Tag: NTRIP

  • VBOX Automotive launches NTRIP base station

    VBOX Automotive launches NTRIP base station

    VBOX Automotive has launched the NTRIP Base Station, expanding its GNSS test equipment range. The system combines a multi-constellation, multi-frequency GNSS engine with a built-in networked transport of RTCM via internet protocol (NTRIP) server.

    The equipment transmits real-time kinematic corrections over radio and cellular or Wi-Fi networks, supporting accurate real-time positioning across wider areas in varied environments compared to traditional radio-only systems.

    The base station launches in three models, with specifications designed to fit users’ needs. All systems combine quad-constellation, dual-frequency GNSS technology with built-in cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity. 

    • Internal GNSS antenna and 2.4 GHz radio
      Quick to deploy for short-range applications, for temporary or mobile testing. 
    • Internal GNSS antenna, no radio
      Compact and simple, ideal for NTRIP or semi-permanent installations with external high-power radio masts. 
    • External GNSS antenna, no radio 
      Optimized for permanent installations with tripod-mounted antennas for maximum satellite visibility, supporting NTRIP or external radio. 

    Compatible with VBOX 4, VBOX 3iS, and external GNSS rovers, the new NTRIP Base Station supports both MSM4 and MSM7 RTCM formats, has up to 24 hours battery life, and is rated to IP67 to handle the demands of long outdoor test sessions. 

    “We have developed the NTRIP Base Station in response to the growing need for accurate positioning in more varied test environments,” said Martin Papps, engineering director at Racelogic. “This new Base Station delivers centimetre-level accuracy without the range and line-of-sight limitations of traditional radio corrections.”

  • SBG Systems now compatible with Marinestar corrections

    SBG Systems now compatible with Marinestar corrections

    Credit: SBG Systems
    Credit: SBG Systems

    The latest versions of Ekinox, Apogee, and Navsight from SBG Systems are now fully compatible with the Fugro Marinestar G4+ precise point positioning (PPP) solution.

    Fugro Marinestar G4+ is a solution that uses satellite-based augmentation to deliver centimetric positioning accuracy without depending on a local base station. This product is suitable for maritime operations where precise positioning is important.

    With this compatibility, users can now use Marinestar correction with SBG products both via L-Band or NTRIP distribution.

    The combination of high-performance correction with inertial measurements from SBG Systems enables users to achieve accuracy in attitude and position for maritime applications. This is suitable for applications such as marine construction, dredging, hydrography and more.

  • Review benefits of GNSS rover accuracy

    Review benefits of GNSS rover accuracy

    Douglas County Public Works needed a GNSS rover to support its UAS operations. The pay-as-you-go option was appealing as they only needed high-precision a few times per month. (Image: Jason Schilling)
    Douglas County Public Works needed a GNSS rover to support its UAS operations. The pay-as-you-go option was appealing as they only needed high-precision a few times per month. (Image: Jason Schilling)

    This is part II of our III part feature story. Check out part I, Minnesota company develops new system for mapping underground utilities and part III, Robotic total stations add scanning capabilities.


    High precision GNSS rovers play a vital role in a broad variety of field surveying and mapping applications. Different users have different value propositions in mind when choosing field hardware and software: expected precision, sources of corrections, configurations for specific workflows, and, of course, cost. Weighing these many considerations, GNSS manufacturers have come up with portfolios of multiple models to fill these varied needs.

    That said, GNSS manufacturer Bad Elf took a different approach when it designed its flagship rover, the Bad Elf Flex. The Flex is designed to meet the cost-precision-workflow needs of everyone, from asset mappers to surveyors. (Hence the name “Flex.”) To inform the design of the Flex, Bad Elf listened to field users who wished for a scalable solution in a single rover, rather than having to buy multiple different models, and without breaking the bank.

    Options for the Infrequent User

    “I had one of the little Bad Elf GNSS surveyor handhelds for many years,” said Jason Schilling, wildlife biologist with Douglas County Public Utility District in central Washington State. “That worked great for rough mapping, between a foot and a meter of precision, and I could connect it via Bluetooth to mapping software on my mobile.”

    But this all changed when Schilling began an unmanned aerial system (UAS) program for the utility several years ago.

    “I really needed survey-level precision for ground control points to geolocate the images from the UAS,” said Schilling.

    He was aware of the high cost of centimeter-precision-capable surveying rovers and it was too big of an investment, considering that he only did UAS mapping a few times a month. As an existing Bad Elf customer on the company mailing list, Schilling learned about the new Flex rover, which offered multiple options, and he found one that seemed quite enticing for the needs of his utility.

    Schilling purchased a Flex Standard bundle at a low base price, about $3,000, with the pay-as-you-go plan for high precision. In the standard configuration, the Flex is capable of autonomous positioning (1–5 m), and mapping grade (sub-meter precisions) via free satellite-based augmentation services (SBAS), such as WAAS. But when the user activates a pre-purchased “token,” the full centimeter-precision capability, using external corrections, is enabled.

    “On the day of a UAS survey, we turn it on, activate a token from our account, and then we have 24 hours of high precision,” Schilling said. “It costs us $25 per day.”

    For two to three UAS surveys a month, this works out to far less over many years than the cost of buying a typical surveying rover.

    Correction Sources

    For real-time kinematic (RTK) corrections, Schilling connects via NTRIP to the statewide cooperative real-time network (RTN); sometimes in a network RTK mode (such as VRS) or single-base RTK to a nearby reference station on the same network. The Flex accommodates NTRIP connections to RTN or IP-enabled reference stations, but Bad Elf has added even more flexibility for corrections.

    In some scenarios there is no access to an RTN or no cell service (needed for NTRIP access). One option in these cases is to add a second Flex, set it up as an RTK base, and connect the base and rover via radios that Bad Elf offers.

    Bad Elf has added other options for corrections: the Bad Elf RTK service taps into a nationwide real-time network operated by Point One Navigation. This is accessible via NTRIP in the same manner as regional, state or local RTN, and is offered for a monthly fee. In addition, for situations where there is no RTN or cell service, a global precise point positioning (PPP) service (Atlas) can be enabled on the Flex.

    PPP differs from RTK/RTN in that it does not need the dense arrays of reference stations, or cell service to access. Instead, PPP derives very precise clock and orbit data from a global array of tracking stations and delivers this to the Flex via geostationary satellites. After a short convergence time, PPP from the Atlas service will yield 5 –10 cm precision over most of the globe.

    The Full Boat

    full configuration. Brian Cortese works for the City of Ellensburg, where he uses the FLEX Extreme Bundle for multiple field applications. (Image: Brian Cortese)
    Full Configuration. Brian Cortese works for the City of Ellensburg, where he uses the FLEX Extreme Bundle for multiple field applications. (Image: Brian Cortese)

    The City of Ellensburg, a college town and farming community in central Washington State, chose the Flex Extreme bundle for about $6,000 — the “full boat” configuration. The Extreme bundle enables all the add-on services all the time, eliminating the need for tokens. In their case, the frequency of use made the higher initial investment worthwhile.

    “We have big plans for our rovers,” said Brian Cortese, Engineering Tech/Inspector for the City of Ellensburg Public Works & Utilities.

    Ellensburg is a vibrant town that is attracting a lot of new development and it is being proactive in surveying and mapping assets as they are added or replaced.

    “We’re recording manholes and valves, sewer systems, storm water systems, irrigation, hydrants — everything that gets built in the city gets as-built surveyed,” Cortese said. “Precise, real-time positioning, it’s been a benefit to us already. We can go out before they work on the subgrade for new developments and take measurements, and then when they finish the subgrade and pave it, we can go back and locate those exact positions.”

    Ellensburg uses corrections from the statewide cooperative RTN. In fact, one of the RTN reference stations —also part of the NOAA National CORS Network — is right in the center of town atop the science building of Central Washington University. While the city does a wide variety of surveying and mapping, with the Flex and RTN corrections surveyors get the same centimeter-precision for everything they measure in the field.

    “We’ve done design projects with it,” Cortese said. “For instance, we recently took measurements in an area of downtown for a proposal by recording positions and elevations to develop a new park and entertainment area for the community. We are also marking Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ramps to meet federal specs out in the field — it’s been really handy for so many things.”

    Survey-Grade Rover

    To serve the full range of precision needs, the Flex had to be designed as a survey-grade rover. It has a full-constellation GNSS and RTK engine: GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, and support for other regional constellations. With more satellites in view, it can perform in sky-view-challenged locations, such as around buildings and under tree canopy.

    “Ellensburg is on the Tree City, USA list; our streets are very well lined with a variety of trees, which is also where a lot of our utilities are and development is going on,” Cortese said. “We have been able to get good precisions in and around those trees. Actually, someone on our staff is taking an inventory of the trees with the Flex and loading the data directly into ArcGIS.”

    Even in the more rural areas of Grant County that enjoy a lot of open sky, Schilling said, some areas planned for mapping are along upper tributaries and in the hills with a lot of tree coverage. He said the Flex has performed well in those areas.

    Choices

    The Flex offers these options and combinations:

    • Flex Extreme. Full survey-grade rover that can use a variety of correction types.
    • Base-Rover RTK. Two Flex Extreme units connected via radio.
    • External RTN/RTK corrections via NTRIP.
    • Bad Elf RTK Service. Single-tap access to a nationwide RTK corrections service.
    • PPP service. Atlas PPP corrections via L-band geostationary satellites.
    • Flex Standard. Pay-as-you-go high-precision-enabled service using tokens.
    • Static Logging. Observation file logging for post-processing (supported by Flex Extreme).
    • Compatibility with multiple field-mapping software applications.

    While many modern GNSS rover systems support one or more options similar to those listed above, Bad Elf’s Flex supports all of them, making it capable of a wide variety of applications.

  • GEODNET correction service designed for agriculture

    GEODNET correction service designed for agriculture

     

    Image: GEODNET
    Image: GEODNET

    GEODNET has released a real-time kinematic (RTK), centimeter-precision, GNSS corrections service designed for OEMs and system integrators of agricultural robotics. GEODNET is compatible with several GNSS receivers from major brands, on-vehicle automated steering, spraying kits, and most UAVs and robots.  

    The GEODNET corrections service has more than 1,700 total full-constellation reference stations worldwide and supports GPS, Galileo, GLONASS and BDS signals. It also has the RTCM 3.2 data format for maximum rover/receiver compatibility and NTRIP sign-on and access. 

     Additional local reference stations can be added.  

     Free GEODNET correction service trials are available now for qualified OEMs and system integrators in most agricultural regions globally. Interested parties can apply for a trial stream here 

  • Septentrio’s Stellar 2022

    Septentrio’s Stellar 2022

    Receiver maker Septentrio, based in Leuven, Belgium, has made a series of announcements this year that push the industry forward, from updating existing receivers to accepting new services to launching new product lines.

    Head of the CLAS

    In March, the company launched three new products that support Japan’s high-accuracy Centimeter Level Augmentation Service (CLAS). CLAS, which receives the L6 signal, transmits high-accuracy corrections from Japan’s QZSS constellation. The technology was developed in close cooperation with CORE, a leading integrator of high-accuracy positioning technology and services in Japan.

    Photo: Septentrio
    Photo: Septentrio

    Septentrio now offers the mosaic-CLAS receiver for high-volume industrial applications; the AsteRx-m3 CLAS that combines PPP-RTK CLAS with dual-antenna heading functionality; and the AsteRx SB3 CLAS in a ruggedized IP68 enclosure to protect it in harsh environments.

    Septentrio is simultaneously offering various receiver types to the Japanese market ensuring an optimal match between products and customer needs in various applications including robotics, precision agriculture, construction, machine control and UAV.

    Stopping the Spoofs

    Following the CLAS upgrade, the mosaic line received another boost in April, when Septentrio announced Open Service Navigation Message Authentication (OSNMA) functionality. OSNMA offers end-to-end authentication on Galileo’s civilian signals, protecting receivers from OSNMA attacks.

    For the past two years, Septentrio has been working closely with the European Space Agency (ESA) during the test phases of OSNMA deployment. The know-how gained during this period allowed Septentrio to be one of the first to market with this advanced security feature.

    OSNMA’s anti-spoofing capability complements Septentrio’s Advanced Interference Mitigation (AIM+) technology and further strengthens the overall security of Septentrio GNSS receivers, making them suitable for assured PNT solutions as well as critical infrastructure, such as 5G network synchronization.

    Vertical Markets

    Machine Control. In April, Septentrio launched the AsteRx-U3 ruggedized GNSS receiver, successor to the AsteRx-U for construction, mining and other machine control applications. The new receiver combines Septentrio’s latest triple-band precise positioning GNSS core with extended wireless communication features including Wi-Fi, UHF and 4G LTE. The versatile connectivity features of this receiver make it easy to fit it into any control system and enable simple and cost-effective overall design.

    Photo: Septentrio
    Photo: Septentrio

    Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Also in April, Septentrio is collaborating with MicroPilot, maker of professional UAV autopilots. Septentrio receivers, including the small form factor mosaic modules, as well as the OEM board AsteRx-m3, will support seamless integration of positioning and orientation into MicroPilot’s autopilot ecosystem. MicroPilot chose Septentrio GNSS receivers for their resilience to radio interference such as jamming and spoofing, as well as security and robustness with high-accuracy real-time kinematic (RTK) positioning.

    Marine. In May, Septentrio introduced the housed AsteRx-U3 Marine and the OEM board AsteRx-m3 Fg, two receivers for dredging, marine construction and offshore applications. Both offer accurate positioning near shore and offshore via centimeter-level real-time kinematic (RTK) or the built-in Fugro precise point positioning (PPP) sub-decimeter subscription service, delivered either over NTRIP internet or over L-band satellite.

    Corrections delivered over L-band allow dredging, bathymetry or marine construction projects even in areas where there is no internet service. The AsteRx-U3 Marine receiver, enclosed in an IP68-rated housing, offers a dedicated L-band demodulator with a separate L-band RF input, which allows for the use of dedicated antennas for excellent reception of L-band signals even at high latitudes.

  • Emlid Studio released for GNSS post-processing

    Emlid Studio released for GNSS post-processing

    Image: Emlid
    Image: Emlid

    Emlid has released Emlid Studio, a new post-processed  kinematic (PPK) application designed specifically for post-processing GNSS data. The app is free and available for Windows and Mac users.

    Emlid Studio features a simple interface to make post-processing easy. The app allows users to convert raw GNSS logs into RINEX, post-process static and kinematic data, geotag images from drones (including DJI brand), and extract points from survey projects completed with Emlid’s ReachView 3 app.

    With Emlid Studio, users can post-process data recorded with Emlid Reach receivers and other GNSS receivers or NTRIP services. Post-processing requires RINEX observation and navigation files. Raw data in UBX and RTCM3 format also can be used — Emlid Studio will automatically convert them into RINEX.

    The post-processing workflow is straightforward. Users can receive precise positioning of a single point or track depending on the positioning mode. Users can simply add several RINEX files and enter the antenna height, click the Process button, and Emlid Studio will do the rest. Once the resulting position file is ready, the plot will show the result.

    Another tool is available for the users of Reach receivers and the ReachView 3 app. The Stop & Go feature allows users to improve the coordinates of points collected in single or float modes.

    Geotagging for drone mapping. Adding geotags to images’ EXIF data requires aerial photos and the POS file with the events. Emlid Studio also provides a chance to update data from the RTK drone in case of a float or single solution during a survey. A set of RINEX logs from a base and drone, an MRK file and images from the drone are dragged and dropped into specific file slots, providing result in seconds.

  • CHC Navigation introduces i73+ pocket-sized GNSS receiver

    CHC Navigation introduces i73+ pocket-sized GNSS receiver

    CHC Navigation (CHCNAV) has launched the i73+ pocket-sized GNSS receiver. The i73+ is a compact, powerful and versatile receiver with an integrated UHF modem that can be used either as a base station or rover. Powered by 624 GNSS channels and the latest iStar technology, the i73+ delivers survey-grade accuracy in all jobsite configurations.

    “Building on the legacy of the i73 GNSS receiver, the new i73+ receiver is designed to maintain its proven compact and lightweight concept, but adds the ability to be operated as either an RTK base station or a rover,” said Rachel Wang, product manager, Surveying and Engineering Division, CHCNAV. “To enable this extra feature, we have built in the latest UHF modem technology, allowing the reception and transmission of RTK corrections without sacrificing receiver size and power consumption.”

    Integrated Tx/Rx UHF modem extends capacity

    The i73+ has a built-in transceiver radio module compatible with major radio protocols, making it a suitable portable built-in UHF base and rover kit with fewer accessories. The i73+ is a highly productive NTRIP rover when used with a handheld controller or tablet and connected to a GNSS RTK network via CHCNAV LandStar field software. 

    The integrated, advanced 624-channel GNSS technology takes advantage of GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and BeiDou, in particular the latest BeiDou 3 signal, and provides robust data quality at all times. The i73+ extends GNSS surveying capabilities while maintaining centimeter-level survey-grade accuracy. 

    The i73+ GNSS receiver. (Photo: CHCNAV)
    The i73+ GNSS receiver. (Photo: CHCNAV)

    Built-in IMU technology

    With its inertial measurement unit (IMU) compensation ready in 3 seconds, the i73+ delivers 3-cm accuracy at up to 30º pole tilt, increasing point measurement efficiency by 20% and stakeout by 30%. Surveyors are able to extend their working boundary near trees, walls and buildings without the use of a total station or offset measurement tools. 

    The i73+ is the lightest and smallest receiver in its class, weighing only 0.73 kg including battery. It is almost 40% lighter than traditional GNSS receivers and easy to carry, use and operate without fatigue. The i73+ is packed with advanced technology, fits in hands and offers high productivity for GNSS surveys.

    The i73+ includes a built-in UHF modem. (Photo: CHCNAV)
    The i73+ includes a built-in UHF modem. (Photo: CHCNAV)

  • Smart antenna rides steady on uneven ground

    Smart antenna rides steady on uneven ground

    Photo: Harxon
    Photo: Harxon

    Today, many field operations — sowing, tilling, planting, cultivating, weeding and harvesting — rely on satellite-based autonomous guidance technology for agricultural machines. Yet farmers are still challenged by poor signal tracking, signal interference, communication instability and heading inaccuracy in tough environments, such as on uneven ground or slopes or under dense tree canopy. Because of insufficiently advanced navigation technology, ordinary machines fail to achieve the high efficiency expected and might even cause safety hazards. Therefore, the market has been awaiting a high-performance smart antenna with centimeter-level accuracy.

    Harxon’s Smart Antenna TS112 PRO provides scalable and reliable positioning solutions for tough agricultural environments, such as uneven ground or fields with underground cables, as well as complicated weather conditions, including rain, fog and dust clouds.

    The TS112 PRO integrates in one compact enclosure Harxon’s four-in-one GNSS/4G/Bluetooth/Wi-Fi antenna and a Hexagon | NovAtel OEM GNSS module. The multi-constellation GNSS antenna is designed with Harxon X-Survey technology and features multi-point feeding with high gain and wide beam width, which ensures high phase-center stability for ultimate RTK centimeter-level positioning accuracy. This is realized by subscribing to the Ntrip service via the LTE network to receive corrections or by setting up a local base station to broadcast corrections by radio.

    The Hexagon | NovAtel OEM GNSS module is default-enabled for RTK, offering precise positioning and advanced interference mitigation for space-constrained applications and challenging environments. Additionally, users can achieve globally available centimeter-level positioning accuracy by using TerraStar satellite-delivered L-band correction services, with no need to set up an expensive network infrastructure.

    TS112 PRO guarantees pass-to-pass accuracy down to 20 centimeters, where relative positioning is critical. It can also provide smoother steering and straighter rows by reducing positioning jumps that might occur during RTK signal outages or when a smart antenna changes positioning modes. Its terrain compensation algorithm is capable of correcting deviations caused by a vehicle’s roll and pitch while working on uneven ground or slopes.

  • Eos Positioning Systems releases Eos Tools Pro for Windows

    Eos Positioning Systems releases Eos Tools Pro for Windows

    Eos Positioning Systems — manufacturer of Arrow Series GNSS receivers — has released Eos Tools Pro for Windows 10.

    Eos Tools Pro implements powerful new features that enables users to exploit all four global GNSS constellations and a state-of-the-art NTRIP client to access real-time kinematic (RTK) bases and RTK networks all over the world via NTRIP, Direct IP and wireless radios.

    “This is a huge step forward in functionality and flexibility for our Windows users,” said Jean-Yves Lauture, CTO of Eos. “We implemented the latest support for Windows Geolocation and other features offered by Microsoft in order to allow our customers to use high-accuracy locations directly into their apps.”

    Eos Tools Pro includes new features for both field professionals and application developers.

    For field professionals

    RTK network/RTK base connectivity. Eos Tools Pro implements state-of-the-art NTRIP connectivity to connect to any RTK network or RTK base in the world. For geographic areas without cellular coverage, Eos Tools Pro supports Bluetooth wireless radios (UHF/VHF, etc.) for base/rover connectivity.

    The software supports all new BeiDou and Galileo satellites in addition to GPS and GLONASS as well as SafeRTK functionality for areas with marginal cellular coverage.

    Eos Tools Pro for Windows shows all current satellites in use from GNSS constellations such as GPS, Galileo, BeiDou, GLONASS and QZSS. (Screenshot: Eos Positioning)
    Eos Tools Pro for Windows shows all current satellites in use from GNSS constellations such as GPS, Galileo, BeiDou, GLONASS and QZSS. (Screenshot: Eos Positioning)

    Geoid models. Eos Tools Pro implements the latest geoid models for many regions in the world, providing survey-grade orthometric heights directly into any Windows applications.

    Datum shift. Eos Tools Pro adds a new feature to apply a simple X, Y, Z shift to the current location to match any local datum.

    Alarms. A vast number of audible alarms can be set to warn the user if parameters such as estimated accuracy, differential status, correction age, Bluetooth connectivity, are not met.

    For Windows developers

    Geolocation/Sensor API. Eos Tools Pro supports apps that rely on the Windows geolocation service to retrieve accurate latitude, longitude and altitude from their Arrow receiver. In addition, the Sensor API allows programmers to access the wide array of GNSS metadata while removing the laborious task of parsing NMEA data.

    Virtual COM port and TCP/IP server. Eos Tools Pro features a built-in duo of virtual COM port and TCP/IP server to output streams of standard NMEA sentences. This enables multiple apps capable of parsing NMEA messages to have simultaneous access to the Arrow GNSS location and metadata.

    “Eos Tools Pro for Windows enables users and developers to benefit from our leading-edge, high-accuracy GNSS receivers,” Lauture said. “When Windows tablets are the device of choice among our customers, the combination of Eos Tools Pro and Arrow GNSS receivers provide the absolute latest GNSS technology for GIS, engineering, construction, and surveying users. When Windows tablets are the device of choice among our customers, the combination of Eos Tools Pro and Arrow GNSS receivers provide the absolute latest GNSS technology for GIS, engineering, construction and surveying users.”

    Eos Tools Pro for Windows is available for free to users of Arrow GPS and GNSS receivers. It is compatible with any Windows 10 desktop, laptop or tablet computer via Bluetooth or USB.

  • Tersus GNSS releases GeoCaster software for NTRIP corrections

    Tersus GNSS releases GeoCaster software for NTRIP corrections

    Image: Tersus GNSS
    Image: Tersus GNSS

    Tersus GNSS Inc. has released the Tersus GeoCaster, a Networked Transport of RTCM via Internet Protocol (NTRIP) caster software. The software expands the company’s product line and provides users with better and more comprehensive services.

    The Tersus NTRIP caster software is designed to allow GNSS correction data such as RTCM corrections to be repeated and sent to different end users via the internet.

    Screenshot: Tersus GNSS
    Screenshot: Tersus GNSS

    “GeoCaster has a user-friendly interface, and it not only supports multiple bases online simultaneously but also supports multiple rovers for one base,” said Xiaohua Wen, founder and CEO of Tersus GNSS Inc. “Our users can have a real-time review of detailed statistics and can modify user-defined permissions manually.”

    Tersus GeoCaster supports configurable bases online simultaneously and configurable rovers for one base. GeoCaster supports NTRIP protocol and operates continuously.

    The software is designed for end users involved in applications such as surveying, construction engineering, deformation monitoring, automated vehicle, precision agriculture, unmanned aerial vehicle, machine control and robotics.

    This is the first release of GeoCaster. Version 2.0, targeted at the first quarter of 2019, is expected to offer higher accuracy and longer baseline applications.

  • SXblue offers Toolbox application for GNSS receivers

    SXblue offers Toolbox application for GNSS receivers

    Image: SXblue
    Image: SXblue

    SXblue, also known as Geneq, has introduced its SXblue ToolBox, an Android application for SXblue GNSS receivers.

    Using the SXblue ToolBox, receiver users can view and analyze the position data provided by the SXblue receiver and metadata related to its location. The user can send commands that enable or disable some features, including systems in use, mask angle or differential angle, and constellation in use, including GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou and SBAS.

    The SXblue ToolBox is also an NTRIP client capable of connecting to a NTRIP server for real-time kinematic (RTK) corrections and thus allow the receiver to issue very accurate location information. The application is able to record, save and transfer the raw data from the GNSS receiver, allowing post-processing activities on computers for surveying and geomatics professionals.

    The application has been developed with special consideration for modern mobile device development and attention to user and dealer feedback, the company said.

    The application includes a series of audible and visual alarms configurable by the user to determine the thresholds of the information provided by the SXblue GNSS receiver.

    Main features of the SXblue ToolBox include:

    • Display of location information and quality of the position data
    • Skyplot of all-in-view constellations: GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS, SBAS
    • Log raw data
    • NTRIP/DIP client for receiving RTK corrections
    • Terminal to send commands and view the output data of the SXblue device
    • Audible and visual alarms
    • Activation of options and licenses via the application.
  • SXblue introduces Platinum survey-grade GNSS receiver

    SXblue introduces Platinum survey-grade GNSS receiver

    Geneq has introduced the SXblue Platinum, the latest model in the SXblue series. This high-accuracy GNSS receiver is compatible with iOS, Windows and Android Bluetooth, and provides real-time professional-grade positioning information.

    Powered by 394 channels, the SXblue Platinum uses all constellations (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou and QZSS) with triple frequency, and provides the ability to use global or local coverage for corrections (SBAS, L-band and RTK).

    With the scalable SXblue Platinum Basic, users can activate any frequency or constellation at anytime following initial purchase. The receiver is also field-upgradable, which means that these options can be remotely activated when convenient.

    The Platinum was developed on the success of the proven SXblue receivers that were designed to optimize SBAS performances under tree canopy and in rugged terrain. In addition to location performances when working in a restricted environment, the SXblue Platinum is introducing an L-band signal correction via the Atlas service. This worldwide satellite-based correction system can deliver up to sub-decimeter accuracy. Thanks to its new Tracer technology, the receiver can sustain its level of accuracy when the Atlas signal is interrupted. The Atlas service can also stream data over the internet (NTRIP) while ensuring the best available vertical and horizontal accuracy.

    Another innovative feature integrated on the Platinum model is the aRTK technology. This feature will allow RTK corrections to be received via the Atlas service, when RTK corrections have not been received for a period of time. For an Atlas-subscribed user device, a high accuracy will still be available at the subscribed service level until RTK is restored.

    The new receiver is the same compact, lightweight, palm-sized unit as the SXblue series, which is completely dustproof and ruggedized. The internal, rechargeable, field-replaceable Li-Ion battery has on-board LEDs for easy access to battery life information.

    The SXblue Platinum is targeted at GPS/GIS mapping and survey professionals in industries such as forestry, utilities, agriculture, environmental and other natural resource industries in addition to local, state and federal government users.

    With a wide variety of compatible software and mobile devices, the support team can help users choose the perfect solution for their applications. A free iOS application for NTRIP/DIP configuration, named iSXblue RTN, is available from the App Store.