Trimble’s Elmar Lenz discusses Trimble’s family of BD OEM receiver boards, which includes the BD940-INS, BD992-INS and BD990. Get the inside scoop on the boards, which were showcased during Intergeo 2017 in Berlin, Germany.
Tag: Trimble
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Trimble offers direct georeferencing GNSS/inertial for UAVs
Trimble is offering three new GNSS-inertial systems for direct georeferencing on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs): the Trimble APX-15-EI UAV, Trimble APX-18 UAV and Trimble APX-20 UAV.Direct georeferencing with the systems allows the location of image elements collected by lidar and hyperspectral sensors to be accurately computed without extensive networks of ground control points, reducing costs while maintaining accuracy to produce maps.
The APX products use state-of-the-art low noise, multi-frequency Trimble Maxwell GNSS technology, and track all current satellite signals including GPS L1/L2/L2C/L5 and GLONASS L1/L2, QZSS, BeiDou, IRNSS and Galileo, supporting SBAS, RTK and Trimble CenterPoint RTX positioning modes.
The APX-15-EI UAV features dual inertial measurement units (IMU); one embedded onto the GNSS-inertial board that is mounted on the UAV airframe with the GNSS antenna, and one that is mounted on an external sensor contained in a gimballed mount.
With this feature, the APX-15-EI UAV can compute two sets of orientations — the UAV airframe and the gimballed mount — enabling automatic, precise positioning of the sensor without requiring an external interface to the gimballed mount or autopilot.
The APX-20 GNSS-inertial board by Applanix. The APX-18 UAV is a single-board GNSS-inertial solution that supports two-antenna heading for the highest accuracy in low-speed multi-rotor survey applications such as building facade scanning. Measuring 10 x 6 centimeters and weighing 62 grams, the APX-18 UAV uses on-board inertial sensors calibrated with the Applanix SmartCal software compensation technology for superior performance in a small, compact form for UAVs.
To meet the higher accuracy demands driven by the allowance of higher altitude, beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) UAV flights and the introduction of higher resolution, larger format imaging sensors, Trimble has developed the APX-20 UAV.
Also featuring dual IMUs for automatic gimballed mount support, the APX-20 UAV uses a new, MEMS-based lightweight external IMU with unparalleled performance. With a total weight of less than 425 grams, the APX-20 UAV provides high performance without sacrificing flight time.
“We are very pleased to announce these new additions to our portfolio of products for Direct Georeferencing on UAVs,” said Joe Hutton, director of inertial technology and airborne products at Applanix, a Trimble Company. “We have listened to our customers and worked very hard to come up with solutions that meet their needs, both from a technical and cost perspective.”
All APX products include the Applanix POSPac UAV post-processing software for generation of high-accuracy carrier-phase differential GNSS-inertial position and orientation for highest accuracy map products.
POSPac UAV supports single GNSS base-station processing with automatic coordinate survey using Trimble CenterPoint RTX, multi-single base station processing, and Applanix SmartBase Virtual Reference Station processing (optional), as well as the Trimble CenterPoint RTX post-processing trajectory generation available as a subscription.
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GNSS Smart Target Base Station simplifies map production from UAVs
Trimble has released the Trimble GNSS Smart Target Base Station for high-accuracy mapping from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).The announcement was made at Intergeo 2017, the world’s largest conference on geodesy, geoinformatics and land management.
Comprised of a survey grade, multi-frequency, multi-constellation GNSS reference station complete with a foam Ground Control Target with integrated carrying case, the Smart Target Base Station logs the raw GNSS observables required to perform centimeter level post-processed Differential GNSS positioning of UAVs, and acts as a photo-identifiable Ground Control Point (GCP) for quality control.
Cost effective, simple to operate, and supported by both the Applanix POSPac UAV GNSS-inertial post-processing software for direct georeferencing on UAVs and Trimble UASMaster photogrammetric software, the Smart Target Base Station makes aerial mapping from UAVs easier, according to Trimble.
Users can place the foam target with its receiver in the project area and stake it down. With the included smartphone app or web user interface, users can remotely begin logging the raw GNSS observables data collected by the target that is required for post processing.
At the end of the mission, the user retrieves the target and downloads the raw GNSS data along with the data collected from the Trimble APX UAV GNSS-inertial system installed in the UAV.
Global coordinates of the reference station are computed automatically using the Trimble Centerpoint RTX post-processing service in POSPac UAV or, if local coordinates are desired, the foam target can be centered over an existing reference point.
“Efficient mapping from UAVs using cameras, lidar and other sensors requires the right solutions that need to be simple and easy to use,” said Joe Hutton, director of inertial technology and airborne products at Applanix, a Trimble Company. “The Smart Target Base Station is a result of listening to our customers’ needs for a GNSS reference station to support direct georeferencing on UAVs that is cost-effective, easy to deploy in all terrains, and does not require special knowledge to operate. Aerial surveyors can quickly realize greater value and significant cost savings with this system, while obtaining high accuracy.”
The Trimble GNSS Smart Target Base Station operates autonomously for up to four hours with its embedded lithium ion battery. Extended operation can be achieved with a user-supplied external USB battery.
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Trimble introduces lower power GNSS-inertial boards
Trimble has introduced a new family of Trimble BD GNSS boards for high-precision guidance and control applications.
The BD boards’ simple connectivity and configuration allow system integrators and OEMs to easily add GNSS positioning and orientation — with the ability to upgrade its capabilities — using the same board footprint, connectors and software interface for specialized and custom hardware solutions, the company said.
The compact Trimble BD boards include a broad range of receiver capabilities, from high-accuracy GNSS only to full GNSS-Inertial features for positioning and 3D orientation. Firmware options are upgradeable, allowing functionality to be added as requirements change.
Product manufacturers in markets such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), autonomous vehicles, fleet management and aviation now have the ability to offer customers an extensive range of capabilities to meet all their needs.
According to Trimble, the low-power BD family of boards includes the BD940 GNSS and GNSS-Inertial boards and new top-of-the-line BD990 GNSS, GNSS-Heading and GNSS-Inertial boards, enabling customers to choose the most appropriate receiver for their applications.
In addition, the BX940 and BX992 are available in a rugged enclosure for applications used in harsh environments.
Integrating Trimble RTX technology, which enables precise and robust location worldwide without the use of a base station, the BD boards are ideal for flexible positioning. Trimble RTX technology enables users to subscribe to a complete portfolio of real-time correction services that deliver varying levels of accuracy depending on the user’s application requirements.
The new BD family incorporates the latest Trimble Maxwell technology with advances in high-precision GNSS-Inertial positioning. By integrating inertial sensors onto the GNSS boards, users can experience more robust performance in a variety of challenging environments such as urban canyons, tunnels, heavy canopy or other GNSS-denied environments.
Robust centimeter-level, real-time kinematic (RTK) positioning is achieved through the combination of multi-frequency GNSS — full triple-frequency support of all available GNSS satellite constellations—and onboard inertial sensors.
System integrators and OEMS also have the ability to detect interference with the included RF Spectrum Monitoring and Analysis tool embedded in the receiver. The GNSS engine with 336 channels is capable of tracking L1/L2/L5 frequencies from the GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and BeiDou constellations.
“The OEM and system integrator communities demand high performance, reliability and support for their positioning solutions,” said Elmar Lenz, general manager of Trimble’s Integrated Technologies Division. “The new BD family of boards deliver the latest GNSS and inertial technology in an easy-to-integrate form factor.”
The new Trimble BD OEM GNSS family is available now through Trimble’s Integrated Technologies Precision GNSS Sales Channel.
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Trimble acquires transportation company 10-4 Systems
Trimble has acquired privately held 10-4 Systems, a provider of advanced, multimodal shipment visibility solutions and related technologies for shippers and transportation providers.
10-4 solutions offer real-time shipment visibility, regardless of provider or mode, to shippers, third-party logistics providers and carriers of all sizes, according to the company.
The acquisition expands Trimble’s portfolio of Transportation Management Systems (TMS) to include an established cloud-based solution for small carriers as well as a shipper RFP platform. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, 10-4 Systems offers a comprehensive, highly configurable information platform that provides visibility at the individual shipment level, driving collaboration between shippers and carriers for increased efficiency, improved compliance and reduced transportation costs. The solution includes SKU-level detail, dynamic ETAs and other capabilities needed to provide the detailed shipment visibility that is becoming a standard expectation of shippers and consignees.
“This acquisition will advance our mission to transform the way the world moves freight by providing innovative transactional, visibility, decision support and optimization solutions that benefit participants at every level of the supply chain,” said David W. Wangler, president of Trimble Transportation Enterprise. “With the addition of 10-4 Systems, Trimble will significantly enhance its ability to help the transportation industry optimize demand and capacity management and improve utilization of long-haul trucking assets.”
Gartner identified visibility as the “No. 1 supply chain initiative” based on results from its 2016 User Wants and Needs Survey. Demand for end-to-end visibility is being driven by the rise of online-only and omni-channel commerce, which is causing shippers to rethink traditional inventory positions and transportation networks.
“We are excited to bring the benefits of our advanced enterprise visibility platform to the thousands of supply chain partners that rely on Trimble’s Transportation Enterprise solutions,” said Travis Rhyan, president and CEO at 10-4 Systems. “Trimble has a clear commitment to offering leading-edge technologies and collaborative solutions that enable customers to increase efficiency, profitability and long-term competitiveness.”
Rhyan will continue to lead 10-4 Systems as executive vice president and general manager. 10-4 Systems’ business will be reported as part of Trimble’s Transportation Segment.
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Grade control integrates 3D automatics
Trimble Earthworks for Excavators and Earthworks for Dozers brings integrated 3D aftermarket excavator automatics capability to machine control.
A new dozer configuration moves the receivers from the blade to the roof of the cab. Reengineered from the ground up, Trimble’s next-generation grade-control platform features intuitive software that runs on Android.
(Photo: Trimble) Android System. The Trimble Earthworks grade-control application is built on the Android operating system. It was developed based on feedback from construction equipment operators, resulting in an interface optimized for productivity.
Colorful graphics, natural interactions and gestures, and self-discovery features make the software easy to learn. Each operator can personalize the interface to match their workflow, and a variety of configurable views make it easier to see the right perspective for maximum productivity, the company said.
Using Android, users can download other applications that provide the operator with useful tools inside the cab. Contractors can use the Trimble TD520 display or a third-party Android device.
Excavator Automatics. When the excavator is placed in Autos mode, the operator controls the stick, and Trimble Earthworks controls the boom and bucket to stay on grade, reduce overcut and increase production. This allows operators to achieve grade consistently, with high accuracy and in less time.
Mastless Dozer Configuration. Trimble Earthworks for Dozers mounts dual GNSS receivers on top of the cab to eliminate masts and cables traditionally located on the blade. The dual GNSS receivers are designed for steep slope work and complex designs with tight tolerances. According to Trimble, the new configuration keeps valuable receivers safer and can also save contractors time by reducing the time needed to remove and reinstall them each day.
Earthworks Highlights
- Grade-control app runs on the 10-inch Trimble TD520 touchscreen
Android display. - Excavators can work semi-automatically, allowing operators to create smooth, flat or sloped surfaces more easily.
- Software and hardware give operators of all skill levels the ability to
work faster and more productively. - Allows data files to be transferred to or from the office wirelessly and automatically, keeping designs current.
- Grade-control app runs on the 10-inch Trimble TD520 touchscreen
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Trimble Penmap for Android designed for field surveying
Trimble has introduced Penmap for Android, a cloud-connected application for field surveying and high-accuracy geographic information system (GIS) data collection that works on mobile handhelds, smartphones and tablets.Trimble Penmap for Android focuses on core survey and mapping tasks such as cadastral and boundary surveys, as well as establishing local control, stake-outs, quality checks and asset management for utilities. It provides both professional surveyors and field workers with an intuitive, easy-to-use map-based interface to manage features and attributes for high-accuracy GIS and complete survey documentation.
The application is also ideal for use in the energy distribution industry for locating infrastructure and recording critical information on encroachments, clearways and existing monuments, the company said.
The application runs on a variety of Android devices, including the rugged Trimble TDC100 handheld, and supports full-featured Trimble GNSS receivers such as the Trimble R10, R8s and R2 receivers.
Trimble Penmap for Android is optimized to integrate with the new Trimble Catalyst service, a software-defined GNSS receiver that connects to the small, inexpensive plug-and-play DA1 antenna, and allows surveyors to choose an accuracy level from meter to centimeters to suit their application needs.
Together, Penmap and Trimble Catalyst — both purchased through a fixed monthly subscription — offer an on-demand, lightweight and low-cost professional surveying system that provides value, convenience and flexibility, the company added.
“The addition of Penmap expands our portfolio to address the needs of organizations that require a value-packed, flexible survey system,” said Matt Delano, general manager of Trimble’s Land Administration solutions. “Surveyors using the Penmap application with Trimble Catalyst can easily manage seasonal shifts in survey activity by scaling up or down without a capital investment. Survey managers will find it an efficient way to carry out field checks without tying up expensive equipment used by their field crews. They can simply use a phone, the Penmap application, a Catalyst subscription and the DA1 antenna.”
Trimble Penmap for Android includes the Penmap Project Manager, which is used to set up projects, create templates and add team members.
Penmap Project Manager works with the Trimble Connect platform for storing and transferring data between the field and office.
Trimble Connect, which is also included in the Penmap subscription, is a collaborative cloud-based platform that enables organizations to set up and deploy projects to their field users. Information collected in the field is synced back to the office in real-time where it is stored, managed and communicated to team members.
Data can also be exported from Penmap Project Manager into back-office systems in a variety of file formats for viewing and sharing.
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Trimble unveils Catalyst receiver at Esri UC
The Trimble Catalyst software-defined GNSS receiver for Android devices is now available through Trimble’s global distribution network. Trimble’s Gareth Gibson gives an overview of its features at the 2017 Esri User Conference, which took place July 10-14 in San Diego, California.
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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].
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GNSS Market 2017 report released
MarketReports.biz has published a detailed market research study focused on the GNSS Market across the global, regional and country level.
The GNSS Market 2017 report provides a 360-degree analysis of the market from the point of view of manufacturers, regions, product types and end industries.
The research report analyses and provides the historical data along with current performance of the global GNSS industry, and estimates the future trend of GNSS market on the basis of this detailed study. The study shares “GNSS Market” performance both in terms of volume and revenue.
Companies mentioned include Harxon Corporation, NovAtel, Trimble, Tallysman, JAVAD GNSS, Stonex, Sokkia, Spectracom and Leica Geosystems.
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Trimble to acquire Müller-Elektronik for precision agriculture
Trimble has signed an agreement to acquire privately held Müller-Elektronik, a German company specializing in implement control and precision farming solutions.
The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2017, subject to customary closing conditions and clearance or expiration of the waiting period under the German Act Against Restraints of Competition. Financial terms were not disclosed.
With more than 375 employees, Müller is precision farming company known for developing, producing and selling electronic control units and embedded software that provides vehicle and implement control for tractors, combine harvesters, field sprayers, drill machines, seeders, spreaders and slurry tankers to improve the management of inputs such as seed, fertilizer and pesticides.
Müller was a key contributor in the development of the ISOBUS communication protocol, which allows one terminal to control several implements and machines, regardless of manufacturer. ISOBUS standardizes the control settings, reduces downtime and minimizes installation and interface challenges, simplifying data exchange and machine control. The implement control solutions developed by Müller have now become widely adopted by leading agriculture OEMs and aftermarket channels.
Combining the technology and strengths of Trimble and Müller will enable the development of new and exciting solutions for farmers worldwide, who often struggle to integrate and use disparate hardware and software products across various brands of agricultural equipment. The addition of Müller-Elektronik will enable the creation of an ecosystem where farmers, advisors and retailers can easily build field prescriptions and transfer that prescription to the implement, enabling farmers to more easily adopt precision agriculture solutions.
“Our planned acquisition of Müller-Elektronik recognizes the growing importance of the implement in variable rate application solutions as well as the importance of an integrated platform that is agnostic to equipment brand,” said Darryl Matthews, Trimble senior vice president. “Müller’s ISOBUS solutions are already compatible with a significant range of equipment manufacturers. This capability, together with existing Trimble competencies, will enable us to expand our role in the growing market for variable rate applications. We plan to continue to fully support existing Müller customers and partners.”
“Trimble is a leading provider of precision agriculture hardware and farm management software,” said Christian Müller, managing director for Müller-Elektronik. “Bringing Trimble together with Müller’s leading ISOBUS solutions will create an industry-changing opportunity to deliver a system-wide integration that is uniquely available through the combination of the companies. Our systems, combined with farm management software, will enable OEMs to provide integrated plug-and-play solutions straight from the factory, while also helping the growing aftermarket channel looking to support its customers with mixed fleet operations with an ISOBUS solution.”
The acquisition of Müller-Elektronik will include the company’s other operations, WTK Elektronik, a German-based company, ME-France, ME Sudamerica, an Argentina-based company, and Mueller Electronics Inc., a North American-based company. The Müller-Elektronik businesses will be reported as part of Trimble’s Resources and Utilities Segment.
