DT Research has designed a new rugged tablet with 3D imaging that is purpose-built for 3D mapping with a built-in GNSS module.
The DT301X has an Intel RealSense Depth camera that provides real-time 3D imaging combined with dual-frequency GNSS module for real-time mapping and positioning. The digital images are better than high-definition standard, and are suitable for construction building information management (BIM) graphics.
The DT301X rugged tablet is compatible with existing applications with Microsoft Windows 10 IoT Enterprise operating systems for flexible integration, and it brings together the advanced workflow for data capture, accurate positioning and data transmitting.
Key features of the DT301X
Highly durable. IP65 and MIL-STD-810G rated tablet in a slim case offers the versatility to be used in the field, office and vehicles.
Indoor/outdoor display. A high brightness 10.1-inch touchscreen offers flexible viewing in a wide range of lighting.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Long-range Bluetooth for 1000-foot range and 4G LTE mobile broadband for the latest in high-speed communications.
High performance. Intel 8th-generation Core i5 or i7 processor offers high-performance while still being energy efficient.
Hot-swappable batteries. With high-capacity 60- or 90-watt hot-swappable batteries, the DT301X keeps working continuously.
Quectel Wireless Solutions has launched a compact dual-band GNSS module, the LC79D, that supports the L1 and L5 bands from navigation satellites to improve positioning accuracy.
Featuring concurrent multi-constellation GNSS receivers on dual GNSS bands, LC79D uses L1 and L5 bands for GPS, Galileo and QZSS satellites, L1 band for GLONASS and BeiDou satellites, and L5 band for IRNSS satellites.
Compared to GNSS modules that use the L1 band only, LC79D can generally increase the number of visible satellites, significantly improve positioning drifting when driving in rough urban canyons and enhance positioning accuracy.
Embedded with a low-noise amplifier (LNA) and multi-tone active interference, the module provides higher sensitivity and reliable anti-jamming capability, ensuring exceptional acquisition and tracking performance even in weak signal areas. Multiple communication interfaces including UART and SPI simplify customer designs and accelerate time-to-market for customers’ products at reduced costs.
With dimensions of 10.1 × 9.7 ×2.4 millimeters, the tiny LC79D meets the requirements of size-sensitive applications. Compact design, low power consumption and high performance make it suitable for vehicle, people and asset tracking as well as sharing economy applications.
“The launch of LC79D shows Quectel’s global leading position to provide positioning modules for applications requiring higher accuracy and reliability, especially in rough environments with weak signals,” said Wang Min, automotive and GNSS product director at Quectel. “LC79D gives customers high-level integration and flexibility to realize precise positioning in real time.”
The LC79D module was showcased at MWC Shanghai 2019 during June 26-28.
STMicroelectronics has grown its GNSS product offering with the Teseo-LIV3R ROM-based module. The module provides ST’s full GNSS algorithm capability for cost-conscious tracking and navigation devices.
ST’s new GNSS module provides odometer functionality with three trip counters and reached-distance alert, along with geofencing capabilities with up to eight configurable circles and crossing-circles alarm. Support for real-time assisted GNSS with free server access ensures uninterrupted positioning data for dependable navigation.
Simultaneous tracking of GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou and QZSS constellations, with satellite-based augmentation system (S-BAS) and Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services (RTCM) V3.1 differential positioning ensures excellent accuracy to within 1.5 meters (50% circular error probability, CEP).
Tracking sensitivity of -163 dBm and time-to-first-fix faster than one second ensure high performance for demanding applications. The module is easy to use and responds to proprietary National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) commands.
With scalable power consumption according to accuracy, average current, and frequency of fixes, a sub-15µA standby mode with RTC backup, and support for multiple low-power modes, Teseo-LIV3R is an ideal choice for battery-sensitive applications. The low-power modes include continuous-fix with adaptive and power-saving cycled modes, periodic-fix with GPS only, and fix-on-demand with the device in permanent standby.
To simplify and accelerate new-product development, the module is FCC certified and is supported by the STM32 Open Development Environment. STM32 applications for advanced geolocation, smart tracking, and server-assisted GNSS are available, while the EVB-LIV3x evaluation board and X-NUCLEO-GNSS1A1 expansion board provide a head-start with hardware. The Teseo Suite PC tool helps easily configure settings and fine-tune performance. Developers can also join the ST GNSS community to share information and increase their understanding of the field.
The Teseo-LIV3R is in volume production. The 9.7mm x 10.1mm LCC18 module is priced from $7.3 for orders of 1,000 pieces.
CHC Navigation has launched its LT700 rugged Android tablet. The LT700 is designed to increase the efficiency and productivity of the mobile workforce in different industries and applications.
An integrated GNSS module (GPS/GLONASS/BDS/SBAS) provides robust positioning performance. The LT700 dual-SIM 4G modem ensures fast and reliable connection with mobile teams.
The LT700 tablet features an 8-inch sunlight-viewable touchscreen. It displays geospatial information system (GIS) data tables, complex vector and raster maps, or high-resolution pictures in direct sunshine and high-bright areas, CHC Navigation said.
Unlike consumer-grade tablets, the L700 is intended for mobile field workers. Its industrial IP67 design withstands all-day use in harsh environments and conditions, and is protected from dust, rain, extreme temperatures and accidental drops from 1.2 meters. Rugged design, soft corner bumpers and long battery life provide the LT700 with the capability to perform uninterrupted for a complete working day.
The LT700’s octa-core 2.2-GHz CPU supports running large maps and datasets without any lag or slowdown. Driven by Android 8.1 and bearing the GMS (Google Mobile Service) certification, the LT700 runs seamlessly the most common professional data collection applications available from the Google Play store.
The latest Lenovo smartphone offers dual-frequency GNSS capable of tracking the latest BDS phase III signal, the Z6 SE, using an Allystar chipset.
The company says this is the first time a smartphone supports the new BeiDou signal.
HD8040 series SoC. (Photo: Allystar)
Fitted with a Allystar HD8040 series chipset, the Lenovo Z6 youth edition provides position accuracy up to sub-meter, according to Allystar.
The HD8040 series chipset supports all civil signals on the L5 band. Besides GPS/QZS L5 and GAL E5a, the latest BDS phase III signal B2a has already been implemented to maximize the visible satellites in L5 band.
Dual-frequency GNSS means that the receiver tracks more than one radio signal from each satellite on different frequencies — GPS L1 and L5, Galileo E1 and E5a, and Beidou B1 and B2a.
B2a will replace B2I and broadcast on MEO and IGSO satellites. The code lengths are 10230, which have better anti-cross-correlation performance and are designed separated pilot component and data component to improve tracking sensitivity.
In general navigation scenarios, multipath error lead to positioning inaccuracy of up to several meters, caused by to signals bouncing off of higher buildings. The error caused by multipath can be nullified and mitigated by using two frequencies instead of one in urban areas. Under a relatively open-sky environment, measurement error caused by the ionosphere is usually eliminated by a linear combination of dual frequencies to easily achieve sub-meter accuracy.
“Allystar is glad to boost the smartphones and Internet of Things (IoT) applications with the latest multi-frequency GNSS SoC (system on chip) technology,” said Shi Xian Yang, the product and marketing manager in Allystar.
Lenovo smartphone Z6 SE has Allystar inside. (Photo: Lenovo/Allystar)
Allystar Technology Co. Ltd. has launched its smallest multi-band multi-GNSS module, the TAU-0707. Within its 7.6 x 7.6 millimeter size, the TAU-0707 series module supports major GNSS constellations (GPS / Galileo / GLONASS / BeiDou / QZSS / IRNSS) and all civil bands (L1, L2, L5, L6).
As the latest addition to Allystar’s GNSS portfolio, the TAU-0707 series module is a concurrent multi-band multi-GNSS receiver embedded with a cynosure III single-die standalone positioning chipset, which offers multi-frequency measurements to improve positioning accuracy and simplifies integration for third-party applications, said Shi Xian Yang, Allystar marketing manager.
Moreover, Allystar also provides the built-in low-noise amplifier in the TAU-1010 series module, which offers the module with improved RF sensitivity and exceptional acquisition and tracking performance even in weak signal areas.
With more and more satellites supporting L1/L5 signals, Allystar offers two modules to fully support all civil signals on the L5 band for the standalone market. The TAU1206-0707 and TAU1205-1010 are expected to be better in multipath mitigation mainly due to the higher chipping rate of L5 signals relative to L1 C/A code.
L1/L5 band module for standalone market.
For professional applications, module TAU1303-0707 comes with built-in support for standard RTCM protocol (MSM), supporting multi-band multi-system high-precision raw data output, including pseudorange, phase range, Doppler, SNR for any kind of third-party integration and application.
Module with Raw data output for professional market.
Allystar TAU series module offers superior accuracy thanks to the onboard 26-MHz temperature compensated crystal oscillator and a reduced time to first fix relying on its dedicated 32-KHz real-time clock oscillator. Based on 40-nm manufacturing processes of the Cynosure III GNSS chipset, it comes with very low power consumption at less than 40 mA.
According to the company, engineering samples and a reference design of the Allystar TAU-0707 and TAU-1010 series module will be available in April.
OriginGPS, maker of small-format GNSS modules and cellular internet of things (IoT) systems, presented new products with customized IoT and GPS demonstrations at Embedded World 2019, Nuremberg, Germany, Feb. 26-28, Hall 3, Booth 3-121.
OriginIoT systems enable developers to rapidly develop IoT products with stackable add-ons, while all data is configured from the cloud, and no additional embedded code or RF knowledge is required.
OriginGPS’ latest release is the multi-constellation ORG1518-MK06 module. It combines low power modes for extended battery life, 8MB built-in Flash memory, AGPS support for extended ephemeris improving position calculation, and UART+I2C or UART+SPI interfaces.
Selectable add-on sensor boards click on the OriginIoT cellular IoT system, offering backward compatibility with 2G, 3G, CAT1 and CAT M. (Image: OriginGPS)
An ultra-sensitive integrated patch antenna easily switches over to an external antenna via an integrated RF switch.
The ORG1518-MK06 is suitable for solutions requiring multiple antenna options, such as automotive aftermarket and agriculture applications.
Addressing the global IoT market with fast data transmission, the OriginIoT NB-IoT/CAT M with 2G fallback will be suited to devices that are battery-powered and transmit data only occasionally, such as parking and agriculture applications, resulting in a very long sensor battery life, typically 10+ years. The new model will be released later this year.
“The new products are based on OriginGPS patented technologies and retain the miniature footprint for which the company has become synonymous,” said Robert van Tilburg, vice president, Global Sales and Business Development, OriginGPS. “We are excited to offer our customers additional features and options to choose from, enabling them to reduce overall solution costs. 2019 is going to be an exciting year with technology advancements facilitating our product offering with more personalized IoT and GNSS products.”
OriginGPS partner Gemalto will also be presenting OriginIoT demos at Hall 3, Booth 3-438. Gemalto’s Cinterion LTE-M module is integrated in the OriginIoT systems to provide 2G, 3G, Cat1, Cat-M and NB-IoT cellular communication.
Septentrio has launched the Mosaic high-precision GNSS receiver module.
Despite its compact size (31 x 31 x 4 millimeters, 1.29 x 1.29 x 0.15 inches), the Mosaic module supports more than 30 signals from all six GNSS constellations, L-band and various satellite-based augmentation systems, the company said.
As a multi-band module tracking all GNSS satellites in view, it is also designed to support future GNSS signals.
It also supports correction services, and uses real-time kinematic (RTK) technology, together with Septentrio’s algorithms, to guarantee maximum accuracy and availability. The surface-mount design of Mosaic is optimized for automated assembly and ease of integration, with a full library of well-documented and flexible interfaces.
“Our new Mosaic module represents the best-in-class option for reliable and scalable position accuracy, with integrity,” said Chris Lowet, product manager at Septentrio. According to Lowet, it provides RTK positioning with a power consumption of 0.6-1 W, and requires no or minimal additional components for the design-in. “These characteristics make it an ideal positioning cornerstone for a variety of mass market UAV, autonomous and robotics applications,” Lowet said.
Photo: Septentrio
Robustness to interference. Due to the natural weaknesses of distant GNSS signals and a crowded radio-frequency spectrum, GNSS-based services are vulnerable to unintentional radio-frequency interference (RFI). They are also vulnerable to intentional RFI, attacks intended to disrupt receivers by means of counterfeit GNSS-like signals (known as spoofing), and to intentional transmission of RF energy to mask GNSS signals with noise (known as jamming).
To defend against these threats, Mosaic features Septentrio’s AIM+ technology. AIM+ can suppress the widest variety of interferers, from simple continuous narrowband signals to complex wideband and pulsed jammers, the company added. In addition, the integrated spectrum analyzer allows the RF environment around any Mosaic module to be viewed in real time in both time and frequency domains.
Effective interference countermeasures against threats to GNSS signals also require constant knowledge of the changing RF environment. The Mosaic module helps analyze these threats by continuously and automatically monitoring the GNSS frequency spectrum to detect, characterize, log and mitigate interference events when needed.
The module was introduced at the Electronica 2018 show, held Nov. 13-16 in Munich, Germany.
As the latest addition to Quectel’s GNSS portfolio, L26-DR is a concurrent multi-GNSS receiver module embedded with dead-reckoning solution, which greatly improves the positioning accuracy and speed while simplifying customer designs, the company said.
The dead-reckoning capability ensures the module delivers the highest performance positioning solution available, even when GNSS signal is absent or compromised, the company said.
Equipped with six-axis sensor MEMs and a powerful GNSS core, the module provides high sensitivity, fast GNSS signal acquisition and tracking with low system integration effort.
Moreover, the built-in low-noise amplifier offers the module with improved RF sensitivity and exceptional acquisition and tracking performances even in weak signal areas.
L26-DR is able to acquire and track any mix of GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo and QZSS signals, which allows accurate navigation in harsh environments such as urban canyons, the company added. Compared with using GPS only, enabling multiple GNSS systems generally increases the number of visible satellites, reduces the time to first fix and improves positioning accuracy, especially when driving in rough urban environments.
Designed for automotive and industrial applications, the L26-DR comes in an ultra-compact size of 12.2 × 16.0 × 2.3 millimeters. The compact GNSS module also supports other precise positioning technologies, including differential GPS (RTCM) and SBAS (WAAS/EGNOS/MSAS/GAGAN).
According to the company, engineering samples of Quectel L26-DR will be available in December.
Telit GE310-GNSS IoT Module fills European demand for GSM/GPRS compact form factors, and is part of Telit’s migration-support program that helps customers leverage 2G’s low cost and broad coverage while preparing for 4G and 5G.
The GE310-GNSS module. (Image: Telit)
Telit has released the GE310-GNSS, an internet of things (IoT) module with GSM/GPRS, multi-constellation satellite positioning and Bluetooth functionality in a 270-millimeter-squared form factor.
The GE310-GNSS enables original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and system integrators in application areas such as asset management, utilities and telematics, meet strong demand for low-cost, highly compact devices without tradeoffs in performance, reliability and functionality, particularly in regional markets such as Europe, where 2G is forecast to remain in strong growth in number of IoT connections for many years.
The GE310-GNSS features a miniature form factor packaged in an LGA 94-round-pad format. It is designed to meet the robust demand in Europe, Latin America and other regional markets for compact devices such as health and wellness monitors, smart residential and commercial thermostats, commercial fleets and IoT-connected grid equipment for smart utilities.
With support for Europe’s Galileo as well as other satellite positioning constellations, the GE310-GNSS is suitable for IoT applications that require location awareness throughout Europe and the rest of the world. The module’s Bluetooth 4.0 capability makes it easy for OEMs to add connectivity to proximal area network devices, Telit said.
The GE310-GNSS is part of Telit’s future-proofing program, which helps customers leverage 2G’s low cost and gapless European coverage immediately while retaining absolute control of when they switch to a compatible 4G module in the Telit family lineup.
The lineup includes multiple roadmap paths to upgrade to 4G and later to 5G based on the customer business strategies and specific market conditions.
Research firm ABI Research estimated in its “ABI IoT Market Tracker – Worldwide – October 2018” that 2G cellular IoT connections will continue to grow in Europe from 100 million in 2018, reaching a peak of 148 million connected devices in 2022 before slowly dropping to about 89 million in 2026.
“The GE310-GNSS is the newest in our lineup of updated 2G modules for markets like Europe and Latin America which still show a sustained pull for over half a decade,” said Yossi Moscovitz, president products and solutions, Telit. “This svelte module combines proven, reliable 2G connectivity with the latest satellite positioning and Bluetooth technologies, all backed by Telit’s decades-enduring migration-support program. Telit has helped thousands of customers through cellular generational transitions and is now helping 2G customers in Europe, Latin America and other regions develop business-enhancing roadmaps to 4G and 5G.”
For more information about the GE310-GNSS and other Telit IoT solutions, visit booth A.b80 at European Utility Week, Nov. 6-8 in Vienna, Austria.
A new GPS + IRNSS module is being developed by Indian firm Ramakrishna Electro Component (REC) in partnership with STMicroelectronics and Shanghai Mobiletek, according to press reports.
The module will rely heavily on the Indian navigation satellite constellation IRNSS (also known as NaVIC), REC Managing Director Shivang Luthra told reporters at an event in New Delhi.
“There have been dependency of imported GPS module which use the U.S., European or Russian satellites,” Luthra said. “We have developed a GPS module, Utraq, that will mainly use the Indian satellites for GPS navigation.”
The module will be produced at a Shanghai Mobiletek factory in China, and the chips will be made by STMicroelectronics. REC owns the Utraq module and will roll it out in October for use in automotive end products. REC says the low cost of the chip compared to imports will make trackers more affordable in India.
The Indian government has mandated use of vehicle location tracking devices and one or more emergency buttons in public transportation vehicles; the mandate took effect April 1.
Utraq will be offered in two models: the L110 GNSS is a compact NavIC module, while the L100 GNSS module is a smaller-sized (patch on top) IRNSS module. Both modules can be used for tasks other than tracking, such as ranging, command, control and timing, and fo marine, aerial and terrestrial navigation.
STMicroelectronics (ST) is making its Teseo III satellite navigation receiver accessible to a wider designer community by introducing the Teseo-LIV3F module, which integrates essential features to speed application development and also adds up to 16 MB of Flash memory for firmware updating or data logging without a backup battery.
Used by automotive and industrial sectors, ST’s Teseo III multi-constellation receiver combines high accuracy with fast response time and low power consumption, the company said.
The Teseo-LIV3F module now enables makers and small engineering teams without extensive in-house RF expertise to leverage the Teseo III advantages in creating new products in the industrial and consumer market segments such as vehicle trackers, drones, anti-theft devices and pet locators, and systems for services such as fleet-management, tolling, vehicle sharing or public transportation.
The 18-pin, 9.7 x 10.1 millimeter module contains the Teseo III receiver with on-chip power management, UART and I2C interfaces, alongside the Flash memory, an ultra-stable temperature-controlled crystal oscillator (TCXO), and 32kHz real-time clock (RTC).
The documentation and tools delivered with the module contain all the C code needed to drive the module using the STM32 microcontroller, including the use of data-logging, odometer and geofencing to aid development of value-added functionality.
While simplifying application development, Teseo-LIV3F delivers high performance, including -163 dBm tracking sensitivity and 1.5m positioning accuracy (CEP Circular Error Probability) and low-power operation (17µW in standby mode and 75mW when tracking). FCC and CE certifications streamline product testing and accelerates time to market.
Multi-constellation flexibility ensures robust, failure-resistant navigation worldwide, with access to the GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and BeiDou constellations, as well as the Pacific-region Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS).
The module supports assisted modes — including autonomous ST Assisted GPS (STAGPS) and server-based assisted-GNSS with free server access — to retrieve ephemeris data if satellites are unavailable for fast time to first fix (TTFF). The module also supports standardized augmentation systems to enhance accuracy, including the U.S., European, Japanese/South-East Asia, and Indian Satellite-Based Augmentation Systems (SBAS), and the Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services (RTCM) differential GPS.
The Teseo-LIV3F module is available now as an 18-pin LLC device.
