GPS World

Tag: surveying

  • Topcon Introduces Field Controller for Advanced Data Collection

    Topcon Positioning Group announces a new data controller — the FC-500 — with numerous features and benefits, including a large 4.3-inch touchscreen display and 5MP camera with built-in LED flash.

    The FC-500 is designed for the professional operating Topcon MAGNET Field, Site and Layout software and Topcon’s Pocket 3D.

    Ray Kerwin, director of global surveying products, said, “The FC-500 works with all Topcon GPS/GNSS receivers and total stations, and meets or exceeds all field application requirements.  Additionally, the FC-500 works with the new Topcon LN-100 instrument dedicated to BIM and one-person construction layout, simplifying workflow with the seamless integration with our MAGNET suite of software solutions.”

    Kerwin said, “With a sunlight readable screen, the controller is easy to use even in bright sunlight.  It is the ideal job site controller in any condition (waterproof up to one meter, IP68 rating) and the large camera format with built-in LED flash and built-in 8GB flash storage allows the storing of hundreds of job site photos.”

    The standard model has both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, while the FC-500 GEO has Bluetooth, WiFi and GPS.  A third model comes with the addition of a 3.5G cellular modem that allows access to the MAGNET Enterprise Solutions suite, “making the FC-500 the perfect field instrument for sending and receiving data files to the MAGNET cloud,” Kerwin said.

    For the GIS professional using MAGNET Field software, the FC-500 has a geotagging feature that allows imprinting file information, including GPS location, directly on photos.

  • Veripos Upgrades Reference Stations with Septentrio GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/BeiDou Receivers

    Veripos Upgrades Reference Stations with Septentrio GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/BeiDou Receivers

    The Septentrio PolaRx4 reference receiver.
    The Septentrio PolaRx4 reference receiver.

    Veripos, a global provider of precise satellite positioning solutions to the international offshore and marine industries, is concluding the upgrade of its global network of GNSS reference stations with high-performance multi‑frequency GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/BeiDou receivers from Septentrio.

    Veripos owns and operates a network of more than 80 reference stations worldwide that is used to determine estimates of the orbit and clock errors of multiple GNSS satellite constellations. Veripos uses these estimates to calculate corrections which are then broadcast to end users to significantly improve the accuracy of positioning. At the heart of the network is Septentrio PolaRx4, a full-featured reference receiver that provides high-quality tracking and measurement of all available and upcoming GNSS signals.

    The upgrade of the Veripos global network of reference stations with the latest Septentrio reference receiver technology is an outcome of the multi-year collaboration between the two companies. Septentrio also supplies Veripos with multi-frequency GNSS and heading receivers for its marine business, including the LD series of integrated mobile units that deliver the complete range of Veripos augmentation services to its customers worldwide.

    “Septentrio reference stations are renowned for their excellent data-quality and robustness,” commented Bobby Johnson, Chief Technical Officer of Veripos. “Septentrio technology enables us to provide a full range of services and to remotely manage and upgrade the hardware to enhanced features, which is crucial for managing a worldwide reference network, where the equipment is often not easily accessible.”

    “We are delighted to see continued positive outcome from the technical and commercial relationship we have established with Veripos over the years and that has developed into Septentrio enabling Veripos to deliver a variety of solutions with high-quality and robust industrial performance everywhere on the globe to the benefit of a multitude of users in one of the most demanding industries,” said Jan Van Hees, head of sales and business development at Septentrio.

  • Hemisphere GNSS Vector Products Now Have GLONASS Functionality

    Hemisphere GNSS has announced that all professional-level Vector products — including the V103, V113, VS131, and VS330 — now include the ability to utilize the GLONASS system along with GPS in the navigation solution. The tracking of the additional GLONASS signals provides a more robust solution, especially in challenging environments, the company said.

    Vector Technology processes L1 GPS and GLONASS signals to deliver precise heading, greater positioning reliability, and improved performance in challenging environments. Hemisphere GNSS’ patented Vector technology computes the heading and pitch or roll angle while stationary or in motion allowing for heading accuracy of up to 0.01 degrees depending upon the product selected. A variety of differential correction methods also make it possible for Vector products to provide sub-meter to centimeter level RTK position accuracy.

    Professional marine industry organizations can maximize performance by integrating Hemisphere GNSS Professional Vector technology into their systems for hydrographic and bathymetric surveys, autopilots, dredging, and buoys. For land applications, Vector Technology is designed for the alignment of cameras, antennas, and projectiles, and for machine control applications in agriculture, construction, and mining.

  • Javad Ashjaee Talks GNSS

    Javad Ashjaee Talks GNSS

    Javad Ashjaee
    Javad Ashjaee

    On Thursday, March 20, CEO Javad Ashjaee of JAVAD GNSS will conduct a free webinar on the current state-of-the art in high-precision GNSS technology: Where is high-precision GNSS today? Where is it headed?

    Further topics include new products and solutions from JAVAD GNSS, U.S. sales and customer-support news, and the offer of a two-week free trial for professional land surveyors of the JAVAD GNSS’s newest equipment, the TRIUMPH-LS and TRIUMPH-2. There will also be a question and comment session with one of the industry’s most accessible CEOs. Register here.

    The 75-minute free webinar starts at 1 p.m. Eastern U.S. Time,  10 a.m. Pacific.

  • Topcon Adds Apps, Expands TopNETlive Service

    Topcon Positioning Group has added two new mobile applications to the Apple App Store.  Topcon Tierra and Sitelink3D mobile apps are designed to offer on-the-go remote connections to equipment and job sites.

    The Topcon Tierra mobile app lets customers login with their existing passwords and track their equipment fleets from an iPhone or iPad. “The Topcon Tierra app allows users to easily check on their fleets, fences, productivity reports and get alerts any time, anywhere,” said Kris Maas, construction products marketing manager.  The Topcon Tierra mobile app is available to download at no charge.

    Customers can also manage and monitor job sites with the new Topcon Sitelink3D mobile app. “The Sitelink3D app lets users visualize real-time project management information on their iPhone or iPad with their existing Sitelink3D logins,” said Maas. “Remote connection to equipment within Sitelink3D is easier than ever with the addition of the app.” The Sitelink3D mobile app is available for purchase on the Apple App Store.

    TopNETlive Expands. Topcon Positioning Group also announced the expansion of its TopNETlive network service into 19 states and five Canadian provinces. TopNETlive uses a dense network of ground-based reference stations capable of supporting all major GNSS satellite constellations to provide high-accuracy with fast initialization time.

    The 24 states and provinces now included in the service are Alabama, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin, Ontario, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and Quebec.

    “TopNETlive network service is a primary source for all levels of correction for users in the agriculture, construction, surveying, civil engineering and GIS industries,” said Jonathan Ball, senior manager for Topcon network business. “It is designed to support all makes and models of GNSS and guidance equipment, making it a logical choice for companies that use multiple brands of positioning equipment.”  Ball further states that, “TopNETlive offers many different subscription plans to fit the operations and the budget of almost any user.”

  • Topcon Announces Haul Truck System, DS-200 Upgrade at CONEXPO

    Topcon Positioning Group has made several product and service announcements at CONEXPO-CON/AGG, being held this week in Las Vegas.

    Haul Truck System. The HT-30 haul truck module for Sitelink3D features a small, portable GPS-enabled control box that mounts into the truck cab. As the truck is loaded, data about the load is input, such as material type, driver, and quantity. The load is then integrated into Sitelink3D and can be tracked for scheduling, rerouted if needed elsewhere, and recorded once delivery is made.

    Whether the material is fill dirt, removal of overburden, select material, base course or even asphalt, HT-30 can be quickly plugged in so management and reporting can be maintained in real-time. For more information on the HT-30 or Sitelink3D, visit topconpositioning.com.

    Topcon DS-200.  Topcon has added the DS-200 with XPointing technology to its DS line of total stations in the North American market. XPointing technology allows the DS-200 to lock on to prisms quickly, even in dim or dark conditions, Topcon said.

    The DS-200 can be configured for interaction with Topcon’s RC5 remote system, which allows users up to 1000 feet (300 meters) away to easily perform a QuickLock with a push of a button, Topcon said.

    As a Hybrid Positioning capable total station, the DS-200 offers the use of both GNSS positioning and optical positioning technology designed to increase field efficiency. The system can become fully robotic with Hybrid Positioning technology, which can allow shots to measured with a GNSS receiver when the line-of-sight is blocked.

    Standard additional features of the DS series include LongLink communications, TSshield security and maintenance technology, MAGNET integrated software onboard, and rugged water-resistant IP65 construction.

    Enterprise Solutions. Topcon Positioning Group also announced a new workflow management system designed to connect all sites, all data, crews and equipment. Topcon Enterprise Solutions offers constant communication, data sharing, scheduling, updating, supporting, and accurate productivity data in real-time, no matter where the job or the office is located.

    Cloud-based Topcon Enterprise Solutions provides seamless connectivity from any office or remote user, to any site, to each enabled machine and field crew, throughout the entire project life cycle, Topcon said.

    Topcon_Enterprise_SolutionsThe system is designed to allow users quicker accessibility and management of increasing volumes of data, thereby exponentially increasing a company’s efficiency. Integrating data in a cloud-based environment from Topcon software services like Sitelink3D or MAGNET allows users to make time-sensitive decisions faster.

    The system can also be deployed to key partners of the company, such as engineers and sub-contractors, enabling instant updating of job files, material volumes and equipment schedules instantly with assured accuracy.

    In addition to site and data management, Enterprise Solutions includes the option to activate a corporate Topcon TotalCare account, providing immediate access to online training and technical support for virtually all Topcon products.

     

  • Topcon Technology Hits the Road in North America

     

    Topcon Technology Roadshow 2014, by Topcon Positioning Systems, launches in April. The hands-on educational program is focused on advanced positioning technologies and will feature a 5,000 square-foot mobile classroom/theater housed in a custom-designed 18-wheeler.

    The Technology Roadshow will cover North America, traveling more than 23,000 miles in six months. Each of the currently scheduled 23 stops for the free educational program – beginning April 10 in Pleasanton, California, and ending in October at Riverside, California — will include multiple sessions over two days. The events will focus on technology trends in the construction, surveying and GIS, engineering and architecture/engineering/contractor (AEC) professions.

    “With technology advancing so rapidly, many of our customers are telling us that it is difficult for them to keep up,” said Mark Contino, Topcon vice president of global marketing. “The Technology Roadshow is a fresh ‘we’ll-bring-the-technology-to-you’ concept that will provide an educational experience to construction and surveying professionals who want to learn about these exiting new solutions first hand, so they can determine the best fit for their business. Instead of flying half way across the country to attend a trade show or conference, we’re excited for this opportunity to bring tomorrow’s positioning technology to the construction, engineering and surveying backbone of North America — on their timetable, close to home, on a one-on-one basis.”

    “The focus of this unique learning event will demonstrate how the entire breadth of Topcon solutions works seamlessly together,” Contino said. “The real beauty is we’re bringing it directly to decision makers and end-users, allowing every company — big or small — the opportunity to see first-hand how new solutions and technologies can help them to become more productive and profitable.

    “We believe this rolling ‘user conference’ is a proactive way to help make sure the opportunity to learn about new technology is available to anyone who wants to learn.”Topcon industry and application professionals will staff the traveling unit. Topcon dealer personnel from the local area are tour sponsors and will assist them at each stop.

    For more information, go to the official Topcon Technology Roadshow website and register for an event in your area.

  • Topcon Adds Advances to P-32 Asphalt Paving System

    Topcon Adds Advances to P-32 Asphalt Paving System

    Topcon's P-32 asphalt paving system.
    Topcon’s P-32 asphalt paving system.

    Topcon Positioning Group announces advances to its P-32 asphalt paving system with new components including the ST-3 sonic tracker, anti-vibration slope sensor and a firmware update to the full-color, graphical display GC-35 control box.

    “The P-32 paver system was built to improve smoothness, ensure accurate slope and material thickness and provide unmatched operator ease-of-use,” said Kris Maas, machine control product marketing manager.  “Announced in 2013, the P-32 saves time and improves safety by allowing an operator to view elevation and slope values of the screed from a single control box. With these new components, this state-of-the-art 2D control system will continue to improve the speed and quality of asphalt paving.”

    The ST-3 sonic tracker is designed to enhanced position indication on string lines, give a wider range of linear detection and work better in tight areas. “The introduction of the ST-3 sonic tracker will increase productivity for users by providing smoother surface detections,” said Maas. “The smoother it can be, the faster the job will be finished.”

    The new slope sensor to the P-32 system is designed to increase accuracy in the most challenging conditions.  “This new slope sensor is amazingly resistant to vibrations and provides stable operation within dynamic temperature ranges,” said Maas.

    A firmware upgrade to the GC-35 full-color, graphical display control box provides enhanced slope accuracy data. “The cross slope value will be displayed even when the control box is set in elevation control mode on both sides, which takes the guess work out of knowing whether the cross slope is correct. Additionally, block slope calibration protects users from accidentally changing the slope sensor while the P-32 system is in operation,” said Maas.

  • GeoLearn with Geospatial Online Learning Opens Its Doors

    Geo-learn-logoGeoLearn, a start-up devoted to servicing the geospatial industry with online learning and continuing education credits, has launched its website and training portal with an initial catalog of 22 one-hour-long courses taught by industry-leading faculty members. Course topics available at launch include “Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV’s),” “ALTA/ACSM Land Title Surveys,” and “National Flood Plain Insurance.”

    “We want to provide quality professional development to satisfy continuing education requirements that also enables you to deliver services to your clients from a higher quality knowledge base,” said GeoLearn Principal Joe Paiva. “You often have to get continuing education to satisfy licensing requirements; at GeoLearn you will also leave enriched — a plus for any geospatial organization.” While catering to professionals, GeoLearn will begin to build up courses suitable for technicians as well, including a series that supports those pursuing Certified Survey Technician (CST) status.

    GeoLearn faculty members are nationally recognized experts in the geospatial field. Initial faculty include Gary Kent of the Schneider Corporation, Wendy Lathrop of Cadastral Consulting and GeoLearn Principal Joseph Paiva. More courses will come soon from other notable professionals in the geospatial industry.

    “A key motivation to start GeoLearn has been the desire to significantly improve the learning experience for busy professionals and technicians,” said GeoLearn Principal Bob Morris. “With limited time availability and the growing cost of travel associated with more traditional methods of securing continuing education credits, we hope to provide an attractive option using of state-of-the-art multi-media through our online training portal.”

    GeoLearn has invested in a multi-camera video production studio optimized for online learning, and hired Emmy Award-winning marketing and video expert Peter Barrett to head up those efforts.

  • Carlson Software’s MINI2 Offers Land Surveyors Performance in a Compact Size

    Carlson Software’s MINI2 Offers Land Surveyors Performance in a Compact Size

    The rugged, lightweight Carlson MINI2.
    The rugged, lightweight Carlson MINI2.

    Carlson Software’s newest data collector, the Carlson MINI2, packs a punch for its compact size. The new handheld computer is taking the place of its predecessor, the Carlson MINI.

    With an IP68 rating (better than the original MINI), the MINI2 is waterproof and dustproof, and is tested to MIL-STD-810G to meet the environmental demands of the surveying industry. The MINI2 also has several advancements over the MINI, including a bright display, a custom battery that lasts 20+ hours on one charge, and a scratch-resistant capacitive touchscreen with glove-friendly numeric keypad, for faster and more accurate data entry.

    The Carlson MINI2 was designed and manufactured by Juniper Systems, which specializes in building ultra-rugged handheld computers. Juniper Systems also manufactures the Carlson Surveyor handheld computer. Carlson Software packages these rugged handhelds with its own software to provide a total solution for surveying professionals.

    “Carlson Software has been a great partner of Juniper Systems for many years now,” said Debbie Trolson, Geomatics Market Manager at Juniper Systems. “Their high level of service as well as their attention to customer needs has made them not only an excellent company, but also a leader in the surveying market. I believe our cooperation with Carlson in providing the MINI2 to surveying professionals will continue to strengthen our partnership for years to come.”

    “Working with the team at Juniper Systems has allowed Carlson to offer our customers the kind of rugged and reliable hardware they need out in the field,” said Butch Herter, director of Hardware for Carlson Software. “The Juniper-produced MINI2 and Surveyor are the perfect complement to Carlson’s popular and efficient data collection software choices.”

  • GeoLearn with Geospatial Online Learning Opens Its Doors

    GeoLearn with Geospatial Online Learning Opens Its Doors

    Geo-learn-logoGeoLearn, a start-up devoted to servicing the geospatial industry with online learning and continuing education credits, has launched its website and training portal with an initial catalog of 22 one-hour-long courses taught by industry-leading faculty members. Course topics available at launch include “Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV’s),” “ALTA/ACSM Land Title Surveys,” and “National Flood Plain Insurance.”

    “We want to provide quality professional development to satisfy continuing education requirements that also enables you to deliver services to your clients from a higher quality knowledge base,” said GeoLearn Principal Joe Paiva. “You often have to get continuing education to satisfy licensing requirements; at GeoLearn you will also leave enriched — a plus for any geospatial organization.” While catering to professionals, GeoLearn will begin to build up courses suitable for technicians as well, including a series that supports those pursuing Certified Survey Technician (CST) status.

    GeoLearn faculty members are nationally recognized experts in the geospatial field. Initial faculty include Gary Kent of the Schneider Corporation, Wendy Lathrop of Cadastral Consulting and GeoLearn Principal Joseph Paiva. More courses will come soon from other notable professionals in the geospatial industry.

    “A key motivation to start GeoLearn has been the desire to significantly improve the learning experience for busy professionals and technicians,” said GeoLearn Principal Bob Morris. “With limited time availability and the growing cost of travel associated with more traditional methods of securing continuing education credits, we hope to provide an attractive option using of state-of-the-art multi-media through our online training portal.”

    GeoLearn has invested in a multi-camera video production studio optimized for online learning, and hired Emmy Award-winning marketing and video expert Peter Barrett to head up those efforts.

  • Septentrio, Imec Co-Design Antenna for High-Precision GNSS

    Septentrio, Imec Co-Design Antenna for High-Precision GNSS

    antenne copy-W
    photo: Imec and Septentrio

    Imec and Septentrio have collaborated to design multi-frequency GNSS antenna that simultaneously receives all GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, and Galileo bands. Developed under the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme project Handheld, the compact antenna can be integrated in multi-frequency handheld GNSS devices for high-precision location applications up to 1 centimeter.

    The announcement came at the Mobile World Congress being held this week in Barcelona, Spain.

    The compact antenna integrates Imec’s GNSS antenna and Septentrio’s GNSS RF front-end. Imec’s antenna design satisfies the requirements for the high-accuracy GNSS market while remaining small enough to fit in a handheld surveyor device, the companies said. The antenna has desired uniform gain and phase coverage over the complete upper hemisphere, with strong suppression of unwanted reflected signals below or in the vicinity of the GNSS receiver.

    The GNSS RF front-end, based on established front-end technology developed by Septentrio, is characterized by a superb out-of-band interference rejection to avoid notably device self-interference with other radiation sources such as Bluetooth and WLAN radios, as well as other ambient intentional and non-intentional interference. The compact multi-frequency antenna is a perfect companion of Septentrio’s compact and low-power AsteRx-m receiver, a credit card-sized dual frequency GNSS receiver that provides centimeter accuracy at less than 500-mW power consumption, by far the lowest power consumption in the professional GNSS market.

    The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement n°287183.