Tag: product showcase

Topcon’s Android App Drives LN-100 Layout Navigator

Topcon Positioning Group has released a new app designed to drive the LN-100 Layout Navigator system MAGNET Construct. The no-cost app, available for the Android market, is built to provide “out-of-the-box” productivity with LN-100W hardware.

“The MAGNET Construct app offers intuitive options to drive an LN-100W for fast as-built measurements as well as graphical guidance to your design data.” said Oscar Cantú, senior manager of product marketing.

“When combined with the LN-100W, the app provides an entry-level precise measurement solution for diverse 3D layout applications such as traditional construction, complex landscape layout, architecture, as well as quickly checking existing stakeout locations before proceeding on a project,” said Cantú.

MAGNET Construct offers optional connectivity with MAGNET Enterprise for real-time data exchange from active project sites to and from the office within a user’s private company account.

“The addition of the new MAGNET Construct app exemplifies our focus to keep the LN-100W productive even with bring-your-own-device (BYOD) scenarios. Android tablets and smartphones wirelessly driving precise hardware, along with secure connectivity to your office keeps projects productive and profitable,” said Cantú.

MAGNET Construct is currently available for Android users to download for free on the Google Play store.

February 5, 2015
Global Mapper v16.1 Introduces 3D and UAV Video Playback Tools

Global Mapper version 16.1, what Blue Marble terms an “interim release,” adds a UAV Video Playback Tool, new options to rotate the map view, and the ability to select and measure features in the 3D viewer. It is available for download.

To introduce the new version, Blue Marble is presenting a free webinar titled “What’s New in Global Mapper v16.1” on February 19 at 2 p.m. EDT.

The release includes a variety of updates to both the Global Mapper base product and the optional LiDAR Module. A new video playback tool allows users to play a video derived from the flight of an aircraft or UAV. The playback option displays a video file synced to any line feature with per-vertex times, fly-through lines or point features with recognized timestamp attributes.

Version 16.1 of Global Mapper also offers the option to rotate the map view as needed, allowing the user to more clearly visualize any spatial data with a unique alignment. The automatic “Track Up” mode works when connected to a GPS device and rotates the map view based on the current GPS heading. The new release also introduces the ability to select vector features with the Digitizer tool in the 3D Viewer. This functionality links the 2D and 3D maps, allowing users the option to pan, zoom, measure, and add vector data in one viewer while automatically replicating actions and updating features in the other. The right-click menu enables users to perform many Digitizer operations on the selected features in the 3D window.

Single-user license upgrades for version 15 are available for $169; upgrades are also available for USB dongles and network licenses. To purchase a dongle or network license upgrade, contact sales at [email protected].

February 5, 2015
Python Scripting for ArcGIS Book Now Available

Python Scripting for ArcGIS, a new book published by Esri Press, seeks to help experienced users of ArcGIS for Desktop get started with Python scripting. The book teaches users how to write Python code that works with spatial data to automate geoprocessing tasks in ArcGIS. Experience with other scripting or programming languages is helpful but not required.

Key topics in this book include Python language fundamentals, exploring and manipulating spatial data, working with geometries and rasters, map scripting, debugging and error handling, creating functions and classes, and creating and sharing script tools. Python Scripting for ArcGIS contains 14 chapters with corresponding online data and exercises available on the Esri Press book resource page.

Author Paul A. Zandbergen is an associate professor of geography at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque where he teaches classes in GIS and spatial analysis. His areas of expertise include GIS applications in criminology, economics, health, and ecology, as well as spatial and statistical analysis techniques using GIS.

Python Scripting for ArcGIS is available at online retailers worldwide, at esri.com/esripress, or by calling 1-800-447-9778. Outside the United States, visit esri.com/esripressorders for complete ordering options, or visit esri.com/distributors to contact your local Esri distributor. (Print ISBN: 978-1-58948-371-2, 358 pages, US$79.99) (E-book ISBN: 978-1-58948-362-0, 358 pages, US$79.99).

A mobile-optimized edition is available from the Esri Books app (ISBN: 978-1-58948-402-3, US$59.99).

February 3, 2015
ArcGIS 10.3, ArcGIS Pro Modernize GIS for Organizations and Enterprises

ArcGIS 10.3 is now available with the release of ArcGIS Pro, Esri announced. ArcGIS 10.3 realizes the vision of web GIS, which empowers customers to use information anywhere and on any device. It includes new apps and enhancements that continue to advance the science of geography and GIS and enable users to more readily share their work throughout their organizations, Esri said.

“ArcGIS 10.3 is a very large release that fully completes the picture of ArcGIS for organizations and enterprises,” said Sud Menon, director of software development and engineering, Esri.

The release of ArcGIS 10.3 transforms the entire ArcGIS platform and is headlined by the introduction of ArcGIS Pro.

ArcGIS Pro

ArcGIS Pro is a new desktop GIS application from Esri. Designed as a multithreaded 64-bit application for Windows, ArcGIS Pro takes advantage of modern technology that allows users to visualize, edit, and analyze data faster than ever before. With ArcGIS Pro, users can create and work with geographic layers in both 2D and 3D and share map information as feature layers, imagery, maps, analysis services, 3D web scenes, and web maps.

“ArcGIS Pro is an integral part of the ArcGIS platform,” said Menon. “It’s our premium application for authoring maps and scenes that can be easily shared through the web GIS model.”

ArcGIS Pro is included at no charge with every license of ArcGIS 10.3 for Desktop. Users can run ArcGIS Pro simultaneously with any version of ArcMap.

SmarterBetterCities, a start-up based in Switzerland, uses ArcGIS Pro to help cities understand the impacts of zoning changes in 3D. “We understand our world in 3D. ArcGIS Pro is a fantastic platform for us to create affordable next generation planning tools for small town and big city planning,” said Antje Kunze, CEO of SmarterBetterCities.

ArcGIS in Your Own Infrastructure

At ArcGIS 10.3, Portal for ArcGIS is now included at no charge with ArcGIS for Server Standard or Advanced licenses. With Portal for ArcGIS, users can bring the full ArcGIS experience into their own infrastructure for secured stand-alone or hybrid deployments in ArcGIS Online. Portal for ArcGIS also gives organizations access to the full suite of ArcGIS apps, including the new Web AppBuilder for ArcGIS, so that they can more easily share maps and analyses across their enterprise.

Better 3D across the Platform

ArcGIS 10.3 features improved support for 3D data across the entire ArcGIS platform. In addition to the 3D capabilities in ArcGIS Pro, Esri has also released a new web scene viewer in ArcGIS Online that lets users create 3D scenes by mashing up existing layers directly within a browser.

Real-Time GIS

ArcGIS 10.3 fully integrates real-time, streaming data into the ArcGIS platform. ArcGIS GeoEvent Extension for Server delivers improved performance and throughput capabilities, as well as faster spatial filtering. ArcGIS GeoEvent Extension for Server also offers better scalability by allowing organizations to create clusters that can handle higher volumes of data. Users can take advantage of new spatial operators and processors in ArcGIS 10.3 to perform more powerful spatial filtering and real-time analytics.

More Opportunities for Developers

From the launch of Web AppBuilder for ArcGIS to the enhanced JavaScript API, ArcGIS 10.3 offers new capabilities for developers across the board. This release also marks the beginning of a wave of releases that will further help developers build mobile applications using ArcGIS Runtime.

For more information on the dozens of other improvements in ArcGIS 10.3, visit esri.com/whatsnew.

February 3, 2015
New NovAtel RTK GNSS Receiver Offers Advanced Heading Capabilities

NovAtel’s FlexPak6D enclosed GNSS receiver.

NovAtel Inc. has announced the FlexPak6D enclosed GNSS receiver, a flexible dual-antenna solution for application developers seeking a high-precision heading-capable positioning engine for space-constrained applications.

Designed for efficient and rapid integration, the compact, lightweight receiver tracks GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and BeiDou. Antenna placement is flexible, which means the antenna baseline can be set according to space available on the vehicle and the heading accuracy required. In addition, the modular nature of the FlexPak6D’s OEM6 firmware provides users with the ability to configure the receiver for their unique application needs.

Scalable for sub-meter to centimeter-level positioning, the FlexPak6D delivers NovAtel’s ALIGN precision heading and relative heading firmware, as well as its GLIDE firmware for smooth decimeter-level pass-to-pass accuracy, and RAIM for increased GNSS pseudorange integrity.

“Our FlexPak6D builds on our popular lightweight FlexPak form factor,” said Jason Hamilton, vice president of marketing for NovAtel. “The modular, flexible design makes it easy to integrate into land, air and marine-based industries, particularly for low payload UAV and robotic applications.”

The FlexPak6D will be available for shipping February 2, 2015.

February 2, 2015
Esri Maps Track Massive Snow Storms Poised to Hit Northeastern U.S.

Esri’s interactive Severe Weather Public Information Map and U.S. Snowfall Forecast Map enable users to see winter storms, including the massive storm that’s about to hit the Northeastern United States. Here are the two maps.

Severe Weather Public Information Map

With the Severe Weather Public Information Map, users can view continuously updated weather reports and warnings from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Weather Service, along with live weather data from AccuWeather.

Users can also explore geotagged social media from Twitter, Flickr, and YouTube related to the storms.

U.S. Snowfall Forecast Map

This map shows the projected accumulation of snowfall across the U.S. for the next 36 hours, using data from National Weather Service Digital Forecast Database. Users can step through projections in six-hour increments for a more accurate view of when and where snowfall is expected to be most severe.

January 26, 2015
Golden Software Releases MapViewer 8

Users can create and customize maps with a new ribbon bar interface and redesigned managers.

Golden Software has released MapViewer 8, which is says has numerous enhancements over its predecessor program. Enhancements inlcude new map types, increased file compatibility, the ability to download base maps from online servers, enhanced querying functionality, and a new user interface.

MapViewer is a mapping and spatial analysis tool that allows users to produce publication-quality thematic maps. Users can precisely display their data distribution with intuitive functions and features.

Golden Software is offering a free demo download so customers can try out the new features with their own data.

The new bivariate option for the symbol map can create visually dynamic maps that display variables in an easy-to-understand way. This map, from beta tester Thierry Hatt, displays house surface area as symbol size and percentage of house surface area divided by property surface area as symbol color for Strasbourg, Alsace, France (1765 land survey information).

January 14, 2015
Getmapping Provides Enhancements to Its Online GIS

Getmapping has released version 6 of its multi-featured Online GIS program. The new version has been enhanced with support for worldwide projections, a module for publishing Inspire-compliant WMS/WFS and a new module for Getmapping’s panoramic imagery product, Street Layer. Getmapping’s Online GIS, together with its associated cloud storage and built-in national mapping layers, allows organizations to share information across their users and clients anywhere in the world.

Support within the Online GIS for worldwide projections now opens up the solution to users around the world, and the software has already been deployed in a number of countries including Uganda, Kenya and South Africa. This, together with the fact that the product can be white-labeled, also opens up significant partnering opportunities, the company said.

Getmapping Online GIS can be used as an organization’s primary web mapping tool to share a range of map layers including aerial imagery, local mapping, environmental data, and the customer’s own data, taking advantage of Getmapping’s high speed data center. It can also perform key GIS tasks such as address searching, measuring, spatial analysis and printing to scale. It can provide everyone within an organization with access to the company’s map information, helping them to do their job more efficiently.This removes the burden of installing traditional GIS software, which is often expensive and difficult to learn, the company said.

To assist local government with meeting and exceeding their Inspire obligations, a new Inspire cloud service has been built based on the Getmapping Online GIS technology. Several key features are included to simplify the process of becoming Inspire compliant including a geodata layer uploader, built-in data editing (which is instantly visible), a metadata importer and editor as well as Data.gov.uk harvesting to enable “discovery, view and download” services within a few minutes. Competitively priced and easy to deploy, Inspire Cloud will have customers publishing map layers within a short amount of time, the company said.

Street Layer is another Getmapping product now fully integrated into the Online GIS platform. It allows accurately positioned panoramic images to be viewed alongside high quality mapping.With the added benefits of 3D measurement tools and GIS overlay capabilities, Street Layer has proven itself in a variety of applications including local government; policing, fire and rescue; insurance risk and claim validation; and local community work. Key uses have included measuring the distance from a street to a door, the height of a building or asset, the differences between different years of imagery, as well as improving the quality of asset databases. Trial accounts, including sample data of your area of interest, are now available.

“The enhancements that we have introduced to our Online GIS platform are really significant,” said Dave Horner, managing director of Getmapping. “Customers not only benefit from a simple to use application with access to cloud-hosted aerial photography, integration with address gazetteers and national mapping but also now the Street Layer panoramic imagery which in many cases eliminates the need for a site visit. Worldwide projections are now also supported meaning we have a product that can be used anywhere in the world, and we are already seeing the benefits for some of our African customers. Finally, the Inspire Cloud module helps organizations that need to publish data become Inspire compliant.”

January 14, 2015
Proteus Launches Daily Satellite-Based Water Quality Monitoring Service
Proteus FZC, a provider of satellite-derived mapping and classification services, is now offering a daily water quality monitoring service for the Arabian Gulf. Derived from NASA satellite data, the new service provides daily online access to reports on six water quality parameters at 250-meter to 1-kilometer spatial resolution.

“We can further improve the accuracy of the standard NASA data by calibrating each data set to local water conditions,” said Proteus CEO David Critchley. “The easy-to-read reports are available online or can be delivered in PDF formats via email.”

Proteus now offers the daily service for organizations responsible for monitoring and maintaining the condition of coastal and offshore waters — environmental agencies, energy producers, desalination operators, marine engineering firms, and dredging companies.

“If an offshore infrastructure construction project is responsible for excessive water turbidity, the engineering company has to remediate the problem quickly,” Critchley said. “Likewise, desalination and power plants need to take precautionary actions if too much suspended sediment or sudden algal blooms are spotted near their operations.”

The daily water quality reports are derived from processed data collected by the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) sensors which fly aboard the orbiting NASA Terra and Aqua satellites.

“The sensors typically provide water quality details to a depth of three meters, depending on water column clarity,” said Critchley

The daily water quality reports provide the following information:
- Total suspended sediments (mg/L) at 250-meter resolution
- Chlorophyll-a content (mg/m3) at 1-km resolution
- Sea surface temperature (degrees C) at 1-km resolution
- Turbidity or fluorescence line height (mW/cm2/µm/sr) at 1-km resolution
- Diffuse attenuation coefficient (m-1 at 490 nm) at 1-km resolution
- True color composite (image) at 250-meter resolution
The 250-meter resolution is suitable for marine monitoring because it enables data collection for the entire gulf region several times per day. When the regional 250-meter resolution MODIS-derived product reveals a water quality anomaly or if increased spatial detail is required, Proteus water quality customers have the option of requesting higher resolution reports processed from other satellites that can map events in more detail.

“We will soon expand the daily water quality monitoring service to ice-free oceans, seas and large lakes worldwide,” Critchley said.
January 12, 2015
SkyTraq Offers Multi-GNSS Receiver Module for Wearables

The SkyTraq Venus828F GNSS receiver module. Photo: SkyTraq Technology

SkyTraq Technology has introduced a stand-alone multi-GNSS receiver module in a compact 7 x 7 millimeter form factor, the Venus828F, designed with a sensor hub function for wearable and “Internet of Things” (IoT) applications.

The Venus828F is capable of communication with multiple satellite systems and tracking up to 28 satellites concurrently, SkyTraq said. The compact LGA module integrates all the necessary components for wearables and IoT, forming a complete working GNSS receiver, including GNSS chipset, 0.5ppm TCXO, Flash memory, LDO regulator, DC/DC switching regulator, and passive components. It only requires external antenna and power supply to output accurate position, velocity, and time information in standard NMEA-0183 format, enabling ease of use and fast time to market, Skytraq said.

The Venus828F features low power consumption, a 29-second cold start TTFF, -165 dBm tracking sensitivity, 10 nsec 1 PPS timing accuracy, on-board geofencing, 8 Mbit – 512 Mbit external SPI Flash data logging, and an industrial operating temperature range of -40C +85C. It has an UART and I2C interface for flexible connection to the host processor.

Via SPI and I2C connection, data from MEMS sensor can be calculated by Venus828F using sensor-hub-enabled firmware, offloading computation from the host processor. Engineers can concentrate on their wearable and IoT applications instead of spending hundreds of hours reinventing the wheel developing sensor-fusion algorithms, according to SkyTraq.

“Fast-acquisition high-sensitivity multi-GNSS chipset hardware are just becoming available in recent years, the internal firmware supporting multi-GNSS typically are not as fully optimized as GPS-only firmware that has matured for more than a decade to allow ROM codification with optimal performance for any existing GNSS chipset vendors; the multi-GNSS firmware is still being continuously improved over time,” said Michael Chung, VP of sales and marketing, SkyTraq. “By offering Venus828F multi-GNSS receiver module with Flash memory, it’s shipped with the latest, best-performance firmware. It is also later upgradeable in the field if the customer’s design allows. Targeting very high volume, cost-sensitive wearable and IoT applications, Venus828F is offered at price comparable to crystal-based ROM GPS modules on the market, setting a new benchmark in terms of performance, size, and cost for multi-GNSS receiver modules.”

An engineering sample, datasheet, and reference design for the Venus828F are available now.

January 12, 2015
CES: Magellan Launches RoadMate Auto GPS Devices with 3D Landmarks
The Magellan RoadMate 5375T-LMB.

Magellan has introduced its newest lineup of 5-inch RoadMate auto navigators at the International Consumer Electronics Show, being held this week in Las Vegas. To provide a more realistic view of a user’s surroundings, each of the GPS models comes equipped with 3D renderings of buildings and landmarks.

The new models are: RoadMate 5322-LM, RoadMate 5330T-LM with real-time traffic alerts, and RoadMate 5375T-LMB with real-time traffic alerts, Bluetooth connectivity and portrait viewing mode.

The units will be displayed at CES in the Magellan booth, LVCC South Hall 2, MP25441.

“Our new RoadMate 5-inch GPS devices for 2015 have large, vibrant displays and include a vast collection of renowned Magellan navigation features,” said Stig Pedersen, Magellan associate vice president of product management. “Plus, each model includes 3D renderings of buildings and landmarks to make it easier and quicker for users to identify where they are. Whether driving to work, across country, or going to grandma’s, drivers can count on these Magellan navigation units to safely guide them to wherever their destination is.”

Below are a few of the features that the three RoadMate GPS devices share.
- 3D Renderings – Selected buildings and landmarks are presented in 3D for a more realistic view.
- Lifetime Map Updates – Owners of these three models can download the latest map information (up to four times a year) for all 50 states and Canada.
- Landscape Viewing Mode – Provides improved peripheral view.
- Traffic Camera Alerts – Sends audible and visual warnings of upcoming red lights, speed cameras, and more; provided by PhantomALERT.
- 7,000 POIs – Includes branded and highway exit POIs to conveniently search for restaurants, hotels, gas stations, and more.
- OneTouch Favorites Menu – Creates shortcuts to favorite destinations and searches.
- Multi-Destination Routing – Users can plan their entire day or multi-day trip in one route.
- Junction View – Realistic images of freeway signs and arrows guide drivers to the correct lane.
- SmartDetour – Provides immediate options when traffic suddenly comes to a halt.
RoadMate 5330T-LM

In addition to the features above, the 5330T-LM also includes:
- Free Lifetime Traffic Alerts – Helps users avoid traffic jams and delays, suggests detours, provides travel times; no hidden fees or subscriptions.
RoadMate 5375T-LMB

In addition to the features above, the 5375T-LMB also includes:
- Free Lifetime Traffic Alerts – Helps users avoid traffic jams and delays, suggests detours, provides travel times; no hidden fees or subscriptions.
- Portrait Viewing Option – Provides extended view of the road ahead.
- Bluetooth Compatibility – Turns this RoadMate model into a hands-free speakerphone, making drive time safer and more productive.
The Magellan 5-inch RoadMate family of auto navigation devices will be available at retailers throughout the U.S. and Canada as well as online in March 2015. MSRPs are as follows: $149.99 (RM5322-LM); $159.99 (RM5330T-LM); and $199.99 (RM5375T-LMB).
January 6, 2015
Broadcom’s GPS-Enabled Device for Satellite Units Helps Fight Piracy
Satellite TV pirates beware: Broadcom Corporation is offering a GPS-enabled satellite outdoor unit (ODU) device that gives satellite TV providers a way to track subscriber equipment, pinpoint service issues in the home, and stop piracy with a geo-lock. The solution will also enable delivery of location-based services.

The ODU solution combines Broadcom’s BCM4551 satellite TV device with its BCM4771 GPS receiver.

Broadcom’s new satellite solution resides in the low-noise block (LNB) of a subscribers’ satellite dish, enabling operators to better position dish installations and reduce metering equipment costs and truck rolls. Combining GPS-enabled ODU technology with a set-top box, operators can quickly locate and validate a subscriber’s home location, Broadcom said.

“By combining Broadcom’s field-proven satellite ODU technology with GPS functionality, we are able to provide operators with the capability to more conveniently and cost-effectively track the location of their equipment and prevent redistribution of content to nonsubscribers,” said Nicholas Dunn, Broadcom vice president of Direct Broadcast Satellite Marketing. “This integrated technology can also open the door to operator delivery of location-based social media and business applications, providing subscribers with targeted content such as information on local service providers, retail operations and restaurants, or a specific televised event.”

GPS technology within the LNB also allows operators to geo-lock content to subscribers. Content geo-locking uses a subscriber’s location to deliver video content specific to the subscriber’s service address. This ensures the delivery of personalized services and prevents costly theft of service for operators. Previously, content geo-locking was only available through a costly external device attached to subscriber’s set-top box; today’s introduction from Broadcom offers best-in-class capabilities at an incremental cost for operators.

Key Features of the BCM4551
- Highly-integrated 28 nanometer (nm) process with low power consumption
- Allows 24 DVB-S2 channels to be stacked on a single coaxial cable to service any STB to reduce satellite operator installation costs
- 8 RF inputs and 1RF output covering the 250 to 2350 MHz frequency range
- 24 user-band output channels
- 24 output channels selectable from any LNB input
- Frequency shift keying (FSK) and digital satellite equipment control (DiSEqC)
Key Features of the BCM4771
- Highly integrated radio frequency (RF), baseband processor and CPU with smallest complete PCB footprint
- Faster signal searches, accurate real-time navigation and improved tracking sensitivity
- Increased satellite availability: supports GPS, and GLONASS satellites at L1 frequency band.
Broadcom will demonstrate the new solution at the International CES show, January 6-9.
January 2, 2015