and other industries. For example, a farmer can make use of convenient color mapping of zones within the field based on NDVI values for precise in-field navigation and crop management.

    Engaging animations. With the informative spectral data contained in satellite image pixels, LandViewer has introduced a time-lapse animation feature allowing journalists and active social media users to create engaging animated stories and share them on the internet. Each GIF can contain up to 300 scenes, with indexes or band combinations applied. From calving of glaciers to construction of new stadiums,  satellite imagery is full of information that’s worth watching and sharing with the world.

  • Hexagon acquires Thermopylae for 5D visualization

    Hexagon AB has signed an agreement to acquire Thermopylae Sciences and Technology, a software provider primarily focused on the U.S. government and defense market that specializes in geospatial applications, mobile frameworks and cloud computing for enhanced location intelligence.

    Thermopylae has developed advanced visualization solutions to support tactical edge mapping in support of mission critical operations. Built upon the Google technology stack, its defense and intelligence solutions are targeted at addressing the challenges involved in working with critical problem sets in secure or classified government environments.

    In addition, its portfolio is applicable to a host of markets in the private sector, including real estate, finance, insurance, retail and media, with customers ranging from startups to Fortune 50 companies.

    “Thermopylae’s software and domain expertise nicely augment our ability to deliver the visual location intelligence necessary for enabling autonomous connected ecosystems,” said Hexagon President and CEO Ola Rollén. “Ultimately, the addition of Thermopylae will enrich the 5D experience delivered through our Hexagon Smart M.App and Luciad portfolios — both of which enable smart digital realities with 3D, 4D (real-time sensor feed integration) and 5D (dynamic analytics) capabilities. Not only does the acquisition provide an avenue for international market adoption of Thermopylae’s technologies but also an additional avenue for Hexagon to accelerate adoption of our 5D visualization capabilities in U.S. government agencies.”

    Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, Thermopylae will operate as a part of Hexagon’s Geospatial division, which is reported under the Geospatial Enterprise Solutions segment. Sales in 2017 amounted to $20 million.

    Completion of the transaction (closing) is subject to customary regulatory approvals, including a voluntary filing to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).

  • Airbus launches OneAtlas service for GIS imagery, data

    Airbus Defence and Space has launched The OneAtlas Platform, a collaborative environment to access premium imagery, perform large-scale image processing, extract insights and benefit from Airbus assets for solution development.

    OneAtlas is offering a 30-day free trial, giving customers streaming access to imagery, sample change detection reports, and global imagery and data layers, including the basemap and the WorldDEM.

    Besides access to a comprehensive archive with premium imagery, users can try services such as:

    • Ocean Finder for the maritime industry
    • Verde for precision agriculture
    • Starling for forest management
    • Earth Monitor for tracking changes over an area of interest

    The developer portal provides more information through  API documentation and discusses how to benefit from the imagery either in streaming or download format.

    The Ocean Finder provides a satellite-based maritime ship detection service. (Photo: One Atlas)
    The Ocean Finder provides a satellite-based maritime ship detection service. (Photo: OneAtlas)

  • Oregon transportation expands use of GNSS tablets

    Oregon Department of Transportation workers use DT Research’s GNSS rugged tablets. (Photo: DT Research).
    Oregon Department of Transportation workers use DT Research’s GNSS rugged tablets. (Photo: DT Research).

    The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has expanded its use of DT Research GNSS rugged tablets to all 15 of its construction management offices across the state, and also use the tablets for biology, geology, roadway and wetland projects.

    DT Research worked closely with ODOT to design purpose-built rugged tablets that empower state workers to easily collect and transmit geospatial measurements in the field using GNSS real-time kinematic (RTK) technologies.

    “DT Research’s GNSS rugged tablets have enabled us to bring high-accuracy geospatial measurements to workers across the Department of Transportation, which has literally changed the way we work,” said Chris Pucci, construction automation surveyor at ODOT. “The tablets have enabled us to save time, reduce costs and improve the accuracy of projects through ‘digital-as constructed’ measurements and real time data capture.”

    The tablets have a dual-frequency GNSS module built in, which provides stand-alone sub-meter accuracy to centimeter-level accuracy with RTK from GPS, GLONASS and Galileo satellites.

    The tablets are compatible with existing survey and GIS software for mapping applications and provide an advanced workflow for data capture, accurate positioning and data transmitting.

    “We now have essentially created one-person survey crews because the DT Research tablets are so much easier to use than a tape measure and paper to accurately calculate and record measurements during complex construction projects,” Pucci said. “Using the tablets saves us an average of $2,000 for every survey-grade measurement job that does not require a full survey crew.”

    “In addition, the tablets have provided us with a contract verification system by having highly accurate digital-as-constructed measurements that are delivered immediately and stored forever, which saves the state time and money by avoiding independent re-measurement checks due to billing discrepancies at the end of a project,” added Pucci.

    The DT Research GNSS tablets can store up to 1 Terabyte of data for field data collecting. Users can avoid down time with a high-capacity hot-swappable battery pack, which delivers 60 or 90 watts for up to 15 hours of continuous mobile communications. The units include Long Range Class 1 Bluetooth, which powers wireless connectivity up to 1,000 feet and 4G mobile broadband.

    “The simplicity of how the DT Research tablets work is amazing,” Pucci said. “Unlike complex professional survey equipment, the DT Research tablets are a Windows-based mobile device with a user interface that is familiar to workers. In just two hours, I can easily train state workers with diverse skill sets to measure quantity, linear features and volumes for a variety of projects — and they are ready to go.”

    The tablets run on Microsoft Windows 7 Professional or Windows 10 IoT Enterprise and are high performance devices with an Intel 6th or 8th Generation Core i5 or i7 processor. The rugged tablet is designed for outdoor use with a brilliant LED-backlight, 800 nits sunlight-readable screen and capacitive touch.

    “We have found the DT Research tablets to be incredibility easy to manage and highly durable — we just turn them on and they work,” said Pucci. “In the three years that we have used the tablets, we have had very few technical support questions and they hold up well in different weather conditions. There isn’t a comparable product on the market at the price point.”

    The DT Research tablets are military-grade durable devices, yet lightweight, offering the versatility to be used in field-to-office settings. For use in harsh environments, the tablet is fully ruggedized to meet the highest durability standards with an IP65 rating, MIL-STD-810G for vibration and shock resistance and MIL-STD-461F for EMI and EMC tolerance.

    For use in a variety of environments, the tablets are complemented by many accessories including: external antennas, pole mount cradles, detachable keyboards, battery charging kits and digital pens.

  • Topcon upgrades MAGNET Collage for UAV and GIS data

    Photo: Topcon
    Photo: Topcon

    Upgrade to MAGNET Collage Web includes with new deliverable options.

    Topcon Positioning Group has upgraded its MAGNET Collage Web, a web-based service enabling the sharing and collaboration of UAV and scanning data sets.

    MAGNET Collage Web version 1.3 allow operators to work with more types of data with greater flexibility, including the ability to import BIM models, as well as CAD and GIS data.

    MAGNET Collage Web and MAGNET Collage desktop software meet the demands of a diverse user-group. The latest update is designed to address an increasing need from the vertical building construction market segment to work in a single-software environment with BIM, scanning and UAV datasets.

    “Now operators can view and publish BIM models, along with other data types, directly through the web browser to be sharable with more versatility,” said Alok Srivastava, director of product management. “MAGNET Collage Web can be used to overlay as-built laser scans and design data to visualize proposed changes and detect construction issues. The software supports OBJ, FBX and 3DS formats.”

    The upgrade to MAGNET Collage Web also includes new direct publishing functionality for CAD and GIS data files through the browser.

    “Operators can now overlay 3D point clouds and reality models with CAD and GIS design data, including support for DXF, SHP, KML, GML and GeoJSON formats,” said Srivastava.

    The upgrade to MAGNET Collage Web also introduces advanced sharing controls including the ability to fully customize layer visibility, appearance, window layout, feature selection and camera position.

    “The updated customization controls allow operators to share and present their projects exactly the way they mean to with a multitude of viewing options, allowing specific features to be highlighted as necessary,” said Srivastava.

    Additionally, MAGNET Collage Web can now be accessed through the Topcon “Blue Bar” that allows direct access to the service from any Topcon website. The universal account and application management toolbar is embedded at the top of Topcon web pages.

  • Canada awards Arctic surveillance contract to Space Flight Laboratory

    The Canadian Department of National Defence has awarded a $11.44 million contract to Space Flight Laboratory (SFL) at the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies (UTIAS) for the development of multipurpose microsatellites to support Arctic surveillance.

    Upon successful completion and testing of the prototype, two additional microsatellites will be built to create a small formation.

    The UTIAS SFL microsatellites, which are now being developed, will include multiple sensors on a constellation of microsatellites operating in close formation in low Earth orbit to allow for quick and timely detection and identification of surface or airborne targets.

    The concurrently obtained sensor observations are expected to improve the reliability of the detection and identification performance, which is not feasible when individual sensors are located on non-collaborating satellites.

    On behalf of Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan, member of Parliament for York Centre, Michael Levitt announced the contract on Feb 1 during a ceremony at U

    TIAS in Toronto. The contract was awarded through Public Services and Procurement Canada under the All Domain Situational Awareness (ADSA) Science & Technology (S&T) Program.

    “Space Flight Laboratory is honored to assist the Department of National Defence in developing next-generation satellite technology that could be used to monitor Canada’s vital Arctic region,” said SFL Director and Founder Robert E. Zee. “We are pleased that this investment acknowledges SFL as one of the world’s preeminent developers of advanced attitude control and formation-flying technologies for microsatellites.”

    Established in 1998 as a self-sustaining specialty lab at the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies (UTIAS), SFL has built more than 25 nano- and microsatellites with over 95 cumulative years of successful operation in orbit. SFL’s attitude-control technologies have also been applied successfully in several other microspace programs as well, including the 2016 GHGSat-D greenhouse gas emissions monitoring satellite and the 2013-2014 BRITE space astronomy constellation.

    As outlined in its defence policy Strong, Secure, Engaged, the Department of National Defence is investing in defence research and development to produce innovative solutions to surveillance challenges in Canada’s North, particularly in the priority areas of Arctic joint intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

    Surveillance solutions support the Canadian government’s ability to exercise sovereignty in the North and provide a greater awareness of safety and security issues, as well as transportation and commercial activity in Canada’s Arctic. In addition, solutions achieved under the ADSA program will contribute to joint efforts between Canada and the United States to modernize elements of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).

    The ADSA S&T Program leverages innovative science & technology expertise from other government departments, academia, industry and allies, to identify, assess and validate technologies in support of air and maritime surveillance, particularly in the North. Through a five-year investment of $133M through to 2020, the ADSA S&T Program is supporting the development of options for enhanced domain awareness of air, maritime surface and sub-surface approaches to Canada, in particular those in the Arctic.