Hexagon AB has acquired Tacticaware, which provides lidar-based 3D surveillance software to monitor and protect critical infrastructure and buildings.
Tacticaware’s flagship solution, Accur8vision, is a volumetric detection security system offering 3D surveillance. Unlike conventional systems that typically only monitor perimeters, Accur8vision delivers situational awareness of an intruder’s exact location, size, speed and movement trajectory — all of which can be visualized within a 3D digital reality of the area under surveillance, Tacticaware said.
“Hexagon has long been a leader in sensor and 3D visualization technology,” said Hexagon President and CEO Ola Rollén. “Our award-winning 3D surveillance solution, Leica BLK247, fuses lidar, video and thermal imaging with edge computing and intelligent algorithms to instantly detect and report physical changes within an environment. Together with the BLK247 and HxGN OnCall, our comprehensive portfolio of next-generation public safety solutions, Hexagon can now offer those working to make our world a safer place a fully integrated end-to-end security surveillance solution for 24-hour, full visibility of critical infrastructure and spaces to call-taking, dispatch, incident planning and response and more.”
The U.S. Space Force Space and Missile Systems Center on July 14 delivered the fourth GPS III satellite to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. The satellite is scheduled for launch on Sept. 30.
GPS III Space Vehicle (SV) 04 was safely transported from the Lockheed Martin facility in Waterton, Colorado to Space Coast Regional Airport in Titusville, Florida. The satellite was carried aboard a C-17 Globemaster III originating from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.
The fourth GPS III satellite arrived at Cape Canaveral July 14 for launch on Sept. 30. (Photo: USAF)
The delivery of GPS III SV04 starts the clock for final testing and checkout prior to launch. The satellite will be processed at the Astrotech Space Operations facility in Florida to ensure the full functionality of the satellite, prepare the satellite for propellant loading, and encapsulate the satellite in its protective fairing. At the completion of these activities, the satellite will be horizontally integrated with the SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle.
“The shipment of the fourth GPS III satellite was successfully conducted just two weeks after the launch of our GPS III-SV03 satellite. This operation is a remarkable achievement and testament to the hard work of the entire GPS team members from all across the country,” said Col. Edward Byrne, SMC’s Medium Earth Orbit Space Systems Division chief. “The delivery of SV04 marks the start of our third GPS III launch campaign on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and brings us another step closer in advancing the GPS constellation with more capable satellites.”
GPS III SV04 is slated to launch in September. Once on-orbit, it will join the operational constellation of 31 GPS satellites, delivering enhanced resiliency, better accuracy, and advanced anti-jam capabilities.
The United States Space Force’s Space and Missile Systems Center on July 27 completed the military code (M-code) Early Use (MCEU) hardware and software upgrade to the GPS Operational Control System (OCS).
Completion of the upgrade is a major step toward Operational Acceptance of the long-awaited GPS M-code.
Photo: U.S. Air Force photo/Dennis Rogers
The encrypted M-code signal enhances anti-jamming and anti-spoofing capabilities for the warfighter. M-code signals are currently available on all 22 GPS Block IIR-M, IIF and III space vehicles currently on orbit.
The installs were completed at the Master Control Station at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado, and Alternate Master Control Stations at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.
The MCEU upgrade allows the OCS Architecture Evolution Plan to task, upload and monitor M-code within the GPS constellation, as well as support testing and fielding of modernized user equipment.
Operational Acceptance Set for November. MCEU will be in a trial period before Operational Acceptance in November. Once Operational Acceptance is granted, upcoming Military Ground User Equipment (MGUE) will be able to leverage the M-code signal-in-space to provide more secure position, navigation and timing (PNT) to warfighters.
“Working closely with Lockheed Martin and our other mission partners — with the common national goal of providing enhanced PNT signal security and safety always in sharp focus — means we’re able to deliver the right mission capability faster to our warfighters,” said Lt. Col. Steven A. Nielson, program manager of the MCEU project.
MCEU serves as a gap-filler for M-code operations before the entire GPS constellation’s operational transition to the Next Generation Operational Control System Block 1, which is now in development.
A key to enabling M-code is a new software-defined receiver being installed at all six Space Force Monitoring Sites. The M-code Monitor Station Technology Improvement and Capability receiver uses commercial, off-the-shelf hardware to cost-effectively receive and process M-code signals, enabling OCS operators to monitor the signals.
Cohda Wireless has released an updated version of its C-V2X software development kit (SDK). According to the company, the SDK now features an extensive range of useful applications and tools, as well as a virtual simulation tool. The virtual simulation tool allows users to test their applications before real-life deployment, through high-quality, simulated drives that provide full playback capabilities for actual drive tests.
The Cohda C-V2X SDK is a self-contained virtual machine that allows anyone with previous embedded Linux experience to quickly compile and run C-V2X applications in conjunction with C-V2X development platforms, such as those featuring the Qualcomm 9150 C-V2X chipset solution, the company said.
The SDK includes source code for red light warning and road side alert to demonstrate the various APIs and enable quick application development. It also features binaries for forward collision warning, emergency electronic brake light, curve speed warning, RoadWorks warning, blind spot warning, hazard location warning for China, abnormal vehicle warning for China, speed limit warning for China, red light violation warning for China and green light optimal speed advisor for China. It includes tester control interfaces for performing conformance tests, as well.
“The functional benefits of this SDK, especially the vsim component, have significant tangible value in the C-V2X ecosystem,” said Fabien Cure, chief engineer at Cohda Wireless.
As they are radio agnostic, Cohda’s V2X solutions support C-V2X and dedicated short-range communication.
Spectra Geospatial is partnering with Aplitop for a comprehensive tunnel survey solution designed to increase productivity for survey service providers.
According to the companies, the collaboration provides surveyors and geospatial professionals with a complete hardware and software solution for performing efficient tunnel construction surveys.
Through the partnership, the Spectra Focus 35 robotic total station will be integrated with the workflows of the Aplitop TcpTUNNEL, running on the ST10 or Ranger 7 data collector. This will enable surveyors to perform excavation control, automated survey and stakeout of tunnel cross-sections, the companies said.
In the office, data and designs can be transferred seamlessly between TcpTUNNEL CAD, a plug-in for several CAD platforms, and TcpTUNNEL field software.
The Spectra Geospatial and Aplitop solution provides a full featured workflow for tunnel constructions surveys including definition of project design elements; tunnel drill and blast setout and reporting on the difference; automated data collection; accurate stake-out-of-key design features and anchor belts; and graphical reporting of the differences between design and survey data.
“Collaborating with Aplitop enables Spectra Geospatial to provide customers with a world-class tunneling solution to increase productivity working in underground environments,” said Olivier Casabianca, vice president at Spectra Geospatial. “The combination improves the tunnel construction process by providing customers with increased confidence in the field and streamlining final deliverable creation in the office.”
In January, BAE Systems announced its intent to buy the Collins Aerospace Military GPS division. In April, Raytheon finalized its merger with United Technologies Corp. (UTC) to officially form Raytheon Technologies Corp. The U.S. Department of Justice approved the Raytheon/UTC merger in March, but only on the condition the companies divest UTC’s military GPS and large space-based optical systems businesses, as well as Raytheon’s military airborne radios business.
Collins Aerospace’s military GPS business will be integrated into BAE Systems’ Electronic Systems sector.
“This partnership will enable us to build on our market leadership and bring new discriminating capabilities to our customers, including the U.S. Department of Defense and its allies,” said Greg Wild, director of Military GPS. “We’re excited to be joining the BAE Systems family. They appreciate our legacy of innovation and will provide opportunities for continued business growth and success.”
Based in Cedar Rapids and Coralville, Iowa, the military GPS business has a workforce of approximately 700 employees. The business designs and produces advanced, hardened and secure GPS products with a range of form factors, including products designed for space-constrained and harsh environments.
The National Geodetic Survey (NGS) recently announced two new items related to the modernized National Spatial Reference System (NSRS). First, it announced that there will be a delayed release of the modernized National Spatial Reference System (NSRS). See the box titled “Updates notices from NGS Homepage” for the link to the notice.
The box titled “Delayed Release of the Modernized NSRS” provides a summary of the notice. The announcement stated they are performing a thorough review of all tasks and will provide regular updates on their progress. What this means is that the modernized NSRS will not be completed by 2022. Even if it’s delayed a couple of years, it’s never too early to obtain an understanding of the new, modernized NSRS, and start preparing for the transition to the new NSRS.
NOAA’s National Geodetic Survey (NGS) is announcing a delay in the release of the modernized National Spatial Reference System (NSRS).
In 2007, NGS began planning for the modernized NSRS, acquiring its first airborne gravimeter, creating and initiating the Gravity for the Redefinition of the American Vertical Datum (GRAV-D) project and by 2008 had codified its modernization plans into a Ten Year Plan. At that time, the target completion date was 2018. By 2013, that date seemed unlikely, due to both the broadening of the GRAV-D coverage area and the experience of five years of operational planning and execution.
In 2013, NGS revised its 2008 Plan, and targeted 2022 as the date of the release of the modernized NSRS. This date was reinforced with a 2018 Strategic Plan revision. By 2017, confidence in hitting the 2022 target was high enough to reach final agreement with Canada and Mexico on a naming convention for certain components, to include “2022” in their names.
Since 2017, operational, workforce, and other issues have arisen and compounded, causing NGS to recently re-evaluate whether a successful roll-out by 2022 is possible. The most significant impacts have been in workforce hiring and retention, and in meeting GRAV-D data collection milestones, which underpin the NSRS modernization efforts.
NGS is currently conducting a comprehensive analysis of ongoing projects, programs and resources required to complete NSRS modernization and will continue to provide regular updates on our progress. To get the latest news on NSRS modernization and track our progress, subscribe to NGS News or visit our “New Datums” web pages.
The second important announcement by NGS was that two Federal Register Notices related to the modernized NSRS were published on July 24. See the box titled “NGS News.”
Image: National Geodetic Survey
The first Federal notice was titled “Upcoming Changes to the National Spatial Reference System.” See the box titled “Federal Register Notice titled Upcoming Changes to the National Spatial Reference System” for the summary. This announcement provides a statement about the new, modernized NSRS and that it’s going to be published between 2022 and 2025. The information about the modernized NSRS shouldn’t be new to anyone that’s been reading my newsletters, but the Federal Notice makes it official and NGS provides dates of when the modernization will be rolled out.
Federal Register Notice titled “Upcoming Changes to the National Spatial Reference System”
The second Federal Notice was titled “Consideration of Potential Age Limiting Observations To Be Used To Compute 2020.00 Reference Epoch Coordinates in the National Spatial Reference System.” This is a very important notice that users of NGS published coordinates should read and understand. NGS is considering imposing data age limits that will be part of the new, modernized NSRS. See the box titled “Imposing Age Limits of Data in 2022” for a summary of the Federal Register Notice announcement.
My last column highlighted that in the modernized NSRS the only way to get “into the datum” will be through a GNSS survey. It noted that leveling projects generate relative height differences not absolute heights. It emphasized that in the new modernized, time-dependent NSRS, the absolute height will be provided by up-to-date GNSS data; and the relative height differences between leveling marks will be provided by the leveling data. Many of my previous newsletters have explained different aspects of the new NSRS and how it may affect the surveying and mapping community products and services. As the Federal Register Notice implied, at this moment, NGS expects large uncertainties in the vertical component of the Intra-Frame Velocity Model (IFVM) which will translate into the GNSS-derived height Limiting the age of data will help to reduce the amount of uncertainty in the vertical component based on older data. Saying that, this could have an impact on users that rely on coordinates established using data acquired prior to 2010. NGS is requesting that users take new GNSS observations on all stations of interest that haven’t been occupied since the year 2010. The supplementary information in the Federal Register notice contains some very important statements. I have highlighted several statements in the box titled “Supplementary Information from Imposing Age Limits of Data in 2022.”
NGS hasn’t decided on the date of the age limit but the notice states that “For instance, it is unlikely that such an age-limit will be fewer than 10 years.” This is why NGS recommends the following “that users take new GNSS observations on geodetic control marks of interest that have not been surveyed since January 1, 2010, and asks the users to submit the observations to NGS before December 31, 2021.” Another important item in the supplemental information section is that NGS is enhancing the OPUS-Projects tool to include real-time kinematic and real-time network (RTK/RTN) observations. This should help to facilitate users submitting data on marks of interest so that they will have 2020.0 Reference Epoch Coordinates (REC).
Supplementary Information from Imposing Age Limits of Data in 2022
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
In 2017, the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) announced its plans to estimate RECs on a five-year cycle in NOAA Technical Report NOS NGS 67, 2019, starting with the first reference epoch at 2020.00, as part of the modernization of the NSRS. In the Technical Report, the exact observations to be used for this estimation were listed as “To Be Determined.” NGS is considering imposing age limits upon the observations that will be used, particularly because of expected uncertainties in the vertical component of the IFVM. These age limits cannot be determined until additional well-structured, data-driven experiments are conducted. Such experiments are expected to occur during the 2020 reference epoch adjustment projects (geometric, orthometric, and gravimetric), which are scheduled for calendar year 2022.
However, since the cut-off for new observations to enter those adjustment projects is December 31, 2021, any decision to age-limit input observations will come too late for submissions to impact the 2020 RECs. While the cut-off for age-limited observations is unknown, certain assumptions are safe to make. For instance, it is unlikely that such an age-limit will be fewer than 10 years. Older observations may be used in the estimation of 2020 RECs, but this cannot be guaranteed. As such, NGS requests that users take new GNSS observations on geodetic control marks of interest that have not been surveyed since January 1, 2010, and asks the users to submit the observations to NGS before December 31, 2021. Users may either (a) submit existing unsubmitted observations through the OPUS-Share tool or (b) conduct new GNSS observations and submit the data to NGS via the OPUS-Share tool.
In order to increase the submission of GNSS observations on marks, NGS is prioritizing the finalization of an expanded OPUS-Projects tool, which will allow real-time kinematic and real time network (RTK/RTN) observations to be submitted, rather than the standard four-hour observations required in OPUS-Share. Initial roll-out of this new tool is expected to occur during calendar year 2020.
This action is designed to increase both the number and the coordinate accuracy of geodetic control points, which in the modernized NSRS will have an estimated 2020.00 REC. Historically, NGS has combined data across multiple decades to estimate geodetic coordinates, yet such efforts have not fully accounted for the lack of information about vertical motion of geodetic control points throughout the years. Since height information is critical to the understanding of floods, failure to compute heights accurately can have negative impacts on property and lives. NGS views periodic re-surveys of geodetic control points, rather than the estimation of coordinates from observations that are years (or even decades) old, as the most effective way to maintain accurate and up-to-date knowledge of geodetic coordinates, including heights. As such, this announcement provides users of the NSRS with advance notice that geodetic control points of interest to them should be re-surveyed for the most accurate representation of geodetic coordinates, including heights.
NGS has scheduled a webinar for August 27, 2020, to discuss the delayed release of the modernized NSRS. See the box titled “Webinar on Delayed Release of the Modernized NSRS” for the announcement and web link to register for the webinar. I would encourage all users of the NSRS to register for this webinar.
Many users are probably wondering if the delay in the new, modernized NSRS will change the dates of other deadlines. The FAQs webpage addresses some of these questions. I have highlighted a few FAQs in the box titled “Questions from NGS FAQ Website.”
How will the delay affect the GPS on Benchmarks Phase II deadlines?
The deadline for submittal of GPSonBM data for the 2022 Transformation tool will remain December 31, 2021
If SPCS2022 zone designs are completed before other parts of NSRS modernization, will SPCS2022 be released sooner?
No. SPCS2022 is explicitly defined with respect the four 2022 terrestrial reference frames (not NAD 83), and SPCS2022 will be released along with the roll-out of those frames. If the frames are rolled out prior to other parts of the NSRS modernization, the frames will be accompanied by SPCS2022 (see the previous FAQ about phased roll-outs).
However, complete definitions of all SPCS2022 zones will be made available as soon as they are finalized. NGS expects that to occur by the end of 2021. Providing zone definitions early will give software vendors, database administrators, and others ample time to adopt and test them in their systems. Doing so will ensure SPCS2022 is available for immediate use upon roll-out of the 2022 terrestrial reference frames.
My projected height change seems to return me to NGVD 29 heights. Is this a coincidence?
This is coincidental. It so happens that, in some areas of the country the actual orthometric height in a region happens to be numerically closer to NGVD 29 than NAVD 88. NGVD 29 itself has biases and tilts which make it as inappropriate of an estimate of true orthometric heights as NAVD 88
[NOTE: I have heard this question from many of my readers so I provided an approximate estimate of the differences between NAPGD2022 orthometric heights and NGVD 29 height values in my June 2017 Survey Scene column. See figure below labeled “Figure 2 from June 2017 Survey Scene Newsletter.”]
Image: National Geodetic Survey
Figure 2 from June 2017 Survey Scene Newsletter
Future newsletters will address updates on the modernized NSRS as they become available to the user community.
On July 23, the 2nd Space Operations Squadron (2 SOPS) gained Satellite Control Authority of GPS satellite vehicle number 76 — also known as GPS III SV03 — which was launched on June 30. This handover was special: for the first time, a crew of eight women space operators took control of the satellite.
Schriever’s 2 SOPS, the providers of GPS signals to billions of users worldwide, made history July 23 when a crew of eight women space operators gained satellite control authority of satellite vehicle number 76 (SVN 76), previously known as GPS III SV03.
The crew included 1st Lt. Kelley McCaa, 2 SOPS satellite vehicle operator; 1st Lt. Alexis Thuli, 2 SOPS operations assistant flight commander; Staff Sgt. Kelly Malone, 2nd SOPS satellite systems operator and crew chief; 1st Lt. Mary McLaughlin, 2 SOPS payload system operator; 1st Lt. Mikayla Roberts, 2 SOPS mission analyst; Senior Airman Joelle Schritt, 19th SOPS mission planner; Airman 1st Class Gillian Clover, 2 SOPS satellite systems operator; and Airman 1st Class Larissa Contreras, 2 SOPS SSO.
“It’s like the grandparents hand the keys to the parent, then the parent hands the keys to us,” said McCaa. “When a new satellite is launched, we don’t have full authority of it. [Lockheed Martin] takes it over [after launch], then we bring it into our systems and then we actually gain full control of [the satellite] as a squadron.”
The 2nd Space Operations Squadron gained satellite control acceptance of satellite vehicle number 76, July 23, 2020, at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado. The new satellite will provide more than 5 billion users across the globe with stronger precision, navigation and timing signals. It will also bring improved capabilities to warfighters. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dennis Rogers and Kathryn Calvert)
The new satellite will provide more than 5 billion users across the world with stronger precision, navigation and timing signals, Schriever Air Force Base said.
“With these new satellites, they have a lot of capabilities we didn’t previously have,” said McCaa. “There are certain things the new generation of satellites are capable of doing that are brand new to us, and will immediately enhance our GPS signal, helping the warfighters down-range.”
The crew included eight uniformed 2 SOPS and 19 SOPS (the Air Force Reserve component) Airmen who gained SCA of the satellite.
“We have a lot of females in the squadron, and given the crew scheduling, we had the opportunity to establish an all-female crew,” said Thuli. “We decided to have this female team on crew during the SCA, creating a more historic event for the squadron.”
Maj. Lucia White, 2 SOPS assistant director of operation, said the 45th Space Wing female meteorologists at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, who determined weather was suitable for rocket launch June 13, inspired her to bring the idea to life in 2 SOPS.
First Lt. Mikayla Roberts, 2nd Space Operations Squadron mission analyst, poses with a model satellite July 23, 2020, at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado. Roberts was one of eight women who worked on the historic all-female crew. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dennis Rogers and Kathryn Damon)
“We want to inspire future generations of young women and let them know they can have a place in the Space Force,” White said. “[The Space Force] is the place to be, especially for those who may have barriers to overcome.”
In addition to the operational crew, Brig. Gen. Traci Kuekermurphy, Mobilization Augmentee to the Space Force Director of Operations and Lt. Col. Maggie Sullivan, Space and Missile Systems Center, granted SCA approval for their respective entities making the entire transfer an all-female event.
Not only did 2 SOPS and the 45th SW have female crews, the Department of the Air Force also made history when it selected Chief Master Sgt. JoAnne Bass to serve as the 19th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force. Bass is the first woman to serve in this role.
According to the National Science Foundation, women make up only 28% of employment in science and engineering career fields. Furthermore, an even smaller percentage of women serve in the Air Force, at about 21%.
Feature image: The women of the 2nd Space Operations Squadron made history as the first ever all-female space operations crew July 23, 2020, at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado. The crew gained satellite control acceptance of SVN-76, officially adding another satellite to the GPS III fleet. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dennis Rogers and Kathryn Calvert)
InfiniDome has released its GPSdome OEM board, which delivers GPS signal protection for UAV/UAS, fleet management and critical infrastructure.
According to the company, the GPSdome OEM board is designed for OEMs to fully integrate anti-jamming technology and deliver unmatched power and weight differentiation.
The GPSdome OEM board also is offered as a PCB solution. When integrated into a GNSS receiver, GPSdome OEM board not only detects the attack, but also shields the received signals from being overpowered by jammers, the company said.
When triggered, GPSdome OEM board sends an alert and notifies operators of the earliest possible detection of GPS/GNSS interferences. When infiniDome’s CommModule is integrated alongside GPSdome, the alert is sent to infiniCloud, infiniDome’s GPS Security Cloud, where users have access to real-time and statistical data on GPS attacks.
According to infiniDome, the GPSdome OEM board is ideal for several applications and can be integrated into the flight controller of drones, telematics unit for fleets and inside the time server for critical infrastructure.
“After learning from multiple customers that system size, weight and power limitations are getting more stringent, we addressed these market requirements with the smallest, lightest solution which will have minimal negative impact on system performance,” said Omer Sharar, CEO at infiniDome. “Our matchbook-sized GPSdome OEM board integrates into the flight controller of drones, the telematics unit for fleets, and inside the time server for critical infrastructure where it delivers signal protection for continuous operation of these mission-critical assets.”
For users seeking to retrofit their existing larger drones and realize quick time-to-market, infiniDome also offers the solution in an IP-67 housing. The GPSdome OEM board is compatible with any GNSS receiver on the market and compatible with any off-the-shelf GNSS antennas with minor integration efforts, infiniDome added.
The letter highlights what appears to be different characterizations of the engineering information in the FCC’s record, and suggests that these contrasting statements “support a careful re-examination of the bases of the Ligado Order and a stay of the decision while that occurs.”
“GPSIA appreciates your continued interest and efforts in this proceeding, and your willingness to consider whether a stay of the Ligado order may be appropriate,” the letter states. “As the record in this proceeding makes clear, sound technical analyses were conducted on Ligado’s network by DOT — a neutral third-party U.S. government expert on GPS. Further evaluation of those analyses should prompt the Commission to set aside the Ligado order so that its understanding of the DoT ABC Report can be better aligned with the authors of the report.”
Hold on Third FCC Chairmanship. In a related report, the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) on July 28 placed a hold on the nomination of O’Rielly to another five-year term chairing the commission.
Inhofe said he would block O’Rielly until the nominee “publicly commits to vote to overturn the current Ligado order,” according to a report from Space News.
“Over the past few months, I have sent letters, held hearings and called countless officials to highlight what we all know to be true: the FCC’s Ligado order is flawed and will lead to significant harm to our military and the thousands of individuals and businesses that rely on GPS,” Inhofe said.
New SyncServer S650 M-Code secures military communication systems, radar and networks reliant on GPS signals
Photo: Microchip
Threats from intentional jamming and spoofing of GPS signals, as well as cybersecurity risks to critical infrastructure, demonstrate the need for powerful and secure time and frequency systems that ensure continuing operability and performance.
Microchip Technology’s SyncServer S650 M-Code time server has received approval from the U.S. Air Force GPS Directorate of the Los Angeles Air Force Base for use in support of military communication systems, radars and networks.
M-code, an encrypted military signal broadcasted in GPS frequency bands, is required by congressional mandate for mission critical Department of Defense (DOD) applications in hostile environments. Microchip’s SyncServer S650 M-Code equipped time and frequency server provides a secure, accurate, flexible platform for synchronizing mission-critical electronic systems and instrumentation.
For DOD programs requiring jam-resistant, encrypted time and frequency signals from the GPS military M-code Precise Positioning Service (PPS), the SyncServer S650 M-Code is a secure time and frequency instrument with a fully integrated M-code GPS receiver.
“As the first time and frequency instrument enabling DOD compliance for M-code-based GPS systems, this technology demonstrates Microchip’s continuing commitment and investment in the security of time and frequency systems,” said Randy Brudzinski, vice president, Frequency and Timing Solutions business unit. “This time server represents a new level of security hardening built on Microchip’s proven commercial SyncServer S650 time server that provides extreme timing accuracy, security and flexibility.”
The SyncServer S650 M-code equipped time and frequency instrument is a rack mounted server device that synchronizes to the atomic clocks aboard GPS satellites via M-code. The S650 M-code leverages new technology to provide enhanced anti-jamming protection and further hardening against spoofing, providing greater accuracy, and improving operator ease-of-use for key loading.
Harder to jam than commercial CA-Code GPS, M-code provides a more secure signal than the commercial CA-Code or SAASM P(Y) signal, with greater accuracy. The instrument also is easier for operators to load crypto keys.
Staff Sgt. Daniel Pennington, a flight engineer assigned to B Co “Big Windy,” 1-214th General Support Aviation Battalion, takes in his ‘office’ view from the ramp of his CH-47 Chinook while flying over the island of Cyprus on Jan. 14, 2020. (Photo: U.S. Army/Maj. Robert Fellingham)
The SyncServer S650 M-Code can utilize Microchip’s FlexPort technology for multiport, user definable output signal configurations for Inter-Range Instrumentation Group (IRIG) timecodes, pulses and a variety of signal types essential for military communication, radars and network system synchronization. This is coupled with Microchip’s NTP Reflector technology for robust security, accuracy and reliability of network-based time services such as Network Time Protocol (NTP) and Precision Time Protocol (PTP). Other features include:
Four standard GbE ports, all with patented NTP hardware time stamping, with two additional 10 GbE ports optional
Contains most popular timing signal inputs/outputs standard in the base timing I/O module (IRIG B, 10 MHz, 1PPS)
Web-based management with high security cipher suite
Rubidium atomic clock or OCXO oscillator upgrades
Superior 10 MHz low phase noise options
Microchip has been delivering the SyncServer S650 to synchronize business critical and mission critical operations, across all industry segments, since its commercial introduction in 2016.
As the world goes in quarantine and social-distancing has become a necessity with COVID-19 pandemic, various measures have been taken to fulfill basic needs of humans. The medical sector is facing a lot of troubles as the number of cases has been increasing day by day and keeping up with the enough supply of necessary equipment and medicines is becoming difficult. Among various measures taken by hospitals and government, utilizing drone payloads for supplying medicines, transferring tests and specimens, and spreading disinfectants has become a new way to facilitate operations. From India to Canada and the U.S., the governments and tech firms have been developing drones that can carry loads and travel up to certain distance to speed up medical and healthcare processes. The market for drone payload is gaining momentum. According to the report published by Allied Market Research, the global drone payload market is expected to generate $7.01 billion by 2022. Following are some of the activities taking place across the world.
On the verge of COVID-19 outbreak, various measures have been taken by governments to control the spread and eliminate completely. Among the measures taken by various governments is disinfecting the cities. Bengaluru, a city from Karnataka, India has been disinfected with the help of drones. Six hexacopter drones have been deployed. They are equipped with 15 liters of disinfectants for various localities of the city. These drones have been developed by startups Alpha drones and Multiplex. It has five kilometer range and has ability to fly for 25–30 minutes based on the payload. The pre-set speed of drones is at 6 meters per second. Nearly 10–15 meters of area is covered based on the altitude. The cetrifuger automiser pump technology is utilized for spreading the disinfectant in air and on lands. Highly crowded areas such as markets, bus stops, railway stations, and others will be covered and drones will be operated for 6–7 hours each day.
Along with spreading disinfectants, there have been another medical uses. Urban drone stations have been utilized for logistic medical payload exchange in hospitals. The Matternet Station at Mountain View, California, is a structure that can be mounted on ground or rooftops. It is three meters in height and offers personal safety. Hospitals can utilize the stations for transferring pathology specimens, blood diagnostics, and medicines to other facilities and suppliers. It also offers fast, secure, and predictable aerial delivery.
Each Station is equipped with its own automated aerial deconfliction system for management of drone traffic at the Station. The Station enables Matternet M2 drones to carry out a precision landing. Then the drone is locked in the particular place and executes swapping of payload and battery. There is a Matternet Cloud that directs flight directors an ability to control and track operations. Moreover, an integrated authentication system enables only authorized personnel to insert or take out payload through scanning of hospital identification badge. Then there is a tracking of payload at each touch point for maintenance of strong custody. Ideally, it can hold four boxes of payloads that are held at the controlled temperature for maintaining integrity of specimen. Andreas Raptopoulos, CEO of Matternet, outlined that the technology platform will be utilized for rapid, point-to-point, and urban medical deliveries. This way, hospital systems are able to reduce patient waiting times and carry out savings of millions of dollars each year.
Another company has taken measures to contribute to countering the outbreak of COVID-19. Drone Delivery Canada (DDC) would bring its own drone delivery system by the mid April for delivery of blood test, blood samples, and medicines. Michael Zahra, president and CEO of DDC, outlined that it is a necessity to bring an automated and unmanned delivery system of drones to supply medical necessities to the right people at rapid pace. The company possesses the drone that can take off from the starting point, reach destination, drop the cargo and return.
Zahra have been encouraging hospitals, communities, pharmacies, healthcare centers, and others to build a case for the support from government. He added that logistics differ in each scenario, however, the basic setup can be achieved. There is a minimum required infrastructure available at the starting point. On the other hand, there is no infrastructure at the destination point.
Its Sparrow drone can carry nearly 10 pounds of payload in a single trip and can travel up to 30 kilometers. The company has a portfolio of two drones. First is Robin, which carries the payload of 25 pounds with a travelling distance capability of 35 kilometers. Another is Condor, which have capability to carry 400 pounds and go up to 200 kilometers. With the Special Flight Operations Certificate, the company’s drones can navigate throughout Canada without the need to outline flight plans regarding routes prior to trips. Once it obtains the permission and support from government to implement drones for medical purposes, it would implement its model and accelerate the supply in this grave situation the world has been facing.
Pratik Kirve holds a bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering. He is currently a senior specialist — content writer at Allied Analytics LLP. He has avid interest in writing news articles across different verticals.
Hexagon AB has acquired Tacticaware, which provides lidar-based 3D surveillance software to monitor and protect critical infrastructure and buildings.
