GPS World

Tag: GPS module

  • Ricoh Unveils New Military-Grade Geotagging GPS Module

    RICOH AMERICAS CORPORATION SE-7 GPS
    Photo: Ricoh

    Ricoh Americas Corporation announced a new module for Ricoh digital cameras that provides the most advanced solution for precise, secure and portable military-grade photo/video geotagging.

    Available in August, the thumb-sized Ricoh SE-7 GPS hardware module bolts on to the ruggedized Ricoh G700SE digital camera. This combination enables users to automatically geotag images with location information immediately useful in navigation, mapping, planning, analysis, strategy, reporting and more.

    “The SE-7 module gives the military and other users important new capabilities for fast, precise and secure geotagging under less-than-ideal conditions,” said Yuki Uchida, Vice President, New Business Development, Ricoh Americas Corporation. “There’s a lot going on in this ultra-compact module to help soldiers and others be more successful in their work.”

    According to the announcement, the module, which sets a new standard in global positioning system (GPS) speed and accuracy, offers a more compact and convenient geotagging solution than traditional systems requiring a laptop-camera combination. The SE-7 also generates location coordinates down to the meter, which is far more precise than consumer-grade products. For even better accuracy, the Ricoh G700SE/SE-7 combination is forward-compatible to 18-satellite GPS processing, a military standard scheduled to take effect in 2016.

    Ricoh reports that the SE-7 module integrates directly with attachable laser range finders, includes a built-in compass for directional data capture, enables barcode tagging, and provides full support for selective availability anti-spoofing modules (SAASMs). SAASMs ensure GPS precision and accuracy even in the presence of malicious jamming and spoofing.

    Tagging

    The camera/module combination supports up to 20 memo fields that are customizable for tagging photographs with valuable data. Example data tags are photographer’s name, operation ID, operation type, unit ID and more. This information, along with GPS coordinates, GPS date and Zulu time, are automatically stored as metadata in each image file on the G700SE.

    Mapping and direction

    The SE-7’s GPS Track-Log feature maps the geographic path by which photographs are collected. An integrated electronic compass allows users to accurately record the direction in which a photograph is taken regardless of the angle at which the camera is held. After images are collected in the field, data is uploaded using the camera’s built-in wireless, Bluetooth or USB connection in preparation for analysis, mapping and reporting.

    Formats

    GPS coordinates collected with the SE-7 module can be displayed in a variety of formats directly on the camera, including LAT/LONG, MGRS, UTM and combinations of each, depending on user requirements. Data is compatible with a broad range of software, and images are plotted as a spatial data layer along with tagged information.

    Laser range finder integration

    Range finder integration allows users to tag not only where the picture was taken, but the location of objects in the distance being photographed.

  • Trimble Introduces New DR+GPS Module for Vehicle and Asset Tracking Applications

    Trimble has introduced the Aardvark DR+GPS module that combines dead reckoning (DR) with GPS technology on a single, compact board. The Trimble Aardvark DR+GPS module provides positioning information when GPS signals are limited or not available, such as in urban canyons and tunnels. The Aardvark DR+GPS module is being marketed as a solution for system integrators or OEMs who are adding dead reckoning capabilities to vehicle navigation, fleet management and asset tracking systems.

    Dead reckoning estimates position based on heading and distance traveled since the last known position. The more accurate the speed, time and heading inputs, the more accurate the dead reckoning. GPS contributes to accuracy by continuously calibrating the gyro and speed sensors to produce optimal dead reckoning.

    The 19 x 19 millimeter surface-mount module has an on-board gyro and collects speed and forward/reverse data from the vehicle’s sensors. Its DR+GPS algorithm automatically calibrates the gyro and external sensors’ inputs and blends this information with GPS measurements to produce accurate position and velocity outputs in hostile GPS environments such as urban canyons.

    The Aardvark DR+GPS module is available in two configurations: model number 88788-30 for flat installations; and model number 88788-50 with a feature supporting variable mounting installations. The 88788-50 self-determines the module’s orientation allowing the ultimate in installation flexibility.