GPS World

Tag: product showcase

  • Symmetricom Delivers Precise Time to Next-Generation Smart Grid

    Symmetricom, Inc., a precision time and frequency technologies company, today announced a new timing solution that meets the stringent microsecond accuracy requirements of Smart Grid substations. Specifically designed for substation operations, such as wide area measurement systems, traveling wave fault locators and sampled values, the Symmetricom SyncServer SGC-1500 Smart Grid Clock offers power utility companies accurate, secure and reliable timing and synchronization for their mission-critical operations. This means companies like Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) will be able to mitigate outages with real-time monitoring for grid stress, frequency instability, voltage instability and reliability margins.

    The Smart Grid has brought about power technology advancements that fundamentally change substation operations. Power equipment and their data networks are shifting from simple, reactive control and reporting to proactive, real-time management and operations control, making advanced synchronization and timing more critical than ever, according to Symmetricom. The SGC-1500 Smart Grid Clock is designed to address this need, enabling power equipment to operate more efficiently and closer to its operational limits. For example, one microsecond accuracy is required by the phasor measurement unit (PMU) for real-time network situational awareness and overall operational efficiency. Without accurate time stamps, PMU data has limited value. For power utility companies, that translates into enhanced network utilization rates as well as smarter management and mixing of renewable and traditional power sources.

    “Power and utility companies are increasingly looking to source the latest technology innovations in order to modernize their infrastructure,” said Greg Neichin, executive vice president, Cleantech Group. “Over the past three years, we have tracked more than $700 million in venture investment committed to companies developing smart grid products. These are all data-intensive applications that will rely heavily on precise timing and synchronization, as well as more advanced analytics to process these vast streams of new information.”

    “The Smart Grid architecture and related standards require a new approach to timing distribution across the overall network,” said Manish Gupta, vice president of marketing and business development for Symmetricom. “Symmetricom brings extensive experience in delivering precise time to the communications, government, and enterprise markets. Serving the power utility telecom network over the past 10 years, Symmetricom is ideally positioned to meet the emerging timing requirements of the Smart Grid.”

    The SyncServer SGC-1500 meets key requirements of Smart Grid substations, including:

    • Microsecond accuracy and resiliency — referencing GPS satellite signals, the Symmetricom Smart Grid Clock distributes timing with microsecond accuracy over the local area network (LAN) using the IEEE 1588 v2 Precision Time Protocol (PTP) Power Profile or IRIG-B time code.
    • IEC 61850 — the International Electrotechnical Commission’s (IEC) standards for the design of electrical substation automation, which requires microsecond timing to identify and mitigate a potential fault condition in real time. This standard also identifies important electrical hardening requirements for substation environments.
    • NERC CIP ― the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) reliability and security standards for Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP), which calls for high strength security protocols.

    The SyncServer SGC-1500 comes with additional industry leading capabilities such as a built-in IEEE 1588 v2 Telecom Profile input option. This enables the Smart Grid Clock to derive time from the communications wide area network (WAN), thus eliminating the need to have GPS at every substation and PMU. The Rubidium atomic clock option offers holdover capability in the event of GPS disruption. These options result in a highly cost effective and resilient solution for power utilities.

  • First Forge Echo Handheld Released for Foresters

    Forge Echo by F4 Devices

    F4 Devices has released the Forge Echo for forestry professionals.

    “Shipping the first product out this week is a great milestone for us,” said Mark Milligan, president of F4 Tech. “We have been working for years to produce a rugged handheld specifically made by and for foresters and professionals who work in the natural resource community. Seeing the first product come out of manufacturing and into the hands of the customer is a dream come true.”

    The Forge Echo offers high-accuracy GPS; high-performance ability under heavy tree canopy; and the capacity to measure distance and height through rugged terrain.

    The Forge Echo series combines the most precise GPS technology with an integrated clinometer tool that measures slope and vertical angles. Paired with groundbreaking, patent-pending echolocation technology, the Forge Echo enables users to measure accurate data on elevation changes, distance and tree heights.

    The Forge series of products has a fully ruggedized classification of IP67, and is shock-proof, dust-proof and waterproof. It comes standard with a Win Mobile 6.5 classic operating system, 3.5” display, 800-MHz processor, 512-MB SDRAM memory, 8-GB onboard storage, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 5 megapixel camera and an up to 32 GB micro SD expansion slot.

    The first units shipped December 4, 2012.

  • Symmetricom Expands Test Set Portfolio with High-Performance Test Probe

    Symmetricom, Inc., has launched a high-performance, low-cost measurement solution, the Symmetricom 3120A Phase Noise Test Probe, which can be used to test reference clocks. The latest addition to Symmetricom’s state-of-the-art timing test set portfolio, the 3120A Test Probe comes in a convenient small form factor and measures phase noise and Allan deviation as part of the base hardware kit. Additional software options are available to measure AM noise floor and signal statistics such as HDEV, TDEV, MDEV and jitter, and for use as a frequency counter and for mask testing.

    Unlike traditional solutions that are desktop-bound due to size and weight, Symmetricom’s 3120A Test Probe is small enough to be carried around from location to location, and inexpensive enough to have at each bench. Whether used on a busy manufacturing floor, in a tight server closet or in R&D labs, the 3120A helps characterize reference clocks, used in high-performance applications, to achieve the highest accuracy without requiring calibration.

    The 3120A Test Probe comes with intuitive software to take measurements and conduct analysis, the company said. The 3120A Phase Noise Test Software displays results in seconds without the need for external data processing.

    “The Symmetricom 3120A is an excellent low-cost phase noise test probe that customers can use with their existing PC equipment to achieve state-of-the-art measurements,” said Sam Stein, chief scientist for Symmetricom. “It is an ideal extension to Symmetricom’s line of phase noise products.”

    Symmetricom will introduce the 3120A Test Probe at the Precise Time and Time Interval (PTTI) Systems and Applications Meeting, which takes place on November 26 – 29 in Reston, Virginia. Symmetricom will be at booth #6 conducting demonstrations and providing information about the 3120A Test Probe, in addition to Symmetricom’s other timing and synchronization products.

  • Trimble’s Yuma 2 Rugged Tablet Provides Full Office Capabilities

    Logo: Trimble
    Logo: Trimble

    Trimble introduced today the Yuma 2 rugged tablet computer, which it says is a powerful mobile computing solution that provides full office capabilities in the field for construction, transportation, public safety, field service, forestry, utilities, mapping, insurance and any other outdoor or service-related industry.

    The Yuma 2 offers a seven-inch capacitive multi-touchscreen in an easy-to-hold form factor that measures 6.3 x 9.6 inches, and weighs less than three pounds. Featuring new display technology for clearer readability in direct sunlight, the Yuma 2 can be used by mobile workers in the brightest outdoor conditions. The 3.75G dual-mode cellular data capability enables connectivity anywhere GSM or CDMA cellular networks are available.

    Featuring the Microsoft Windows 7 Professional operating system, the Yuma 2 is a fully functional field computer with a 1.6-GHz Intel Atom dual-core processor, 4 GB of DDR3 DRAM, a 64-GB solid state drive (SSD), and a dual battery with eight hours of typical run-time. Optional features include a 128-GB SSD, 3.75G cellular data connectivity and an extended battery set that provides up to 16 hours of operation.

    With the multi-touch capacitive touchscreen, users can type with fingers, stylus, or capacitive gloves and can control the size of the keyboard on the display for ease of use. Controlled zoom can optimize the user experience with maps and detailed information. The display supports use in landscape or portrait mode and is configurable to hold the orientation or to alter it in response to the accelerometer. The 5-megapixel camera provides video and photo capture with geotagging. The GPS receiver provides 2 to 4 meter accuracy, and is designed for data collection in applications such as distributed asset management, work order management, fleet logistics and more.

    “Ruggedness and connectivity in the field are vital for mobile workers — and Trimble has a history of providing innovative computing solutions to the market,” said Jim Sheldon, general manager of Trimble’s Mobile Computing Solutions Division. “Today, users demand solutions that are even tougher, faster, more reliable and easier to use, so they can be more efficient and productive. With new features and functionality, the Yuma 2 is an ideal solution that provides even more computing power to mobile professionals — more memory, computing speed, drive capacity, connectivity options and better display readability.”

    As with other Trimble rugged mobile computers, the Yuma 2 meets stringent MIL-STD-810G military standards for drops, vibration and humidity; and with an IP65 rating, it is protected against dust and water.

    Four different configurations are available to provide the tablet that meets the right need at the right price. Options include a larger SSD and 3.75G GSM and CDMA cellular data capability, as well as three different color schemes.

    The Trimble Yuma 2 tablet computer is expected to be available early in the fourth quarter of 2012.

  • Leica CS25 Tablet Offers Integrated GNSS for Asset Management

    Leica Geosystems has launched the Leica Zeno CS25 GNSS, a tablet computer with GNSS functionality and a large screen. The CS25 GNSS doesn’t require a backpack or a pole mount or additional batteries. A compact L1/L2 antenna is attached, but for high-accuracy data collection, it can connect with an external GNSS antenna mounted on a pole.

    The rugged Leica CS25 GNSS integrates an upgradable GNSS board and an attachable helix antenna. The new handheld rover is designed to combine the power of high-accuracy GNSS with the benefit of a large-screen tablet and the Windows 7 environment. With its large seven-inch display, the Leica CS25 GNSS is designed to make it easy to read and operate, even in brightest sunlight. The CS25 GNSS provides accurate and reliable results to deliver higher productivity for field crews.

    “Our customers can scale the CS25 GNSS to fit any accuracy needs, by offering a range of options, including meter, sub-meter or sub-decimeter accuracy all through a simple license model,” said GIS Business Development Manager Mauricio Jaimes. “They can also connect an external antenna to the CS25 GNSS to achieve centimeter accuracy. This flexibility, combined with the choice of Leica Zeno Field, Leica MobileMatriX or 3rd party partner software, offers versatile solutions to provide the right fit for any GIS data collection job.”

    The direct integration of GNSS into a tablet computer gives users full flexibility for efficient field data capture and benefits including:

    • Tablet computer, GNSS, and modem in one device that is light enough to carry in one hand
    • Large screen tablet with integrated GNSS RTK receiver, no backpack or pole required
    • One single charging unit for batteries, tablet computer and GNSS receiver
    • No external mobile phones are required to receive RTK corrections
    • User upgradable accuracy levels
      • Differential GNSS (GPS and optionally GLONASS): 50-cm accuracy
      • L1/L2 GNSS (GPS and optionally GLONASS) extension: <10-cm accuracy, with external antenna up to cm-accuracy
    • DGNSS, Real-time or post-processed GIS workflows, fully integrated into ArcGIS from Esri
    • Open support of third-party software applications via Leica Zeno Connect
    • Reliable components that have been engineered to operate in the most demanding work environments

    The CS25 GNSS provides an all-day battery life and IP65 rating, to ensure reliable operation, even after continued work in extreme environments with continuous exposure to water and dust. It is designed to be easily held in one hand and provides the largest GNSS data collection screen on the market.

    Mauricio Jaimes states, ”Shortly after the release of the entry-level GPS handheld Zeno 5 and the GG03 SmartAntenna, the CS25 GNSS is another unique product making the Zeno GIS series the most versatile product basket available for the GIS data collection.”

    The new Leica CS25 GNSS is expected to be available from late October 2012 onwards.

  • Septentrio Announces First GNSS Receiver with Full Support of TerraStar Services

    Septentrio announces the full support of TERRASTAR wide-area differential and Precise Point Positioning (PPP) capabilities in some of its receivers. The Septentrio AsteRx2eL is an all-in-view dual-frequency GPS/GLONASS receiver, featuring an integrated L-band modem to receive TERRASTAR data transmitted by satellite and field-proven dm-accurate positioning using this data. AsteRx2eL also features GNSS+ technology, a unique combination of industrial grade performance algorithms, to better serve high-precision positioning needs even in the most severe conditions, Septentrio said.

    Support of TERRASTAR-M and TERRASTAR-D allows precise position calculation anywhere on the globe, Septentrio said. TERRASTAR services achieve accuracy levels down to 10 cm without the use of extra communication such as radio or mobile. Powered by TERRASTAR services, AsteRx2eL provides a high level of flexibility for consistent dm-level accuracy everywhere on earth and cm-level where local RTK corrections are available. Septentrio multi-constellation receivers will provide position accuracy and high-availability independently of local infrastructure for the various applications in any of the markets that they traditionally serve:

    • Land and aerial survey and mapping
    • Machine control for agriculture, construction and mining
    • Precise navigation for land, sea and air

    ‘The introduction of support for TERRASTAR offers our customers an important additional option for accurate positioning, notably in the absence of local infrastructure,” Peter Grognard, founder and CEO of Septentrio Satellite Navigation, said. “It has been a pleasure for us at Septentrio to closely collaborate with the great team at TERRASTAR to develop and deliver a strong new value proposition with robust industrial performance everywhere on the globe.”

  • Handheld Launches the Algiz 10X, a 10-inch Rugged Tablet for Outdoors

    Handheld Group, a manufacturer of rugged mobile computers and smartphones, today announced the launch of its new rugged mobile device for field professionals, the Algiz 10X  rugged tablet PC. The Algiz 10X can withstand tough weather elements and harsh handling. It has a large, 10.1-inch touchscreen.

    “The new Algiz 10X is perfectly suited for field professionals who need a rugged tablet computer that is lightweight and built to withstand the harsh conditions that come with all kinds of industry fieldwork, and that can display detailed maps and other visuals even in bright sunlight,” said Jerker Hellström, CEO of Handheld.

    The Algiz 10X is IP65-rated and meets stringent MIL-STD-810G military standards for protecting against dust, water, vibrations, drops, extreme temperatures and varying altitudes. It is lightweight at 1.3 kg (2.9 lbs), and  32 mm (1.2″) thick.

    The Algiz 10X’s brilliant display features the latest generation of MaxView technology. The tablet also comes with a u-blox GPS receiver and WAAS/EGNOS/MSAS capability, plus Bluetooth 4.0, WLAN 802.11 b/g/n and it is WWAN Gobi 3000-ready with fully integrated modem and antennas for wireless connectivity. It has a built-in 5-megapixel camera with LED flash, and several connectivity opportunities, including waterproof USB 2.0, VGA and RS232 ports. The Algiz 10X operates on a powerful Intel Atom N2800 dual-core processor with 4 GB of DDR3 RAM, offering top-of-the-line computing capability, and the SSD disk is expandable via microSD for massive storage capacity. The Algiz 10X runs Windows 7 Ultimate, and is ready for Windows 8.

    “With the Algiz 10X, we are expanding the popular product family that includes our Algiz 7, which is the preferred choice today for field professionals worldwide. The Algiz 10X comes with increased processing power and storage plus a larger display — something that the market has been asking for,” said Hellström.

    Like all of Handheld’s lineup of rugged PDAs, smartphones and mobile computers, the Algiz 10X is specifically developed for field workers in industries such as geomatics, logistics, forestry, public transportation, utilities, construction, maintenance, mining, military and security.

    The Algiz 10X rugged tablet PC is being showcased at INTERGEO in Hanover, Germany, on October 9-11, and will be shown Mobility for Business in Paris, France, on October 10-11, plus several shows throughout the fall.

    The Algiz 10X will be available in January 2013. Orders can be placed immediately.

  • Symmetricom Launches RoHS Compliant GPS Time Servers

    Symmetricom, Inc., has introduced new RoHS compliant versions of its existing SyncServer S200 and SyncServer S250 GPS Network Time Servers. Designed for large or expanding IT enterprises, the cost-effective SyncServer S200 and S250 with optional rubidium-based atomic clocks will reliably continue operational service for extended periods when primary time sources are impaired.

    Accurate network time-keeping is essential for modern data networks to support a number of key functions — including precision time stamping, scheduled data backups, network management and security. These functions all rely on networked clocks to stay synchronized with each other. By using enterprise owned servers, companies are better poised to ensure accurate, reliable and more simplified network timing and synchronization, Symmetricom said.

    The European Union’s Restriction of Hazardous Substances directive (or RoHS) assures environmental responsibility for the materials used in electrical and electronic equipment. The SyncServer S200 and S250 now offer network managers and engineers RoHS certified, entry-level time servers that still allow them to take advantage of rubidium-based clock technology. Unlike the more commonly deployed time servers that leverage temperature-compensated crystal oscillator (TCXO) and oven-controlled crystal oscillator (OCXO) technologies, the rubidium-based SyncServers provide superior holdover — technology that allows the network to continue to operate with accurate timing when the primary reference (usually GPS) is temporarily impaired due to events such as GPS jamming, antenna breakage, or solar interferences.

    Communications and information technology managers can now take control of their network timing and synchronization and be assured of very accurate timing in their network that will not degrade or disrupt services during long periods where holdover is necessary, Symmetricom said.

  • Geneq Introduces Palm-Sized GPS/GLONASS RTK Receiver for Real-Time Centimeter Accuracy

    Geneq Inc. has launched the SXBlue III GNSS, a palm-sized GNSS RTK receiver that uses both GPS and GLONASS for real-time centimeter accuracy. Via Bluetooth, it brings centimeter accuracy to any smartphone, handheld, tablet, or notebook computer that is Bluetooth-compliant.

    sxblue3gnss_hand

    According to the announcement, the SXBlue III GNSS uses new, patented technology that allows it to generate corrections for both GPS and GLONASS satellite data even if the user’s reference station (or RTK network) only supports GPS. This opens up productivity benefits of GLONASS to all high-precision users around the world, and not just ones who have access to GLONASS-enabled reference stations, Geneq said.

    “With its competitive price and creative implementation of GLONASS, the SXBlue III GNSS will open new doors for users who want to improve their productivity with GLONASS but don’t have control over their reference station infrastructure,” said Jean-Yves Lauture, product engineer. “With the SXBlue III GNSS, the user doesn’t need to be concerned with their RTK reference station at all. It could be a 20 year-old GPS-only reference station and the SXBlue III GNSS will still create corrections for the GLONASS data and allow you the benefit of GPS/GLONASS RTK productivity in the field.”

    By implementing GLONASS, the SXBlue III GNSS immediately increases your RTK productivity with its ability to track 55 satellites (31 GPS, 24 GLONASS). With 12 to 19 satellites in view at all times, the SXBlue III GNSS provides superior performance when working in tough environments such as in and around tree canopy, buildings, and rugged terrain.

    The company reports the next-generation SXBlue III GNSS is a small, palm-sized unit that uses a 2.7-inch diameter GNSS antenna. The unit is  waterproof (submersible), dustproof, and ruggedized, with an IP-67 rating. Its Class-1 long-range Bluetooth 2.0 has a typical range of 250 meters. The internal, rechargeable, field replaceable Li-Ion battery has on-board LEDs to let the user know how much battery life is left. The operating temperature range of the SXBlue III GNSS is -40°C (-40°F) to 85°C (185°F).

    In addition to the built-in long-range Bluetooth transceiver, the SXBlue III GNSS also has a standard DB-9 RS-232 port and a USB Type B port whose outputs are fully programmable up to 10-Hz standard with a 20-Hz option.

    The SXBlue III GNSS is targeted at high-precision users in industries such as surveying, GIS, utilities, construction, agriculture, engineering, and other natural resource industries in addition to local, state, and federal government users.

  • Tallysman Wireless Introduces Wideband, Low Cost GPS-L1/GLONASS Antenna

    Tallysman Wireless, Inc., has announced the latest addition of the TW4320/4322 to its line of antenna products. The TW4320/TW4322 antennas are small wide-band, high-performance antennas housed in a compact IP67 magnetic mount enclosure, with a three-meter cable and a wide range of connectors.

    “Most small low-cost GPS and GLONASS antenna have narrow-band patch elements tuned mid-way, but which are 2-dB down in both signal bands,” said Gyles Panther, CEO of Tallysman Wireless. “The TW4320/22 antennas feature a patch element with a 40% wider bandwidth and a very low noise amplifier which together allows the full benefits of multi-constellational GNSS to be realized.”

    The TW4320/TW4322 antenna covers the GPS L1, GLONASS L1, and SBAS (WAAS, EGNOS, and MSAS) frequency bands (1575 to 1606 MHz). It features a small patch element with 40 percent wider bandwidth than previously available in this format. It provides both GPS-L1 and GLONASS signals in the 1-dB received power bandwidth.

    The TW4320/TW4322 has a two stage low-noise amplifier with a mid-section SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave). A tight pre-filter is available in the TW4322 to protect against saturation by high-level sub-harmonics and L-band signals.

    Features:
    •    
40% wider bandwidth in the same format
    •    Axial ratio: 6 dB max
    •    Low noise LNA: 1 dB
    •    High rejection mid-section SAW filter
    •    Available pre-filter (TW4322)
    •    High gain: 28 dB typ.
    •    Wide voltage input range: 2.5 to 10 VDC
    •    IP67 weather-proof housing
    Models:
    •   TW4320 – GPS/GLONASS antenna, three-meter cable, SMA Male 32-4320-xx-yyyy
    •   TW4322 – GPS/GLONASS antenna, with pre-filter, three-meter cable, SMA Male 32-4322-xx-yyyy

  • Golden Software Releases Surfer 11

    Golden Software, Inc. announces the release of Surfer 11, a powerful, user-friendly software package which accurately transforms data into presentation-ready maps.

    According to the announcement, Surfer 11 offers twelve different gridding methods, including Kriging with variograms, to convert irregularly spaced XYZ data into a uniform grid. Display a grid or digital elevation model in one of eight fully customizable 2D and 3D map types: contour, watershed, image, shaded relief, 1-grid and 2-grid vector, 3D wireframe, and 3D surface maps. Enhance the display by adding post, classed post and base maps. Contour and 3D maps generated with Surfer are known for their clarity, vibrancy and accuracy.

    Golden Software reports that one of the most popular new features in Surfer 11 is the ability to create watershed maps. Users can now load a grid file to create a watershed map and display catchment basins and stream lines based on the Z data in the grid file.

    In addition to creating watershed maps, users can now load and label base maps with attributes. This has been a top request from current users. Load features into Surfer with attributes, label the features with the attributes, edit the attributes, and export the feature and attribute information together to a new file.

    Golden Software reports that three other time-saving upgrades to Surfer 11 are automatic profiles, interactively measuring distance and area, and locking the position of an item on the page. Users can now simply draw a line on a map and a topographical profile is automatically created! Users can also measure lengths and areas by drawing a line or polygon on a map. The length and area measurements are displayed and updated immediately as the user is drawing the item. Locking the position of an item on the page allows users to create their project with the confidence that their maps, legends and items will stay in the exact same spot that they are laid out.

    Comments from Surfer 11 Beta Testers:

    “Surfer 11 is great, with many long-desired improvements” – John Vanderlaan, President / Geophysicist, Prism Geoimaging, Inc.

    “I fell out of my chair when I read that you can lock object positions!!!!! Love it. Thank you so much” – William E. Steinhart III, Senior Geophysicist Project Manager, Enviroscan, Inc.

  • Multi-GNSS Simulator

    Multi-GNSS Simulator

    Spectracom announced its new L1+L2 dual-frequency 32-channel multi-GNSS simulator, the GSG-62. The GSG-62 offers multiple frequency band operation, multiple GNSS constellation simulation, and expansion capability for more frequency bands and channels, the company said.

    The new simulator provides expanded capabilities for those who are testing more than GPS L1, according to the company. “We understand the challenges our customers have in fast-paced development, migration and delivery of products with ever changing embedded GNSS receivers,” said John Fischer, Spectracom CTO. “As such, we are excited to introduce this next-generation multi-signal instrument that allows for real-time scenarios, is intuitive to understand, quick to deploy and, given its design to support upgrades to L2C, L5, and future GNSS frequencies and systems, protects our customer’s investment in test gear.

    Fischer continued, “In addition to a wide variety of technical challenges, we also understand our customers must balance the ability to quickly develop solutions and improve cost performance in their operations. We believe the price, unique features, and form factor of the GSG-62 will allow them to do both.”

    The GSG-62 is designed for manufacturing and development testing with its ability to simulate all the visible satellites for the receiver under test. With 16 channels for L1 frequency and 16 channels for L2 frequency, channels can be assigned to GPS or GLONASS, P-code or C/A code. Channels may also be used for SBAS simulation of EGNOS, WAAS, GAGAN, or MSAS satellites, or for multipath and interference signals.

The GSG-62 incorporates all the features of Spectracom’s previous models, including compatibility with GSG StudioView PC software for creation and editing of simulation scenarios via Google Maps.