Tag: GNSS positioning

Fugro awarded three-year positioning contract for seismic fleet

Fugro has been awarded a three-year contract by PGS for the provision of precise satellite positioning systems for its seismic vessel fleet. PGS is a leading global provider of marine seismic and electromagnetic services, data acquisition, imaging, reservoir services and multi-client library data.

Fugro, provider of precise satellite positioning to the offshore oil and gas industry, will supply PGS vessels with a number of independent GNSS. These systems include Fugro’s recently launched Starfix.G4 — a commercial GNSS service to utilize all available GNSS systems (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and BeiDou), giving sub-decimeter accuracy — and Starfix.G2+, a global service offering centimeter accuracy in both position and height.

In addition to precise vessel positioning, PGS will benefit from a new generation of positioning technology for their seismic sources and tailbuoys. Meeting the high demand for robustness and quality in the offshore industry, this proactive technology provides independent decimeter and centimeter positions and heights for remote (seismic source and tailbuoy) operations.

Cerys James, vice president technical at PGS, remarked, ”Reliable, precise positioning technology is essential for modern seismic operations. The solution supplied by Fugro will ensure our entire fleet has highly accurate vessel positioning, along with precise source and streamer positioning.”

December 8, 2015
Applanix Unveils Expanded Marine Product Portfolio

Applanix has introduced an expanded portfolio of marine georeferencing and motion compensation solutions. Taking advantage of Applanix proprietary technology, the new line-up of marine products offers high-performance solutions to a broader cross-section of the hydrographic survey industry.

All Applanix Marine products benefit from the optimal integration of GNSS and inertial observables, with access to Trimble GNSS technology for performance advantages.

The Applanix POS MV Surfmaster.

The announcement was made at Ocean Business 2015, an exhibition of more than 300 of the world’s leading manufacturers and service providers in the industry.

“Advances in Applanix inertial technology enable us to offer the high performance levels we are known for at even more attractive price points. By introducing this new product portfolio, we are able to deliver solutions suited to all types of bathymetric mapping,” said Peter Stewart, director of Marine Products. “This revised product lineup demonstrates Applanix’ continued commitment to provide customers with options that best fit their budget and requirements.”

At the entry level of the expanded product portfolio, Applanix introduced the new POS MV SurfMaster. Incorporating Applanix’s proprietary SmartCal inertial calibration techniques, POS MV SurfMaster delivers robust georeferencing for small platforms, both manned and unmanned. SurfMaster is fully supported by Applanix’ post-processing software POSPac MMS, and can deliver roll and pitch accuracy to 0.03 degrees, regardless of latitude or rate of vessel motion.

Applanix’ new marine product lineup also includes POS MV WaveMaster II and POS MV OceanMaster. Using newly developed inertial technology, POS MV WaveMaster II delivers performance equal to the well-established and proven WaveMaster E, but at a new lower price point. POS MV OceanMaster replaces the POS MV 320 E as the georeferencing and motion compensation solution of choice for the hydrographic professional, integrating next generation inertial sensors, which enable performance and pricing previously unavailable with this class of technology. POS MV OceanMaster provides reliable and robust surveying in even the most demanding sea conditions. POS MV Elite remains the ultimate option for users seeking the highest level of performance available to the industry.

The new POS MV SurfMaster, POS MV WaveMaster II and the POS MV OceanMaster are available now worldwide through the Applanix sales channel.

April 15, 2015
OxTS Offers Core Module for Inertial, GNSS

Oxford Technical Solutions’ xOEMcore. Photo: Oxford Technical Solutions

The xOEMcore, now being offered by Oxford Technical Solutions (OxTS), is an inertial navigation system that can also serve as a framework for other positioning systems.

The xOEMcore is a combined six-axis inertial measurement unit and navigation system with sensor fusion in one compact OEM module. In its base form, the xOEMcore measures and outputs raw accelerations and angular rates with small, high-grade MEMS gyros and accelerometers. With a simple upgrade, the xOEMcore is turned into a full inertial navigation system, able to take aiding data from external sources such as GNSS and blend it in the on-board Kalman filter. It is desgined for integration inside any solution that requires robust, high-performance position and orientation.

xOEMcore provides continuity from one point to the next, so detecting unexpected measurements from other devices is easy, the company said. It has deterministic error growth for accuracy, a high update rate and low delay, enabling easier control of vehicles and robots.

As a framework, the xOEMcore can be merged other technologies, such as GNSS and vision positioning. The xOEMcore solves conflicts between the two systems, removing timing mismatches, delays, jumps and inconsistencies.

The xOEMcore is small, light and low power. The inertial sensors have low drift rates — less than 5-meters drift after 60 seconds can be achieved in real-time with only odometer aiding. Heading, roll and pitch can be accurate to 0.05 degrees, exceeding magnetic heading and vertical reference system performance.

For a demonstration or for more informtion, contact [email protected]..

January 30, 2015