GPS World articles from August 2008

GPS World archives from August 2008

The call tease factor.(OUT IN FRONT)
August 1, 2008... He crossed the fog-blurred street and left the lamp's cold glow to enter the alley, went to the waist-high board fence, and looked down the dark slope to Stockton. Twenty feet below, his partner lay sprawled on his back, one arm flung, overcoat...

Causes of war.(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2008... I really enjoy your magazine, and found very interesting your "Out In Front" commentary, June issue. However, I had to pause and contemplate your statement that "Precise real-time monitoring and equitable distribution of material and thus...

Can we blog?(EXPERT ADVICE)
August 1, 2008... Need help now? Wonder what the difference is between software radio, software-defined radio, and software receivers? Want to know how far you can go from the base station in your next stop-and-go kinematic survey to assure centimeter-level...

Galileo gloves come off: military after all.(THE SYSTEM)
August 1, 2008... The European Parliament on July 10 explicitly recognized the need for Galileo to serve the European Union's defense and security--a change from its earlier stance. Galileo proponents originally envisioned the European GNSS as existing...

GIOVEs A and B double-differenced.(THE SYSTEM)
August 1, 2008... Researchers at the Netherlands' Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) have produced the first double-difference measurements from Galileo satellite signals, tracking GIOVE-A and GIOVE-B satellites with Septentrio GNSS receivers. TU...

Software future for GNSS.(THE SYSTEM)
August 1, 2008... The International GNSS Service (IGS) has published a white paper on the future use of GNSS for high-accuracy applications. A federation of more than 200 agencies that pool resources and GPS and GLONASS data from a network of more than 350...

Correction.(Correction notice)
August 1, 2008... Figure 2 of "The Future is Now: GPS + GLONASS + SBAS + GNSS" in the July issue of GPS World contained an error. The corrected figure is shown here.

Broadcom ranked top, but does not locate iPhone: media--including GPS World--picked up a blogger's rumor and got it wrong.(MASS MARKET OEM)
August 1, 2008... Market research firm ABI Research ranked Broadcom at the top of its GPS vendor matrix analysis (see list), noting that Broadcom's Global Locate unit had the contract to supply the GPS silicon in the second-generation Apple iPhone. However,...

Moto survey: GPS saves time, fuel costs.(AVIONICS & TRANSPORTATION)
August 1, 2008... Nearly 50 percent of businesses using GPS technologies cite a reduction in travel distance by an average of 231.2 miles per week, saving $51,582 in annual fuel savings. That is according to a Motorola, Inc., survey of those in the...

Ceva, u-blox settle license dispute.(MASS MARKET OEM)
August 1, 2008... Silicon Valley-based Ceva Inc. and Swiss GPS chipmaker u-blox AG have settled their legal dispute over licensing fees, with u-blox agreeing to pay $2.5 million, the companies announced July 16. The settlement follows a preliminary hearing...

Rakon embarks on JV with China's Timemaker Crystal.(MASS MARKET OEM)
August 1, 2008... Crystal oscillator supplier Rakon Ltd. has released further details about its planned expansion in China, announcing in July a joint venture (JV) agreement with China's Time-maker Crystal Technology Ltd. Auckland, New Zealand-based Rakon...

Hemisphere debuts OEM Compass Board.(SURVEY & CONSTRUCTION)
August 1, 2008... Hemisphere GPS has introduced its LV100 GPS Compass Board, a GPS compass and positioning assembly built on a single carrier board with integrated GPS antennas and designed for OEM customers. Based on the company's Crescent Vector...

LitePoint unveils embedded testers.(SYSTEM DESIGN & TEST)(IQnav )(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... LitePoint Corp. is now offering three new wireless test systems, including one for testing embedded GPS hardware, dubbed IQnav. IQnav is available in 1-and 6-channel models, both supporting L1 GPS frequencies (1575.42 MHz) over a power range...

Raytheon prepares to take GAGAN beyond demo phase.(SYSTEM DESIGN & TEST)
August 1, 2008... Waltham, Mass.-based Raytheon Co. is leading a team that's bidding to build and implement the finalized GAGAN system, India's satellite based augmentation system (SBAS). This will complete the final phase of GAGAN's development, Raytheon...

Trimble Locator for Construction Manager.(SURVEY & CONSTRUCTION)(Trimble has unveiled its TrimTrac Pro Locator for its Trimble Construction Manager)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Trimble has unveiled its TrimTrac Pro Locator for its Trimble Construction Manager, the company's system for managing construction assets. The TrimTrac Pro device uses GPS technology, a motion sensor, and General Packet Radio Service...

Touchscreens open new Windows.(BUSINESS OUTLOOK)
August 1, 2008... New waves of touchscreen technology, fomented by the recent introduction of Apple's iPhone, are making their way to the consumer GPS market. These screens will enable users to grasp and exploit their GPS device from an intuitive perspective...

The edge of the network.(Leadership Talks)
August 1, 2008... In the May issue, Rod Bryant (RB) of Australia-based SigNav mentioned his work in indoor assisted GPS (A-GPS) using very weak signals to provide frequency, time, and position with minimal or no position assistance. Alan Cameron (AC) spoke with...

OEM card, dual-frequency receiver.(RECEIVER TECHNOLOGY)
August 1, 2008... AsteRx2 OEM is a high-performance dual-frequency receiver platform that can simultaneously track up to 24 GPS and GLONASS satellites. The highly compact receiver board features low power consumption and Septentrio's advanced multipath...

Simulation system.(RECEIVER TECHNOLOGY)
August 1, 2008... SIMCOM produces GPS RF signals for dynamic, repeatable lab testing. It generates a constellation of signals fully programmable and controlled by the software in real time, with up to 16 satellites in view selected from the defined 32 PRN codes...

Fiber Optic Antenna.(RECEIVER TECHNOLOGY)
August 1, 2008... The Fiber Optic GPS Antenna Link (FOGPSAL) is a complete system that allows users to convert the GPS carrier from RF to light, transmit it up to 10 kilometers, then reconvert it back to RF for the GPS receiver. It includes an L1 roof antenna,...

GPS amplifier.(RECEIVER TECHNOLOGY)(GPS Source A11XLV )(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Designed for automated test environments, the A11XLV is a high gain, high-dynamic range digital GPS amplifier. It supplies the DC voltage for the active antenna, including an optional feature for monitoring the health of the receive antenna...

GPS Signal Architect.(RECEIVER TECHNOLOGY)
August 1, 2008... NAVSYS GPS Signal Architect provides users with a low-cost MATLAB-based GPS signal generation capability. It allows users to specify a trajectory and a complete set of simulation parameters, and then creates an IQ data file at baseband or IF....

Data collector and field software.(SURVEY & CONSTRUCTION)
August 1, 2008... The Nomad data collector with Field Surveyor 2.0 software for FOCUS 10 Total Stations and EPOCH 25 GPS systems provides increased functionality for surveying applications, including topographic data collection, staking and layout, boundary, and...

Precision farming guidance.(SURVEY & CONSTRUCTION)
August 1, 2008... The Outback S3 combines the most popular features of the Outback S2 and the Outback 360 with the latest developments in Crescent GPS receiver technology. The 8.4-inch high-resolution touchscreen displays clear and easy-to-read job data in real...

Multi-constellation RTK receiver.(SURVEY & CONSTRUCTION)(ProMark 500)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... The ProMark 500 is a dual-frequency GNSS receiver that processes GPS, GLONASS, and SBAS signals to offer land surveyors fast, real-time centimeter-level accurate surveying. The light cable-free rover provides mobility and flexibility. The...

Continuous navigation system.(SURVEY & CONSTRUCTION)
August 1, 2008... The CNS-5000 is a self-contained navigation system designed for commercial applications such as dynamic surveying, precision agriculture, container terminal management, and autonomous vehicle navigation, where the ability to determine the...

City walk: improving GPS Accuracy for Urban Pedestrians.(LOCATION-BASED SERVICES)
August 1, 2008... Mass market GPS applications have mainly focused on car navigation over the last five years and contributed to the wide-spread use of GPS receivers. A wide range of applications can be foreseen for pedestrians as well: multimodal navigation,...

Crystal oscillator.(MASS MARKET OEM)(Rakon IT2200M )(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Rakon's IT2200M temperature-compensated crystal oscillator (TCXO) employs an analog IC for the oscillator and temperature compensation in a 2.5 x 2.0 millimeter package. It can be placed in power-down mode through an industry-standard...

Pure software solution.(MASS MARKET OEM)
August 1, 2008... Fastrax offers a completely software-based GPS receiver for platforms including mid-tier phones, digital cameras, PNDs, and other mobile devices. A software-based solution allows faster time-to-market with lower costs and adjustable features....

Small dual-antenna input GPS receiver IC.(MASS MARKET OEM)
August 1, 2008... SiGe Semiconductor's SE4150L features dual-antenna input capability and a multi-bit output, improving sensitivity and interference resistance. It simplifies dual-antenna system design by integrating antenna sensing, switching, and a...

Single-chip multi-band GNSS RF receiver.(MASS MARKET OEM)(NemeriX NX4)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... The patented technology in NemeriX's NX4 single-chip multi-band GNSS RF receiver enables GNSS devices to acquire parallel signals in all frequency bands from GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo systems. The highly integrated receiver reduces silicon size...

Mlniature GPS/Galileo module.(MASS MARKET OEM)
August 1, 2008... u-blox has launched NEO-5Q, a versatile, stand-alone, miniature module for fast, accurate positioning at low cost. With flexible connectivity options in a 12 x 16 x 2.4 millimeter package, its ROM-based architecture does not require external...

Bracelet Locator.(LOCATION-BASED SERVICES)
August 1, 2008... Laipac's S-911 Bracelet Locator is a mini portable device with high-sensitivity GPS and cell-phone components for applications such as: child protection, anti-kidnapping, personal safety, law enforcement, asset control, vehicle tracking, fleet...

Wireless vehicle security.(LOCATION-BASED SERVICES)(BlackLine GPS Snitch)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... GPS Snitch is a GPS/cellular wireless vehicle security and tracking system that provides real-time location tracking over the Internet. GPS Snitch is self-contained, requires no installation, and is small enough to be hidden within any car,...

Multifunction location platform.(LOCATION-BASED SERVICES)(SiRF Technology Holdings SiRFprima )(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... The SiRFprima multifunction platform is designed to enable the next generation of location-aware mobile devices for consumer location applications and media-rich content. The SiRFprima platform combines a GPS/Galileo location engine,...

GPS L1-L2 repeater systems.(MILITARY & GOVERNMENT)
August 1, 2008... The GPS L1-L2 repeater systems are designed to provide adequate GPS coverage of both L1 and L2 bands for aircraft. These systems are available in fixed installation solutions (in hangars, shelters, and other internal buildings) as well as the...

Camera with compass.(MILITARY & GOVERNMENT)
August 1, 2008... SE-3 GPS/Compass module for the Ricoh 500SE GPS Camera provides position and direction information on the camera's LCD screen and embeds this data into images for use by mapping applications to create points where the images were captured,...

Simulation system.(MILITARY & GOVERNMENT)(GSS8000 GPS simulation system)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... The GSS8000 high-dynamics GPS simulation system supports up to 20,000 g signal dynamics, up to 120,000 m/s velocity, and 250 Hz (4 microsecond) processing rates. Motion data can be generated using Spirent's on-board vehicle models or real-time...

Anti-Jam digital antenna.(MILITARY & GOVERNMENT)
August 1, 2008... The GSTAR716 is the latest addition to the GPS Space Time Anti-Jam Receiver (G-STAR) product line. It is designed to meet the GPS-guided precision landing needs for military platforms. It provides 16 steered beams at GPS satellites. Spatial...

Portable Nav for truckers.(AVIONICS & TRANSPORTATION)
August 1, 2008... The WorldNav 3300 Truck GPS addresses the needs of commercial drivers by taking into consideration low bridge clearances as well as a host of other restrictions such as 10 levels of HazMat hauling and weight limits. This portable GPS features a...

Glass-mount antenna.(AVIONICS & TRANSPORTATION)
August 1, 2008... Laird Technologies' Glass Mount GPS antenna easily installs behind the rearview mirror for applications such as trucking, industrial and construction equipment, and public and fire safety vehicles. Specifically tuned for interior glass mount,...

GNSS receiver.(UTILITIES & COMMUNICATIONS)(GPS Pathfinder ProXRT receiver)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Designed to help relocate buried pipes and cables, or accurately map underground assets and critical infrastructure, the GPS Pathfinder ProXRT receiver combines H-Star technology and OmniSTAR support, with an option for GLONASS support on top...

High-sensitivity GPS receiver + antenna.(UTILITIES & COMMUNICATIONS)
August 1, 2008... The WS5012 GPS receiver + antenna incorporates a highly sensitive 16-channel, quick time-to-fix GPS receiver and a high-performance active/filtered GPS antenna. It features the STMicroelectronics STA8058 Teseo high-performance GPS Multi Chip...

SAASM handeld.(UTILITIES & COMMUNICATIONS)
August 1, 2008... The ikeGPS combines laser rangefinder, Novatel Superstar 2 GPS receiver, digital camera, compass, and computer. From a safe location, ikeGPS captures the position of distant targets in dangerous or inaccessible locations, along with a...

Timecode processor board.(UTILITIES & COMMUNICATIONS)(Spectracom TSAT-PCI-66)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... The TSAT-PCI-66 is a GPS synchronized timecode reader/generator system package that includes the Trimble Acutime Gold GPS receiver/antenna (housed in a common enclosure) and a circuit-card assembly for the PCI bus. The TSAT-PCI-66 supports both...

TCXOs for Timing.(UTILITIES & COMMUNICATIONS)(Temperature Compensated Crystal Controlled Oscillators)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Connor-Winfield's new family of 5 X 7 millimeter Temperature Compensated Crystal Controlled Oscillators (TCXO) and Voltage Controlled Temperature Compensated Crystal Controlled Oscillators (VCTCXO) are designed for use in S3 telecom...

Orbit data and resources on active GNSS satellites.(THE ALMANAC)(Directory)
August 1, 2008... 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, ionospheric disturbance warnings, and news and...

Hail, Caesar! British invasion revisited.(SEENHEARD)(detemining Julius Caesar's landfall on British land)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... In August of 55 B.C., Julius Caesar commanded a Roman invasion fleet that approached the white cliffs of Dover in Britain. Caesar waited until mid-afternoon for the ships to assemble near the cliffs and then, with both wind and tide in his...

Blowing off Big Brother.(SEENHEARD)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... USA Today featured the rising popularity of GPS devices for travelers on July 7. The overview discussed industry growth and the boom in location-based services, and concluded with "TELL US: Do you find using GPS-supported phones to be helpful...

Giddy up!(SEENHEARD)
August 1, 2008... The National Pony Express Association sponsors re-rides of the April 1860 to October 1861 route from Missouri to California--a postal run that disappeared after the high-tech telegraph was introduced. Even more high tech, this year's June 18-28...