Tag: robotics

Quectel unveils 5G NR modules for commercial use of 5G SA devices

Photo: Quectel

Quectel Wireless Solutions, a global supplier of modules for the internet of things (IoT), has announced the release of two new 5G New Radio (NR) module series, the RG500S and RM500S.

Based on the new Qualcomm 315 5G IoT Modem-RF System, both modules can support customers in building dedicated 5G devices for a variety of verticals including industrial IoT, retail, smart energy, private 5G networks, and many others.

The RG500S and RM500S both integrate a multi-constellation GNSS receiver, which simplifies the product design and provides accurate positioning services for users.

Utilizing the powerful Qualcomm 315 5G IoT modem, the RG500S and RM500S support extended-life software maintenance, helping create long-lasting IoT devices for the duration of their life span. Offering seamless integration, the RM500S is pin-to-pin compatible with Quectel’s LTE Cat 4 module EM05, Cat 6 module EM06, Cat 12 modules EM12-G/EM12xR-GL, Cat 16 module EM160R-GL and 5G module RM500Q, which provides more competitive 5G solutions to the IoT market. These features will help accelerate the 5G IoT market in the industrial and consumer IoT segments with use cases across robotics, automation, intelligent manufacturing, energy distribution, precision agriculture, construction, and mining.

Photo: Quectel

The RG500S and RM500S modules support 5G NR sub-6GHz bands in stand-alone mode offering backward compatibility with LTE networks. With network slicing in stand-alone mode, the two modules are able to offer end-to-end traffic isolation for critical traffic, guaranteed data rates and bandwidth, and lower latency than in non-standalone mode, which meets the demands of ultra-reliability and service-level agreements of typical industrial and enterprise scenarios.

The two modules are embedded with rich interfaces and incorporate high-speed USB 3.0/3.1, PCIe 3.0, U(SIM), RGMII and more, making them suitable for diversified industrial and consumer 5G applications such as industrial routers, robots, automation, intelligent manufacturing, smart cities, energy distribution, precision agriculture, construction and mining.

“Quectel has long been collaborating with Qualcomm Technologies to support the enablement of the 5G market in IoT,” said Patrick Qian, CEO, Quectel. “Based on the latest Qualcomm 315 5G IoT modem, the RG500S and RM500S are able to offer greater possibilities for the industrial and commercial IoT verticals. Features such as high performance and low latency as well as extended life software maintenance address the existing IoT market needs and can power a range of new 5G IoT use cases.”

“The Qualcomm 315 5G IoT modem solution was introduced to stimulate and scale the 5G IoT industry and enable the transitions needed to make 5G for IoT a reality. This solution is pin-to-pin compatible with legacy modules, which can accelerate device development and commercialization and promote growth and expansion in the 5G IoT industry. Integrating Qualcomm Technologies’ purpose-built modem into Quectel’s RG500S and RM500S modules will help deliver 5G to the IoT industry across industrial and enterprise applications,” said Jeffery Torrance, senior vice president, product management, Qualcomm Technologies.

May 24, 2021
OpenARC provides positioning platform for autonomous vehicles

Aceinna and Point One Navigation launch hardware and software platform for precise positioning in agriculture, construction, mapping, surveying, robotics and trucking

The OpenARC positioning service is now commercially available. OpenARC is a precise-positioning hardware and software platform for system integration of GNSS corrections with high-performance inertial navigation system (INS) and real-time kinematic (RTK) hardware.

OpenARC is offered by Aceinna, a developer of inertial-based guidance and navigation systems, and powered by Point One Navigation.

With an RTK positioning engine and GNSS corrections delivered from a ground-based network of secure base stations, OpenARC will reliably improve position accuracy for autonomous vehicles to centimeter-level accuracy. The platform combines Point One’s Polaris GNSS correction service with Aceinna’s OpenRTK330 hardware and software solution for developers of autonomous systems in trucking, precision agriculture, construction, mapping, surveying and robotics.

OpenARC provides high-precision positioning and localization applications, enabling centimeter-level accuracy for challenging tasks such as lane keeping, precision agricultural guidance, and UAV landing maneuvers.

OpenARC is integrated into the OpenRTK330LI navigation module to provide a secure, vertically integrated and easy-to-use positioning platform. OpenARC is very scalable, supporting single-unit installations and high-volume deployments.

Point One’s proprietary Polaris GNSS cloud correction service delivers superior station density in areas where operators need it the most, including urban centers and suburban surrounding areas, enabling cold convergence times of under 10 seconds.

Polaris provides continuous position monitoring and tracks all modern satellite constellations. Its base-station technology includes advanced anti-jam, interference mitigation, security and integrity monitoring. Its architecture allows for GNSS corrections in RTK or state space representation (SSR) configuration. Its open-source interfaces are compatible with multiple receivers and chipsets, and the service is compatible with any NTRIP/RTCM3 compliant receiver.

March 26, 2021
U-blox offers L1 and L5 GNSS signal timing modules
New modules enable users to develop high-precision solutions for heavy machinery, ground robotics, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

U-blox’s latest multi-band high-accuracy timing modules concurrently support L1 and L5 GNSS signals. The ZED-F9T-10B and LEA-F9T-10B timing modules, and the RCB-F9T-1 timing card, deliver nanosecond-level timing accuracies required to synchronize cellular network base stations and smart power grids. The ANN MB1 L1/L5 multi-band antenna completes the offering.

The multiband capability compensates for ionosphere error from all GNSS satellite constellations and reduces the timing error under clear skies to less than 5 ns without the need for an external GNSS correction service. To achieve maximum performance, the modules track signals from as many satellites as possible.

Image: u-blox

With satellite constellations transmitting signals on the L5 band nearing completion, the L1/L5 signal combination is becoming a viable option to complement products based on L1 and L2 signals. Modernized L5 signals are expected to deliver improved performance, especially in difficult urban conditions. Because L5 signals fall within the protected aeronautical radionavigation service (ARNS ) frequency band, they are also less subject to RF interference.

The LEA-F9T-10B provides a temperature range extended to –40 to +105° C. Both timing modules include a suite of advanced security features, including:
- Improved anti-jamming and anti-spoofing technologies detect and flag malicious RF interference.
- Secure boot ensures that the modules can only boot with authentic firmware.
- Secure interfaces prevent intruders from tampering with the messages between the receiver and the host system.t
- Time-receiver autonomous integrity monitoring (T-RAIM) provides highest level timing integrity.
The ANN-MB1 L1/L5 multi-band antenna supports the GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and BeiDou, and addresses the scarcity of options in the nascent L1/L5 high-precision antenna mass-market, simplifying testing and deployment of L1/L5 multi-band GNSS solutions. Magnetic and fixed mounting options help meet diverse installation needs.

The new products targets developers in industrial navigation and robotics interested in high-precision positioning technology to locate UAVs, ground robots and agricultural equipment accurately and in real time.

Engineering samples of the u-blox ZED-F9T-10B, RCB-F9T-1 and ANN-MB1 will be available in May, followed by the LEA-F9T.
March 25, 2021
Quantum Reversal adds new GNSS anti-jam units to product offerings
The QR100 and QR201 anti-jamming devices. (Photo: Quantum Reversal)

Quantum Reversal has added several new models to its flagship anti-jamming line. The company introduced in February the QR100 L1/L2 GPS anti-jamming unit and the QR101 L1/L2 GPS anti-jamming antenna.

The current solution consists now of five products designed for the commercial market to solve the issue of unintentional RF interference or jamming:
- QR100 – GPS dual frequency L1/L2 anti-jamming unit
- QR200 – GPS dual frequency L1/L2 anti-jamming antenna
- QR101 – GNSS multi frequency bands anti-jamming unit
- QR201 – GNSS multi frequency bands anti-jamming antenna
- QR202 – GNSS multi frequency band anti-jamming antenna with additional L-band reception
  (1520-1560 MHz)
All models provide robust GPS or GNSS navigation solution, blocking intentional jamming and unintentional RF interference for services such as timing or 3D positioning.

All the products are lightweight (230 grams for QR1xx series and 500 grams for QR2xx series) with low power consumption (1-1.5 Watt typically, depending on the configuration), and can be mounted on any platform (cars, poles, drones, etc.).

Quantum Reversal operates in the information and wireless technology sector, developing innovative wireless and antenna technologies for various commercial markets. The QR team has experience designing products for applications in space, underwater, robotics and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for the commercial and user end. Each application requires a specific solution to deal with specific environmental (pressure, temperature, vibration, etc.) and operational conditions.

The company sells stand alone products as well as OEM products that can be integrated within the customer products.
October 28, 2020
IoT kit ready for heavy workloads

Congatec is offering a workload consolidation kit for vision-based situational awareness applications such as machine control and vision-based collaborative robotics.

The kit qualifies as an Intel internet of things (IoT) ready-for-production kit. It offers three virtual machines based on the hypervisor technology from Real-Time Systems.

One runs a vision-based artificial intelligence application based on the Intel OpenVino situational awareness software. The second is real-time capable and operates deterministic control software, and the third acts as an industrial IoT/Industry 4.0 gateway.

August 20, 2020
Verizon to deploy RTK stations for ‘hyper-precise’ location info

Using RTK’s pinpoint-level location data in the Verizon network is a building block to bring to scale emerging technologies such as driverless city zones, expansion of precision agriculture and drone delivery.

Verizon has launched what it calls hyper-precise location using real-time kinematics (RTK) to provide accuracy within one to two centimeters on the Verizon network.

Verizon has built and deployed RTK reference stations nationwide so that compatible internet of things (IoT) devices can receive the higher accuracy. Verizon is working to make RTK accessible with myriad device makers.

RTK will also support emerging technologies that depend on high-level location accuracy, such as delivery drones and customer-approved location data for first responders in emergencies.

RTK technology reduces the cost and risk associated with inaccurate location data, Verizon said in a press release. “Billions of IoT devices across a multitude of industries will benefit from improved location accuracy, with hyper-precise location information enabling a host of new services.

“For instance, robotics at distribution centers will be able to perform more efficient, accurate and safe logistics operations. More accurate positioning can help speed deployment of high-value assets in emergency situations to the precise location, and more precise tracking of emergency equipment can provide faster redeployment in disaster response scenarios.”

The rollout of its hyper-precise location services along with Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband network and 5G Edge will pave the way for more autonomous technologies, the company said.

“We are scaling RTK to enable mobile location accuracy to within a few centimeters, transforming what is currently possible when it comes to location-enabled services and new IoT solutions coming onto the market,” said Nicola Palmer, chief product development officer for Verizon. “Continued growth in the IoT environment means billions of devices in fields where precision location services are becoming more critical, such as vehicle automation, unmanned aerial vehicles, precision agriculture technology, infrastructure monitoring, asset tracking and high-value shipping.”

Image: 4X-image iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images

Reimagining road safety

In partnership with HERE Technologies, Verizon is building next-generation technologies for vehicle and pedestrian safety using hyper-precise high-definition mapping and RTK.

This work paves the way for connected services that are designed to drive road safety improvements. By creating a vehicle-to-network (V2N) communication system equipped with hyper-local location accuracy, collision avoidance applications can precisely identify vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles, and relay the information through Verizon’s 5G Edge and HERE’s AI to predict likely travel paths and warn vehicles of impending potential collisions. This partnership is one of multiple recent initiatives Verizon has taken to increase road safety.

“Moving beyond the static fidelity of satellite-based location data enables an exciting new generation of connected, autonomous experiences,” said Jørgen Behrens, SVP, chief product officer at HERE Technologies. “By pairing HERE’s live, hyper-precise HD Map and HD Positioning technologies with intelligent RTK algorithms, and making that scalable, Verizon is putting a transformative level of location insights into the hands of developers and consumers alike.”

Powering the autonomous future

Hyper-precise location accuracy will be critical to advancing autonomous driving and together, Verizon and Renovo are ushering in a new era of transformative solutions critical for the future of autonomy on the road. These solutions leverage machine learning and RTK technology, powered by a combination of next-generation solutions such as 5G.

“RTK is a critical technology for advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). Accurate positioning helps ADAS vehicles navigate better, drive smoother, and react faster to the surrounding environment,” said Christopher Heiser, CEO and Co-Founder of Renovo. “Nationwide, reliable RTK networks make for a viable way to deliver these enhanced capabilities to mass-market cars and trucks. For companies that manage the huge datasets that power next-generation vehicle platforms like Renovo, this is very exciting.”

IoT devices currently using RTK can be accessed and managed through Verizon’s ThingSpace management platform and APIs.

August 14, 2020
NXP and Auterion join on hardware/software integration for drones
NXP and Auterion join forces to enable next-generation secure drone fleets with automotive certified solutions, high-reliability networking, and a scalable and open software platform.

Photo: narvikk/ iStock / Getty Images Plus/Getty Images

On July 6 at the PX4 Developer Summit 2020, NXP Semiconductors and Auterion announced a collaboration to develop integrated hardware and software solutions for the unmanned aerial systems industry.

Working together, the companies aim to develop highly reliable and advanced hardware and software solutions deployable in an unmanned aerial vehicle.

With the development of regulations and the increasing number of autonomous systems in the field, the requirement for components and software that are certifiable and the ability to deploy intelligence on the edge is becoming more and more important.

NXP provides semiconductor components and expertise leading to certifiable electronics solutions, including computational horsepower, secure element for encryption and authentication, and high reliability automotive networking.

Auterion is offering the hardware reference design and Auterion Enterprise PX4, the software for the flight controller and the mission computer to make drone fleets safe and fully integrated into workflows. Auterion is the largest contributor to PX4 and builds its software platform on open standards, ensuring that enterprises have access to a managed and tested distribution of the open source technology.

The partnership addresses the needs of the unmanned aerial vehicles industry for compatible hardware and software solutions that will help drone manufactures bring state-of-the-art products to market. The aim is to ensure that manufacturers have a streamlined path to certification and are connected to existing workflows.

“This partnership will enable the mobile robotics community with the components meeting quality specifications needed to ensure functional safety and security in drones and rovers based on reliable long life industrial and automotive parts and reference designs,” said Iain Galloway, Drone Program Lead, Systems Innovation, NXP. “We have been participating in the open source PX4 community for several years now and with this close relationship with Auterion, and Auterion Enterprise PX4, we are excited to work together to ensure these vehicles are prepared to meet current and future regulations and standards governing modular safe drone architectures.”

“Safety is the number one priority in commercial drone operations. NXP’s leading position as a semiconductor provider for safety-critical automotive applications is the perfect pairing for Auterion’s enterprise-grade drone software platform,” said Lorenz Meier, co-founder and CEO, Auterion. “Together, we will be able to provide integrated hardware and software solutions to the drone industry that combine high-performance compute with safety-first engineering.”

NXP and Auterion will collaborate on the core hardware and software components of an autonomous system, this includes, but is not limited to, the following topics:

Developing the next generation Auterion Skynode avionics module reference design, based on the latest Pixhawk autopilot Reference Standards and on the NXP i.MX 8M Mini as a companion computer, and on future components in this family.
- Integrating navigation modules incorporating NXP Ultra-Wideband (UWB), automotive MCU, NFC and authentication for precision landing applications.
- Developing Battery Management System (BMS) solutions based on the latest Pixhawk Smart Battery Standards.
- Developing Automotive CAN and CAN-FD node solutions supporting popular software protocols such as UAVCAN and MRCAN for mobile robotics peripherals.
- Collaborate in the data cybersecurity and drone regulatory space to help shape and meet future regulations.
Both parties will continue to support the PX4 open source community and upstream PX4 development, in an effort to enable the whole industry.
July 6, 2020
New Septentrio receiver integrates correction service

Photo: Septentrio

Septentrio has unveiled the AsteRx-m2 Sx OEM board, which provides a GPS/GNSS receiver with always-on sub-decimeter accuracy without the need for additional correction service subscriptions.

With the AsteRx-m2 Sx, Septentrio is pioneering a novel approach to high-accuracy positioning. Its latest core GNSS technology is integrated with a sub-decimeter correction service enabling simple plug-and-play positioning solutions.

High-accuracy positioning is available directly out of the box as GNSS corrections are automatically streamed to the receiver. This significantly simplifies the receiver set-up process and eliminates the hassle of corrections service subscription and maintenance.

“This product marks a new step for GNSS technology towards convenience and ease-of-use,” said Danilo Sabbatini, product manager at Septentrio. “By integrating the correction service directly into the GNSS receiver, we are removing the hassle of positioning service set-up and maintenance from the user. This means faster set-up times for our customers and worry-free, always-on high-accuracy positioning throughout the receiver lifetime.”

The AsteRx-m2 Sx is an efficient positioning solution for small robots, aerial drones and automation applications. Its optimized size, weight and power (SWaP) means longer operation on a single battery charge and better value in the field, according to Septentrio.

Advanced anti-jamming technology AIM+ ensures robust and reliable operation in challenging environments, even in the presence of RF interference.

Septentrio is offering a free GNSS corrections webinar on July 8 at 5 p.m. CEST/ 8 p.m. PST.

June 22, 2020
Qualcomm launches 5G, AI-enabled robotics platform

The Qualcomm Robotics RB5 Development Kit (Photo: Qualcomm Technologies)

Qualcomm Technologies released the Qualcomm Robotics RB5 platform. The RB5, comprised of hardware, software and development tools, is designed for the consumer, enterprise, defense, industrial and professional service sectors.

According to the company, the platform’s Qualcomm QRB5165 processor offers a heterogeneous computing architecture, coupled with the fifth-generation Qualcomm AI Engine that delivers 15 tera operations per second of artificial intelligence (AI) performance for running complex AI and deep learning workloads. The processor also offers incredible machine learning inferencing at the edge under restricted power budgets using the new Qualcomm Hexagon Tensor Accelerator.

Technical features of the RB5 include heterogeneous computing capabilities, 5th generation Qualcomm AI engine, advanced imaging capability, security support and connectivity. Qualcomm’s Spectra 480 Image Signal Processor (ISP) captures fast, professional-quality photos and videos, and can process two gigapixels per second, the company said.

In addition, seven concurrent cameras facilitate simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM), object detection and classification, autonomous navigation and path planning to perform tasks in indoor and outdoor settings.

With the Qualcomm Robotics RB5 platform and the Qualcomm QRB5165 processor, Qualcomm enables various design offerings including off-the-shelf system-on-module solutions and flexible chip-on-board designs, the company said. The solution is available in multiple options, including commercial and industrial-grade temperature ranges and an option for extended lifecycle until 2029.

“With the Qualcomm Robotics RB5 platform, Qualcomm Technologies will help accelerate growth in a wide array of robotics segments such as autonomous mobile robots, delivery, inspection, inventory, industrial, collaborative robots and unmanned aerial vehicles, enabling Industry 4.0 robotics use cases, and laying the foundation for the UAV Traffic Management space,” said Dev Singh, senior director, business development and head of autonomous robotics, drones and intelligent machines at Qualcomm.

Qualcomm also has entered into a strategic collaboration with TDK to further enhance the capabilities of the Qualcomm Robotics RB5 platform. Through the partnership, TDK added its latest sensor technologies for enhanced robotics applications as part of the Qualcomm Robotics RB5 platform.

The Qualcomm Robotics RB5 Development Kit

In addition, Qualcomm Robotics RB5 Development Kit ensure developers have the customization and flexibility they need to make their visions a commercial reality.

According to Qualcomm, the kit allows developers to have flexible software capabilities, with the platform offering support for Linux, Ubuntu and Robot Operating System 2.0, as well as pre-integrated drivers for various cameras, sensors and 5G connectivity. It also provides support for OpenCL, OpenGLES and OpenCV.

It also includes support for the Intel RealSense Depth Camera D435i and Panasonic TOF Camera to provide depth-sensing capabilities. TDK’s six-axis ICM-42688-P IMU, ICP-10111 barometric pressure and T5818 Digital bottom port microphone are integrated into the kit, as well.

June 18, 2020
Mobilicom to present smart drone solutions at Xponential 2019

Mobilicom’s SkyHopper VU remote viewing terminal is specifically designed for commercial and industrial drones and robotics. (Photo: Mobilicom)

Mobilicom Ltd., a global mission-critical-communications solution provider, will present its SkyHopper end-to-end solutions for smart drones and robotics at the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International’s Xponential 2019 trade show.

According to the company, SkyHopper brings all the key components that turn a drone into a smart drone. The SkyHopper product suite includes communication data links, cybersecurity and encryption that has been validated by the Israel Ministry of Defense and other government organizations; video processing; controllers and viewers.

The product line includes the SkyHopper PRO bi-directional data link, SkyHopper PRO V integrated video processing, SkyHopper ControlAir ruggedized controller and the SkyHopper VU remote viewing terminal.

According to the company, the SkyHopper PRO bi-directional data link delivers long range and non-line of sight communication that supports multiple transmission modes. The SkyHopper PRO V includes a dual-camera input, three camera interfaces, dual built-in video encoders and decoders, and local recording ability. The SkyHopper ControlAir allows users to control a drone or robot, as well as transmit or view a video and data while operating in air and ground missions. Finally, the SkyHopper VU offers a mobile HD video and telemetry receiver terminal for multiple viewers, specifically designed for commercial and industrial drones and robotics.

“We have done our homework in understanding what our customers need in order for their drones to successfully execute their missions,” said Oren Elkayam, CEO of Mobilicom. “As a result, while others focus on offerings for today, we offer solutions also essential for the future survival and scalability of commercial drones of robotics. With proprietary drone cybersecurity and radio technology and a highly experienced customer success team, SkyHopper has maintained a strong base of over 50 customers and counting.”

According to Mobilicom, its goal is to enable commercial drone and robotics manufacturers to increase their chances for success by focusing on their own business objectives, reducing time to market and minimizing resource expenditures.

April 23, 2019
CHC Navigation launches P2 GNSS sensor series
Designed for demanding positioning and heading applications

The P2 Elite GNSS sensor. (Photo: CHC Navigation)

CHC Navigation has released the P2 GNSS sensor series, which the company says provides high-accuracy positioning and heading in a compact, rugged enclosure.

The P2 GNSS sensor series is suitable for a wide variety of applications such as reference station, marine systems, unmanned navigation, industrial automation, robotics and machine control.

Integration. The P2 GNSS series is designed to significantly reduce system integration efforts by combining numerous connectivity interfaces including RS232, low-latency PPS output, Ethernet, CAN bus protocol and a comprehensive web interface for configuration set-up.

The series integrates the latest GNSS technology in an extremely rugged IP67 and lightweight enclosure. It delivers reliable, uninterrupted, high-accuracy, real-time positioning and heading measurements.

Scalable with 3 models. The P2 GNSS series is available in three different models to match various application requirements.
- The P2 GNSS sensor offers cost-effective and powerful real-time kinematic (RTK) positioning.
- The P2 Pro GNSS adds a dual-antenna input for precise heading data.
- The P2 Elite integrates additional 4G and UHF modems to provide a powerful, all-in-one, GNSS sensor.
“The P2 GNSS sensor series is leveraging our expertise in providing high-performance and reliable GNSS solutions,” said George Zhao, CEO of CHC Navigation. “Back-up by CHCNAV’s professional integration support, the P2 GNSS sensor series offers exceptional feature set to system integrators and machine manufacturer partners.”
April 11, 2019
Septentrio launches AsteRx-i S GNSS+IMU receiver
GNSS receiver manufacturer Septentrio has added the AsteRx-i S to its GNSS/INS product portfolio.

The AsteRx-i S combines Septentrio’s compact, multi-frequency multi-constellation GNSS engine with an ultralight external industrial-grade MEMS-based inertial measurement unit (IMU).

Designed around demanding requirements for size, weight, power consumption and temperature variation, the AsteRx-i S is designed for various applications such as inspections with UAVs, UAS photogrammetry, automation, robotics and logistics.

Calibrated for wide temperature ranges, the AsteRx-i S delivers accurate and reliable GNSS/IMU integrated positioning to the centimeter-level, as well as full attitude at high update rates and low latency, the company said.

Key benefits for users include:
- GNSS/INS positioning with 3D attitude: heading pitch and roll
- Multi-constellation, multifrequency, all-in-view RTK receiver
- AIM+ interference monitoring and mitigation system
- High-update rate, low-latency positioning and attitude
- Small and ultralight IMU (10 grams)
- Robust calibration for wide temperature ranges
“We are delighted to broaden our AsteRx-i GNSS/INS solutions range, bringing maximum flexibility and choice to our customers,” said Francesca Clemente, product manager at Septentrio. “Whether for direct georeferencing in mapping applications with UAVs, for managing containers in a port or for innovative small robots in agriculture, the compactness, affordability and robustness of the AsteRx-i range allows our customers to focus on their success.”
August 27, 2018