GPS World

Tag: surveying

  • Trimble launches VRS Now correction service in France

    The Trimble VRS Now GNSS correction service is now available in France. The service is designed for a variety of geospatial and construction applications including surveying, cadastral, land administration, and urban and rural construction that would benefit from easy access to high-accuracy, centimeter-level positioning.

    Trimble also now provides Galileo support for VRS Now. Powered by the Trimble Pivot Platform, VRS Now in Europe fully supports GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, QZSS and the Galileo satellite system.

    Galileo support improves network performance and reliability with access to additional satellites, particularly in urban canyons or other harsh environments. The increased number of visible satellites provides additional data observations that enhance positioning integrity to better mitigate errors.

    “Trimble continues to aggressively expand its VRS Now footprint in Europe,” said Patricia Boothe, general manager of Trimble’s Advanced Positioning Division. “With the addition of correction services in France, Trimble VRS Now covers over 179 million square kilometers (732 million square miles) across 10 countries.”

    VRS Now coverage is available throughout the majority of France as well as Belgium, The Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Sweden using a compatible GNSS receiver or display.

    Subscriptions are available through Trimble’s Authorized Business Partners or Trimble’s online store.

  • New Spectra Precision GNSS receiver gives surveyors flexibility

    New Spectra Precision GNSS receiver gives surveyors flexibility

    Spectra Precision has introduced its new SP90m multi-frequency and multi-application GNSS receiver.

    Spectra Precision’s SP90m GNSS receiver.

    The Spectra Precision SP90m is a powerful, highly versatile, ultra-rugged and reliable GNSS positioning solution for a wide variety of real-time and post-processing applications. It features integrated communications options such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, UHF radio and cellular modem as well as two MSS L-band channels to receive Trimble RTX correction services.

    With a modular form factor, the SP90m is flexible and can be used as a base station, campaign receiver, continuously operating reference station (CORS), real-time kinematic (RTK) or Trimble RTX rover, or integrated on-board a machine.

    The patented Z-Blade GNSS-centric technology uses all available GNSS signals to deliver fast and reliable positions in real-time. The SP90m GNSS receiver also allows the connection of two GNSS antennas for precise heading or relative positioning determination without a secondary GNSS receiver.

    The SP90m’s unique design enables a broad range of mounting capabilities. In addition to the wide range of built-in communication options, the SP90m features an internal removable battery, internal memory, optional accessory kits for specific applications.

    The receiver is also compatible with a variety of software solutions such as Spectra Precision Survey Pro. The weatherproof, high-impact-resistant molded aluminum housing ensures the user’s investment is safe in extreme field conditions, which is important for campaign or base-station applications.

    “With the addition of the SP90m receiver to its portfolio, Spectra Precision has introduced a new generation of ultra-rugged, compact and feature rich GNSS solution to the surveying market,” said Olivier Casabianca, general manager of Trimble’s Spectra Precision Division. “This highly flexible receiver can be used where a typical integrated receiver on a range pole is not optimal and other configurations may be required. It is an ideal solution for geospatial professionals looking for a single receiver that can be used for multiple applications.”

    The Spectra Precision SP90m receiver is available now through the Spectra Precision global dealer network. For more information, visit www.spectraprecision.com or email: [email protected].

  • Utility post-processing software delivers CAD drawings

    Leica-DXutility-WLeica Geosystems has released its new DX Office Vision utility post processing software for mapping ground-penetrating radar (GPR) data from the field into a CAD drawing.

    DX Office Vision allows even non-experienced users to obtain professional 3D CAD drawings and visualize the detected underground utilities in a simple way, according to Leica. The intuitive interface enables users to filter, select, identify and make annotations of the located targets. With DX Office Vision, post-processing for all ground-penetrating data requires no add-on or third party software.

    “Following the demo of the new DX Office Vision I have to say I am impressed. The user interface is very intuitive with key processing views easily manipulated for fast interpretation of ground penetration radar data. I was particularly impressed with the DX Office Vision feature that allowed me to clean up the scan and highlight certain areas to give a clearer view of hyperbolae,” said Alex Rampton, surveyor at Plowman Craven.

    DX Office Vision was developed by utility surveyors who know what is needed from a post processing software. The software was created to reduce the post processing time and eliminate all unnecessary steps to convert data or chose parameters. The software guides the user to create a reliable 3D map of the underground detected utilities with minimal training.

    “DX Office Vision aims to make interpretation of GPR data easy to master for constructors and surveyors who are not familiar with how to interpret it,” said Tughan Telatar, product manager, Construction Tools for Leica Geosystems. “DX Office Vision is so simple to learn that anyone from the crew can take over data processing into professional CAD drawings in five steps and 50 per cent faster than traditional methods.”

  • Sokkia introduces field-to-office GeoPro software

    Sokkia introduces field-to-office GeoPro software

    Sokkia has introduced a pair of software solutions for its total stations, robotics and GNSS rover systems — GeoPro Field and GeoPro Office.

    Sokkia GeoPro Field software.

    GeoPro Field provides a graphical user interface designed to collect field measurements for land surveying and construction activities.

    “End-users needing a field tool to collect and import measurement data into design and drafting software will find GeoPro Field to be a fast and accurate method that will increase productivity with CAD functionality in the field,” said Ray Kerwin, director of global surveying products. “A key to GeoPro Field is its compatibility with various software workflows — point files are easily exported to third-party software.”

    Sokkia GeoPro Office software.

    Sokkia GeoPro Office is the office-processing complement to the field software — designed to clean, process, and analyze field data into its easiest-to-use form. “Users will immediately see the benefit in time saved, when compared to a variety of traditional manual methods,” Kerwin said.

    The office software can also be expanded with an optional 3D and road design module, for further versatility to design roads with the processed field measurements.

    “The Sokkia GeoPro Field and Office have user-friendly graphical interfaces, with simple in-field functions and office workflows. The user can get to work quickly due to the intuitive interface and simplicity of operation without the need for advanced training,” Kerwin said.

  • TerraGo Edge version 4 uses iOS, Android flexibility

    TerraGo Edge version 4 uses iOS, Android flexibility

    The profession of land surveying has taken advantage of many technological location and measuring advancements, yet most of the data collectors used today are still based upon aging proprietary data collectors and even older operating system platforms.

    A common tool for most surveyors is the smartphone or tablet, so TerraGo developed an application that takes advantage of the nimble programming of iOS and Android.

    The TerraGo Edge 4 mapping application utilizes all the best features of today’s mobile technology, according to TerraGo. Besides an intuitive interface, Edge 4 allows users to customize how their data is collected and presented, including overlays on Google and Apple maps.

    Depending on the user’s needs, Edge 4 can use the device’s Bluetooth connection to an external GNSS receiver for greater accuracy.

    Sharing is also easy with publishing and ArcGIS exporting plug-ins, all in a mobile environment most users are familiar with using every day, the company said.

    GPS and GIS features include:

    • Sub-meter and centimeter precision
    • Real-time GPS monitor
    • Full NMEA GPS metadata display and capture
    • GPS accuracy settings
    • RTK support
    • Dynamic BT device list
    • Auto-record GPS Lines and Polygons
    • Import and export Esri file geodatabase, Shapefile, KML, CSV, JSON
    • OGC GeoPackage (SQLite) vector and raster

    Learn more on the TerraGo Edge features page.

    TerraGo Edge version 4.0 offers a completely redesigned app based on customer feedback, field user observations and task-centered design cycles, as well as a host of new features including the addition of Google and Apple basemaps.

    “The new interface is so much more than just a ‘look and feel’ change; it will allow us to more efficiently execute projects and improve data quality in less taps and less time, which is a force multiplier when you’re talking about thousands of data points per day,” said Scott Riccardella, director of oil and gas business development at Structural Integrity Associates. “Having the right tool is essential to getting any job done right, and TerraGo is ahead of the game when it comes to giving my field teams the best possible tool for the fastest, most accurate and highest-quality asset inspections.”

    “We have completely rebuilt the mobile user interface from the ground up to improve all aspects of the app’s performance, and while users will notice the stunning graphics and aesthetics, the real value is that the feature or data you need is always just one tap away,” said Dave Basil, vice president of product development at TerraGo. “By incorporating the latest native design elements like tabbed navigation, responsive split screens and adaptive list views, we found ways to improve the speed and efficiency of the work our customers do every day.”

    TerraGo Edge’s latest features include:

    • Reimagined user experience: Rebuild of the Edge mobile user interface incorporating both years of user feedback from the field and interactive design cycles with live users.
    • Google and Apple maps: Standard, satellite and hybrid maps are available for data collection and are paired with new precise location pin icons for a cutting edge data collection experience.
    • Tabbed app navigation: With the new, easier to reach tabbed navigation, it’s easier to collect data in the field.
    • Quick capture button: Allows users to create notes, complete forms, take photos, drop points and draw lines/polygons from virtually anywhere in the app, with only one tap.
    • Unlimited attachments: Now users can attach as many forms, photos or videos as you would like to a single note.
    • Responsive split screen view: When holding a tablet or larger mobile device in landscape mode, new split screens will automatically allow userse to view lists/maps or lists/details on one screen.
    • Detailed list view: The new detailed list view shows more of the important note data making it easier to find notes, and enables one-tap actions directly from the list.
    • One-tap forms and maps lists: Now users can view all the form templates, and instantly create notes using them, or view all your offline maps and directly access them, from one master list.
    • Precise location: Users can capture a more accurate location when creating notes by using the center crosshair target and coordinate level accuracy for dropping points and drawing lines/polygons.
    • Filter by map extent: This new feature keeps the notes on a map and in a list dynamically in sync.
    • Quick basemap preview: Preview online and offline basemaps in real-time from the selection screen to choose a map with one tap and no toggling back and forth.
    • Arc2Edge plug-in: ArcGIS Desktop users can directly share maps and features with mobile users, allowing them to roundtrip updates and new features from the field back to ArcGIS.
  • Tersus releases Precis-BX316R GNSS PPK board

    Tersus releases Precis-BX316R GNSS PPK board

    Tersus GNSS has released to the market its new GNSS PPK board, the Precis-BX316R.

    Precis-BX316R is a GNSS Post-Processing Kinematic (PPK) board for accurate positioning. It supports raw measurement output from two antennas: GPS L1/L2, GLONASS G1/G2 and BDS B1/B2 from primary antenna and GPS L1/L2 from the second.

    The SD card on board (up to 32G) makes it convenient for users to collect data for post processing. Working with GNSS antennas, it can output stable measurement in challenging conditions, Tersus GNSS said.

    Integrated with versatile interfaces and connectors, Precis-BX316R aims to facilitate applications such as precision navigation, precision agriculture, surveying and UAV, and enforcing effective GNSS data management.

  • Timesaving webinar on survey data collection

    Time has great impact in the enterprise mobility continuum. Developing tools for mobile workers has long been the sole province of IT, but the demand for mobile apps is stretching IT to the breaking point. Demand for mobile apps is five times greater than IT capacity, according to one market study.

    This makes many organizations reluctant to jump in to mobile development or to change traditional processes that aren’t broke — so why fix them? The trend also explains the emergence of zero-code app development platforms that can reduce a one-year IT backlog to a few hours. The equation changes when end users become “citizen developers,” allowed to create the custom apps by selecting features, interfaces from a menu of capabilities.

    Zero code is being called both a game-changer and disruptive technology because it offers a new approach to mobile data collection, with new, easy-to-use technology to develop tools.

    One such example is Terrago’s Magic, a zero-code development studio, which is growing both vertically and horizontally, with both directions responding to customer input.

    GPS World readers and all other interested parties have an opportunity to learn more about these time-saving tools in a free webinar on May 25: How to Build Custom Trimble Apps for Any Industry with Zero-Code. See env-gpsworld-integration.kinsta.cloud/webinar for further details and immediate registration.

    Participants will learn how to:

    • Create custom mobile apps with your branding and selected features using a click-not-code app studio;
    • Integrate your custom mobile app with Trimble GNSS and many other enterprise platforms;
    • Publish to the AppStore, Google Play and the Cloud with the click of a button;
    • Deploy cloud-based or private-hosted enterprise servers; and
    • Reduce development costs by 90 percent.

    Vertical growth comes through a software development process that generates a new version every 4-6 weeks, each with new features. Magic custom app development basically involves selecting workflow elements from a menu. Since anything with a menu is limiting by definition, TerraGo does not claim that Magic can be all things to all people. But as limitations are reduced with each version’s new menu, Magic is becoming more things to more people – and can complement less-limiting (if more time and money consuming) low-code app development organizations by reducing the strain on their IT departments.

    Horizontal growth is coming through partnerships with companies such as CompassTools and Duncan-Parnell.    These firms have the vertical expertise to customize and deploy tailored solutions at speeds not achievable with traditional approaches.

    CompassTools, headquartered in Denver, serves eight Midwestern states from Canada to Mexico with high-precision field data collection solutions. For many years Compass offered handheld GPS devices as the foundation of those solutions with great success. Still, the data typically required manual processing once the devices were returned from the field, introducing expensive delays. Now positioning, mobile and cloud innovations are reducing that time.

    “We really believe that TerraGo’s approach represents an important part of the future data collection tools that our customers are going to need in the field,” said Andew Carey, an account manager with CompassTools.

    “Because TerraGo apps provide direct integration with Trimble receivers, they can help us deliver the best of both worlds for customers with easy-to-use field apps and proven Trimble accuracy,” said York Grow, MGIS solutions manager at Duncan-Parnell.

     

     

  • Laser Technology offers TruPoint 300 total station

    Laser Technology offers TruPoint 300 total station

    The TruPoint 300 total station by Laser Technology.
    The TruPoint 300 total station by Laser Technology.

    Laser Technology Inc. (LTI) has released its TruPoint 300 for field data collection and mapping, as well as producing +/–1 millimeter range accuracy. It is a fully integrated laser with vertical and horizontal angle encoders capable of producing 3D, survey-grade measurements.

    The TruPoint 300 is LTI’s first phase-technology product with a laser diode that emits light pulses with a distinct wavelength and pulse repetition frequency that obtains millimeter accuracy.

    The fully integrated MapStar Angle Technology make the Trupoint 300 suitable for GIS, incident mapping, crush analysis, surveying, electric utilities, architecture and construction.

    It will measure the distance between two remote points and has onboard solutions for volume, height, and 2D and 3D area, the company said. Professionals can navigate through measured data, routines, and menus with a full-color touchscreen.

    In addition, the laser features an integrated red-dot visual indicator and crosshair with four-power zoom camera, which makes taking measurements easier, especially indoors, LTI said. The unit will also capture a photo of every shot taken that includes raw measurement values and onboard calculations.

    Both photos and data can be stored in a CAD-friendly format for professional documentation. With Bluetooth and WLAN, professionals can communicate with apps and transfer X-, Y-, Z-point data files with images.

    Several measurement and mapping apps designed by LTI are expected to be released in the coming months. Besides professional-grade lasers for mapping, LTI also provides a line of recreational rangefinders by Bushnell for golfing and hunting.

  • UAV poll results and business applications

    One-third of GPS World readers who responded to the latest poll think air traffic control and the FAA regulatory environment constitute the biggest challenges facing the UAV industry today. Other answers receiving top votes, from 10 to 27 percent of the total, included

    • Better, smaller, more lightweight sensors: inertial, Lidar, infrared, spectral, etc. (16 percent)
    • Integration of other sensors with GPS/GNSS. (10 percent)
    • Competition from satellite and aircraft imagery/mapping. (9.8 percent)

    “Other” answers, summing 28 percent altogether, included:

    • Battery technology and flight times
    • Battery capacity
    • Control from normal Android phone
    • GNSS disruption
    • Definition of sensor performance specifications for navigation, in particular GNSS & SBAS MOPS-like standardisation.
    • Something simple that will make it visible on primary radar
    • Longer flight time

    To learn more about overcoming such challenges, tune into the free April 20 webinar, “From Flying Drones to Doing Business,” addressing ease of use for the user in business applications.  The webinar will cover a broad range of issues concerning sensor integration aboard a flying platform, and in particular their use for commercial purposes. Webinar attendees will have the opportunity to ask direct questions of the speakers, both upon registration and during the live event. Register free at env-gpsworld-integration.kinsta.cloud/webinar.

    Speakers

    • Gustavo Lopez, product manager GNSS solutions for UAV applications, Septentrio
    • Jan Leyssens
, managing director, Sales and Business Development, Airobot
    • Francois Gervaix, product manager – Surveying, senseFly SA
    • Zak Kassas, assistant professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, Riverside
  • UAV manufacturer senseFly joins April 20 webinar panel

    UAV manufacturer senseFly joins April 20 webinar panel

    A speaker from UAV manufacturer senseFly will appear on the free April 20 webinar, “From Flying Drones to Doing Business,” addressing ease of use for the user in business applications. The Switzerland-based company specializes in professional-grade UAVs for survey, mapping, precision agriculture and asset inspection. The company recently became the first drone operator to be granted anytime Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) authorization in Switzerland.

    ebee copy 2
    Photo: senseFly

    The webinar will cover a broad range of issues concerning sensor integration aboard a flying platform, and in particular their use for commercial purposes. Webinar attendees will have the opportunity to ask direct questions of the speakers, both upon registration and during the live event. Register free at env-gpsworld-integration.kinsta.cloud/webinar.

    The senseFly speaker (name to be announced soon) will join a panel that consists of:
    Gustavo Lopez, Product manager GNSS solutions for UAV applications, Septentrio; Jan Leyssens
, Managing Director, Sales & Business Development, Airobot; and Zak Kassas, Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, Riverside.

    Further speaker details:

    Lopez: Septentrio is an leader in bringing high end GNSS technology when accuracy and reliability matters. Gustavo Lopez is Product manager for UAS applications at Septentrio. Since joining the company, he has held a number of R&D and product management roles. Gustavo holds a Bachelor of Computer Science degree from Monterrey’s Technology Institute and an MBA from United Business Institute

    Leyssens: Airobot specializes in meeting safety demands for UAVs by providing intelligent safety components, specifically designed for drones, and in facilitating end-users’ success in completing their missions. Leyssens has Masters’ degrees in avionics, electrical engineering and business administration.

    Kassas will present the research material from his cover story in the April issue of GPS World: “LTE Steers UAV — No GPS? No Problem! Signals of Opportunity Work in Challenged Environments.” Long-term evolution cellular can be exploited for accurate and resilient autonomous vehicle navigation in the absence of clear GNSS signals. Simulation and experimental results demonstrate that GPS-like performance can be achieved in the absence of GPS signals when cellular pseudoranges aid an inertial navigation system.

  • SBG Systems unveils Qinertia INS/GNSS post-processing software

    Qinertia, SBG Systems’ new in-house post-processing software, gives access to offline real-time kinematic (RTK) corrections, and processes inertial and GNSS raw data to further enhance accuracy and secure a survey.

    SBG Systems will unveil new software for the surveying industry at the Ocean Business show, held in Southamptom, United Kingdom, April 4-6.

    For more than 10 years, SBG Systems has been designing inertial navigation systems from the internal inertial measurement unit (IMU) to filtering with GNSS data. Expert in real-time data fusion, the company takes another step in the surveying industry by unveiling Qinertia, a fully in-house post-processing kinematic (PPK) software. Whether the survey is made from a car, a UAV, a plane or a vessel, Qinertia will secure and enhance the acquisition.

    Virtual Base Station

    After the mission, Qinertia gives access to offline RTK corrections from more than 7,000 base stations in 164 countries. By creating a virtual base station near your project, the software delivers the highest level of accuracy without having to set up a base station, the company said.

    Trajectory and orientation are then greatly improved by processing inertial data and raw GNSS observables in forward and backward directions. Qinertia also secures the survey by fixing afterwards lever arms or sensor misalignment.

    Qinertia has been designed to help surveyors get the most of their surveys with simplicity. Surveyors can begin a project with a step-by step wizard, access an always up-to-date reference station database, and consult advanced quality indicators. With 64 bits and a multi-core design, Qinertia is fast processing software.

    Qinertia will be available in the fourth quarter of this year. A public beta test program will begin early this summer.

     

  • What have you been up to in the world of PNT?

    microdrone-water-rescue-W
    Photo: Microdrones

    Do anything interesting today? Specifically, did you do something interesting involving positioning, navigation or timing (PNT)?

    GPS World is always on the look-out for case studies — stories of how you, our readers, used PNT or GNSS equipment, or applied related technologies, to solve a problem. Each month in our Market Watch and Updates sections, I try to include a few case studies. We always provide news about new products or company and industry announcements, but it’s the case studies that often “bring it home” to our readers.

    We’ve taken a look at thermal mapping at the South Pole and a one-man survey project on a remote tropical island, using both a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) and a receiver on a pole. We also share how lifeguards can use UAVs to save people who are drowning. Previously, we discussed how avalanches were being mapped and how a state transportation department was making the move to tablets for 3D mapping. We showed how UAVs could speed cell-tower recovery after floods.

    So, tell us what you’re up to. We want to hear about it. With pictures. Email me at [email protected].