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On the road to autonomous vehicles
SBG Systems’ INS Ellipse-D powers Leo Drive’s autonomous car.

The evolution of autonomous vehicles has been a fascinating journey, transforming from science fiction to reality over the past few decades. Most modern cars on roadways worldwide have varying levels of autonomy, ranging from Level 1 features, such as cruise control, to Level 5 fully autonomous features, including the ability to monitor roadway conditions and perform safety-critical tasks without human intervention.

In recent years, several technology and automotive companies have recognized the benefits of autonomous vehicles and their potential impact on communities and industries worldwide. In response, industry leaders have supported autonomous vehicle innovation and adoption by offering new products and working closely with educators, nonprofit organizations and other groups that aim to use autonomous solutions to connect the world.

New solutions combining GNSS technology with inertial navigation systems (INS) have emerged to increase autonomous operation efficiency and development. GNSS/INS serves as the foundation for various autonomous operations, ranging from self-driving vehicles on public roads to sophisticated port machinery. In urban public transportation, the accuracy of GNSS signals can be compromised by tall buildings and signal interference, leading to potential errors in navigation. Meanwhile, in the specialized vehicle sector, the lack of extensive experience in complex environments poses challenges, with unpredictable issues potentially arising.

As we enter a new era of advanced autonomy, companies such as SBG Systems and Septentrio, along with their partners, are pushing the boundaries of what is possible in self-driving technology. SBG Systems and autonomous vehicle developer Leo Drive are integrating GNSS/INS systems, multiple cameras and lidar sensors into Leo Drive’s autonomous platforms for precise navigation and accurate positioning data for safe and efficient operations in urban applications.

Septentrio and Smart yoUr Mobility Inc. (SUM) also are making significant strides in advancing autonomous operations. The companies have formed a strategic partnership to develop and implement a multi-sensor fusion system for autonomous driving. This collaboration aims to enhance self-driving vehicles’ accuracy, reliability and safety by integrating data from various sensors, including lidar, cameras and radar.

Additionally, recognizing the need for precise positioning in complex environments — such as ports packed with equipment and steel containers — SUM and Septentrio are working together on a solution that ensures accurate positioning and reliable autonomous operations in challenging port operations.

Enhancing precision and performance

Leo Drive offers scalable software and hardware solutions, providing a comprehensive, end-to-end service for integration into autonomous systems. The company’s mission is to enhance the accessibility and adoption of autonomous technology across various sectors, including UAVs, unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) and autonomous driving systems.

To operate its autonomous vehicles effectively, Leo Drive was in search of an INS compatible with its existing platforms and robust enough to meet real-time processing demands in dynamic environments. The company also wanted an INS with dual-antenna RTK capability to offer consistently high precision in positioning and orientation, leading the company to SBG Systems’ Ellipse-D, a dual-antenna RTK INS.

Leo Drive integrated the Ellipse-D INS into its autonomous test vehicle, a passenger car converted for autonomous operations. Equipped with GNSS/INS systems, multiple cameras and lidar sensors, the vehicle requires precise navigation and accurate positioning data for safe and efficient operation. This vehicle serves as a critical platform for research and development (R&D) and technology demonstrations.

The test vehicle is powered by Autoware software, hosted by the Autoware Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to developing open-source, collaborative software for autonomous vehicles.

Leo Drive mounted Ellipse-D INS onto its test vehicles using non-ferromagnetic materials to prevent interference and ensure optimal sensor performance. The electrical connections were made via RS-232/422 and CAN interfaces, and custom drivers were used within the ROS2 environment to integrate the Ellipse-D’s real-time data into their sensor fusion algorithms.

During the integration phase, the SBG Systems’ support team provided ongoing assistance to quickly address any challenges. The SBG Systems Support portal also was valuable, providing comprehensive guidance and troubleshooting assistance.

Leo Drive’s autonomous car is equipped with GNSS/INS systems, multiple cameras and lidar sensors for precise navigation as well as accurate positioning.

Ellipse-D played a key role in Leo Drive’s Autonomous Vehicle by providing accurate real-time navigation data. Its dual-antenna RTK capabilities ensure orientation data is reliable and supports the vehicle’s complex navigation algorithms. The sensor’s RS-232/422 and CAN connections allowed for easy integration with Leo Drive’s onboard computers. Custom drivers and nodes in the ROS2 environment facilitated smooth communication between the Ellipse-D and other vehicle sensors, enhancing overall system robustness.

Advanced features for better navigation

Since integrating Ellipse-D INS into its autonomous vehicle, Leo Drive said it has experienced several significant improvements, including:
- Improved accuracy: Ellipse-D’s high positioning and orientation accuracy has been instrumental in refining the performance and reliability of Leo Drive’s autonomous systems.
- Increased efficiency: Ellipse-D’s advanced algorithm enables smoother development processes and more accurate test results, streamlining R&D efforts.
- Timely support: The comprehensive customer support, including detailed documentation and a responsive technical support team, ensured a seamless integration process.
Leo Drive identified three standout qualities of SBG Systems that have been critical to its success: exceptional customer support, high-quality products and a user-friendly support portal.

“Collaborating with SBG Systems and integrating the Ellipse-D into our vehicle has been essential in achieving the precision and reliability critical to our R&D efforts and autonomous operations,” said Oğuzhan Sağlam, Leo Drive’s sales manager.

Self-driving shuttles in South Korea

In 2022, Septentrio and SUM partnered for the joint development and technical application of a multi-sensor fusion system for autonomous driving. This led to the integration of Septentrio’s AsteRx-SBi3 Pro+ into SUM SMOBI platform vehicles.

Septentrio’s AsteRx-SBi3 Pro+ integrated into SUM’s autonomous vehicles.

The AsteRx-SBi3 Pro+ features Septentrio’s FUSE+ inertial sensor-fusion technology, which offers a comprehensive solution for these challenges. This includes centimeter-level positioning accuracy (horizontal: 0.6 cm + 0.5 ppm, vertical: 1 cm + 1 ppm) and integrated attitude accuracy (heading: 0.15°, pitch, and roll: 0.02° using a dual antenna set-up) to maintain precise vehicle operation. Additionally, the INS provides reliable speed data (0.02 m/s) for smooth and stable motion control.

In Gangneung, South Korea, a shuttle drives fully autonomously on the city’s roads. While a human driver is still required by law as a safety precaution, this is the first step to a more autonomous transport future.

SUM is collaborating with local governments to allocate bus routes for autonomous vehicles. The company operates autonomous buses on routes in Seoul, South Korea, including the Sangam Dong A2 autonomous vehicle for the Cheongwadae shuttle bus and late-night bus services. SUM also operates autonomous vehicles in Gangneung City.

According to members of the SUM team, this technology ensures accurate stops, optimal route planning, and improved passenger safety by minimizing the risk of collisions and ensuring timely arrivals. SUM’s autonomous shuttles and on-demand transit services benefit from precise positioning, allowing them to adjust routes dynamically based on real-time passenger requests and traffic conditions.

The benefits

According to SUM, coupling Septentrio’s AsteRx SBi3 Pro with SUM’s software and hardware solutions has unlocked many benefits, including:
- Enhanced safety: Precise positioning and reliable navigation are paramount for the safety of all autonomous vehicles. Septentrio’s technology ensures accurate lane positioning and collision avoidance capabilities, safeguarding people and property across multiple sectors.
- Greater reliability: Septentrio’s antennas ensure consistent and reliable performance for autonomous vehicles, even in challenging conditions. This minimizes downtime and disruptions.
- Sustainable transportation: Autonomous vehicles can potentially reduce traffic congestion and emissions across the board. SUM’s technology, which is integrated into various autonomous vehicles, contributes to a more sustainable transportation future for cities and industries.
Additional application: Autonomous port operations

In ports around the world, many aging yard trucks are still being used. However, the industry has been gradually adopting automated port operations to move away from outdated positioning methods and toward autonomous solutions that can redefine operational standards.

Early attempts at using GNSS for positioning autonomous machines in ports faced significant challenges. The chaotic environment of large moving metal machines and constantly changing container stacks created blockage and multipath position errors, making it hard to achieve reliable centimeter-level GNSS positioning.

SUM’s yard tractors utilizing Septentrio’s products.

Modern GNSS technology has revolutionized port automation with its ability to achieve centimeter-level accuracy for autonomous trucks, forklifts and container carriers to navigate narrow lanes and confined spaces with unprecedented precision, dramatically reducing collision risks. Often, autonomous port vehicles must maneuver between cranes with minimal room for errors, highlighting the importance of reliable high-precision technology in the field. This level of precision and adaptability is vital in the logistics industry, given that 90 percent of the world’s goods are transported by sea and 60 percent are packed in large steel containers.

At the Port of Incheon in South Korea, which is on the Yellow Sea across from Northern China, SUM is conducting proof of concept (POC) trials of its autonomous vehicles using Septentrio’s AsteRx-SBi3 Pro+ rugged GNSS/INS receiver. The autonomous yard trucks at Incheon Port successfully navigate autonomously between point A and point B, with the SUM team nearby to identify and resolve any issues. The SUM team said they are focused on stabilizing the system to achieve a fully unmanned operation, aiming to enhance efficiency and automation in port logistics.

SUM notes that integrating Septentrio’s technology with autonomous vehicles in smart ports simplifies operations by providing accurate positioning, enhancing safety and optimizing routes, as well as improving overall port efficiency. The integration supports the seamless operation of autonomous vehicles, helping ports manage their logistics more effectively and respond to the dynamic demands of modern cargo handling.

The autonomous port trucks also are being tested with the new AntaRx-Si3 and AntaRx-AUX antennas installed simultaneously. High update rate logging can improve CPU load and how the antenna’s robust real-time kinematic (RTK) engine uses fewer satellites to reduce the CPU load.

Overcoming positioning obstacles

SUM’s advanced online localization system is designed to continuously track the position of its autonomous vehicles, even in GNSS-compromised environments.

“Our system leverages a sophisticated sensor fusion algorithm that primarily relies on high-accuracy GNSS/INS information from the Septentrio module,” said Daehyuck Park, Ph.D., managing director at SUM. “This module serves as the core source of our positioning data.”

To improve the robustness of the localization system, the company integrated additional sensors, including lidar and cameras. These sensors provide odometry data and facilitate map-matching using static landmarks in pre-mapped areas. By combining data from these sources, SUM explains that its system can perform reliable dead reckoning and offers precise map-based pose corrections to maintain high performance across various challenging environments.

One key challenge in this approach is the potential for GNSS blockages. To address this, SUM has incorporated dead reckoning technology into its systems, which augments the GNSS/INS module’s positioning capabilities by delivering continuous position estimates even when GNSS signals are unavailable.

Integrating vehicle localization systems further enhances dead reckoning by counteracting drift caused by biases in IMU measurements.

Additional sensors such as lidar can improve dead reckoning accuracy further, particularly during movements involving high wheel slips, which dilute the precision of wheel odometry. Despite these advancements, relying solely on dead reckoning for extended distances can lead to an unbounded accumulation of positioning errors.

According to the SUM team, Septentrio’s AsteRx SBi3 Pro+, coupled with SUM’s software and hardware solutions, has unlocked many benefits. Other urban use cases include enhancing delivery services by effectively managing routes and improving traffic management through fleet coordination. SUM adds that autonomous vehicles have the potential to reduce traffic congestion and emissions across the board. SUM’s technology, integrated with a variety of autonomous vehicle applications, contributes to a more sustainable future for our cities and industries.

SUM is continuing to focus on developing solutions to ensure accurate positioning and reliable autonomous operations in challenging environments. SUM and Septentrio aim to accelerate the integration of autonomous solutions to streamline port operations and autonomous vehicle applications in urban environments. The partnership is driving progress toward a more autonomous future, with the goals of reducing costs, increasing efficiency and adapting to the challenges posed by congested GNSS environments. Their joint efforts are being rigorously tested for accurate positioning throughout an autonomous vehicle’s entire journey, even in areas where GNSS signals may be compromised.

On the cover

Saronic vessels equipped with advanced sensors in contested waters. (Photo: Septentrio / Saronic)

Anti-jamming and anti-spoofing technology protects receivers

Saronic, a Texas-based defense technology company, is leveraging the latest cutting-edge technology for their autonomous surface vessels (ASVs) designed for critical naval missions. These vessels are equipped with sensors for enhanced domain awareness in contested waters. They are designed for tactical deployment, alone or in collaborative swarms, via at-sea launch and recovery from expeditionary craft. Saronic selected Septentrio’s GNSS inertial navigation system (INS) receivers for resilient positioning and orientation for navigating in the most challenging environments. Advanced interference mitigation (AIM+) technology protects Septentrio receivers from jamming and spoofing attacks that threaten to disrupt GNSS-based navigation.
September 10, 2024
Telespazio secures contract for Italy’s satellite navigation center

Photo: Telespazio

Telespazio, a joint venture between Leonardo and Thales, has been selected by the Italian Space Agency (ASI) to lead the creation of the “National GNSS Competence Centre” in Italy. As the primary contractor, Telespazio will head a team composed of Italian universities, research centers, and industrial companies to establish this new center, which will be headquartered at Telespazio’s offices in Rome.

The center’s primary goal is to develop a laboratory network that utilizes resources distributed throughout Italy to advance capabilities, solutions, and technologies in satellite navigation. The project team includes notable institutions such as the National Institute of Metrology Research (INRiM), the Italian Aerospace Research Centre (CIRA), Qascom and the National Inter-University Consortium for Telecommunications (CNIT), along with research units from the University of Pisa, the Polytechnic of Turin, the University of Padua and the University of Roma Tre.

The center will focus on creating new software tools for monitoring GNSS service performance and testing receivers. A cloud-based collaborative platform will be implemented to facilitate shared software development among all project participants. Additionally, the center seeks to expand its network by involving other academic and industrial partners while establishing itself as a national hub for satellite navigation expertise through workshops and training courses.

Telespazio will focus on developing precise, resilient, and robust navigation systems, particularly for emerging technologies such as autonomous vehicles in the aviation, rail, and automotive industries.

Telespazio operates one of two Galileo control centers at its Fucino Space Centre.

September 10, 2024
New Galileo satellites declared operational

Galileo satellites 29 and 30 have reached their target positions at an altitude of 23,222 km and are now fully operational three months after being launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, by SpaceX. These new additions to the Galileo constellation are now active and provide navigation signals to users.

Both satellites have been positioned on the same orbital plane, one of three that comprise the Galileo constellation. With this latest addition, two of the three Galileo orbital planes are fully populated, bringing the constellation close to completion. The next Galileo launch is planned in the coming weeks from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida onboard a SpaceX Falcon 9.

The Galileo Service Operator, supported by a team of approximately 30 satellite experts from the European Space Agency (ESA) and satellite manufacturer OHB, conducted early operations at the Galileo Control Centre in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany, under supervision from the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA). Following the initial operations, the satellites entered a drift phase, during which ground teams guided them to their final positions, which was reached on June 24.

On August 21, 2024, ESA, OHB and payload manufacturer SSTL evaluated the in-orbit test results, confirming that the satellites had not experienced any degradation during launch. ESA, in collaboration with EUSPA, then validated the satellites’ performance at the system level.

September 10, 2024
Research roundup: Enhancing GNSS resilience

GNSS researchers presented hundreds of papers at the 2023 Institute of Navigation (ION) GNSS+ conference, which took place Sept. 11-15, 2023, in Denver, Colo., and virtually.

The following four papers focused on ways to combat GNSS jamming and spoofing. The papers are available here.

GPS World will attend this year’s ION conference in Baltimore, Maryland on Sept. 16-20.

Approximating Regional GNSS Interference Sources Using ADS-B Data

Photo: zhanghaitao / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images

The Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) system, widely used for air traffic operations and management, also has potential applications in identifying, detecting and localizing (IDL) GNSS/RFI jamming sources in regions with high air traffic. With the rise in global GNSS interference reports, it is crucial to identify and eliminate jammers to ensure safe air travel operations.

The Navigational Integrity Category (NIC) value included in the ADS-B message is a key indicator for detecting potential jamming from ADS-B data. Although NIC is not the most effective metric for interference detection, it can still signal the presence of jamming and offer a means to localize the source in real time.

This research aims to approximate the area of GNSS/RFI interference by fitting a Euclidean Cone to ADS-B data that reports low NIC values. The problem is formulated as a convex optimization problem, derived from an alternative version of the maximum inscribed ellipsoid approach. By fitting an optimal cone to the data affected by interference, the cone’s apex indicates the estimated jamming location. The research team processed, decoded, interpolated and filtered ADS-B data to enhance localization accuracy.

The proposed convex formulation was tested on two reported interference events: one near Denver International Airport in January 2022, for 36 hours, and another near the Dallas-Fort Worth area in October 2022, over roughly eight hours. In Denver, four estimated jamming locations, calculated from four six-hour time windows, were grouped between downtown Denver and the airport. In Dallas, three estimated jamming locations, determined from three one-hour windows, showed a tighter grouping on the southern side of the Dallas/Fort Worth area, indicating spoofing was nearby.

Michael Dacus, Zixi Liu, Sherman Lo and Todd Walter, “Approximating Regional GNSS Interference Sources as a Convex Optimization Problem Using ADS-B Data.”

Hybrid Autoencoder for Interference Detection

Malfunctions or failures in GNSS services can result in significant personal, material, and financial damages. Early identification of anomalous behavior in GNSS signals can enable timely countermeasures. However, many interference monitoring or mitigation techniques are only feasible with high-end receivers and demand a certain level of expertise to be used effectively.

This paper presents a GNSS interference monitoring approach employing machine learning methodologies for users of any expertise level and with any type of GNSS receiver capable of outputting raw GNSS observations. The research team used simple signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) observations and different hybrid autoencoder models, including denoising or variational autoencoder combined with recurrent neural network (RNN) models, which are trained and tested on real jamming and spoofing events. The developed monitoring system is represented by a “traffic lights” system, indicating the severity or level of concern associated with each detected anomaly.

The results compare different RNN-based autoencoder implementations and have been tested on input data from high-end to low-end GNSS receivers. The analysis of the test set showed that there is a 95 percent probability of catching anomalies. Additionally, similar results were achieved when applied to other geodetic receiver types such as u-blox or JAVAD GNSS receivers. However, smartphone data is subject to some limitations. Notably, missed anomalies are primarily attributed to the low transmitting power from the jamming and spoofing devices, which poses challenges for detection.

Karin Mascher, Stefan Laller and Philipp Berglez, “Hybrid Autoencoder for Interference Detection in Raw GNSS Observations.”

A Tool to Monitor, Analyze and Record Navigation Signals

Given the heavy reliance on GNSS for numerous critical applications, any disruption caused by intentional or unintentional RFI could pose significant threats to operations that depend on these systems, from transportation and logistics to emergency services and national security. Developing advanced countermeasures against RFI has become a priority to ensure the functionality and resilience of GNSS-dependent systems.

This paper presents an architecture for real-time detection and classification of RFI affecting multi-band GNSS signals based on a machine learning method. The study proposes an architecture combining an actual GNSS monitoring station for recording GNSS signals — a Navigation Signals Monitoring, Analysis, and Recording Tool (N-SMART) system — with a deep neural network approach to detect and classify different classes of interferences.

Researchers propose a novel architecture for real-time interference detection and classification of RFI, which can continuously monitor and record multi-band GNSS signals and provide timely warnings in case of RFI. The proposed architecture utilizes the N-SMART system to capture and store the GNSS signals, while detection and classification are implemented using a deep neural network technique. The core principle of the suggested method is to implement a convolutional neural network (CNN) classifier inside a Docker container, running on top of the N-SMART system.

The results of the experimental test campaign on real interfered GNSS signals showed an overall accuracy of 85 percent, demonstrating the potential for effective, real-time classification of RFIs in GNSS. The research team explains that future work could focus on optimizing the model or exploring new architectures of CNN to improve accuracy and reduce task completion time across a variety of applications.

Iman Ebrahimi Mehr, Alex Minetto and Fabio Dovis, “A Navigation Signals Monitoring, Analysis and Recording Tool: Application to Real-Time Interference Detection and Classification.”

GNSS RFI Mitigation in Commercial Airborne Receivers

Reports from air navigation service providers worldwide indicate that commercial airborne GNSS receivers are increasingly being subjected to jamming and spoofing attacks. Consequently, there is a growing need to ensure that the raw GNSS measurements provided to aircraft systems are not compromised by spoofing. Validating these measurements is critical to maintaining the integrity and reliability of navigation systems used in aviation.

This paper focuses on two techniques under development by Collins Aerospace to be incorporated via a field-loadable software update to the Collins GLU-2100 multi-mode receiver to combat spoofing attacks. The first method, Receiver Autonomous Signal Authentication (RASA), uses the known characteristics of the GNSS receiver oscillator to detect whether the received signals are from a spoofer.

A second technique, Staggered Examination of Non-Trusted Receiver Information (SENTRI), uses the inertial sensor data already available from the aircraft’s IRS/INS, to monitor the coherence between pure GNSS, pure inertial (INS) navigation solutions or tightly coupled inertial GNSS hybrid solutions without augmentation. SENTRI further allows the computation of position integrity levels (HPL and VPL) in the presence of GNSS spoofers. The paper will describe the overall RFI mitigation architecture that is implemented on the GLU-2100.

RASA and SENTRI can be used together in a complementary fashion to detect the presence of spoofers reliably. It will also provide improved robustness to data spoofing attacks that induce errors in ephemeris, almanacs, GPS time jumps, etc., and will enable the GLU-2100 to coast through GNSS outages that are induced due to spoofing or jamming.

Future technologies will use antenna techniques, signal analysis, DFMC signals and APNT to increase the robustness to new and evolving threats. The goal of this RFI mitigation roadmap is to continue to ensure that GNSS can be used safely and reliably in civil aviation.

Angelo Joseph, Joseph Griggs, Patrick Bartolone, Bernard Schnaufer, Huan Phan, Vikram Malhotra, “GNSS Radio Frequency Interference Mitigation in Collins Commercial Airborne Receivers.”

September 9, 2024
Wingtra launches map processing software upgrade

Photo: Wingtra

Wingtra has upgraded its WingtraCLOUD software platform by adding map processing capabilities. This upgrade aims to streamline the integration of aerial insights into industries such as construction, mining and urban planning.

The latest updates seek to help engineering firms and users transition more smoothly from UAV data to actionable insights. By consolidating all stages of aerial data management — from mission planning to insight sharing — into a single platform, WingtraCLOUD eliminates the need for multiple complex tools to simplify workflows.

This software is designed to reduce errors, prevent rework and accelerate project timelines, leading to increased productivity across key industries.

With WingtraCLOUD, large-scale mapping projects can be completed quickly. This rapid processing capability is ideal for industries such as construction, which helps avoid costly delays and resource waste, and mining, where it enhances safety through quick highwall inspections. In disaster scenarios, WingtraCLOUD’s fast mapping capabilities can aid in efficiently directing resources.

September 9, 2024
Locus Lock collaborates with Xona Space System to develop GNSS receiver

Photo: Locus Lock

Locus Lock has partnered with Xona Space Systems to develop a GNSS receiver that uses Xona’s multi-frequency PULSAR service. Locus Lock aims to provide a robust software-defined GNSS receiver for commercial and military applications.

According to the company, Xona’s PULSAR service will be delivered via a constellation of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, which orbit the Earth approximately 20 times closer than traditional GNSS satellites. This proximity allows PULSAR to offer higher signal power and a modernized signal design to offer improved multipath mitigation, higher accuracy and increased protection against radio frequency interference and spoofing compared to current GNSS systems.

The technology is suitable for various applications, including vehicles navigating dense urban areas, agriculture and construction, UAVs, high-speed aircraft and defense applications. Locus Lock’s GNSS software stack can be deployed on existing customer computational infrastructure, ranging from small embedded devices to larger centralized computers. This flexibility allows for adaptation and configuration of the software to suit specific deployed environments.

The system features inertially aided carrier-phase differential GNSS (CDGNSS) for maintaining precision in challenging ecosystems, advanced interference mitigation and detection technology to ensure authentic GNSS signals are received, and the dual-antenna, triple-frequency RadioLion RF front-end for capturing raw GNSS signals. These features offer signal situational awareness, anti-spoofing, and interference mitigation.

September 9, 2024
Propeller partners with GEODNET to expand survey-grade accuracy

Propeller, a cloud-based worksite mapping and UAV analytics company, has partnered with GEODNET to upgrade its survey-grade mapping solutions. By integrating GEODNET stations into the Propeller Corrections Network, Propeller can now deliver more precise data to its users in the construction, mining, aggregates and waste management industries.

Propeller has developed a fully integrated post-processing kinematic (PPK) mapping workflow for various commercial UAVs. Surveyors and contractors can visualize geospatial data from one central system using AeroPoint GPS-enabled smart ground control points and Propeller’s cloud-based platform.

GEODNET’s global network of more than 9,000 registered full-constellation GNSS reference stations offers Propeller users the GNSS corrections data needed to align AeroPoints and UAVs to thousands of published coordinate systems.

Propeller has completed the initial integration of GEODNET stations into its network, allowing both existing and new customers to benefit from these enhancements immediately.

September 6, 2024
u-blox introduces ultra-low-power asset tracking service for IoT

Photo: u-blox

u-blox has introduced CloudTrack, an end-to-end asset tracking service designed specifically for Internet of Things (IoT) applications. This comprehensive solution integrates ultra-low-power positioning, global connectivity and cloud integration into a single platform. CloudTrack aims to simplify IoT asset tracking by offering flexible, contractless per-location-request plans available worldwide, allowing users to manage their assets effortlessly.

CloudTrack offers six times the energy savings compared to a standalone GNSS fix with a cold start while securely transmitting data over the internet. The system intelligently calculates position using a combination of data from GNSS, cellular, and Wi-Fi sources. This capability allows users to locate assets even in areas with poor or non-existent GNSS signal conditions and indoors, where obtaining a location fix can be challenging.

With a single Thingstream SIM card operating globally, IoT devices can utilize one stock-keeping unit (SKU), eliminating the need for regional SKUs. The Thingstream cloud platform seeks to make it easy for businesses to transform and integrate their data with tracking dashboards, major cloud platforms and enterprise backend systems.

September 5, 2024
BeiDou navigation service platform begins trial operations

Photo: Xinhua

China’s BeiDou high-precision navigation and positioning service platform has entered trial operation, The National Geomatics Center of China reported.

Developed under the leadership of the Ministry of Natural Resources, the platform integrates satellite navigation and positioning base stations nationwide within the natural resources system. This initiative consolidates more than 3,300 base stations into a unified network, offering centralized management of station resources.

The network offers seamless, high-precision positioning services nationwide, delivering real-time, accurate and reliable navigation for sectors including public welfare mapping, resource surveying, intelligent transportation, autonomous driving, precision agriculture and social governance.

The service is available both online and offline. Online, it offers real-time observation data and enhanced positioning services. Offline, the platform delivers coordinate results, post-event observation data files, and related products.

The BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) was initiated in 1994. The construction of BDS-1 and BDS-2 was completed in 2000 and 2012. When BDS-3 was completed and put into service on July 31, 2020, China became the third country to have an independent global navigation satellite system.

September 5, 2024
Topcon releases upgraded surveying software

Photo: Topcon

Topcon has released a new version of its computer-aided design (CAD) software suite, formerly known as MAGNET. With enhanced features and workflow improvements to the Office, Field and Tools modules, version 9 is also renamed under the Topcon software suite as the business retires the MAGNET brand.

The software is designed for professionals such as surveyors, engineers, modelers, estimators, and project managers, aiming to improve productivity through integrated software capabilities and workflows. It can be used as standalone, office-based CAD software or as a cloud-connected solution that integrates field and office operations with Topcon or Sokkia survey instruments. The platform offers user-friendly and versatile configurations suitable for various applications.

Topcon Office version 9 introduces new options for working with digital terrain models (DTMs), spot elevations and offset capabilities, enhancing versatility when handling 2D or 3D data sets. Improvements in Topcon Field include better productivity and stake reporting capabilities, advanced resection functionality for unknown control points, and a new offset routine for creating points that are not observable with a total station. Both Field and Office modules now support direct import and export with 12D XML file formats.

Subscribers to the AllDayRTK high accuracy positioning network can now directly import and export RINEX data into Topcon Tools with a current Plus or RINEX subscription. Version 9 of Topcon Tools also features improved coordinate system functions, new traverse calculations, viewing options, and enhanced functionality for working with data in tabular view for reporting.

September 4, 2024
The need for trained geodesists is an international issue
My previous newsletter highlighted activities associated with the Transportation Research Board ADK70 Standing Committee on Geospatial Data Acquisition Technologies. As I mentioned in the newsletter, Linda Foster, ESRI and president-elect of the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS), highlighted how geodesy and surveying provide the foundation for digital twin products. Similar to the inverted geospatial pyramid depicted in my February 2022 GPS World newsletter, Foster’s presentation highlighted that geodesy is at the base of an inverted triangle. See my February 2022 and August 2024 newsletters for more details. Both diagrams emphasize the importance of geodesy and surveying in creating geospatial products and services.

That said, on August 20, I had the opportunity to participate in the UN-GGIM: Europe webinar series: Quo Vadis Geodesy? webinar. Quo vadis is a Latin phrase meaning “Where are you going?” The webinar highlighted the importance of geodesy and the need for more trained geodesists. This is a topic that I have been highlighting for several years.

Agenda for webinar. (All photos courtesy of UN-GGIM: Europe webinar.)

Webinar write up

Modern society relies heavily on satellite services for various critical functions, including economic development, the operation of critical infrastructure, and defense applications. Despite their clear and proven significance, these satellite services are at risk of degradation or failure due to the lack of resources provided to the global geodesy supply chain. It is crucial for decision-makers to understand the far-reaching implications of not strengthening this supply chain, which impacts societal, economic, and environmental applications. Additionally, these decision makers need clear pathways to address these vulnerabilities effectively.

The Community of Interest on Geodetic Reference Frames – Europe, established by UN-GGIM: Europe, is dedicated to supporting the sustainment and growth of the geodetic profession. To address current knowledge gaps, we have organized this webinar featuring two insightful presentations. The first presentation will discuss the risks associated with weak geodetic foundations and their potential to compromise satellite services. The second presentation will introduce an initiative to launch an international Master of Science in Geodesy, emphasizing the importance of formal geodesy education in building robust geodetic foundations.

There were three objectives of the webinar:

1) Provide geo-experts resources to help them convincingly communicate and advocate for a strong global geodesy supply chain.

2) Inform decision makers of the risks of not strengthening the global geodesy supply chain.

3) Support the initiative of the IDEA-league universities to establish an international Master of Science in Geodesy.

The webinar was recorded and can be found here. The presentations can be downloaded from the following weblinks:
- You, Me and Geodesy – Nicholas Brown, UN-GGCE
- International MSc Geodesy – Ramon Hanssen and Peter Teunissen, TU Delft
This newsletter is going to highlight some interesting items from the webinar, but I would encourage everyone to listen to the recording to obtain the full discussion.

First, I would like to note that Ramon Hanssen included the geospatial inverted pyramid (designed by Dana J. Caccamise II, NGS Regional Geodetic Advisory) and the white paper titled “The Geodesy Crisis” (prepared by Mike Bevis collaborating with others) that documented the concern about the lack of trained geodesists in the United States (see February 2022 GPS World newsletter). Based on the presentation by Ramon Hanssen it appears that the lack of trained geodesists is also a concern of the European geospatial community.

Image: Dana Caccamise II

Nicholas Brown, Head of Office, United Nations Global Geodetic Centre of Excellence, did a nice job of explaining the importance of geodesy in everyday activities. He highlighted how GNSS is a critical infrastructure for telecommunications, emergency services, and financial exchanges. In my opinion, GNSS and geodesy are unsung heroes of everyone’s daily activities.

He provided a scenario that would affect almost everyone in their daily routines.

Imagine a scenario without GNSS.

This highlights the importance of geodesy and the need to increase the number of trained geodesists in the world. My July 2020 “First Fix” article in GPS World discussed the need to increase the number of trained geodesists in the United States, and it appears the same issue is a concern of many individuals in Europe. Ramon Hanssen and Peter Teunissen, TU Delft, presented a way forward for Europe. The following are some highlights of the presentation but, again, I would encourage readers to download the slides and webinar for more details.

The presentation described “The IDEA League,” which is a strategic alliance between five European universities of technology: TU Delft, ETH Zurich, RWTH Aachen, Chalmers University, and Politecnico di Milano. One goal of the partnership is to re-establish Europe as a technological and scientific leader by integrating academic resources and knowledge. The concept includes pooling resources for collaborative and complementary programs for teaching students and researchers.

The alliance established an initiation team to develop a proposal that included the following:
1. Establish a joint international European MSc program in Geodesy.
2. Combine resources of universities, scientists, and educators in Europe.
3. Respond to the urgent need for academic geodesists.
4. Inspire collaboration via complementary fields.
The group sent a questionnaire to stakeholders in the geodetic job market to obtain an understanding of the need for trained geodesists. The responses to the questionnaire highlighted the urgent need for more trained geodesists. Two important responses by stakeholders were (1) 72% perceived the current availability of MSc graduates in geodesy to be unsatisfactory and (2) 83% expects the demand for (academic) professionals with expertise in geodesy to grow in the foreseeable future.

As mentioned above, 72% perceived the current availability of MSc graduates in geodesy to be unsatisfactory. The questionnaire asked, “What challenges or gaps do you face in recruiting qualified geodetic professionals?”

There were many responses to this question; the image below provides a few examples that were presented at the webinar.

The stakeholders provided reasons why they believe that the demand for geodesists will increase in the future. The list below provides a breakdown of the reasons provided by the stakeholders. The top two reasons were technological advancements and digital transformation. Concerns with consistency in the digital delivery of geometric products were highlighted in my August 2024 newsletter.

We now live in a world where everything is digital. Today, most surveying and mapping instruments collect and generate data in digital format. This paradigm has affected how surveyors, geodesists, and engineers provide their products and services. So, it makes sense that advancements in technology and the transformation of digital data would be important to stakeholders.

The stakeholders were asked their opinion on what expertise is needed by geodesists to meet their requirements. The image below shows the responses of the stakeholders. There were six expertises that exceeded 50%:
- Quality (Precision, Accuracy) – 75.8%
- Sensors and Techniques – 63.6%
- Data Analytics – 60.6%
- Mathematical Fundamentals – 58.6%
- Reference Frames – 58.6%
- GIS and Geo-Databases – 52.5%
The group provided a preliminary program design for a MSc Geodesy. See the image below.

Draft overview MSc Geodesy.

As in all partnerships and collaborations, there are challenges. The group is working together to overcome these challenges. The stakeholders could help by supporting the IDEA League concept and proposal.

Nicholas Brown’s presentation, “You, Me and Geodesy,” provides information that others can use to explain how the global geodesy supply chain is fundamental to what they do and how critical it is to our daily lives. He describes five weaknesses (see the box titled “Weakness in Geodetic Message”) that need to be addressed to improve the message of why it is important to increase the geodetic capacity in the world. I have provided a short summary below, but readers should listen to the webinar for more details.
- Evidence – There is no clear, understandable evidence to explain the importance of investing in geodesy to decision makers.
- Resources – Leadership cannot make the business case to invest in geodesy without good evidence.
- Awareness – There is a need to communicate the importance of geodesy to other science agencies and scientists in different fields of study. For example, climate change is highly dependent on geodesy for measuring sea level rise, changes in gravity, ice melt, and the location of Earth’s center of mass.
- Capacity – Capacity development in geodetic science needs to be strengthened everywhere not just in developing countries.
- Governance – The scientific geodetic community has done an exceptional job of managing the geodetic infrastructure (e.g., International Association of Geodesy) but they are expected to do too much. During Nicholas Brown’s presentation, he mentioned that, in his opinion, an improved governance model could help advance geodesy around the world. He mentioned the need to have a governance model like the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). WMO members contribute resources to the organization, technical commissions are established to address issues, and operational support and resources are provided to implement capacity development programs.
Weakness in geodetic message.

The UN-GGIM: Europe webinar series: Quo Vadis Geodesy webinar highlighted the importance of geodesy and the need for more trained geodesists. Anyone reading my GPS World newsletters knows that I have been highlighting the need for more trained geodesists in the United States for several years. This newsletter highlighted interesting items from a webinar that discussed the need for more trained geodesists in Europe. Again, I would encourage everyone to listen to the recording to obtain the full discussion.
September 4, 2024
Galileo prepares for upcoming OSNMA operational declaration

Photo: EUSPA

The European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) has completed the testing of the Galileo Open Service Navigation Message Authentication (OSNMA) and is now gearing up for its operational launch.

Galileo, similar to any other GNSS, is used by many critical applications in transportation, finance, telecommunications, information technology, energy, utilities, manufacturing, health services, emergency services and law enforcement.

However, the rise in spoofing attacks, which can disrupt these services, has prompted the development of OSNMA. This capability, integrated into the Galileo infrastructure by EUSPA, the European Commission (EC), and the European Space Agency (ESA), aims to enhance the security of GNSS signals.

The OSNMA Public Observation phase began in November 2021, supported by the release of the Signal in Space Interface Control Document (SIS ICD) and the Receiver Guidelines, which facilitated early testing of OSNMA receivers worldwide. Since then, users have reported that the OSNMA signal has been transmitted by Galileo satellites with high stability and performance.

In December 2022, EUSPA and the EC published the OSNMA SIS ICD and Receiver Guidelines for the service phase, with further updates released between October 2023 and January 2024. Additionally, the OSNMA Internet Data Distribution (IDD) ICD was published in July 2023 and updated in January 2024, alongside the operational cryptographic material. The OSNMA signal has been transmitted following these specifications since August 2023.

According to EUSPA, Testing activities by industry and public actors have confirmed the readiness of the service, with the latest cryptographic material published by EUSPA in January 2024. This material and necessary certificates are available through the EUSPA and GSC websites for the Initial Service provision phase.

The testing activities concluded in early June 2024 with the execution of cryptographic keychain renewal and revocation processes. The program is now preparing for the OSNMA Initial Service declaration, which will include an EC communication, the publication of the OSNMA Service Definition Document (SDD) and the transition of the OSNMA Status Flag from “test” to “operational” following a process similar to that used in 2023 for the Galileo High Accuracy Service (HAS) Declaration. According to EUSPA, a dedicated Galileo Service Notice will soon be published to announce the conclusion of the testing activities of the Public Observation Phase.

September 3, 2024