GPS World

Tag: INS

  • Komatsu dozing control logic combines GNSS/INS for machine control

    Komatsu dozing control logic combines GNSS/INS for machine control

    Photo: Komatsu
    Photo: Komatsu

    Komatsu America Corp. has introduced Proactive Dozing Control logic, a fully-integrated dozing control system that allows operators to perform auto-stripping, auto-spreading, high production dozing and finish grading.

    Built on the company’s intelligent machine control, the system uses GNSS positioning in conjunction with an inertial measurement unit (IMU) to calculate precise position. The two sensors work together to calculate exactly where the tracks are on the ground.

    The machine control system communicates with the dozer’s hydraulic controllers, engine controllers and the machine controller. Through cylinder sensor technology, the position of the blade is calculated in relationship to the machine body.

    The Proactive Dozing Control logic measures the surrounding ground and determines what has been done on the area being graded, then stores that data and information. When the dozer prepares to go back over that area to cut or work it more, the system understands what it was like from its previous track and, therefore, follows the existing terrain — the very terrain that was just created.

    Proactive Dozing Control logic provides real-time position of the machine on the job site to create a highly accurate elevation for the system to drive the blade to the precise grade needed. Using real-time conditions, the system understands what the terrain around the machine looks like and makes calculated decisions — whether it should cut and carry material, whether it should spread or fill that material, or whether it should be finish grading.

    The new system is available on the Komatsu D51EXi-24, D51PXi-24, D61EXi-24 and D61PXi-24 dozers.

    Photo: Komatsu
    Photo: Komatsu

    “Proactive Dozing Control logic opens up a world of application possibilities for machine control technology,” said Derek Morris, Product Marketing Manager, Intelligent Machine Control and Smart Construction for Komatsu. “Traditionally, GPS machine control focused on finish grade, which meant operators only used the technology approximately 10 to 20% of the time. Proactive Dozing Control logic is a game-changer because the integrated system now lets operators use automation any time, whether for general site clean-up, backfilling trenches and more.”

    “A key differentiator is that our system collects data at the tracks, while aftermarket solutions collect data at the blade,” Morris noted. “Because data is collected at the track, the system provides a real-time picture of the ground around the machine, allowing the system to make calculated decisions based on the current terrain. By collecting data at the track level, we’ve created machine control that is far more advanced, offering an entirely new level of efficiency, whether you’re an operator who has 20 years’ experience or someone new to the job, our Proactive Dozing Control logic provides precision work every time, making operation easier and more productive.”

    With Komatsu’s Proactive Dozing Control logic, operators can use the dozer to its full capacity, leading to increased utilization, better ROI and better production. Owning and operating costs are also lowered because wear and tear on the machine is reduced by automating operation, Komatsu stated in a press release.

    By significantly minimizing track slip during operation, undercarriage wear is reduced, thereby lowering O&O costs, since 50% of the ownership cost of a dozer is the undercarriage.

  • Emcore’s new EN-2000 micro INS ready for defense, UAVs

    Emcore’s new EN-2000 micro INS ready for defense, UAVs

    Photo: Emcore
    Photo: Emcore

    Emcore Corporation has launched the EN-2000 to the Emcore-Orion series of micro-inertial navigation (MINAV) systems.

    The new EN-2000 will represent the pinnacle of performance in Emcore navigation systems, and realizes the company’s vision of a closed-loop, solid-state design that will deliver higher performance at lower cost than traditional RLG (ring laser gyroscope) navigation systems.

    The EN-2000 expands Emcore’s navigation systems line that also includes the EN-1000 introduced in 2017. The Emcore-Orion series of inertial navigation system (INS) are designed for use in a broad range of defense, aviation and aeronautics applications.

    The unit was introduced at the Paris Air Show, held June 17-20 at the Parc des Expositions Paris-le Bourget in Hall 6, Stand #C65.

    Today, there is an ever-increasing premium being placed on modern navigation systems for improved size, weight and power (SWaP). Traditional RLG navigation systems placed a premium on accuracy and performance, but not SWaP. Typical RLG and FOG systems are large and heavy, ranging in volume from 330 in3 to 540 in3, weighing 13 to 22 pounds with power requirements of 25 to 38 watts.

    Many modern weapon systems are now remotely operated, unmanned or man-portable and may need to operate where GPS is unavailable or denied. The compact EN-2000 is designed for these applications. It puts a premium on accuracy and performance, but also on smaller size, less weight and lower power consumption.

    The new Emcore-Orion EN-2000 MINAV is a three-axis design using the company’s proprietary, next-generation solid-state optical transceiver with advanced integrated optics, combined with all new field programmable gate array (FPGA) electronics to deliver stand-alone aircraft-grade navigator performance at one-third the SWaP of legacy or competing systems.

    The EN-2000 model comes in two standard versions, an IMU version and a standalone INS configuration. The INS version can gyrocompass to less than 0.7 milliradians and maintain near-GPS-level positional accuracy without the use of a GPS receiver. This makes it suitable for use in GPS-denied environments.

    To provide customers with additional flexibility, the unit is also capable of being aided by an external GPS for applications where needed.

    The Emcore-Orion EN-2000 is compact and lightweight, weighing less than 7 pounds, with very low power consumption of 10 watts. It can deliver twice the performance of the EN-1000 with the same form factor.

    The low SWaP of the EN-2000 makes it a suitable inertial navigation system for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), manned aircraft, rotorcraft and dismounted soldier applications.

    “With the introduction of the EN-2000, Emcore can now offer class-leading performance at a fraction of the size, weight and power of competing systems with increased reliability,” said David Faulkner, Emcore vice president and general manager of aerospace and defense. “Emcore’s goal of a true full navigation system that can replace older technology navigation systems in UAVs, UUVs, UGVs, manned aircraft and rotorcraft is fully realized with the introduction of the EN-2000.”

    “Our Emcore-Orion series micro navigators improve dramatically on the size and cost of navigation and azimuth sensing equipment by utilizing affordable lightweight sensors that reduce overall system weight and increase accuracy,” added K.K. Wong, Sr., director of fiber optic gyro products for Emcore. “The digital interface is also fully programmable at Emcore’s factory enabling it to directly replace competing units.”

  • U.S. Army to equip light armored vehicles with new GPS anti-jam units

    U.S. Army to equip light armored vehicles with new GPS anti-jam units

    The U.S. Army will send prototype anti-jamming systems to its 2nd Cavalry Regiment, stationed in Europe, in September to aid forces under GPS jamming or spoofing conditions. The first generation of Mounted Assured PNT Systems (MAPS) and anti-jam antennas are nearly ready for integration aboard armored Stryker vehicles, and the Army is already evaluating proposals for an upgraded version incorporating an inertial navigation system (INS) for further resilience.

    The shipment comes in response to widespread Russian jamming of GPS signals from the sub-Arctic to the Middle East, and in tacit, likely tardy acknowledgment of Russian superiority in electronic warfare.

    An Interim Armored Vehicle "Stryker" and AH-64 Apache helicopters with Battle Group Poland move to secure an area during a lethality demonstration as part of Saber Strike 18 in June 2018. (Photo: U.S. Army/Spc. Hubert D. Delany III, 22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
    An Interim Armored Vehicle “Stryker” and AH-64 Apache helicopters with Battle Group Poland move to secure an area during a lethality demonstration as part of Saber Strike 18 in June 2018. (Photo: U.S. Army/Spc. Hubert D. Delany III, 22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

    Col. Nickolas Kioutas, Army project manager for positioning, navigation and timing (PNT), announced the move at the annual C4ISRnet conference in Arlington, Virginia. C4ISR stands for Command, Control, Communications, Computer, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance, or more broadly, electronic and other systems, procedures and techniques used to collect and disseminate information.

    Three vendors are providing prototypes for the IMU-equipped second-generation MAPS, or MAPS-2, with testing to begin in September. A MAPS-3 capability, drawing on lessons learned in 1 and 2, may get underway soon. GPS Source, now a subsidiary of General Dynamics Mission Systems, made MAPS-1 and is now competing for MAPS-2.

    The initiative reflects a new approach by the Army of “doing much smaller, iterative programs,” according to Col Kioutas. Traditionally, U.S. armed forces have taken years (and sometimes more years) to develop large, complex weaponry and supporting systems, and then even longer to deploy them. By the time they arrive in the operational theater, they are obsolete.

    Rapid deployment of smaller, quickly designed and manufactured batches creates the opportunity for rapid feedback on what works and what doesn’t, with equally rapid return to the design board and re-manufacture. In other words, “shoot, aim, ready.”

    Kioutas and crew are also flouting another U.S. military tenet, that in which previously “[we] asked for exactly what we wanted and industry built exactly to that. We don’t know exactly what we want. Tell us how we should do this the best, and then we’ll test that.” The PNT program has left requirements broad and open to change, knowing how quickly technology develops — and is shown to be vulnerable.

    The Stryker is an eight-wheeled armored fighting vehicle, basically a lightly armored tank or heavily-armored troop carrier that is more road-friendly, that is, faster, than a tank.  It has several variants of armament, armor and troop-carrying capacity. It saw extensive use in the Iraq counter-insurgency campaign.

  • Quanta UAV INS/GNSS improves UAV-based surveying

    Quanta UAV INS/GNSS improves UAV-based surveying

    SBG Systems will present its Quanta UAV series at AUVSI’s Xponential show, which takes place April 30-May 2 in Chicago. The Quanta UAV series is a line of inertial navigation systems (INS) dedicated to UAV-based surveying integrators.

    Because SBG Systems wants UAV surveyors to save autonomy for additional survey lines, the company has designed a small, lightweight, and low-power INS offered on two levels of accuracy. Quanta UAV and Quanta UAV Extra have been developed for compact lidar to high-end BVLOS mapping solutions. They provide precise orientation and centimeter-level position data delivered both in real time and post processing. This direct geo-referencing solution eliminates the need for ground control points and greatly reduces the need of overlapping.

    Qinertia, SBG’s post-processing software completes the Quanta UAV offer. It gives access to offline real-time kinematic (RTK) corrections from more than 7,000 base stations in 164 countries, the company said. Trajectory and orientation are greatly improved by processing inertial data and raw GNSS observables in forward and backward directions. This advanced software also computes the base station position to quickly provide centimeter accuracy. Qinertia comes free for one year with the Quanta UAV sensor.

    Robotics and surveying. Quanta UAV is the result of SBG’s expertise in both miniaturized technology for drone navigation and high-end sensors for mobile mapping. Designed as a geo-referencing solution, it can also be used as a high-end navigation solution to feed the UAV autopilot.

    Quanta UAV benefits from a tight integration with in-house IMUs, advanced calibration techniques and algorithms that ensure consistent behavior in all weather conditions, as well as robust position even if the UAV gets close to buildings, electrical lines or trees.

    Quanta UAV embeds a web interface for an easy configuration with a 3D view showing all parameters. The calibration tool automatically aligns the lever arm between the two antennas and the sensor, and re-estimates it in flight for more precision.

    The ITAR-free Quanta UAV INS are available for order.

    Featured photo: SBG Systems

  • Inertial Sense releases RTK-INS for consumer applications

    Inertial Sense releases RTK-INS for consumer applications

    Dime-sized INS with RTK paves the way for high accuracy in mass-market consumer applications.

    Photo: Inertial Sense
    Photo: Inertial Sense

    Inertial Sense has released a new micro-sized inertial navigation system (INS) with precise real-time-kinematic (RTK)-level accuracy. The company says the new solution paves the way for high accuracy in mass-market consumer applications.

    The new micro INS with RTK solution offers an accuracy of 2-3 centimeters using GPS positioning in combination with inertial sensors (including on-board sensor fusion).

    Inertial Sense designs and manufactures precision INS+RTK GPS sensors that deliver fast, accurate and reliable altitude, velocity and position for a wide range of autonomous vehicle applications, the company said.

    The new micro INS with RTK provides a high degree of precision for orientation and GPS in a tiny package. Standard INS/GPS sensors offer accuracy in the range of 1.5 to 2 meters. Inertial Sense’s micro INS with RTK offers accuracy of 2-3 centimeters.

    In the image above, a vehicle travels under an overpass. The 3-cm accurate RTK-inertial navigation track holds true to the vehicle’s position while the standard GPS signal is lost. (Image: Inertial Sense)
    In the image above, a vehicle travels under an overpass. The 3-cm accurate RTK-inertial navigation track holds true to the vehicle’s position while the standard GPS signal is lost. (Image: Inertial Sense)

    “The incredibly small size of our new micro INS with RTK sensor, in combination with its extremely affordable price point, will make this type of highly sophisticated technology accessible for general consumer applications for the very first time,” said Walt Johnson, founder and CTO, Inertial Sense. “We are offering RTK at a size, accuracy and price point that the market has never seen before.”

    By optimizing the manufacturing processes for high volume applications, the micro INS with RTK sensor is as small and lightweight as a dime, and is available at a low price point.

    Sensor fusion. Sensor data from MEMs gyros, accelerometers, magnetometers, barometric pressure and u-blox GPS/GNSS are fused to provide optimal position estimation. Data out includes angular rate, linear acceleration, magnetic field, barometric altitude and GPS time.

    The miniature module provides orientation, velocity and position. Base station corrections data can be applied to achieve centimeter-level precision.

    Autonomous vehicles. The sensor will enable the navigation of all types of autonomous vehicles with a very high degree of precision, Inertial Sense said.

    Inertial Sense patented modules are currently being sold worldwide at volume for a broad variety of applications including:

    • Autonomous navigation: Drones, ground robotics, precision ag, automobiles
    • Aerial surveys: UAV Payloads for 3D mapping, photogrammetry, orthomosaics
    • Gimbal stabilization and antenna pointing
    • 3D motion capture and personnel tracking

    Evaluation kits. Inertial Sense has bundled evaluation kits it says are simple to use and contain everything needed to begin logging RTK-accurate data. The evaluation boards can be utilized in both rover and base station configurations and include 900-mhz radios with onboard logging capabilities.

  • SBG Systems offers GNSS+inertial navigation for surveying, UAVs

    SBG Systems offers GNSS+inertial navigation for surveying, UAVs

    SBG Systems is launching the Navsight Land & Air Solution, high-performance inertial navigation designed to make surveyors’ mobile data collection easier, whether for mobile mapping, GIS or road inspection.

    SBG Systems will release the Navsight Land & Air Solution at the Intergeo show in Frankfurt, Germany, Oct. 16-18.

    The solution consists of an inertial measurement unit (IMU), available at two different performance levels, connected to Navsight, a rugged processing unit embedding fusion intelligence and a GNSS receiver. It also has connections for external equipment such as lidar, cameras or computer.

    Photo: SBG Systems
    Photo: SBG Systems

    The Navsight Land & Air Solution is the result of more than 10 years of experience in the mobile positioning industry, especially in the unmanned industry where position reliability is mandatory. SBG’s fusion algorithms allow the company to get the best performance from inertial, odometer and GNSS technologies; exclude false GNSS fixes; and improve the trajectory in complicated areas such as urban canyons, forests and tunnels.

    According to the company, the Navsight Land & Air Solution supports all GNSS constellations, real-time kinematic (RTK) and precise point positioning services such as Omnistar and TerraStar.

    SBG IMUs are easy to install, the company said. The sensor alignment and lever arms are automatically estimated and validated. Once connected to the Navsight processing unit, the web interface guides the user to configure the solution. A 3D view of the vehicle shows the entered parameters so that the user can check the installation. By choosing the vehicle, such as a plane or a car, the inner algorithms are automatically adjusted to the application. The Navsight unit also integrates LED indicators for satellite availability, RTK corrections and power.

    INS/GNSS Post-Processing Software. Qinertia, the SBG post-processing software, provides access to offline RTK corrections from more than 7,000 base stations in 164 countries. Trajectory and orientation are greatly improved by processing inertial data and raw GNSS observables in forward and backward directions.

  • Inertial navigation emerges as winning co-star for transportation sector

    Inertial navigation emerges as winning co-star for transportation sector

    Signals other than GNSS are the key to positioning for both the transportation and machine control markets. While many solutions are being developed, inertial navigation systems (INS) are emerging as the primary GNSS co-star.

    In our survey, nearly three quarters (72%) of respondents in this sector said positioning could best rely on tight integration between GNSS and INS. For comparison, inertial technology wasn’t even mentioned in the 2017 State of the GNSS Industry Report. This year for the first time, GPS World offered an Inertial Buyers Guide for our readers (see our May issue).

    What is the best additional solution for positioning in GPS/GNSS-challenged environments? (Source: GPS World 2018 State of the Industry survey)
    What is the best additional solution for positioning in GPS/GNSS-challenged environments? (Source: GPS World 2018 State of the GNSS Industry survey)

    Practical autonomous navigation — the current ambition of automakers (and Google) — hits a roadblock when it comes to uninterrupted positioning. We all know GNSS reception has its limits, notably in many places that vehicles travel such as tunnels, beside tall buildings and in parking garages. Inertial positioning fills that gap, making it especially advantageous for meeting the challenges of autonomous navigation.

    Inertial measurement units are generally based on multi-axis combinations of precision gyroscopes, accelerometers and magnetometers using algorithms to determine location, direction and position. Gyroscopes measure the angular velocity; accelerometers measure overall acceleration; and magnetometers provide the direction of the magnetic field.

    Micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) techniques have reduced the size, power consumption and costs of INS systems considerably, enabling their use in ever more applications, including unmanned aerial vehicles.

    As a result, products that combine GNSS + INS are being introduced at an increasing rate, with more than a dozen major announcements in the past year. According to one study, the INS market is projected to grow from US$11.89 billion in 2017 to US$19.67 billion by 2023, a compound annual growth rate of 8.76%.

    For more results from the 2018 State of the GNSS Industry, see this page.

  • Septentrio launches AsteRx-i S GNSS+IMU receiver

    Septentrio launches AsteRx-i S GNSS+IMU receiver

    GNSS receiver manufacturer Septentrio has added the AsteRx-i S to its GNSS/INS product portfolio.

    The AsteRx-i S combines Septentrio’s compact, multi-frequency multi-constellation GNSS engine with an ultralight external industrial-grade MEMS-based inertial measurement unit (IMU).

    Designed around demanding requirements for size, weight, power consumption and temperature variation, the AsteRx-i S is designed for various applications such as inspections with UAVs, UAS photogrammetry, automation, robotics and logistics.

    Calibrated for wide temperature ranges, the AsteRx-i S delivers accurate and reliable GNSS/IMU integrated positioning to the centimeter-level, as well as full attitude at high update rates and low latency, the company said.

    Key benefits for users include:

    • GNSS/INS positioning with 3D attitude: heading pitch and roll
    • Multi-constellation, multifrequency, all-in-view RTK receiver
    • AIM+ interference monitoring and mitigation system
    • High-update rate, low-latency positioning and attitude
    • Small and ultralight IMU (10 grams)
    • Robust calibration for wide temperature ranges

    “We are delighted to broaden our AsteRx-i GNSS/INS solutions range, bringing maximum flexibility and choice to our customers,” said Francesca Clemente, product manager at Septentrio. “Whether for direct georeferencing in mapping applications with UAVs, for managing containers in a port or for innovative small robots in agriculture, the compactness, affordability and robustness of the AsteRx-i range allows our customers to focus on their success.”

  • New NovAtel system combines GNSS+INS in small package

    New NovAtel system combines GNSS+INS in small package

    NovAtel is now delivering its SPAN tightly coupled GNSS+INS navigation technology in a rugged, ultra-compact unit.

    Commercially exportable and designed for integration into a wide variety of applications, the high-performance SPAN CPT7 delivers assured positioning anywhere, in a package one-quarter the size of the company’s SPAN-CPT.

    SPAN technology leverages generations of precise positioning expertise and advanced algorithms to tightly couple GNSS and inertial navigation system (INS) measurements. The system enables continuous, robust positioning and fast reacquisition in challenging navigation environments where GNSS signals may be unreliable or unavailable for short periods.

    The new SPAN CPT7 also incorporates dual antennas to deliver instant alignment, along with interference detection and mitigation using NovAtel’s OEM7 Interference Toolkit (ITK) technology.

    Integrators can take advantage of a spectrum analysis function of ITK to identify interference within the GNSS frequency bands and whether interference is coming from the external environment or due to other components in an integration project, NovAtel said. Mitigation features within ITK allow developers to implement digital filters and eliminate the problem.

    Combining the multi-frequency, multi-constellation technology of the OEM7720 receiver board with ITK and the high-performing micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) IMU, the SPAN CPT7 delivers anti-jamming functionality in an ultra-compact enclosure that fits in the palm of your hand. When paired with the GPS Anti-Jam Antenna (GAJT) in military applications, SPAN CPT7 is an integral part of assured position, navigation and timing (A-PNT).

    “The remarkable new SPAN CPT7 delivers solutions for defense, mobile mapping, and autonomous vehicle applications with more flexibility than ever before,” said Neil Gerein, director, product management, NovAtel. “This new product saves customers space and weight without compromising accuracy or performance.”

    Photo: NovAtel

  • NovAtel introduces positioning solutions for space-constrained systems

    NovAtel introduces positioning solutions for space-constrained systems

    NovAtel has introduced several new precision positioning solutions for space-constrained applications. With enhanced positioning accuracy in a compact form, the PwrPak7D, PwrPak7DE1 and OEM7600 are suitable for automotive, airborne and other smaller unmanned systems.

    PwrPak7D and PwrPak7D-E1 are dual-antenna, multi-frequency enclosures, and the OEM7600 receiver board, plus NovAtel’s new Waypoint Inertial Explorer Express post-processing software are being showcased this week at AUVSI Xponential 2018.

    Dual-Antenna, Multi-Frequency Enclosures

    The new PwrPak7D enclosure. (Photo: NovAtel)
    The new PwrPak7D enclosure. (Photo: NovAtel)

    NovAtel’s new PwrPak7D and PwrPak7D-E1 enclosures provide space efficiency without sacrificing position accuracy and heading stability, even in stationary, slow-moving or hovering dynamics.

    The PwrPak7D-E1 enclosure integrates an inertial measurement unit (IMU) with NovAtel’s OEM7720 dual-antenna receiver board to deliver GNSS and inertial navigation system (INS) capabilities.

    When combined with NovAtel’s SPAN technology, positioning and attitude performance is optimized during extended GNSS outages.

    Both the PwrPak7D and PwrPak7D-E1 include NovAtel’s Interference Toolkit with advanced interference detection
    and mitigation features applicable to all stages of integration. A web user interface, accessible through Ethernet or
    Wi-Fi, allows for quick and easy system configuration and control.

    OEM7600 Receiver Board for Smaller Autonomous Systems

    The OEM7600 receiver board. (Photo: NovAtel)
    The OEM7600 receiver board. (Photo: NovAtel)

    The OEM7600 receiver board features NovAtel’s high-performance positioning solutions in an extremely small form factor, wrapped with protective shielding to isolate emissions from surrounding electronics in confined spaces.

    This new receiver integrates easily with NovAtel’s SPAN technology to optimize performance during extended GNSS outages.

    The new OEM7600 will be commercially available this summer.

    New Post-Processing Software for UAVs and Small Project Areas

    Inertial Explorer Xpress centroid circle. (Image: NovAtel)
    Inertial Explorer Xpress centroid circle. (Image: NovAtel)

    Also at Xponential 2018, NovAtel is introducing Inertial Explorer Xpress (IEX), a cost-effective, post-processing software for GNSS+INS datasets.

    Inertial Explorer Express provides the same core processing and utilities as the
    Waypoint Inertial Explorer software for applications including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and smaller projects.

    Inertial Explorer Express will produce centimeter-level position and attitude solutions compatible for lidar, camera and other sensor data with faster processing times and reduced complexity

    “We are very excited to be introducing our new OEM7-based and Inertial Explorer solutions at Xponential 2018,” said Neil Gerein, director of product management at NovAtel. “These systems provide robust positioning and accuracy in a compact footprint for UAVs and smaller autonomous projects. An advanced range of software options, including NovAtel’s tightly coupled GNSS+Inertial SPAN technology and Interference Toolkit, provide assured positioning anywhere.”

  • New Viametris backpack scanner integrates SBG Systems product

    Viametris, specialist of SLAM-based mobile scanning systems, has launched a backpack-based scanning system called the bMS3D-360. The company continues to rely on SBG Systems’ expertise in inertial navigation by integrating the Ellipse2-D, an inertial navigation system with embedded real-time kinematic (RTK) GNSS receiver.

    Photo: Viametris
    Photo: Viametris

    Viametris has been developing SLAM-based scanning systems for more than 10 years, including the iMS3D, a full indoor mapping system and the VMS3D, a car-based mapping system.

    The bMS3D-360 has been designed for the most challenging environments where GNSS is not accessible (indoor) or highly perturbed (urban canyons, forest, etc.). The surveyor starts the system, checks on a tablet that the GNSS and inertial information are computed, and starts the survey.

    Back at the office, the user launches the INS/GNSS post-processing software to increase orientation and position accuracy, and then uses the Viametris software to georeference and colorize the point cloud.

    Collected data are ready to be imported into common design software. This workflow (from collection to plan drawing) is seven times faster than a traditional method.

    The bMS3D-360 offers a 360-degree camera, which greatly simplifies the treatment work. When navigating in the point cloud, the user opens a unique picture of the 360-degree scanned environment instead of looking at four different camera points of view.

    Photo: SBG Systems
    Photo: SBG Systems

    The Ellipse2-D from SBG Systems is a compact inertial navigation system integrating an L1/L2 GNSS receiver. This industrial-grade INS computes roll, pitch and heading as well as position because of its embedded Extended Kalman Filtering.

    In real time, Ellipse2-D orientation data are used to correct the equipment attitude and help the SLAM computed heading. The embedded GNSS receiver provides absolute positioning to the point cloud as well as altitude constraint.

    When the GNSS faces sources of disturbance, the INS maintains the trajectory were the SLAM technology is limited.

  • SBG Systems offers industrial-grade IMU for high-volume projects

    SBG Systems has released the Ellipse 2 Micro series, a new product range designed to reduce the size and cost of high-performance inertial sensors for volume projects. The Ellipse 2 Micro series is available as an inertial measurement unit (IMU), or as an attitude and heading reference system (AHRS) or inertial navigation system (INS) running an extended Kalman filter.

    The new Ellipse 2 Micro is available as an IMU for calibrated sensor data, or as an AHRS/INS delivering accurate orientation and navigation using an external GNSS receiver.

    The Ellipse 2 Micro series provides excellent navigation data when connected to an external GNSS receiver. The INS fuses in real-time inertial and GNSS information to maintain the vehicle position in air, marine or land applications. For automotive projects, the inertial sensor comes with CAN protocol and connects to the odometer for higher performance in harsh environments, such as tunnels and urban canyons.

    “With the Ellipse 2 Micro, integrators benefit from SBG Systems high expertise in motion sensing and positioning in the smallest package,” said Alexis Guinamard, CTO of SBG Systems.

    The high-quality micro IMU is calibrated from -40 degrees to 85 degrees Celsius.  Combining state-of-the-art MEMS-based gyroscopes, accelerometers and magnetometers, the new Ellipse 2 Micro series is fully calibrated in temperature to eliminate measurement errors such as sensor bias, gain, linearity, alignment and g-sensitivity to provide a constant behavior in all conditions.

    Weighing 10 grams, the Ellipse 2 Micros provide a 0.1 degree accurate attitude and connects to external GNSS for navigation, offering a remarkable weight/performance ratio to integrators.

    All Ellipse 2 Micro models are now available for order. Product and pricing information is available from SBG Systems representatives and authorized dealers.