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  • Simulation tool verifies GPS/INS integrated systems

    Simulation tool verifies GPS/INS integrated systems

    Image: metamorworks/Shutterstock.com
    Image: metamorworks/ Shutterstock.com

    In ultra-tight with new simulation tool

    A GPS/inertial trajectory data simulation podium can generate simulation data sets for all levels of GPS/INS integration. Here it verifies the operation and performance of a new ultra-tight GPS/INS integrated system, adaptable for both software and conventional hardware receivers.

    Navigation systems for land vehicles, embedded in passenger cars, ambulances, police cars, fire trucks and others, provide reasonable accuracy in open-sky environments, but under conditions such as underpasses and tunnels GPS satellite signals cannot be readily tracked since they are not consistently available or have low signal power. One major factor that directly impacts the effectiveness of receivers in terms of complexity and speed is receiver architecture.

    Scalar (conventional) signal tracking architectures process each satellite signal individually: pseudoranges and pseudorange rate measurements are produced separately and only combined in the navigation filter to generate the required solution. Hence, no information exchange happens between the different tracking channels.

    On the contrary, vector tracking systems combine all the channels in one system along with the navigation filter to produce pseudoranges, pseudorange rates and the navigation solution all at the same time. Figure 1 shows the general architecture of a vector tracking system. Vector-tracking architectures have proven themselves able to provide better performance over scalar tracking systems in challenging environments where most satellite signals are received at low signal-to-noise ratios (SNR).

    Figure 1. General view of the vector-based signal tracking system. (Image: Authors)
    Figure 1. General view of the vector-based signal tracking system. (Image: Authors)

    Any information available about the satellite constellation and user position and dynamics can be used to predict the received signals. Therefore, the best estimation we have for the receiver position and dynamics makes the vector tracking loops more robust. One approach to reduce or perhaps remove the receiver dynamic stress in the signal tracking loops is to provide external aiding information.

    Several sensor types have been augmented with GPS to improve navigation system accuracy and reliability. The most common systems that have been widely augmented with GPS are inertial sensor systems (INS). Because an INS system can provide a continuous solution at a high data rate, it is virtually a twin to the GPS with respect to its widespread use in navigation applications.

    Using the solution obtained from INS, one can estimate a line-of-sight acceleration that can be integrated to obtain a line-of-sight velocity. Car odometers also provide reasonably accurate measurements of the vehicle speed. Incorporating this velocity (from INS or other aiding sources) into tracking-loop computations helps the tracking loop to maintain tracking at a lower bandwidth even when high dynamics are experienced at the receiver. When the aiding source to the GPS signal tracking loops is an INS, the system is known as ultra-tight GPS/INS integration. Figure 2 shows a general block diagram of an ultra-tightly coupled GPS/INS integration system.

    Figure 2. Ultra-tightly coupled GPS/INS integrated system. (Image: Authors)
    Figure 2. Ultra-tightly coupled GPS/INS integrated system. (Image: Authors)

    The ultra-tight GPS/INS integrated system enhances a GPS receiver’s tracking ability in challenging environments and consequently improves navigation availability.

    Loose. The loosely coupled integration mode is easier to implement since the inertial and GPS navigation solutions are generated independently before being weighted together in a separate navigation filter. The advantages of this coupling strategy are that the INS errors are bounded by the GPS updates, the INS can be used to bridge GPS updates, and the GPS can be used to help calibrate the deterministic parts of the inertial errors instantly. The main drawback of this strategy, however, is that it requires at least four satellites in view which cannot always be guaranteed because of signal interruption due to many factors such as signal blockage by trees or tall buildings.

    Tight. The tightly coupled integration mode combines both systems into a single navigation filter. The major limitation of visibility of at least four satellites is removed since this integration mode can provide a GPS update even if fewer than four satellites are visible. The tightly coupled architecture also overcomes the problem of correlated measurements that arises due to cascaded Kalman filtering in the loosely coupled approach. However, these advantages come with the penalty of increased system complexity.

    Ultra-tight. In the ultra-tightly coupled integration approach, the raw measurements come from one step further towards the front end of a GPS receiver, in the form of I (in-phase) and Q ( quadrature ) signal samples. These I and Q measurements are integrated with the position, velocity and attitude of the INS in a complementary filter. The integration of INS-derived Doppler feedback to the carrier tracking loops provides a vital benefit to this system; the INS Doppler aiding removes the vehicle Doppler from the GPS signal. Hence, it results in a significant reduction in the carrier tracking loop bandwidth. In addition, due to lower bandwidths, the accuracy of the raw measurements is further increased.

    The proposed method uses a variant of the Kalman filter as the core of the navigation processor coupled with the inertial sensor’s input in a reduced inertial sensor system (RISS) configuration and car speed odometer; see Figure 3. Additionally, the data sets used in this work are generated using a newly composed GPS/INS trajectory data simulation platform.

    Figure 3. Reduced inertial sensor system (RISS). (Image: Authors)
    Figure 3. Reduced inertial sensor system (RISS). (Image: Authors)

    Secondly, it demonstrates a novel GPS/INS trajectory data simulation podium. This combined simulation system can produce simulation data sets for all levels of GPS/INS integration and is used to verify the operation and performance of the ultra-tight GPS/INS integrated system.

    SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE AND IMPLEMENTATION

    The goal of signal tracking loops is to monitor changes in the main signal parameters, namely, code phase and carrier frequency, to keep the locally generated signal aligned with the received signal. Successful tracking of these variables will provide good estimations of the parameters that are required for the navigation filter to function correctly. Errors in the code phase and carrier frequency are usually represented as:

       (1)

       (2)

    where  and  are the measured and estimated code phases, respectively.  and  are the measured and estimated carrier Doppler frequencies, respectively. These estimated errors at the signal tracking stage are directly linked to the errors in the states at the navigation filter.

    Each tracking channel provides its own measurements based on a discriminator’s output. All the measurements are then processed together in the navigation filter and feedback is provided to each channel based on the obtained navigation solution results. The filter will process the error signals received from the discriminators in the form of code phase error  and frequency error . Thus, the measurements of the filter will be pseudorange errors and pseudorange rate errors.

      (3)

      (4)

    Where fcode is the code frequency = 1.023 x 106 Hz, fcarrier is the nominal L1 frequency = 1575.42 MHz, and η represents the measurement noise vector.

    The computations of the navigation solution start with a mechanization process where we first calculate pitch, roll and azimuth angles. Knowing the Azimuth and pitch angles, vehicle forward velocity can be projected into East, North and Up velocities. The East and North velocities are transformed into geodetic coordinates and then integrated over the sample interval to obtain positions in latitude and longitude. The vertical component of velocity is integrated to obtain altitude. At this stage, we run the Kalman navigation filter through its two-step known cycle, prediction and update, incorporating any available measurements to estimate the receivers’ new position and velocity. Then, the estimated pseudoranges and pseudorange rates are calculated. Finally, the computed code and carrier frequencies are fed back to control the code and carrier oscillator inputs to align the locally generated signal with the incoming signal.

    COMBINED SIMULATION SYSTEM

    In our work, we combined two existing INS and GNSS simulators to build a comprehensive simulation tool that can produce a limitless number of data sets of repeated trajectories under entirely controlled circumstances. Moreover, these data sets can be used for any level of GPS/INS integration system validation. The system is also used to verify the performance of the above proposed ultra-tight GPS/INS integration system architecture.

    For the GPS data, a satellite navigation simulation signal generator was used to build and generate the desired trajectory. The selected model has the ability to provide dynamic capacity in Doppler and signal power levels as well as adequate channels to simulate line-of-sight and multipath satellite signals. The unit is driven by a software package that comes in different versions; the most powerful version is used in this research to drive the simulation hardware system to generate the output radio frequency (RF) signal.
    A receiver front-end then generates the discretized data stream in the form of in-phase (I) and quadrature-phase (Q) signals. The unit is a rugged dual-frequency L1/L2 front-end intended mainly for software receiver and interference detection systems. The unit is capable of logging L1/L2 data at bandwidths of 2.5 MHz, 5.0 MHz, 10 MHz and 20 MHz with data quantization varying from 1 bit to 8 bits.

    For the INS data sets, the INS simulator, developed by the Mobile Multi-sensor Group at the University of Calgary, is used for simulating inertial measurement unit (IMU) raw data. The INS simulator can virtually generate the raw data measurements of any grade of IMUs such as navigation, tactical and consumer-grade systems. A wide number of sensor errors can be simulated using this software such as bias instability, random walk, scale factor, errors due to thermal drift and g-sensitivity and so on. While the simulator can generate raw IMU measurements using user-defined vehicle motion and dynamics, such as static scenarios, straight line, constant velocities, accelerations, turns and bumpy roads, and it can also accept externally injected vehicle dynamics from real trajectory data.

    Figure 4 shows a high-level diagram of the trajectory data flow from the two arms of the synthesized simulator. Several conversion code scripts were written to convert raw data into the implementation platform workspace format. Both data sets were then merged through the implemented algorithm to provide the navigation solution.

    Figure 4. Data simulation tool flow diagram. (Image: Authors)
    Figure 4. Data simulation tool flow diagram. (Image: Authors)

    Step 1 of Simulation Process. The trajectory design, Figure 5, outlines the general aspects of the process. Among these are the type of platform to be simulated, for example. land vehicles, ships, aircraft and so on; the satellite constellation, typically GPS, Galileo or GLONASS; the environment, whether rural, suburban or urban; and error sources, including ionospheric and tropospheric effects. All of this is done using the simulator’s software.

    Figure 5. Trajectory data flow Step 1. (Image: Authors)
    Figure 5. Trajectory data flow Step 1. (Image: Authors)

    Step 2. This incorporates the implementation of the data stream that is fed into the signal generator hardware, which transforms this into an RF signal (Figure 6). Concurrently, the reference trajectory data is logged on the same computer that hosts the simulation software. The I and Q branches are recorded, simultaneously with the reference trajectory, on a GNSS receiver front-end.

    Figure 6. Trajectory data flow Step 2. (Image: Authors)
    Figure 6. Trajectory data flow Step 2. (Image: Authors)

    Step 3. Finally, the inertial data is simulated. First, the INS simulator is configured according to the desired simulation parameters. Among these are the sensor data rate, grade (or quality) of the selected sensor(s), and some initialization quantities that are obtained from the output of the GNSS signal simulator. Once the configuration process is complete, data extracted from the reference trajectory is converted into a format appropriate to the INS simulator, and the inertial data simulation is performed. At this stage, data from both the GNSS side and INS side can be converted into a format suitable for use by the integrated INS/GNSS system (see Figure 7).

    Figure 7. Data flow, Step 3. (Image: Authors)
    Figure 7. Data flow, Step 3. (Image: Authors)

    EXPERIMENTAL WORK

    Using the complete simulation system, several simulation data sets are used to verify the performance of the proposed algorithm in semi real-life scenarios. Each time a chosen scenario is run on the Spirent GNSS simulator, the software data is applied to the Spirent hardware to generate the RF signal, which is then applied to the input of the front-end unit to provide the corresponding I and Q signal streams. Meanwhile, the trajectory data is logged from the simulator to be used as a reference and then fed to the INS simulator to generate the corresponding raw IMU data. Finally, the I and Q and raw IMU data are combined (when the ultra-tight solution is used) in a software receiver code to extract the ultimate positioning solution. For scalar and vector-based signal tracking, only GPS data is used. One sample trajectory that simulates a land vehicle driving at low speed is selected to show results of the proposed method.

    Table 1 shows initialization of the key parameters during the simulation period. A GPS-only satellite constellation is used. We also limited the maximum number of simulated satellites to seven.

    RESULTS

    The reference solution used to evaluate the proposed method and combined simulation system is the pure data sets extracted from the Spirent GNSS simulator. The figures below show results of 80 seconds of data processing. At around seven seconds of the period, a 43-dB signal drop was applied for 8 seconds on channel number 1, which is assigned to track PRN number 06. A similar signal drop is partially overlapped with this, but was applied for only 5 seconds on channel number 3, which is dedicated to track PRN number 21. The following abbreviations are used in the figures: ST for scalar tracking, VT for vector tracking, and UT for ultra-tight GPS/INS integration system.

    Figure 8 and Figure 9 show the carrier frequency for PRN 06 and PRN 21. Large frequency errors (greater than 100 Hz) are noticeable in the scalar tracking system. The vector tracking system, however, was much less affected, showing more resistance to the drop in signal-to-noise ratio. The ultra-tight GPS/INS integration system was nearly unaffected and maintained a very accurate carrier frequency estimation throughout the simulated trajectory.

    Figure 8. Estimated carrier frequency for PRN #6. (Image: Authors)
    Figure 8. Estimated carrier frequency for PRN #6. (Image: Authors)
    Figure 9. Estimated carrier frequency for PRN #21. (Image: Authors)
    Figure 9. Estimated carrier frequency for PRN #21. (Image: Authors)

    The trend of the position errors is plotted in Figures 10, 11 and 12. The maximum position error was around 15 meters in the case of vector tracking, whereas the maximum position error from the ultra-tight system was below 4 meters in the worst case.

    Figure 10. Position X error. (Image: Authors)
    Figure 10. Position X error. (Image: Authors)
    Figure 11. Position Y error. (Image: Authors)
    Figure 11. Position Y error. (Image: Authors)
    Figure 12. Position Z error. (Image: Authors)
    Figure 12. Position Z error. (Image: Authors)

    Velocity errors are depicted in Figures 13, 14 and 15. Velocity errors for the vector tracking system reached about 2 meters per second during the low signal-to-noise ratio period. However, they were only small fractions of a meter per second for the ultra-tight GPS/INS integration system.

    Figure 13. Velocity X error. (Image: Authors)
    Figure 13. Velocity X error. (Image: Authors)
    Figure 14. Velocity Y error. (Image: Authors)
    Figure 14. Velocity Y error. (Image: Authors)
    Figure 15. Velocity Z error. (Image: Authors)
    Figure 15. Velocity Z error. (Image: Authors)

    CONCLUSIONS

    This article shows the performance of a newly proposed ultra-tight GPS/INS integrated system using an RISS that is intended to enhance GPS receivers’ tracking ability in challenging environments, thus improving navigation availability. Additionally, we present a freshly combined GPS/INS trajectory data simulator that can be used to generate simulation data sets for all levels of GPS/INS integration. The two components of the simulator are demonstrated to be perfectly linked. Performance of the algorithm was tested using several trajectories, and the algorithm demonstrated durability against harsh signal degradation. Acceptable position and velocity errors were achieved. Expected future improvements to the algorithm aim to employ longer integration time, and the performance of different grades of IMUs are to be simulated.

    ACKNOWLEDGMENT

    This work described in this article was first presented at the ION GNSS+ 2018 conference in Miami, Florida.

    MANUFACTURERS

    The Spirent GSS6700 Satellite Navigation Simulation Signal Generator was used in these tests, with SimGen software. The NovAtel FireHose front-end generated the discretized data stream.

    MALEK KARAIM is a Ph.D. candidate at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Queen’s University, Canada. He is working within the Navigation and Instrumentation Research (NavINST) Group at Queens’ University/Royal Military College of Canada.
    MOHAMED YOUSSEF received his Ph.D. degree from the Department of Geomatics Engineering and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He leads GNSS R&D activities at Sony North America.
    ABOELMAGD NOURELDIN is a cross-appointment associate professor at the departments of electrical and computer engineering in Queen’s University and the Royal Military College (RMC) of Canada. He is the director of the Navigation and Instrumentation Research Laboratory at RMC.

  • Research Online: Optimizing performance of dual-frequency mass-market chips

    By Paolo Crosta, Paolo Zoccarato, Rafael Lucas and Gerarda De Pasquale, European Space Agency

    Test set-up. (Image: Authors)
    Test set-up. (Image: Authors)

    Most mass-market manufacturers have already developed a dual-frequency chip or will soon do so. What is still not completely clear is the main benefit of adding the second frequency. Is it beneficial just for correcting ionospheric error?

    Will it provide an improvement of the ranging error thanks to the wideband nature of the signal broadcast on the second frequency and their multipath rejection capabilities? Is it improving the measurement quality by means of a higher transmitting power?

    Could it be exploited as a source of data for the provision of accurate orbit and clock corrections? What is the best PVT algorithm to apply to a multi-constellation dual-frequency mass-market chip?

    To answer these questions, an evaluation kit of the Broadcom chip BCM4775 has been tested — the first dual-frequency mass-market chip commercially available.

    Results show:

    • the code noise (multipath) is often the main source of error, hiding the benefits of more accurate clocks and orbital data.
    • wide-band signals are very beneficial for multipath rejection. Position fix based on E5a-L5-only measurements even with fewer satellites can outperform L1-E1-only in tests performed this September (impact of the new Galileo satellites).
    • after deactivation of the duty-cycle tracking on Android phones, the carrier phase measurements are improved and we do not experience any longer filter resets in the position Kalman filter.

    More information at www.ion.org/publications/browse.cfm.

  • Rohde & Schwarz updates Navigation & Guidance Solutions Learning Center

    Rohde & Schwarz updates Navigation & Guidance Solutions Learning Center

    Rohde & Schwarz's Navigation and Guidance Solutions Learning Center offers brochures, articles, technical documents, videos and posters. (Image: Rohde & Schwarz)
    Rohde & Schwarz’s Navigation and Guidance Solutions Learning Center offers brochures, articles, technical documents, videos and posters. (Image: Rohde & Schwarz)

    Rohde & Schwarz has updated its Navigation and Guidance Solutions Learning Center with several features, including application notes, white papers, training videos and products for aerospace and defense applications.

    Rohde & Schwarz provides accurate, flexible, high-performance test solutions to cover every need — from design, development, calibration and production to operational maintenance for ground based systems and advanced hybrid constellation simulations for GNSS systems, the company said.

    The navigation learning center now includes the latest Rohde & Schwarz solutions for GNSS testing and avionics testing. It highlights the latest company products, including aeronautical radio navigation measurement solutions, vector signal generators and GNSS signal simulators. It also provides users with brochures, articles, technical documents, videos and posters.

    The navigation center is organized under three main categories: radar and electronic warfare test, satellite communication systems, and navigation and guidance.

  • Tallysman launches VeraChoke high-performance GNSS antenna

    Tallysman launches VeraChoke high-performance GNSS antenna

    The VeraChoke GNSS antenna. (Photo: Tallysman)
    The VeraChoke GNSS antenna. (Photo: Tallysman)

    Tallysman, a manufacturer of high-performance GNSS antennas and related components, has introduced a high-accuracy choke ring antenna: the Tallysman VeraChoke.

    Adapting existing innovations on its patented VeraPhase antenna, Tallysman’s VeraChoke offers a choice in form factor for reference and monitoring applications.

    The VC6100, the first model variant of the VeraChoke antenna, shares a common high-efficiency element design with itsVeraPhase counterpart. With the choke-style form-factor, however, the rings have been optimized for all GNSS signals and are slightly pyramidal in shape to improve reception of low-elevation satellites.

    The VC6100 choke ring antenna offers a tight phase center variation of no more than ±1 mm for every frequency. It is capable of receiving all GNSS signals and achieves a very low axial ratio, the company said.

    According to Tallysman, the VC6100 is competitively priced to help increase antenna density for reference deployments, CORS networks and monitoring applications. The antenna also supports large and small SCIGN radomes.

    Tallysman’s GNSS antennas are on display at Booth Number 12.0D.059 at Intergeo, taking place Oct. 16-18 in Frankfurt, Germany.

  • Harxon brings latest surveying technologies to Intergeo

    Harxon brings latest surveying technologies to Intergeo

    Photo: Harxon
    Photo: Harxon

    Harxon is showcasing high-precision positioning GNSS antennas and its latest wireless data transmission technologies for surveying applications at Intergeo, Oct. 16-18, in Frankfurt, Germany.

    Image: Harxon
    Image: Harxon

    X-Survey is an 4-in-1 OEM antenna for both navigation and communication in the real-time kinematic (RTK) surveying applications. It provides standard Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 4G, and multiple-constellation signal reception for GNSS positioning.

    Its 3D design ensures a higher phase center stability and longer communication distance at a 360-degree direction, while lowering the impact of electromagnetic interference (EMI), hence increasing the overall machine efficiency and simplifying the RTK integration, the company said.

    Photo: Harxon
    Photo: Harxon

    The smart eRadio is a long-range and highly efficient radio modem designed to support RTK applications in surveying and precision agriculture. It can automatically identify RTK serial baud rate and provide a plug-and-play form for easy connection between eRadio and RTK.

    According to Harxon, the eRadio’s diagnostic reporting software can configure data and update radio status, allowing users to effectively deal with potential issues. In addition, it is equipped with the unique ETALK communication protocol that increases the communication distance by 20 percent.

    Other Harxon GNSS products showcased at Intergeo are for UAVs and precision agriculture, as well as surveying.

    The D-Helix antenna HX-CHX600A is featured with its patented D-QHA technology.

    Both 3D structured and mini-designed choke-ring antennas HX-CGX601A and HX-CGX611A can be used for base-station communication.

    The multi-constellation survey antenna GPS 1000, frequency hopping modem HX-DU2017D and external radio modem HX-DU8608D are also popular products for high-precision performance.

     

  • Unicore introduces GNSS/INS high-precision board, CLAP-B

    Unicore introduces GNSS/INS high-precision board, CLAP-B

    Photo: Unicore
    Photo: Unicore

    Unicore Communications has launched CLAP-B, a multi-GNSS/MEMS integrated inertial navigation board, which integrates a miniaturized high-performance inertial measurement unit (IMU) on a compact high performance GNSS board.

    The high-accuracy GNSS positioning coupled with a high-precision gyro and accelerometer provides stable, continuous three-dimensional position, velocity and attitude, as well as original acceleration and angular velocity measurements, even in GNSS-denied environments, the company said.

    CLAP (Concurrent Localization & Attitude Pilot) technology is a high-precision multi-sensor fusion positioning and orientation technology developed by Unicore.

    The CLAP- B, along with all the UM and UB family of receivers, are on display at BDStar booth C12.0C.022 for the duration of Intergeo 2018 starting Oct. 16 in Frankfurt, Germany.

    Key features of the CLAP-B include:

    • Compact size: 46 × 71 × 17.1 mm
    • 5-ns RMS PPS output
    • 0.1 degree (1σ) pitch and roll
    • WINS optimized technology (wheel INS) for vehicles, wheeled robotics
    • Integrated INS/GNSS/odometer
    • 100-Hz positioning output/original IMU measurement output
    • Support for BDS B1 / B2 + GPS L1 / L2 + GLONASS L1 / L2 + Galileo E1 / E5b + QZSS L1/L2
    • Supports dual-antenna or single antenna
    • 3.3 ~ 5 VDC input

    With the features of compact size, light weight, low power consumption, and easy for integration and mass production, CLAP-B is suitable for applications such as autonomous driving, smart surveying, unmanned aerial vehicles and various attitude stabilization platforms. Customer samples will be available by the first quarter of 2019.

  • Swift Navigation and Carnegie Robotics introduce Duro Inertial

    Swift Navigation and Carnegie Robotics introduce Duro Inertial

    Duro Inertial fuses GNSS and inertial measurements into a combined solution. (Photo: Swift Navigation)
    Duro Inertial fuses GNSS and inertial measurements into a combined solution. (Photo: Swift Navigation)

    Swift Navigation and Carnegie Robotics LLC (CRL) have released their second joint product, Duro Inertial.

    Duro Inertial is a ruggedized version of Swift Navigation’s Piksi Multi dual-frequency real-time kinematic (RTK) GNSS receiver combined with CRL’s SmoothPose sensor fusion algorithm, which fuses GNSS and inertial measurements into a combined solution.

    The blending of GNSS and inertial measurements provides a dead-reckoning capability that allows Duro Inertial to provide a highly accurate, continuous position solution during brief GNSS outages and to deliver a robust precision navigation solution in harsh GNSS environments.

    Duro Inertial is an evolution of Swift and CRL’s first joint product, Duro. Building on the on-board MEMS inertial measurement unit (IMU) that exists in Duro today, Duro Inertial harnesses CRL’s loosely coupled (LC) sensor fusion algorithm, SmoothPose, to blend GNSS and inertial inputs, providing a smoother, more available and more robust position, velocity and time (PVT) solution, the companies said.

    Duro Inertial seamlessly blends CRL’s SmoothPose GNSS+INS algorithms with Swift Navigation’s Starling Positioning Engine to deliver a highly-accurate LC positioning solution even in GNSS / RTK denied environments.

    The inertial aiding feature can operate with RTK, autonomous GNSS and satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) position solutions from Starling. Duro Inertial also inherits the full set of features from Duro and Piksi Multi including the light-weight SBP communication protocol, interoperability with legacy protocols such as NMEA output and RTCMv3 input, compatibility with RTK corrections services such as Skylark, Swift’s Cloud Correction Service and many third-party corrections services, and quad-constellation dual-frequency RTK navigation.

    The combination of Duro Inertial’s positioning accuracy and its ruggedized enclosure that protects against weather, moisture, vibration, dust and water immersion makes it suitable for construction, mining, logistics, positive train control, robotics and agriculture applications.

    “We are excited to introduce our second collaboration with Carnegie Robotics and build on the success of the Duro ruggedized receiver launched last year,” said Timothy Harris, co-founder and CEO of Swift Navigation. “The combination of Carnegie Robotics’ advanced inertial technology and robotics expertise with Swift’s positioning solution will enable an even broader customer segment to benefit from highly-accurate positioning.”

    “Duro Inertial is the culmination of our partnership with Swift over the past two years,” added John Bares, CEO of Carnegie Robotics. “Working together we are able to deliver a consistent and highly-accurate positioning solution to benefit a variety of robotics and industrial applications.”

    Duro Inertial is scheduled to be available at for purchase in the fourth quarter and is now available for select customer testing.

  • GSA publishes its second GNSS User Technology Report

    GSA publishes its second GNSS User Technology Report

    The second edition of the European GNSS Agency’s (GSA) GNSS User Technology Report has been published and is now available for free download, providing an exhaustive review of the latest GNSS trends and developments.

    Since its launch in 2016, the GNSS User Technology Report has become the go-to-source for information on the dynamic, global GNSS technology industry.

    The GNSS User Technology Report, a sister publication to the GSA’s GNSS Market Report, is published every two years and takes an in-depth look at the latest state-of-the-art GNSS receiver technology, along with providing expert analysis on the trends that will shape the global GNSS landscape in the coming years.

    Three key segments

    European GNSS Agency
    European GNSS Agency

    Like the inaugural report in 2016, the second issue focuses on three key macro segments: mass market solutions; transport safety- and liability-critical solutions; and high precision, timing and asset management solutions.

    The report opens with an overview of the latest developments and trends in GNSS, with a focus on the multi-constellation and multi-frequency that are driving new trends in the sector.

    “With the GNSS User Technology Report, our aim is to provide everybody in the GNSS value chain with a comprehensive overview of the current landscape in the industry and to identify new trends so that stakeholders know in which direction the industry is moving,” GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides said.

    “The most important new trend identified in this issue is the rapid adoption of multiple frequencies, including for consumer devices, as evidenced by the market introduction of the first dual-frequency smartphone in May 2018,” des Dorides said.

    Editor’s special section: Automation

    The final section in this year’s report — the “Editor’s special” section — is dedicated to automation and to the increasingly important role GNSS plays in a number of partially — or fully automated tasks and functions. The most publicised examples of these are found in the transport domain — driverless cars, autonomous vessels and drones but, as the report notes, GNSS-based automation applications go well beyond transport.

    The analysis of GNSS user technology trends in the report is supported by testimonials from key suppliers of receiver technology, including: Broadcom, Javad, Kongsberg, Leica, Maxim Integrated, Meinberg, NovAtel, Orolia-Spectracom, Qualcomm, Septentrio, STMicroelectronics, Thales, Trimble and u-blox.

    In addition, the report includes highlights from around 20 ongoing research projects from the Horizon 2020 and Fundamental Elements programmes, aiming at the development of GNSS receiver technology.

    The full GNSS User Technology Report 2018 is available for download here.

    GNSS User Technology Report 2018 Highlights

    • All global and regional GNSS constellations are developing, modernising and innovating, with more than 100 GNSS satellites now available over our heads.
    • The vast majority of current receivers are multi-constellation, and the most popular way to provide multi-constellation support is to cover all available constellations. Today only around 30% of receivers use GPS only.
    • In the mass market domain, we are seeing a divide between chipsets optimised for entry-level internet of things (IoT) products, where energy per fix is the primary driver, and high end, where the industry is innovating to propose enhanced positioning performance.
    • The need for accuracy in the mass market is initiating new solutions, including ones based on Android GNSS raw measurements or, more significantly, using multi-frequency signals.
    • The frequencies supported across all application areas range from single L1/E1 to 4 frequencies in the professional segment. The dual frequency solution showing the most growth is L1/E1 and L5/E5, however the legacy L1/E1 and L2 are still being used.
    • Growing interest has been observed in PPP and RTK services proposed by private industry and public system operators, leading to new PPP/RTK concepts aiming to address a wide customer base beyond high precision.
    • The need to ensure both safety and security of PNT solutions is being highlighted by all solution providers, particularly in systems where humans are out of the control loop, such as in autonomous vessels, cars or drones.
  • Launchpad: Anti-spoofing, GNSS receivers, mobile kit

    Launchpad: Anti-spoofing, GNSS receivers, mobile kit

    A roundup of recent products in the GNSS and inertial positioning industry from the October 2018 issue of GPS World magazine.

    OEM

    Anti-spoofing

    Provides mitigation and reporting

    Photo: Regulus
    Photo: Regulus

    The Pyramid GNSS allows detection, mitigation and reporting of spoofing of the GNSS system, while still providing accurate positioning (jamming protection will be available in a future version). Version 2 of the Pyramid GNSS adds a software-only version, making it available to numerous applications and enabling GNSS to perform seamlessly under spoofing and jamming conditions. The device is designed for any system depending on GNSS navigation or precise timing, including cars, drones, ships, robots, financial institutions and stationary infrastructure, such as power plants and power grids. The Pyramid GNSS connects externally and integrates seamlessly with existing GNSS receivers, adding reliability and protection to the system. It offers full GNSS support including for BeiDou, Galileo and GLONASS.

    Regulus, www.regulus.com

    Firmware Upgrade

    GNSS receiver now has BeiDou and Galileo support

    Photo: Swift Navigation
    Photo: Swift Navigation

    Swift Navigation has upgraded the firmware of its flagship product — the Piksi Multi GNSS receiver. This marks the sixth major release to Piksi Multi since it was launched in February 2017. The upgrade is available free of charge to Swift customers. The firmware release also enhances Duro, the ruggedized version of the Piksi Multi receiver housed in a military-grade, weatherproof enclosure for long-term outdoor deployments. Firmware Release 2.0 for Piksi Multi and Duro supports two additional major satellite constellations — Chinese BeiDou (B1/B2) which, once completed, will contain 37 satellites, and Europe’s Galileo (E1/E5b), which will eventually consist of 30 satellites. Piksi Multi’s performance will further improve for future satellites. The addition of BeiDou and Galileo creates more robust positioning in a variety of challenging sky-view environments.

    Swift Navigation, www.swiftnav.com

    Three-axis gyro

    Suitable for image stabilization

    Photo: Gladiator Technologies
    Photo: Gladiator Technologies

    The G300D gyro is a three-axis, inertial rate system gyroscope. Measuring 0.67 cubic inches, it features low power and high speed, making it suitable for image stabilization applications. The G300D has message timing under 150 microseconds and output data rates up to 8 kHz with external sync. A micro-electro-mechanical gyroscope, it has an ARW of <0.0028 degrees/sec/√Hz and an option for both 24 and 32-bit LSB for exceptional resolution. Users can configure the G300D using a software development kit or through software protocols to simplify the integration process. The G300D gyro is non-ITAR.

    Gladiator Technologies, www.gladiatortechnologies.com

    Front-end modules

    Ready for internet of things applications

    Image: Skyworks
    Image: Skyworks

    Two new GNSS low-noise amplifier (LNA) front-end modules, the SKY65933-11 and SKY65943-11, integrate Skyworks’ proprietary TC-SAW filters. The modules are designed specifically for internet of things (IoT) applications including smartwatches, action cameras, drones, asset trackers and personal navigation devices. They are designed for wireless module and IoT device manufacturers, providing a turnkey GNSS connectivity solution in a compact form factor. Both solutions offer integrated pre- and post-filter LNA and matching to reduce printed circuit board (PCB) area versus a discrete implementation; single DC supply for design flexibility and simplicity; multi-GNSS compatibility to cover GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou and QZSS receiver applications in the 1559–1606 MHz frequency range; extremely low leakage current (1 uA max) benefitting battery-powered IoT devices; and highly manufacturable and low-cost surface-mount technology in a 2.5 x 2.5-millimeter multi-chip module package.

    Skyworks, www.skyworksinc.com

    SURVEY

    Reference receiver

    Robust system for CORS networks

    Net20 Pro. (Photo: Geneq)
    Net20 Pro. (Photo: Geneq)

    The Net20 Pro provides high-quality data for users interested in the proximity and reliability of a reference station while eliminating real-time kinematic (RTK) corrections service charges. It uses multi-frequency, 555-channel technologies in a rugged casing to deliver accurate and effective positioning data even in harsh environments. It can be configured for correction data reception in client mode to calculate a fixed RTK position and to monitor the antenna position while continuing to work as a GNSS reference server. With NTRIP Caster software, the Net20 Pro provides superior connectivity with an unlimited number of mount points. Users can have permanent transmission of RTK corrections with a local internet connection. Its 32-GB internal and 32-GB external memory is enough for permanent recording even at a 100-Hz high data sampling rate. Its web user interface features upgrade, status and settings management as well as data downloading via smartphone, tablet or other internet-enabled device.

    Geneq, geneq.com

    Measurement module

    Combines GNSS/terrestrial for accuracy

    J-Mate (Photo: Javad GNSS)
    J-Mate (Photo: Javad GNSS)

    The J-Mate measurement module combines conventional measurement via laser scanning and photographic imagery with the multi-constellation location accuracy of the Triumph-LS receiver. It utilizes precision horizontal and vertical encoders for angular measurement, while the high-definition camera and laser module combine to locate the USB-powered target for accurate measurements. The target rests on top of the receiver and lights up for better visibility to the camera and sensor. The lighting power comes through the USB cord connected to the receiver. Coupled with the onboard data collector screen of the Triumph-LS, operation of the module is done visually with the LS mounted on top of the module or remotely on the J-Pod pole used for GNSS data collection. The module and software is also designed to be an efficient staking application.

    Javad GNSS, www.javad.com

    GNSS system

    New model for land surveyors

    Photo: Trimble
    Photo: Trimble

    The Trimble R10 Model 2 GNSS System is designed to help surveyors work more effectively by enabling reliable, fast and accurate data collection in the field. Enhancements in Model 2 include a custom Trimble survey GNSS ASIC with 672 GNSS channels including GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo, QZSS and IRNSS as well as the full range of SBAS. It also will support planned GNSS signals. It has improved reliability against interference and spoofed signals, improved power management by 33 percent, and increased internal memory (6 GB) to store more than 10 years of raw observations. Support for Android and iOS platforms allow field crews to use their own mobile devices. The Trimble R10 Model 2 supports the recently released Trimble TSC7 controller and Trimble Access 2018 field software.

    Trimble, www.trimble.com

    Correction Service

    Provides 2.5-centimeter accuracy

    Image: NovAtel
    Image: NovAtel

    The TerraStar-C PRO correction service provides multi-constellation support, including GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and BeiDou. Combined with NovAtel’s OEM7 positioning technology, TerraStar-C PRO cuts initial convergence times by nearly 60 percent and offers 40 percent better horizontal accuracy than the current TerraStar-C service. In challenging signal conditions, it offers multipath, shading, interference and scintillation. High-rate TerraStar-C PRO corrections provide reconvergence in less than 60 seconds following brief GNSS signal interruptions. Corrections are generated using TerraStar’s proprietary global network of more than 100 GNSS reference stations. The data is delivered worldwide through overlapping geostationary satellites directly to a NovAtel receiver or via cellular IP network.

    NovAtel, www.novatel.com

    MAPPING

    Unmanned inspections

    Command center for BVLOS

    Photo: AviSight
    Photo: AviSight

    The C3UBE Command Center enables unmanned beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) data collection and near real-time data streaming from almost any point within any critical infrastructure network. The mobile command and distribution center allows for the flight of unmanned aerial systems and is designed to not only allow AviSight to reach the maximum BVLOS distances permitted today, but also to expand its range for UAS operations as limits increase in the national airspace. In addition, it enables near-real-time transmission of data and imagery, which can be disseminated live to anywhere in the world via its proprietary distribution network located at Switch’s Tier 4 data center. It is aimed at the oil, gas, power, transportation and telecommunications sectors.

    AviSight, www.AviSight.com

    Mining support

    Correlator3D photogrammetry

    Photo: SimActive
    Photo: SimActive

    SimActive has updated its Correlator3D end-to-end photogrammetry software to include tools for users to generate precise statistics on mining activities, with improved volumetric calculation. The integrated tools allow users to generate precise statistics on mining activities. The Correlator3D software performs aerial triangulation and produces dense digital surface models, digital terrain models, point clouds, orthomosaics and vectorized 3D features. Applications like mineral extraction monitoring can be done seamlessly within the software. Users can process raw drone data, produce point clouds and DSMs, and perform volumetric calculations in the same Correlator3D workflow.

    SimActive, www.simactive.com

    Laser rangefinder

    Increased distance accuracy

    Photo: LTI
    Photo: LTI

    The improved TruPulse 360 laser features LTI’s TruVector 360° Compass Technology. The rangefinder measures slope distance, inclination and azimuth; instantly calculates horizontal and vertical distances; and calculates 3D missing line values. The enhanced device offers 33 percent increased distance accuracy, 25 percent better target acquisition and a higher azimuth accuracy of 0.5° root mean squared (RMS). Other features include reflectorless technology that enables data capture to any surface type; advanced targeting modes to achieve accurate, repeatable results of the intended target; seven-power superior optics technology that displays all measured and calculated solutions; and smart technology that recognizes adverse measurement conditions and prompts recalibration. Uses include forestry, utilities, construction and GIS mapping.

    Laser Technology Inc., www.lasertech.com

    Satellite imagery

    MDA RADARSAT-2 data now in SecureWatch for GEOINT

    Synthetic aperture radar imagery from Maxar’s MDA RADARSAT-2 satellite is now available to SecureWatch subscribers. SecureWatch is DigitalGlobe’s powerful, cloud-based geospatial intelligence platform. The service has added the radar imagery to its high-resolution optical imagery, enabling defense and intelligence analysts to deliver actionable insights to decision makers regardless of weather and light conditions. The satellite will refresh hundreds of global sites on a weekly basis using a wide-ultra-fine format (3-meter resolution, 50-kilometer scene width). RADARSAT-2 imagery allows users to observe features and changes that go undetected using other imaging techniques, and provides day and night coverage regardless of weather. SecureWatch users can access timely RADARSAT-2 imagery using current subscription plans. When combined with 30-cm optical imagery, analysts will have a powerful and reliable toolset to make decisions with confidence.

    DigitalGlobe, www.digitalglobe.com

    TRANSPORTATION

    Trackers with toolset

    Software and application board

    Photo: u-blox
    Photo: u-blox

    U-blox has introduced a toolset comprising the u-track software and the C030-R410M application board. The toolset is a rapid-prototyping platform that lets product designers test and optimize the position accuracy and power consumption of wireless location tracking applications that use LTE-M and NB-IoT cellular networks, as well as GNSS technology. The toolset targets product engineers working on battery-powered applications such as sport, people and asset trackers. An increasing number of battery-powered consumer and industrial products feature integrated GNSS receivers. These products include virtual reality headsets, smartwatches and devices to track elderly people, containers or parcels. With the ongoing roll-out of low power wide-area cellular networks (LPWAN) such as LTE-M and NB-IoT technologies around the world and the extremely low power consumption they enable, the range of use cases for wireless location trackers is expected to expand further. The u-track software runs from embedded firmware on the new u-blox C030-R410M application board. The board, specifically designed to rapidly prototype applications for the internet of things (IoT), includes an ultra-small, low-power u-blox ZOE-M8B GNSS receiver and a size-optimized SARA-R410M LTE-M/NB-IoT cellular communication module, and u-track includes a PC software application that lets users log, retrieve, and visualize power consumption, accuracy, and other important values, such as the GNSS time to first fix.

    u-blox, www.u-blox.com

    Asset tracker

    Add-on to AT&T Fleet Complete platform or for separate use

    Photo: AT&T
    Photo: AT&T

    The new GPS Asset Tracker One (AT1) from AT&T and Fleet Complete can track transportation as well as agriculture, food services, pharmaceuticals and emergency services. Users can monitor their assets through the Fleet Complete mobile app. Besides tracking location in near real-time, it also captures humidity, temperature, light exposure and more. AT&T’s nationwide LTE-M network is designed for devices that require low-cost, extended battery life, coverage underground and inside buildings, and carrier-grade security. Two high-capacity Lithium AA batteries power the AT1. They can last up to five years with a once-a-day use.

    Photo: Quectel Wireless Solutions
    Photo: Quectel Wireless Solutions

    AT&T, att.fleetcomplete.com

    Quad-band module

    Indoor and outdoor positioning

    The MC90 is a quad-band GSM/GPRS/GNSS/Wi-Fi module that supports hybrid positioning technologies including GNSS, Cell ID and Wi-Fi aided positioning. It integrates the multi-GNSS system, including GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and QZSS, which makes it suitable for urban areas with high-rise buildings and complex environments. The MC90 also adopts Wi-Fi hotspot positioning technology for blind spots and satellite coverage. It integrates multi-aiding positioning technologies to offer customers with optimized GNSS performance. It also supports EPO technology, which provides predicted Extended Prediction Orbit to speed up TTFF without the need of an extra server. The MC90 features a compact design and lower power consumption, and supports dual SIM single standby function.

    Quectel Wireless Solutions, www.quectel.com

    Maps and traffic SDK

    For mobile and internet of things

    Photo: TomTom
    Photo: TomTom

    TomTom will offer free maps and traffic tiles on its mobile software developer kit (SDK) in both Android and iOS. With global coverage, the Mobile Maps SDKs and its free map tiles will guide developers of mobility and ride-sharing apps. The TomTom Maps APIs (application programming interfaces) also play a role in the internet of things, where traffic data is needed to enable self-driving cars and smart city planning.

    TomTom, www.developer.tomtom.com

    Inspection Software

    Increases safety and speed of data collection

    MAGNET Inspect is designed for UAV data collection. (Photo: Topcon)
    MAGNET Inspect is designed for UAV data collection. (Photo: Topcon)

    MAGNET Inspect software is designed to facilitate the data-processing workflow for UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) infrastructure inspection by efficiently managing large UAV data sets to create inspection reports. It allows operators to visually navigate UAV photos, aligning 3D reality meshes with raw georeferenced images in one location and filtering them based on selected criteria including field of view. When combined with Intel Falcon 8+ Drone – Topcon Edition and Topcon ContextCapture, powered by Bentley Systems, the software enables operators to navigate, annotate and create reports with inspection photos, creating a strong end-to-end inspection workflow.

    Topcon Positioning Group, Topcon.com

    Drone software

    Flight planning and data capture tools

    Photo: Esri
    Photo: Esri

    Site Scan Esri Edition is a custom version of the Site Scan iOS app for drone flight planning and data capture that works seamlessly with Esri’s ArcGIS Online and Drone2Map for ArcGIS. The Site Scan Esri Edition app complements Esri’s Drone2Map for ArcGIS software by providing full drone project mission planning and a simple workflow for transferring drone captured data into Esri ArcGIS. Users will be able to connect to ArcGIS Online with an Esri sign-in. The app will allow users to directly use Esri data layers from ArcGIS Online as base and reference data for their drone flight planning mission. Esri customers can use any drone supported by Site Scan, including a variety of DJI drones. Site Scan also supports a custom version of the new Yuneec H520 commercial drone by 3D, which is based on the Dronecode PX4 software and designed to be an open and secure drone option for use on U.S. government projects.

    3DR, 3dr.com; Esri, www.esri.com

    Search-pattern software

    Helps rescue response

    Image: Airborne Response
    Image: Airborne Response

    UAS mission-planning software company UgCS has joined with disaster response expert Airborne Response to develop a comprehensive search capability for drones. The search-pattern software, a new feature of the UgCS platform, allows remote pilots to more effectively conduct search-and-rescue operations. Customizable search patterns such as the “expanding square” and “creeping line” can be deployed. Based on the flight altitude input by the operator, the UgCS software will automatically calculate the course heading and track spacing necessary to provide the prescribed coverage area for a search target. UgCS software allows central management of all types and manufacturers of unmanned vehicles, enabling a user to control one or a fleet of drones on a single mission in multi-operator mode and multi-platform environments. Airborne Response will offer the UgCS mission planning software and associated training to public safety and emergency response professionals throughout the U.S.

    UgCS, www.ugcs.com
    Airborne Response, www.airborneresponse.com

    Camera drone

    Integrates a Hasselblad camera

    Photo: DJI
    Photo: DJI

    The Mavic 2 Pro is designed for professionals, aerial photographers and content creators. With a folding design, the Mavic 2 is a powerful platform with new gimbal-stabilized cameras and advanced intelligent features like Hyperlapse and ActiveTrack for easier and more dynamic storytelling. Flight time is 31 minutes. Co-engineered in partnership with Hasselblad, the Mavic 2 Pro houses a 1-inch CMOS sensor with a 10-bit Dlog-M color profile. It can capture 20-megapixel aerial shots with utmost color accuracy using the Hasselblad Natural Color Solution (HNCS) technology, while an adjustable aperture from f/2.8-f/11 provides control across a wide variety of lighting conditions.

    DJI, www.dji.com 

  • BlueSky GNSS firewall from Microsemi provides secure, continuous timing integrity

    The signals transmitted from GPS and other GNSS constellations can be a threat vector that, if disrupted, could harm key critical infrastructure sectors including telecommunications, energy, transportation, emergency services and data centers.

    The susceptibilities of the GPS signal to attack, whether intentional or not, are viewed similarly as a cybersecurity threat.

    In recent months, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of reported GPS incidents, causing critical infrastructure providers to evaluate the security, reliability and resiliency of their GPS-based PNT dependency.

    The new BlueSky GNSS Firewall from Microsemi Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Microchip Technology Inc., enables critical infrastructure providers to harden the security of their operations from GPS threats and deliver a more reliable and secure service, the company said.

    The security-hardened system provides protection against GPS threats such as jamming, spoofing and complete outage. It also supports a range of precision timing technologies, including atomic clocks, to enable continuous operation when GPS may be completely denied for extended periods.

    In addition, Microsemi is expanding the GNSS portfolio with the introduction of a BlueSky option to its TimePictra software management suite, providing centralized control and visibility of GPS reception across regional, national and global geographic areas.

    “At last year’s ION GNSS+ show we launched the BlueSky GPS Firewall Evaluation Kit to help customers understand GNSS vulnerabilities and how a firewall approach could provide protection,” said Randy Brudzinski, vice president and manager of Microsemi’s Frequency and Timing business unit. “We received valuable feedback from customers as a result of those evaluations and have incorporated new features in our second-generation BlueSky GNSS Firewall. In addition to expanded monitoring and reporting capabilities, this robust, future-proof platform is now equipped with atomic clock technology to provide security-hardened resiliency, including the ability to operate in a GNSS-denied environment for more than 30 days.”

    Microsemi has applied the same principles of a firewall used for network security to defend against GPS threats coming from the sky. Within the new BlueSky GNSS Firewall, the incoming GPS signal is analyzed in real time to detect a wide range of threats before connected GPS receivers and related systems are affected.

    The BlueSky GNSS Firewall incorporates an optional internal rubidium miniature atomic clock (MAC) enabling continuous output of the GPS signal to the downstream GPS receiver in case of complete loss of live-sky GPS reception.

    Alternatively, Microsemi’s cesium clocks, such as the 5071A or TimeCesium 4400/4500, can be connected to the device, enabling UTC traceable time for more than 30 days.

    BlueSky GPS Firewall platform features optional BlueSky software incorporated into its TimePictra management system.

    To ensure the BlueSky GNSS Firewall is equipped to defend against an ever-evolving threat, Microsemi updates and continuously tracks GPS signal manipulation, spoofing threats, jamming attacks, multipath signal interference, atmospheric activity and many other issues which can create GPS signal anomalies, disruptions and outages.

    These updates are available through a BlueSky subscription service. To learn more about Microsemi’s GPS threat protection and security solutions, including videos demonstrating how the product provides secure and resilient protection, visit the website.

  • Averna announces software toolkits for advanced satnav applications

    Averna announces software toolkits for advanced satnav applications

    Photo: Averna
    The RP-6500 platform. (Photo: Averna)

    Averna, a global test and quality solutions provider, announced that through existing partnerships, real-time GNSS simulation and satcom signal generator toolkits will be available for the RP-6500 RF record and playback platform, making the RP-6500 an all-in-one solution to support advanced satellite navigation applications.

    Averna is exhibiting at Booth #518 during ION GNSS, Sept 26-27, at in Miami, where the company will be demonstrating the RP-6500 Wideband Record & Playback system.

    The RP-6500 platform can record and playback up to 500 MHz of RF spectrum from 9 kHz to 6 GHz, as well as simulate all common GNSS signals (BeiDou, Galileo, GLONASS, GPS, and QZSS). The system can also generate Satellite communications signals (DVB-S and DVB-S2).

    The robust system fits into a car trunk for driving/recording applications, and syncs with both a GPS and Averna’s DriveView software, for synchronized location and video capture that is time-aligned with your data, the company said. Preloaded with RF Studio, powerful RF record/playback software for capturing real-world RF spectrum, including GNSS, radio, video & location data. A state-of-the-art workflow tool, the RP-6500 Series lets you quickly set up your recordings, add contextual data, visualize weak signals, and analyze your collected RF environments to validate and fine-tune your designs and products.

    To learn more about the RP-6500 wideband RF Record and Playback, visit www.averna.com/RP-6500

    “We’re extremely happy to add new testing capabilities to our RP-6500, an advanced solution for the design validation of Satellite Navigation systems,” commented Jean-Lévy Beaudoin, vice-president, Platforms & Innovation, R&D for Averna. “The RP-6500 is a complete RF Record and Playback platform–it’s been designed and built from the ground up to be all-in-one.”

    Key features and benefits

    • easy-to-use RF Studio user interface
    • 500 MHz-wide instantaneous bandwidth
    • covers most common wireless protocols from 9 kHz to 6 GHz
    • multi-constellation and multifrequency GNSS Simulator
    • supports SATCOM protocols for Satellite Set-Top Box testing
    • high dynamic range (14 bits, >80 dB)
    • form factor allows rack mounting or car trunk portability.

  • GPS + IRNSS module coming to Indian market

    A new GPS + IRNSS module is being developed by Indian firm Ramakrishna Electro Component (REC) in partnership with STMicroelectronics and Shanghai Mobiletek, according to press reports.

    The module will rely heavily on the Indian navigation satellite constellation IRNSS (also known as NaVIC), REC Managing Director Shivang Luthra told reporters at an event in New Delhi.

    “There have been dependency of imported GPS module which use the U.S., European or Russian satellites,” Luthra said. “We have developed a GPS module, Utraq, that will mainly use the Indian satellites for GPS navigation.”

    The module will be produced at a Shanghai Mobiletek factory in China, and the chips will be made by STMicroelectronics. REC owns the Utraq module and will roll it out  in October for use in automotive end products. REC says the low cost of the chip compared to imports will make trackers more affordable in India.

    The Indian government has mandated use of vehicle location tracking devices and one or more emergency buttons in public transportation vehicles; the mandate took effect April 1.

    Utraq will be offered in two models: the L110 GNSS is a compact NavIC module, while the L100 GNSS module is a smaller-sized (patch on top) IRNSS module. Both modules can be used for tasks other than tracking, such as ranging, command, control and timing, and fo marine, aerial and terrestrial navigation.