GPS World articles from August 2007

GPS World archives from August 2007

A defiant market.(OUT IN FRONT)(Viewpoint essay)
August 1, 2007... On my way home, I'm reading Len Jacobson's new book, GNSS Markets and Applications, which will serve as the basis for debate at our Leadership Dinner at ION in Fort Worth. One passage in particular struck, just before the plane started bucking...

Software defines future.(EXPERT ADVICE)
August 1, 2007... Software receiver technology has gained increasing attention from both research and development communities in recent years. This is partly because of the many potential benefits associated with software implementations. The accelerated...

GPS III RFP let.(THE SYSTEM)
August 1, 2007... On July 12, the GPSWing released a Request for Proposal (RFP) for development and production of the GPS Block IIIA satellites, the first of three GPS III increments. New capabilities on GPS IIIA will improve position, navigation, and timing...

Unfazed by sun.(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2007... The U.S. Air Force GPS Wing would like to clarify some misleading information published in the April 2007 edition of GPS World; specifically, the "Solar Burst Impacts GPS" article. The statement "It was one of the largest on record and had an...

EGNOS proves its mettle.(THE SYSTEM)
August 1, 2007... Two recent trials showcased capabilities of the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS), scheduled for certification later this year. A June 27 demonstration in Helsinki harbor determined the position of a test vessel with...

That Langley fellow.(THE SYSTEM)(Richard Langley named as a fellow at Royal Institute of Navigation )
August 1, 2007... The United Kingdom's Royal Institute of Navigation (RIN) named Richard Langley as one of its new fellows for 2007, making the award at its 60th anniversary annual general meeting on June 29 in London. Langley is a professor at the University of...

Judge tosses lawsuit that sought to limit GIS contractors.(SURVEY & CONSTRUCTION)
August 1, 2007... On June 14, a federal judge threw out the lawsuit crucial to the geospatial industry. The lawsuit was filed in June 2006 against the U.S. government by the Management Association for Private Photogrammetric Surveyors (MAPPS) and co-plaintiffs...

Topcon acquires Javad assets; JAVAD GNSS moves ahead.(SURVEY & CONSTRUCTION)
August 1, 2007... Topcon Corporation has announced that it has acquired certain assets of Javad Navigation Systems, Inc. (JNS), which was created as part of the July 2000 agreements between Topcon and Javad Ashjaee. Specific terms of the deal were not disclosed,...

Navigation drives Chinese GPS handset boom.(MASS MARKET OEM)
August 1, 2007... Domestic GPS-enabled handset shipments will increase 10-fold over the course of the next four years in China, from 1.4 million phones this year to 16.5 million in 2011, according to market research firm iSuppli Corp. Strong demand for...

Samsung turns to Trimble GPS clock for Ubicell.(UTILITIES & COMMUNICATIONS)
August 1, 2007... Korea's Samsung is incorporating Trimble's indoor GPS timing technology in its latest Ubicell system, a plug-and-play miniature wireless base station, the companies announced June 28. The Ubicell is designed to improve mobile coverage in...

Bunker buster warhead a success.(MILITARY & GOVERNMENT)
August 1, 2007... NetFires LLC successfully demonstrated in late June its Precision Attack Missile warhead, which penetrated a fortified bunker target. NetFires LLC is a joint venture between Raytheon Company's Missile Systems business and Lockheed Martin...

Spirent tapped for GPS Wing.(SYSTEM DESIGN & TEST)
August 1, 2007... On July 2, Rockwell Collins selected Spirent Federal Systems, Inc. to supply multiple GPS simulators to support the Modernized User Equipment (MUE) Receiver Card Development contract that Rockwell has with the GPS Wing. The GPS...

Short-course text.
August 1, 2007... As GPS continues its relentless expansion into other fields, the need for electrical engineers of all persuasions to understand satnav technology grows exponentially--as does the requirement for GPS to be covered in any graduate or...

AT & T Inc. and Psion Teklogix are jointly selling a version of Psion's Workabout Pro, a rugged handset designed to work with AT & T's BroadbandConnect and EDGE, the first such rugged device.(IN BRIEF)
August 1, 2007... AT & T Inc. and Psion Teklogix are jointly selling a version of Psion's Workabout Pro, a rugged handset designed to work with AT & T's BroadbandConnect and EDGE, the first such rugged device for 3G UMTS/HSPDA-based networks available in the...

On July 2, Garmin Ltd. announced that it had completed its acquisition of GPS Gesellschaft fur Professionelle Satellitennavigation mbH, the sole distributor of its consumer products in Germany.(IN BRIEF)
August 1, 2007... On July 2, Garmin Ltd. announced that it had completed its acquisition of GPS Gesellschaft fur Professionelle Satellitennavigation mbH, the sole distributor of its consumer products in Germany. The company will be renamed Garmin Deutschland...

U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Life Cycle Management Command.(IN BRIEF)
August 1, 2007... The U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Life Cycle Management Command on June 28 selected Rockwell Collins to supply GPS receivers for its Ground-Based GPS Receiver Application Module (GB-GRAM) program. The five-year base contract and...

Trimble has introduced field-revision management and GIS redlining capabilities for its Fieldport software.(IN BRIEF)
August 1, 2007... Trimble has introduced field-revision management and GIS redlining capabilities for its Fieldport software, a Web-based, wireless software suite for utility field service management and location-based mobile mapping. Trimble acquired Spacient...

Rebecca "Becky" Casswell retired July 3 as chief of the GPS Branch at the Coast Guard Navigation Center (NAVCEN).(IN BRIEF)
August 1, 2007... Rebecca "Becky" Casswell retired July 3 as chief of the GPS Branch at the Coast Guard Navigation Center (NAVCEN). Until a replacement is named, Gene Schlechte, NAVCEN Systems Management Division Chief, and CAPT Matthew Blizard, NAVCEN...

PND growth may slow.(LOCATION-BASED SERVICES)
August 1, 2007... Analysts and industry executives say the dominant LBS market segment is still navigation. Portable navigation devices (PNDs) are selling well, but more than one analyst has said that the robust sales growth on this line may slacken as mobile...

Signaling a Shakeup.(Leadership Talks)(Interview)
August 1, 2007... Ken Hudnut (KH), U.S. Geological Survey geophysicist and leader of the Southern San Andreas Fault Evaluation (SoSAFE) Project, spoke with Managing Editor Tracy Cozzens (TC) on June 28. TC: Can you give us an update on the L1C finalization...

Agriculture steering system.(SURVEY & CONSTRUCTION)( AutoFarm RighTrac )(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... The AutoFarm RighTrac offers growers an advanced GPS steering system with 3-inch, repeatable accuracy. Repeatability is an important feature for producers because it lets them steer the same line every time they work their fields, operation...

Network Adjustment Software.(SURVEY & CONSTRUCTION)
August 1, 2007... Columbus Network Adjustment Software, version 3.7, provides major enhancements, including direct support for Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) and state-plane network adjustment. Adjustment support is also available for any projected surface...

Differential correction options.(SURVEY & CONSTRUCTION)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... The Crescent R100 series DGPS receiver provides high accuracy, allowing surveyors to rely on consistent sub-meter performance with standard SBAS differential and Hemisphere GPS' COAST technology, which maintains accuracy during temporary loss...

Multipurpose surveying tool.(SURVEY & CONSTRUCTION)( Spectra Precision Epoch 25 L1/L2)
August 1, 2007... The Spectra Precision Epoch 25 L1/L2 GPS system offers high-quality measurement results in several modes, including RTK and static, by using advanced L1/L2 GPS technology. The Epoch 25 allows users to collect topographic data and stake layout...

Reflectorless laser rangefinder with compass.(SURVEY & CONSTRUCTION)
August 1, 2007... The TruPulse 360 overcomes situational and topographical barriers to allow professional measurement of man-made or natural features. Based on LTI's TruPulse 200 laser measuring device that hit the market in 2006, the TruPulse 360 combines an...

Centimeter accuracy.(SURVEY & CONSTRUCTION)(ProMark3 RTK)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... The ProMark3 RTK operates in two modes: base + rover and rover only. The rover can be connected to a real-time network through a GPRS-enabled cell phone using NTRIP and direct IP. Base + rover employs a spread-spectrum radio solution that does...

Agriculture guidance.(SURVEY & CONSTRUCTION)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... The Envizio Pro is a touch-screen-based system that builds off of the Envizio Plus guidance console with a larger screen, dual application control, and a variable rate application control option. It is designed for sprayer, fertilizer...

Precision RTK systems with UHF.(SURVEY & CONSTRUCTION)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Topcon's HiPer G-A system will track in dual frequency up to 20 GPS and GLONASS satellites in any combination and comes with 128 MB of onboard memory for static observation storage for post processing. The G-B variation receives only GPS...

High-precision receiver/antenna.(SURVEY & CONSTRUCTION)
August 1, 2007... The GMX901 GPS receiver with an integrated antenna is suited for precision geodetic monitoring. It streams precise single-frequency code and phase data up to 1 Hz. The receiver is housed in a water-, heat-, cold-, and vibration-resistant unit...

GPS/GLONASS Reference Station.(SURVEY & CONSTRUCTION)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... The GSR2700 RSX GNSS Reference Station is a high-precision system offering both GPS and GLONASS RTK corrections and raw data to an unlimited number of rover receivers in the field. It comes with a Windows XP-based PC with a 120 GB hard drive...

Warfighter awareness: DAGRs and radios; Situational awareness for the masses is difficult to do. A software-only upgrade to the DAGR handheld creates realtime position, waypoint, and message exchange and display capability using fielded, secure, tactical radios for situational awareness, friend-or-foe identification, and search and rescue.(MILITARY & GOVERNMENT)
August 1, 2007... The field operational concept of soldiers visualizing friendly and enemy locations overlaid on map displays in real time has existed in the realm of science fiction for years. To date, the infrastructure modifications to support such a vision...

GPS-based IRIG Time-Code Generator.(MILITARY & GOVERNMENT)
August 1, 2007... The ES-295/GPS is a GPS based IRIG (A, B, or G) Time-Code Generator and Translator that uses the i-Lotus IL-GPS-0010-A receiver. When in the GPS mode, the unit is synchronized to UTC via the internal GPS receiver. In the translator mode, the...

Tamper-resistant SAASM module.(MILITARY & GOVERNMENT)
August 1, 2007... The TruTrak Locater GPS receiver product for military handhelds has reached full-rate production status and is being deployed in U.S. military combat operations. The TruTrak Locater receiver is a single-board L1/L2 12-channel GPS receiver that...

Network-Centric Positioning Unit.(MILITARY & GOVERNMENT)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... The Epoch-by-Epoch Network-Centric Positioning Unit (ENPU) is a modular, high-accuracy GPS-based real-time positioning product designed for dismounted troops, low-dynamic vehicles, semi-autonomous vehicles, robotics, and test and training...

L1/L2 constellation simulator.(MILITARY & GOVERNMENT)
August 1, 2007... Spirent's GSS7735 L1/L2 constellation simulator is designed to operate without a separate controller PC. It is completely self-contained, simulating four satellites simultaneously, optimal for rapid repeat testing as is required during...

Network-centric time and frequency server.(MILITARY & GOVERNMENT)
August 1, 2007... Spectracom's network-centric NetClock 9300 series precision time server is designed for military and federal communications systems. The 9300 NetClock delivers flexibility for new government mandates and directives while supporting legacy...

L1 engines, added signals.(RECEIVER TECHNOLOGY)
August 1, 2007... NovAtel's OEMV-1 and OEMV-1G are single-frequency GPS engines featuring additional signals and application programming interface API support. The OEMV-1 offers integrated L1 GPS and OmniSTAR and CDGPS correction services for sub-meter accuracy,...

Combined GPS/Galileo Simulation System.(RECEIVER TECHNOLOGY)
August 1, 2007... Spirent Communications announces the GSS7900 GPS/Galileo Simulation System, enabling tests of advanced multi-system GNSS receivers by supporting the free-to-use signals from both GPS and Galileo systems. The GSS7900 simulates the RF environment...

GPS/GLONASS OEM receiver.(RECEIVER TECHNOLOGY)
August 1, 2007... The AsteRx2 is a next generation L1/L2 GPS/GLONASS/SBAS OEM receiver platform, designed for high-performance dual-frequency applications. The board features 48 hardware channels for simultaneous tracking of all visible satellites in GLONASS and...

High-precision board.(RECEIVER TECHNOLOGY)(DG14 RTK)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... The DG14 RTK from Magellan is a sub-meter GPS + SBAS + beacon receiver, providing flexibility for applications that do not specifically require a dual-frequency receiver, and the ability to also produce 2D attitude with moving base station...

Software-based receivers.(RECEIVER TECHNOLOGY)
August 1, 2007... The Russian firm SPIRIT designs and licenses software-based GNSS receivers. Digital samples from RF front-end are entered into the memory of a processor. All other navigation receiver functions are performed by executing the software. The...

Integrated Nav software.(OEM MASS MARKET)
August 1, 2007... SiRFDiRect promises navigation accuracy and coverage in portable form factors, equivalent to that of permanently installed in-car systems. Closely coupled GPS and dead-reckoning (DR) sensor measurements from low-cost heading and acceleration...

RF front-end module.(OEM MASS MARKET)(Rakon GRM7520)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... The Rakon GRM7520 is a single conversion GPS miniature RF front-end receiver module that down converts GPS signals to an IF signal suitable for a wide range of baseband configurations. Formed in a 7 x 5 x 1.95 millimeter package with a current...

Miniature GNSS chips.(OEM MASS MARKET)
August 1, 2007... SiGe offers two small-scale receiver ICs for mobile handsets, cell phones, PNDs and PDAs. The SE4110S GPS receiver and the SE4120S GPS/Galileo receiver measure 2.2 x 2.2 x 0.4 millimeters. SiGe's software-defined RF approach pairs with...

Host-based receiver.(OEM MASS MARKET)
August 1, 2007... u-Nav has released Orion RX2, a host-based 20-channel GPS receiver achieving -160dBm, for integration in portable consumer devices. It partitions navigation software between the uN3010 onboard DSP and host processor and executes software at 1...

Are we there yet? GPS a tourism hit.(LOCATION-BASED SERVICES)
August 1, 2007... Finding the ideal way to use GPS technology in tourism can be as tricky as booking the perfect vacation. Companies across the globe are popping up with useful devices for visitors, and location-based services are now available at many of the...

External Tri-band antenna.(AVIONICS & TRANSPORTATION)
August 1, 2007... The External Mercury Tri-band GPS antenna keeps track of a fleet while providing AMPS and PCS wireless communication. The Tri-band antenna is designed for fleet, logistics, utility and public safety agencies, to aid in fleet tracking, theft...

Tracking receiver.(AVIONICS & TRANSPORTATION)
August 1, 2007... Qinetiq's Ocellus T100 is a 12-channel high-sensitivity GPS/GPRS fleet management and tracking product, suitable for tracking trailers and commercial vehicles. High-sensitivity GPS, provided by the company's Q20 chipset, enablesT100 to be...

GPS compass.(AVIONICS & TRANSPORTATION)
August 1, 2007... Hemisphere GPS introduced its new Crescent V100 and V110 GPS compasses for precision heading and positioning for marine navigation and a variety of other applications, as alternatives to traditional gyro compasses. Crescent V100 combines...

Low-noise, high-rejection antennas.(AVIONICS & TRANSPORTATION)
August 1, 2007... Wi-Sys Communications announced the launch of the WS3978 40dB gain, very low noise, high-rejection hard-mount antenna series. The series provides 40 dBs of gain and out-of-band rejection performance. It features a tuned custom ceramic patch...

GPS lightbar.(AVIONICS & TRANSPORTATION)(EZ-Guide 500)
August 1, 2007... The EZ-Guide 500 lightbar guidance system offers you multiple accuracy options with a built-in dual-frequency GPS receiver. With WAAS, [+ or -]6-8 inch pass-to-pass accuracy; with OmniSTAR XP, [+ or -]3-5 inch pass-to-pass and [+ or -]8 inch...

Mobile GPS receiver with Dead Reckoning.(LOCATION-BASED SERVICES)
August 1, 2007... The TrimFleet Dead Reckoning Unit (DRU) Plus is a GPS receiver that outputs positions when in GPS coverage via either of its RS-232C serial ports in NMEA or TAIP formats. The DRU Plus may be configured to send the position data in either...

Expanded marine cartography regions.(LOCATION-BASED SERVICES)
August 1, 2007... Navionics Gold+ XL9 charts provide three times the coverage previously available in XL3-size regions. The XL9 regions are available for the Great Lakes and U.S. navigable rivers and coastal waters throughout the Americas. Designed for serious...

Instant positioning on request.(LOCATION-BASED SERVICES)
August 1, 2007... AssistNow Online is u-blox's A-GPS data-provisioning service for conventional MS-based applications. Using standard user-plane communication links and protocols like GPRS, AssistNow Online works on all mobile networks. At start-up, the GPS...

Software developer kit.(LOCATION-BASED SERVICES)
August 1, 2007... ArcGIS Mobile is a software developer kit in ArcGIS Server that allows users to create and deploy centrally managed and customized mobile GIS applications. Using a set of .NET controls, users can develop small-footprint and easy-to-use...

Navigator with digital TV support.(LOCATION-BASED SERVICES)
August 1, 2007... The GV-380 is a GPS navigator with DMB digital TV support. Powered by the SiRF-Starlll GPS chipset, the GlobalSat GV-380 has a 400 MHz processor, a 4.3-inch LCD display, and an SD card slot. The device supports also DVB-T digital TV reception...

Accelerated PND testing.(LOCATION-BASED SERVICES)(SimPLEX45)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Designed with surface navigation systems in mind (applications such as in car navigation, PNDs, and mobile phones), SimPLEX45 adds key features to the GPS constellation simulator STR4500 such as the ability to import motion from logged journeys...

GPSDO frequency standard.(UTILITIES & COMMUNICATIONS)(Fury GPS disciplined oscillator)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Fury is a 10 MHz GPS disciplined oscillator (GPSDO) that requires no calibration, delivers higher stability than typical rubidium clock references, and meets the requirements of a Stratum 1 frequency standard. Fury offers better than...

Network GIS and engineering design.(UTILITIES & COMMUNICATIONS)
August 1, 2007... The Bentley Electric XM and Bentley Expert Designer XM are comprehensive network Geographic information System (GIS) and engineering design solutions for electric utilities. Bentley Electric XM delivers core mapping, network documentation,...

OEM GPS clock.(UTILITIES & COMMUNICATIONS)
August 1, 2007... The OSA 4500 provides higher-grade synchronization at minimal cost and minimal space. Based on the Double Oven Oscillator OSA 8663, the accuracy and stability of its 1 pps and 10 MHz outputs are at the same high level as OSA 4530 and OSA 4580...

Mobile time and frequency receiver.(UTILITIES & COMMUNICATIONS)(PTF GlobalTyme)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... The mobile version of the PTF GlobalTyme GPS receivers provides the same functionality as the static version, with the added feature of being able to operate in mobile mode for both ground and airborne applications. Available in both 1U...

Orbit data and resources on active GNSS satellites.(THE ALMANAC)
August 1, 2007... GPS SATELLITE & SYSTEM INFORMATION United States and Canada Canadian Space Geodesy Forum http://gauss.gge.unb.ca/CANSPACE.html This University of New Brunswick service presents daily GPS constellation status reports,...

Social networking + GPS = finding you.(GNSS technologies in the popular media)
August 1, 2007... Friends in your online network can do more than read your blogs and see your photos. If you have a GPS-enabled phone, they might also know exactly where you are. The new social networking site Bliin uses GPS to locate people, reported BBC...

GPS beats radar gun.(GNSS technologies in the popular media)
August 1, 2007... While police often use GPS to fight crime, one Australian used it to defeat a speeding ticket, reported the Australia Herald Sun. Brett Pownceby was issued a $215 ticket alleging he was going 119 kilometers per hour in a 110 km/h zone. To fight...

Rocketting about town.(GNSS technologies in the popular media)(Rikki Rockett is looking for Garmin Zumo 550 )(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Drummer Rikki Rockett likes to explore the cities he visits during his band Poison's summer tour. In June, he posted a blog on his MySpace page asking someone to find him a Garmin Zumo 550 for his motorcycle, offering repayment plus show...