Tag: JAVAD GNSS

Launchpad: Timing antennas, UAV camera and smartwatch

OEM

The UB380 GPS/GLN/BDS
tri-constellation octa-frequency high-precision board.

High-end GNSS board

For high-precision positioning, navigation and GBAS applications

The UB380 multi-GNSS receiver has 384 channels, based on Unicore’s multi-GNSS system on a chip. It features Unicore’s latest real-time kinematic (RTK) engine, which can process triple-frequency BDS and GPS and dual-frequency GLONASS observation data. This can significantly reduce initialization time, improve position accuracy and enhance reliability in difficult environments such as city canyon and canopy, as well as make the long baseline RTK possible. The receiver board can support GPS L1, L2 and L5; GLONASS L1, L2; and BDS B1, B2 and B3. The support of GPS L2P and L2C can satisfy the high-precision requirements of GBAS reference station equipment. The UB380 is compatible with industry-standard GNSS boards in size, interfaces and electrical standards.

Unicore, www.unicorecomm.com

M12M Replacement Receiver GNSS module. Photo: Jackson Labs Technologies

Legacy receiver module

Plug-and-play upgrade for xli server, fury GPSDO

The M12M Replacement Receiver released is form, fit and function compatible to the legacy Motorola M12M and M12+ timing and navigation receivers. It uses an eighth-generation GNSS timing-enabled receiver, allowing 72 GNSS-channel reception with any two GNSS systems being received simultaneously. It adds configurability via USB ports and dual in-line package (DIP) switches and various status displays. GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, QZSS and SBAS signals can be received. The module supports NMEA, Motorola binary and u-blox binary as well as SCPI (GPIB) communication protocols; is designed to allow plug-and-play retrofit of equipment designed for legacy Motorola receivers; and is certified as a plug-and-play upgrade to the Symmetricom/Microsemi XLI server and the Jackson Labs Technologies Fury GPSDO. It can be used to retrofit products for GLONASS/BeiDou compatibility. The module enhances performance parameters such as time to first fix; position, velocity and timing accuracy; tracking sensitivity; the addition of SBAS (differential compensation) capability; and the addition of external interfaces such as USB and a synthesized frequency output.

Jackson Labs Technologies, jackson-labs.com

Photo: Tallysman

Timing antennas

High-gain, high-rejection family designed for cell and telecom

The TW3150/52 antennas feature a 50-dB low-noise amplifier (LNA) gain to handle long cable runs often associated with installation on telecommunications towers. They cover the GPS L1 and SBAS (WAAS, EGNOS and MSAS) frequency bands and provide excellent cross-polarization rejection and enhanced multipath rejection.The TW3150 antenna features a four-stage dual-filtered LNA, while the TW3152 antenna includes an additional SAW pre-filter. This provides better than 80-dB of signal rejection above 1610 MHz and below 1545 MHz. The antennas are IP67 and MIL-STD-801F Section 509.4 compliant to withstand challenging environmental conditions.

Tallysman, www.tallysman.com

10 x 10 mm module

Provides support for GPS, GLONASS and BeiDou with MediaTek

The ORG1510-MK Multi Micro Hornet is a fully integrated multi-GNSS (GPS, GLONASS and BeiDou) module. The miniature low-power architecture is designed to provide a GNSS component to devices that require fully featured components with small footprints, such as UAVs designed to follow action sports and other fast-moving activities or wearables. The ORG1510-MK contains the MediaTek MT3333 chip, which supports a fast update position calculation rate, and contains an onboard flash memory that does not erase when power is off. It consumes little power with the use of both standby mode and backup mode, and, in advanced applications, a periodic mode that can turn the device on and off when in backup or standby.

OriginGPS, www.origingps.com

UAV

Source: Shenzhen FLYPRO Aerospace Tech

Smartwatch control

Wrist and voice control enable UAVs

Designed for recording sports activities, the FLYPRO XEagle UAV has replaced traditional UAV remote controllers with the XWatch, a smartwatch designed to control the XEagle. Users can control the devices to take off, land and follow, as well as adjust flight height with one click on the wrist within 300 meters. The smartwatch design enables users to fly the aerial vehicles to take high-definition pictures and videos while engaging in intense sports. A voice-control feature allows users to fly the XEagle without moving their hands using commands such as “FLYPRO, take off” and “FLYPRO, follow me”.

Shenzhen FLYPRO Aerospace Tech, www.flyprouav.com

Photo: FLIR

Infrared camera

Thermal imaging camera core designed for integration

FLIR Tau 2 thermal imaging cameras are suited for demanding applications like UAVs, thermal weapon sights and handheld imagers. Improved electronics now give Tau 2 even more capabilities, including radiometry, increased sensitivity (<30 mK), 640/60 Hz frame rates, and powerful image processing modes that dramatically improve detail and contrast. Since the electrical functions are common between the Tau 2 640, 336 and 324, integrators have direct compatibility between the different camera formats, and Tau camera versions share many of the same lens options.

C, www.flir.com

Delivery drone

Amazon’s latest version is designed to deliver packages in 30 minutes

Source: Amazon

A new drone design introduced by Amazon for its planned Prime Air Delivery service is larger than the previous quadcopter and has a more advanced design, including the ability to operate with an auto-loading system that sets the payload inside an internal carrier bay. The hybrid design combines vertical lift and horizontal flight capabilities using lift fans and a pusher prop. The drone is capable of flying at an altitude of about 400 feet (122 meters) at about 55 mph (88 km/h) for a range of 15 miles (24 kilometers). It has sense-and-avoid situational awareness technology and is designed to deliver small packages in under 30 minutes.

Amazon, www.amazon.com

Survey

Source: ComNav

Reference station receiver

Surveying and geodetic network positioning

The M300 Pro is a multi-purpose CORS GNSS receiver designed for applications such as positioning infrastructure, active geodetic network, deformation monitoring, machine guidance, harbor construction, land surveying and marine surveying. Designed for reference stations, the M300 Pro tracks GPS, GLONASS and BeiDou (B1, B2, B3), and will track Galileo, QZSS and other coming constellations. Its web server function enables remote control for access, configuration, programming, data download, reboot/restart, firmware update and code registration. It is compatible with many kinds of CORS software, using the standard data format RTCM and the various data transfer protocols such as UDP, TCP and NTRIP. Raw GNSS observation data can be saved in RINEX format and remotely downloaded. Multiple ports can be configured and connected with external sensors such as meteorological sensors, barographs and inclinometers. The PPS output function provides a guarantee for precision timing. It also has the functionality of event mark and external memory.

ComNav, www.comnavtech.com

Source: Leica Geosystems

GNSS monitoring

Autonomously detects fast movements in real time

The Leica Velocity and Displacement Autonomous Solution Engine (VADASE) detects fast movements of man-made and natural structures in real time, running on board Leica reference stations and monitoring receivers. VADASE provides an in-depth look at accurate, high-rate velocity and displacement information of various activities and structures. It gives engineers and researchers complete, precise and reliable monitoring information. VADASE delivers actionable information independent of any GNSS real-time kinematic (RTK) correction service.

Leica Geosystems, leica-geosystems.com

Source: JAVAD GNSS

High-precision receiver

GNSS receiver with onboard memory for data storage

The DELTA-3 receiver has 864 GNSS channels, along with three powerful processors and program memory in a single chip, which uses less power and makes the total system less expensive. The 864 channels allow tracking of all current and future satellite signals. Delta-3 can track and decode the QZSS LEX signal messages. It is a powerful and reliable receiver for high-precision navigation systems, including high-dynamic systems, for machine and traffic control, high-precision surveying, and geodynamics and aerogeophysics applications. Delta-3 can operate as a receiver for post-processing, as a Continuously Operating Reference Station (CORS), or as a portable base station for real-time kinematic (RTK) applications, and as a scientific station collecting information for special studies such as ionosphere monitoring.

JAVAD GNSS, www.javad.com

Mapping

Photo: Esri

Property surveys

A configuration of ArcGIS and a JavaScript application

Photo Survey is designed for local governments to publish street-level photo collections and conduct focused property surveys that can identify blight, damaged structures or construction activity. It leverages location-enabled photos produced by many commercially available cameras and simplifies data processing so street-level photo collections can be gathered on a regular basis. Photo collections can then be combined with relevant survey questions in an ArcGIS Online map, and shared with the Photo Survey application. Once complete, the Photo Survey application can be used by the general public or local government staff to review street-level photos and complete property surveys.

Esri, www.esri.com

January 11, 2016
Launchpad: New receiver module, UAV developments

OEM

The K528G GNSS board.

GNSS OEM board

Positioning and heading for mission-critical applications

The K528G dual-frequency, multi-constellation GNSS board provides the highest accuracy in differential positioning. It benefits from numerous constellation signals because of its advanced tracking performance of both GPS and GLONASS. The K528G can provide positioning and heading information generated by two antennas. It is designed for guiding and positioning construction engines, dredges, barges, shipping container cranes, mining equipment and intelligent transportation systems.

ComNav Technology,  www.comnavtech.com

GPS/GNSS splitters

Designed for small-cell and distributed antenna systems

GPS Source has released of a line of GPS/GNSS splitters created for the small-cell wireless and distributed antenna system markets. Specifically designed for the L-band frequency, they can eliminate the cost of multiple antennas and long cable runs in wireless installations. With four or eight outputs, the new line of splitters make it possible to use a single GPS referencing antenna and cable arrangement for multiple synchronized systems. The splitters include features such as DC bias select and amplification. GPS Source RF signal splitters typically operate in conjunction with an active GPS antenna; consequently, a GPS RF signal splitter must have provisions for managing the DC voltage to the active GPS antenna. The S14GT and S18GT splitters will power an external GPS antenna from any of the RF outputs. A “hunt-and-pick” circuit is used to select only one DC input for power should more than one source be connected. Designed for redundancy, if the selected DC bias input should fail, the DC bias will automatically switch to another DC input to ensure an uninterrupted power supply to the active antenna.

GPS Source, www.gpssource.com

Wideband Antennas

For precision industrial, agricultural and military OEM applications

A new series of L1 band wideband antennas for OEM applications is offered in three formats:
▪ TW2106/TW2108 — GPS L1
▪ TW2406/TW2408 — GPS + GLONASS
▪ TW2706/TW2708 — Galileo, BeiDou, GPS + GLONASS
Each antenna type features Tallysman’s Accutenna technology, which provides high rejection of multipath signals, with low axial ratios and tight phase center variations (PCV). Each is available with a brickwall pre-filter option to protect against saturation by high level subharmonic and L-band signals. The antenna printed circuit boards (PCBs) are 56 millimeters in diameter with four plated holes for secure mounting. They are available with a variety of connectors and custom cable lengths, and can be custom-tuned. All of them are REACH and ROHS compliant.

Tallysman, www.tallysman.com

L1 RTK receiver

Heading guidance  for precision applications

The NV08C-RTK-A is fully integrated multi-constellation L1 heading receiver with embedded real-tiime kinematic (RTK) functionality and compatibility with GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and BeiDou. The NV08C-RTK-A is designed for use in high-accuracy applications that demand low-cost, low-power consumption, a small form factor and high performance, such as construction, mining and industrial; environmental and structural monitoring; machine control; parallel driving systems; precision agriculture; UAVs; and robotics and intelligent machines.

NVS Technologies, www.nvs-gnss.com

Survey

Hydrographic rover accessory

Hydrographic Echo Sounder designed for GNSS rover

The SLD-100 GNSS Rover accessory facilitates hydrographic measurement in bodies of water up to 100 meters in depth. it is designed for anyone who finds themselves needing to survey into bodies of water, streams and rivers. With survey-grade accuracy, the SLD-100 can be added to any brand GNSS RTK rover to allow for position and depth measurements to be made simultaneously. With a built-in 10-hour lithium battery and transmitter unit with Bluetooth connectivity, the SLD-100 provides standard-depth data streams in several industry-standard NMEA formats at 1 Hz, 4800 bps, providing compatibility with any hydrographic surveying software package. Position and depth information is externally logged on a computer or controller. Included transom mounting hardware enables easy installation.

Satlab Geosolutions, www.satlabgps.com

Rugged GNSS antenna

Provides protection  in harsh environments

TriAnt is small, thin and rugged high-performance GNSS antenna. It measures 128 x 128 millimeters (mm) square and 39 mm thick. It can be mounted with three screws to flat surfaces. It is designed for applications such as machine control and surround anennas of the TRIUMPH-4X. The antenna cable is routed through the center of the antenna (TNC connector) for protection in harsh environments. The TriAnt can also be mounted on poles (1–14 inches thread) using its mount-pole attachment, which increases the thickness to 54.5 mm.

JAVAD GNSS, www.javad.com

iOS-ready L1 receiver

Turns iPad or iphone  into mobile mapper

The X20i L1 GPS receiver by CHC Navigation is powered by a high-precision L1 GPS engine. Its integrated Bluetooth chip enables it to wirelessly collect submeter positions in real- time or centimeter post-processed on an iPhone or iPad. All location-aware apps on the iPhone and iPad are compatible with the X20i. Immediately after pairing and answering the security question allowing the X20i to take control of location services on the iOS device, 1 million iOS applications are capable of utilizing the high-accuracy data of the X20i, and become accurate to either 1 foot or 1 centimeter. Apps that can make use of the high accuracy include TerraGo Edge, ESRI’s ArcView Connector and those by CarteGraph Systems.

CHC Navigation, www.chcnav.com

Mapping

Mapping with Bluetooth

Sub-meter precision  for android devices

BlueStarGPS offers both GPS and GNSS options in a rugged, lightweight package. The BlueStarGPS device was designed to meet sub-meter mapping and data-collection needs in the pipeline and utility industries. It provides sub-meter precision without post-processing, and maintains accurate positioning when the SBAS signal is obstructed. This means it can function under trees, around buildings and in rugged terrain where other receivers can fail. The BlueStarGPS is designed specifically for use with Android mobile devices, such as smartphones, tablets or notebook computers, as well as cable and pipe “locating” tools with a connectivity range  of up to 1 kilometer.

BlueStarGPS, www.bluestargps.com

UAV

Bathycopter

UAV measures through water surfaces of rivers, lakes

The RIEGL BathyCopter is a small-UAV-based surveying system capable of measuring through the water surface. It’s suitable for generating profiles of rivers or water reservoirs. The platform design integrates a topo-bathymetric green laser depth meter, an APX 15 inertial measurement unit (IMU)/GNSS with antenna, a control unit and a digital camera. Applications include generation of river profiles, survey of reservoirs and canals, landscaping, support of construction projects, and surveys for planning and carrying out hydraulic engineering work.

REIGL, www.riegl.com

Professional camera

Full wireless aperture  and focus control

The Zenmuse X5 is a micro four-thirds (M4/3) camera designed specifically for aerial use. With a large sensor, aerial image makers will be able to capture up to 13 stops of dynamic range, enabling capture of high-resolution 16-megapixel photos or 4 k, 24 fps and 30 fps videos in complex lighting environments. It supports four interchangeable lenses. The Zenmuse X5 is designed for creation of high-quality aerial maps and 3D models, industrial and utility inspection, and professional video capture.

DJI, dji.com

Smart module

Module harnesses  the power of machine learning

The NVIDIA Jetson TX1 module is designed to power smart devices — including drones that don’t just fly by remote control, but navigate their way through a forest for search and rescue. It is an embedded computer designed to learn to recognize objects or interpret information, incorporating capabilities such as machine learning, computer vision and navigation into a single system. This technology expands the ability of machines to operate on their own and adapt to their surroundings by recognizing images, processing conversational speech, or analyzing a room full of furniture and finding a path to navigate across it.

Nvidia, nvidia.com

December 7, 2015
Adjusting RTK base station coordinates with the JAVAD TRIUMPH-LS
By Matt Johnson

When a GNSS RTK base station is started by assuming an autonomous position, it is necessary and good practice to later adjust and correct the coordinates with a solution referenced from known coordinates. JAVAD’s field software for the TRIUMPH-LS, J-Field, has the ability to adjust the RTK base station coordinates and RTK points surveyed using corrections from that base station.

Three methods can be used to accomplish this.

Manually Entering New Base Station Coordinates

Base station coordinates can be updated manually by entering new coordinates for the base station. These new coordinates can obtained through post-processing the base station data with OPUS or JAVAD’s DPOS web interface. Follow these steps to apply the corrected coordinate to the base station and adjust all the points from this base station through J-Field:
1. Select an RTK or base station point in the Points screen.
2. Tap on the blue screen displayed on the right side of this screen to view the Base Rover Statistics screen.
3. Tap the Base button and you will be prompted to enter the corrected coordinates for the base station.
4. Enter the new coordinates and tap OK.
J-Field will then search for all the points contained in the current project with the same original matching base station coordinates and apply offsets to adjust all these coordinates into the known coordinate system. The adjusted coordinates along with the original base station and surveyed origin coordinates will still remain stored in the database for documentation purposes and so that adjustments can be undone or modified if necessary.

Base Rover Statistics screen.

DPOS

When a Javad base station is started with J-Field using Base/Rover Setup, the raw GNSS data is automatically saved in the base station receiver. When the base station is then stopped with Base/Rover Setup, the data is downloaded into J-Field so that it will be available for post processing DPOS. To post-process the data, open the DPOS tool found in the CoGo menu and select the base file you wish to process. With the TRIUMPH-LS connected to the Internet, tap the DPOS button to upload the file to DPOS. This automated process will then update the base station and RTK surveyed points using the same algorithm described above.

Shift Mode

The newest feature of J-Field, Shift Mode, allows real-time corrections to be applied to receive base station corrections. A base station can be started with an autonomous position and then corrected by surveying a point with known coordinates. The known point could be a point previously surveyed with a base station setup in a different location. This feature is useful for several scenarios:
- You need to move or “leapfrog” your base station to extend the radio range into a new area.
- Your original base station point has been lost.
- You wish to save time by starting the base station with it mounted to the top of your vehicle. Setting the base station and radio up on the top of vehicle by mounting it a roof rack or using a magnet mount saves time by eliminating the need to set up tripods and can help protect the base station from disturbances or theft in undesirable locations. For the best performance, the base station should be mounted in a level position so that phase center variations and antenna offsets are correctly applied. If you are parked on a sloped surface, it may be necessary to use a tribrach to level the receiver on the top of your car.
The Real-time Position Shift function can be accessed from the Setup menu under Advanced. In this screen, select a point you have collected RTK coordinates from with an autonomous base station, and then the known coordinates of this point. Check the Apply Shift and the shift will be applied to all the RTK surveyed points found in the current project collected from this base station. This shift will continue to be applied to all the points surveyed from this base station.

Position Shift screen.

Real-time Position Shift can also be accessed from the Collect Action screen by clicking the button below the Start button and changing the collection mode to Shift. In this mode, select the Known Point and then press Start from the action screen so that the offset can be calculated. After it has been calculated, you can apply the shift.

Position Shift screen from the Collect Action screen.

The Collect Action screen in shift collection mode displaying the Accept/Reject Prompt for the shift.
November 23, 2015
Using Reverse-Shift in J-Field

By Matt Sibole

One of the newest developments in J-Field, JAVAD GNSS’s onboard data collection software, is the Reverse-Shift. This feature will allow you to mount a base on a magnetic mount to the top of your vehicle, instead of putting your base on a tripod.

This is a good idea for several reasons. First, you won’t have to worry about your tripod sinking in hot asphalt. Second, you will not have to worry about your tripod fading on frozen ground that begins to thaw.

Figure 1. My TRIUMPH 2 base mounted above my driver-side door on the roof, with my 35-watt radio and antenna just to the left.

The way Reverse-Shift works is by starting your base on an autonomous position. Once your base has started transmitting, you can then go into your collect screen and change the point tab to shift. You then have the ability to select a known point (a previously surveyed or calculated point). After you have selected this known point, you can go and survey that known point.

Figure 2. The shift screen showing the known point (previously surveyed point).

When you hit OK as shown in Figure 2, this will take you back to the collect screen, and then it will allow you to survey that point. It will give you an warning screen that states, “You are in Base Shift Calculation Mode, Do you wish to continue?” You will then be able to collect a surveyed point on the previously surveyed or calculated point. It will then give you the position shift information.

Figure 3. The adjustment parameters for the base.

Hit Accept, and this will adjust your base position by the stated difference, allowing you to continue to work on the known coordinate system without setting your base on a known point.

Figure 4. Staking back out to the (known point) after the Reverse-Shift has been completed. Notice the DTT (Distance To Target) is 0.006. degrees.

At the end of the day, when you go back to your base, hit “Stop Base”. This will download the static data out of your base into your TRIUMPH-LS rover.

The next morning when the CORS data has been uploaded, you can then post-process your base data using DPOS (JAVAD’s Data Processing Online Service). With DPOS you can then adjust your base to the TRUE state plane coordinate of where your base was actually sitting. It will also adjust all surveyed points that were collected from that base position.

For more information on JAVAD’s J-Field software, the TRIUMPH-LS or other JAVAD GNSS solutions, please feel free to visit www.javad.com, email [email protected], or call 1-888-550-5301 or 1-408-770-1770.

November 23, 2015
Configuring the TRIUMPH-LS to Receive 5-Hz ‘Beast Mode’ Corrections
By Matt Johnson

In a previous article titled JAVAD GNSS 5 Hz “Beast Mode” RTK Base Station Corrections Reduce the Time to Acquire a Fix by 72 Percent, the benefits of RTK base station correction rates greater than 1 Hz were discussed. This article will detail how to configure a JAVAD base station and radio to transmit 5-Hz corrections to a JAVAD TRIUMPH-LS. This process includes the following steps:
- Update the TRIUMPH-LS firmware and software.
- Update the Options Authorization File (OAF) of your base station.
- Update the firmware of your UHF radio.
- Configure the UHF radio parameters and start the base station.
- Update the TRIUMPH-LS Firmware and Software.
The first step is to update the TRIUMPH-LS to the latest software and firmware. Javad provides all software and firmware updates free of charge. Updates can be easily downloaded and installed when the TRIUMPH-LS is connected to the Internet through Wi-Fi or with a network LAN cable. Press the Support button found on the home screen and then choose Software Updates to search for updates. If updates are found, press Update to download and install the updates.

Update Software screen showing that an update of J-Field is available.

Update the Options Authorization File (OAF) of your base station.

The next step is to check and update the OAF of your base station. Connect your base station to your PC with a USB cable and connect to it through NetView. Navigate to the Options tab in NetView and check to see if your receiver has the “RTK mode (Hz)” option of 10.

NetView Option tab showing the RTK mode (Hz) option has a value of 10.

If you do not have this option, press the Upload “From Internet” button to update your options. JAVAD GNSS is giving this option free of charge to all users who have purchased an RTK receiver.

Update the Firmware of Your UHF Radio.

A recent update is needed for the UHF radios to work when a call sign is being broadcast with corrections rates faster than 1 Hz. Download the latest firmware from http://javad.com/jgnss/support/update.html and follow the instructions on this page to install this firmware. When launching ModemVU on your PC, be sure to right click on it and choose “Run as administrator”.

Configure the UHF Radio Parameters and Start the Base Station.

To start the base with 5-Hz corrections, the Broadcast Period must be changed to 0.2 seconds in the Base/Rover Setup. “RTCM 3.0 Min” should be chosen as the correction format. This format only broadcasts the RTCM messages needed for RTK positioning and excludes information containing signal-to-noise (CN_O) and full milliseconds for code observations. A modulation must be selected that has a sufficient link rate to transmit increased data rates with 5-Hz corrections. With the Channel Bandwidth set to the FCC’s limitation 12.5 kHz, the D16QAM modulation must be used. With 2-Hz corrections (0.5 second broadcast period) D8PSK modulation can also be used.

UHF Modem Link Rates (bps)

Modulations with greater link rates have decreased receiver sensitivity to demodulate the signal; the downside to choosing modulations with higher link rates is that they are more subject to interference and data loss when the signal is weak. Field tests have found that D16QAM modulation decreases the working range of the radio approximately 20 percent compared to DQPSK modulation.

Radio settings for 5-Hz corrections.

Radio settings for 5-Hz corrections.

After these settings in Base/Rover Setup have been modified, press the To Base button to apply them, and then the Start Base button to start broadcasting with the configured setup.
October 28, 2015
JAVAD GNSS TRE-3 Successfully Tracks First Live TMBOC Signal

The newly launched BeiDou Phase 3 satellites have several new signals. One is extremely similar to the future GPS L1C signal with time-division BOC(1,1) and BOC(6,1) signals. Such a type of modulation is called time-multiplexed binary offset carrier (TMBOC). (Read more about TMBOC in the June 2011 Innovation article “MBOC Signal Options: Performance of Multiplexed Binary Offset Carrier Modulations for Modernized GNSS Systems.”)

To track the new signals, JAVAD GNSS used the same decoding approach described in the February 2013 GPS World article, “Signal Decoding with Conventional Receiver and Antenna: A Case History Using the New Galileo E6-B/C Signal” by Sergei Yudanov, JAVAD GNSS. As a result, the signal’s structure was decoded and L1C TMBOC tracking has been successfully tested on the JAVAD GNSS TRE-3 receiver.

In addition, new signals on 1575.42+1.023*14 MHz (B1-2), 1176.45 MHz (E5A) and 1207.14 (E5B) frequencies for three satellites (PRN 32, 33, 34) also have been decoded and tested.

Here are graphs illustrating the experiment:

I of BOC(1,1) (red), BOC(6,1) (green) and their sum (blue) vs code shift.

dI of BOC(1,1) (red), BOC(6,1) (green) and their sum (blue) vs code shift.

Horizontal axis: 0 – minus one chip shift; 327 – zero shift; 655 – plus one chip shift

C/N_O and iono-free “range minus phase”.

Slot – Beidou signal
C/A – B1
P1 – B1-2
P2 – E5B
L2C – B3
L5 – E5A
L1C – L1C

October 22, 2015
INTERGEO 2015: Features of the JAVAD TRIUMPH-LS

Javad Ashjaee of JAVAD GNSS introduces at INTERGEO 2015 a video by Shawn Billings of Billings Surveying & Mapping who discusses the features and advantages of the JAVAD TRIUMPH-LS. INTERGEO was held Sept. 15–17 in Stuttgart, Germany.

September 22, 2015
INTERGEO 2015: Using the JAVAD TRIUMPH-LS Camera Offset Survey Feature

Javad Ashjaee of JAVAD GNSS introduces at INTERGEO 2015 a video by Shawn Billings of Billings Surveying & Mapping who explores the JAVAD TRIUMPH-LS camera offset survey function in depth. INTERGEO was held Sept. 15–17 in Stuttgart, Germany.

September 22, 2015
JAVAD GNSS to Showcase New Technology at INTERGEO

High-precision receiver maker JAVAD GNSS is expected to make a major announcement at this year’s INTERGEO conference, which takes place Sept. 15-17 in Stuttgart, Germany. JAVAD GNSS will showcase its technology in Hall 6 at Booth: G6.049.

At INTERGEO 2014, JAVAD GNSS introduced its unmanned aerial vehicle, the TRIUMPH-F1. The TRIUMPH-F1 is based on the TRIUMPH-1, JAVAD GNSS’s field-tested high-precision geodetic GNSS receiver with 864 channels to track all current and future GNSS signals.

This year’s new product developments from JAVAD GNSS are not known at this point, but the company has announced on its website the BEAST RTK, with 5-Hz Base Station Transmission. The BEAST RTK provides surveyors with faster fixes under tree canopy and the ability to collect five times as many epochs in a time period. “In my ‘bad spot’ under a tree, I am making it through 10 resets in less than 10 seconds,” said one user, John Evers, PLS.

In the video below, Javad Ashjaee, president and CEO of JAVAD GNSS, and GPS World Editor-in-Chief Alan Cameron discuss the design of the TRIUMPH-F1 at INTERGEO 2014.

With more than 16,000 visitors from 92 countries, INTERGEO — held each year in a different city in Germany — is the world’s leading conference trade fair for geodesy, geoinformation and land management.

September 1, 2015
Collecting Points in Difficult Environments with the JAVAD TRIUMPH-LS

By Matt Johnson

Fundamental in the determination of GNSS solutions is resolving the correct number of full cycles of the carrier signal (so-called fixing ambiguities) in order to resolve the ambiguity differences between the base and the rover. Distances measured from GNSS receivers contain errors caused by inaccuracies in the satellite and receiver clocks, the satellite orbits, and by the ionosphere and troposphere. When a base station is used, these errors are nearly identical to both the rover and base station receivers when the baseline distance is short. By removing these common errors through RTK processing, centimeter-level accurate vectors can be calculated between the base station and the rover.

Multipath, the reflection of GNSS signals from nearby objects and structures, creates its own indirect measurements from the satellites to the GNSS receiver and is the most critical source of inaccuracy in precision GNSS applications. The worst case is when the receiver doesn’t see the direct signal at all, such as when satellite is behind a building but is still receiving the signal reflected off of the nearby structure. Such indirect signals are usually strong, unhelpful and misleading.

A TRIUMPH-LS collecting a point under tree canopy.

The other aspect impacting the veracity of a fixed solution is when there are weak GNSS signals. Frequently, weak signals are due to their penetration directly through tree canopy. While the TRIUMPH-LS can’t move the obstacles that are creating multipath out of the way, its sophisticated engineering is designed to handle even the weakest signals like no other system with its RTK Verification System (patent pending).

When located in difficult environments and under tree canopy, all GNSS receivers are prone to give bad fixed solutions that may appear to be acceptable if they are not verified. Existing methods to verify GNSS solutions include “dumping” the receiver, turning it upside down to cause the RTK engines to reset, and re-observing the point at a later time.

The TRIUMPH-LS automates these processes with its built-in software features of Verify and Validate. Verify automatically resets the RTK engines after every fixed epoch is collected in the first step of its process. Epochs are sorted by distance and placed into groups during the first step. Once a group has built up a set level of confidence, the RTK engines are allowed to collect the remaining epochs without resetting. If epochs fall too far away from the best selected group from the first step, they are rejected and the RTK engines are reset.

Validation is the final step of the process. With this feature enabled, the RTK engines will reset one final time at the end of the observation and collect 10 additional epochs. Allowing sufficient time between the first step and the final validation step will guarantee a bad solution is not allowed to be accepted. From extensive testing of these features in the worst of multipath environments, a bad solution has yet to be accepted when the Verify and Validate features are used and 120 epochs are collected.

After using a TRIUMPH-LS system, many land surveyors who have used other GNSS receivers in the past without preforming any type of verification are starting to realize that they may have accepted many bad fixed solutions over the years. If you are not using a receiver like the TRIUMPH-LS that has the ability to automatically reset the RTK engines and verify the results, it is essential that you manually “dump” the receiver or re-observe the point at a later time so that you don’t make this same mistake.

More information about the TRIUMPH-LS is available at www.javad.com/jgnss.

August 12, 2015
JAVAD GrAnt Antenna Designed for High Performance
The GrAnt by JAVAD GNSS is a versatile high-performance antenna.

With J-shield — the JAVAD GNSS filter that protects GPS L1, Galileo L1 and GLONASS L1 bands — the GrAnt antenna can track GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, WAAS, EGNOS, MSAS, GAGAN and QZSS signals. J-shield brings in all the useful signals intact and rejects out-of-band signals with the slope of about 12 dB/MHz. Similarly, the filter protects GPS L2, GPS L5, GLONASS L2, GLONASS L3 and Galileo L5, and has slope of about 9 dB/MHz. The filters have been extensively tested with five different innovative tests that prove that the filters also improve the performance of GNSS receivers.

The GrAnt antenna can be mounted on flat surfaces with four screws or mounted on standard poles (5/8-11 or 1-14 inch thread). The antenna cable can be connected via the standard TNC (N-type optional) connector on its side or routed through the center of the antenna for ultimate protection in harsh environments.

An optional ground plane can be purchased to increase multipath mitigation.

The top-level model, the GrAnt-G5T, supports a wider band to accommodate additional signals, with frequencies of 1555-1610 MHz and 1164-1300 MHz. Full signal capability of the GrAnt-G5T is:
- GPS L1/L2/L5
- GLONASS L1/L2/L3
- Galileo E1/E5ab/E6
- BeiDou B1/B2/B3
- WAAS L1/L5,EGNOS,MSAS,GAGAN
- QZSS L1/L2/L5/LEX
August 3, 2015
Form Factor and Portability of Triumph LS: As High as Your Pole Can Reach

By Matt Sibole

I follow the surveyor connect message board and have seen some general discussion of the form factor of the Javad Triumph LS. I wanted to go into a little more detail on the form factor and portability of a couple of the receivers in the Javad GNSS lineup.

Most surveyors that have been using RTK GPS equipment have been trained to keep their rod height at 2 meters to reduce error in rod height adjustment and to be able to get above general multipath hardships. This is not required with the Javad Triumph LS. The advanced multipath reduction of the Triumph LS gives the surveyor the flexibility to have the receiver anywhere from just over 1-foot high to as high as your pole may reach. The Triumph LS comes standard with a collapsible monopod pictured here.

With the Triumph LS being an advanced GNSS receiver and data-collection system all in one, you may ask. “But what if I have to raise the pole above an obstruction to get a shot?” The Triumph LS is equipped with an audible tone and time-delayed shot setting, an internal level, an internal compass and a flashing LED light on the bottom of the receiver that all work together to allow the surveyor to collect points on objects with the receiver high above the surveyor’s head (out of sight). The LS is also equipped with a proximity sensor that will allow you to take a shot even if you cannot reach the receiver’s screen. For instance, you are out in a swamp and you can reach out and get the pole generally level (with internal tilt compensation turned on), but you cannot reach up and start collecting the shot. Wave your hand or a lath in front of the LS, and it will start recording your shot. So no matter your height or the height of the obstructions, you can still get the shot that you need.

The form factor of the LS, while it is much different than what we are used to using, works extremely well. The LS rover paired with a Triumph 2 base is one of the most portable systems on the market as well. The Triumph LS, Triumph 2, 4-watt external UHF radio and UHF power cable all fit into a small camera bag.

This is the system that I personally use on a regular basis. I find that the ability to collapse the monopod allows me to easily use both hands while riding on a four-wheeler along with the ability to easily pack up the system on the four-wheeler to set up the base in more remote locations. With nearly two years of using this system, the form factor has not once been an issue. Quite the contrary — the form factor makes it much easier to navigate dense brush and have more control over the equipment.

For more information on Javad’s J-Field software, the Triumph LS or other Javad GNSS solutions, please feel free to visit www.javad.com, email [email protected] or call 1-888-550-5301 or 1-408-770-1770.

July 29, 2015