Launchpad: Anti-jammer, datalogger, UAV surveillance

February 13, 2017  - By

OEM

Anti-jammer

Israeili device to prevent GPS disruptions

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Photo: GPSDome

The GPSdome anti-jammer was developed for civilian applications. It aims to curb situations in which civilian vehicles are stuck “off the grid.” It combats electromagnetic warfare by using null steering, a method of spatial signal processing through which a transmitter can nullify communication jamming. In particular, the product was developed to address the requirements of autonomous cars, drones and unmanned aerial vehicles, all of which depend heavily on GPS to function. Several carmakers have expressed interest in integrating the anti-jammer in their autonomous cars, including Daimler-Mercedes, Ford, Toyota, Hondand BMW and others.

GPSdome Ltd., www.gpsdome.com

Datalogger

Six parameters for position and orientation

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Photo: Saelig Company

The Aaronia GPS Logger is a six-parameter datalogger designed for recording the position and orientation of RF antennas (such as the Aaronia HyperLOG X, HyperLOG EMI and Magnotracker series) during field investigations. It also is useful for a wide range of non-RF applications where position and movement logging is required. It has sensors in a very small form factor, with a fast data-capture rate of up to 35 logs/second. The logger with built-in battery is 4 x 1.7 x 0.9 inches and weighs 3 oz. The logger starts up in about 30 seconds and features a 66-channel GPS sensor with built-in antenna, offering a position accuracy of six feet, maximum velocity measurements of up to 350 mph and altitude up to 60,000 feet, with a signal sensitivity of –165 dBm. The logger can be used to create an RF heat map including frequency, direction and strength of an RF source with a 360-degree view. All sensor data can be captured at up to 35 readings per second on to a microSD card or via USB streaming. The real-time indication of data makes the Aaronia GPS logger useful for instantly assessing position-variable information.

Saelig Company, www.saelig.com

Sensor fusion software

For consumer GPS processing and smartphone indoor positioning

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Photo: Focal Point Positioning

S-GPS is a smartphone-based sensor fusion, machine learning and signal processing suite designed to provide satellite positioning capabilities in urban environments and indoors. With its multipath-mitigation process, S-GPS improves the performance of existing radio-based positioning systems. The fully software-defined solution is aimed at system-on-chip silicon architecture and smartphone receiver front ends. A software upgrade for existing receivers, it requires no extra hardware, dongles or infrastructure to operate. The computational load of S-GPS is comparable to that of existing GNSS processing. The higher sensitivity of S-GPS allows signal tracking to be maintained in traditionally difficult environments, such as deep indoors, where standard devices would fail. This reduces the time spent in acquisition mode in urban areas, leading to significant improvements in battery life in like-for-like tests with standard A-GPS technologies.

Focal Point Positioning, www.focalpointpositioning.com

GNSS/LTE module

Category 1 modem and GNSS in one

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Photo: u-blox

The u-blox LARA-R3121 is a single-mode LTE Category 1 modem and a GNSS positioning engine. It is designed for Internet of Thigns (IoT) applications including smart utility metering, connected health and patient monitoring, smart buildings, security and video surveillance, smart payment and point-of-sale systems, as well as wearable devices, such as action cameras. It comes in a land grid array (LGA) package for easy manufacturing, and offers easy migration from u‑blox LTE, UMTS, CDMA and GSM/GPRS modules.

u-blox, www.u-blox.com

Anti-spoofing update

NTS units can detect difference between real and spoofed signals

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Photo: OnTime Networks

OnTime Networks has added advanced anti-spoofing technology to its Blueberry and Cloudberry CM-1600 network time server (NTS) product lines. OnTime Networks’ proprietary anti-spoofing algorithms and technology provide not only an alert that GPS is been spoofed, but also the protection that the GPS timing signal is moved over to a highly stable free-running clock, as long as the detected GPS spoofing attack is in progress. Power grids are particularly vulnerable to spoofing, and are increasingly implementing GPS technology to more accurately meter allocations of electricity across the grid. Being even 10 microseconds off could cause power generators to shut down or get damaged.

OnTime Networks, www.ontimenet.com

GNSS OEM board

496-channel tracking engine

K708 OEM Board

K708 OEM Board Photo: ComNav Technology

The GNSS tracking engine of the K708 OEM board with 496 channels is capable of tracking all working and future constellations. Compared with the K5 series OEM boards, the K708 uses an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chip that improves data quality and reduces power consumption. It is designed with strong compatibility and built-in functions, including high-accuracy position, velocity and time (PVT) output, long baseline RTK and reserved webserver service. The K708 is designed for CORS, deformation monitoring systems and related high-accuracy GNSS positioning applications. Signals received include GPS L1 C/A, L2C, L2P, L5; BeiDou B1/B2/B3; GLONASS L1C/A, L1P, L2C/A, L2P; Galileo; and QZSS.

ComNav Technology, www.comnavtech


SURVEY & MAPPING

Deformation monitoring

Monitor, manage and evaluate monitoring data, optionally trigger alarms

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Photo: Topcon Positioning

The Delta Solutions deformation monitoring system uses several software and hardware components — Delta Link, Delta Log, Delta Watch, Delta Sat and the Topcon MS AXII total station — to provide accurate and reliable monitoring measurements and associated reporting for asset protection. Delta Watch delivers accurate and reliable data in a variety of reporting formats to fit a project’s needs. Data from the total station, GNSS receivers, leveling devices and sensors can be processed and analyzed individually or as a network-adjusted solution. Delta Watch’s optional Delta Sat GNSS processing module allows for stand-alone GNSS monitoring or combined GNSS and total-station network adjustments. Delta Link provides hardware support communication for autonomous operation in the field, managing each power source to maximize system availability, while Delta Log provides an intuitive interface to manage observations, target types and measurement scheduling.

Topcon Positioning, topconpositioning.com

Rugged handheld

GPS data collector for utilities, mining, forestry, agriculture

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Photo: Geneq

The SXPad 1000P is an affordable, rugged handheld GPS data collector specifically designed for mobile GIS users in applications such as water, electric and gas utilities, transportation, mining, agriculture and forestry. The high-performance 1000-MHz device is designed to give professionals the power needed to work with maps and large data sets in the field. It has an IP67 waterproof seal and can survive 5-foot (1.5-meter) drops to concrete. Its 3.7-inch color touchscreen (full VGA) is sharp and is sunlight readable. Standard features include a battery life of more than 10 hours on a charge, 8-GB internal storage, and slots for MicroSD cards and SIM cards as well as Windows Mobile 6.5. The SXPad 1000P also offers a 3.5G cellular modem, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, video capture and a 5-megapixel camera. It is optimized for GPS/GIS field data collection using its 1-to-3-meter accuracy internal GPS receiver or one of Geneq’s high-performance SXBlue GPS receivers for sub-meter and centimeter-level accuracy.

Geneq, www.geneq.com

Software analytics

Glean and share insight from big data, internet of things

esri-arcgis-10-5-tEsri ArcGIS 10.5 offers next-generation analytics technology by helping organizations glean insight from enterprise data, big data and the Internet of Things (IoT) and share that insight in intuitive ways. It includes improved capabilities for handling large-scale analytics and big data; a drag-and-drop interface that streamlines the creation of spatial analysis through maps, charts and graphs; and collaboration features to connect and analyze information across the enterprise. The new release is powered by Esri ArcGIS Enterprise, a significant evolution of the technology formerly known as ArcGIS for Server. ArcGIS Enterprise has been updated with improved power to process and analyze large, disparate datasets.

Esri, esri.com

Laser scanner

Entry-level device for construction, public safety

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Photo: Faro

The Faro FocusM 70 is an entry-level laser scanner for construction building information modeling (BIM) and public safety forensics. Features include an IP54 rating for use in high particulate and wet weather, high-dynamic-range imaging, an acquisition speed of almost 500,000 points per second and extended temperature range. Data captured can be used with various third-party software packages. The Faro FocusM 70 is specifically designed for both indoor and outdoor applications that require scanning up to 70 meters and at an accuracy of +/– 3 millimeters.

Faro, www.faro.com


UAV

ADS-B navigation unit

Provides advanced jamming and spoofing detection

PingNav ADS-B OUT GNSS navigation unit.

PingNav ADS-B OUT GNSS navigation unit. Photo: uAvionics

PingNAV is a small, light ADS-B OUT compliant navigation source. ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast) helps aircraft operators sense and avoid possible collisions. ADS-B is mandated by the FAA for all aircraft in the U.S. National Airspace by 2020. PingNAV supports GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and QZSS, and has a battery backup for quicker position initialization. Dual static ports for  pressure altimeter readings and integrated security and integrity technologies include receiver autonomous integrity monitoring (RAIM) and satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) to detect and correct errors improving accuracy, reliability and availability.

uAvionics, www.uavionix.com

ADS-B transponder

For unmanned aircraft

Ping200S ADS-B transponder.

Ping200S ADS-B transponder. Photo: uAvionics

The Ping200S is a small, light, FCC-approved full range mode C and mode S  Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) transponder. At 50 grams, power consumption is low enough to be powered by battery pack for 2 hours, yet is powerful enough to provide visibility to other aircraft and UAVs up to 200 miles away, at which point it implements sense and avoid for drone operations in the national airspace. The ping200S is designed to meet the requirements of TSO-C199 as a Class A Traffic Awareness Beacon System.

uAvionics, www.uavionix.com

Counter UAV system

Defense-proven to disrupt and neutralize hostile UAVS

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Photo: Liteye Systems, Tribalco

The AUDS counter-UAS defense system  has been field proven to detect, track and defeat malicious and errant unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or drones. The fully integrated system has achieved TRL-9 status following the successful mission deployment of the AUDS system with the U.S. military. TRL-9 is the highest technology readiness level that a technology system can attain. The AUDS system — developed by Blighter Surveillance Systems, Chess Dynamics and Enterprise Control Systems — can detect a drone six miles (10 kilometers) away using electronic scanning radar. It tracks the UAV using precision infrared and daylight cameras and advanced video tracking software before disrupting the flight using a non-kinetic inhibitor to block the radio signals that control it. The detect, track and defeat process typically takes 8–15 seconds. Using AUDS, the operator can effectively take control of a drone and force a safe landing. The AUDS system works in all weather, day or night, and the disruption is flexible, proportional and operator controlled.

Liteye Systems, www.liteye.comTribalco, www.tribalco.com

Reference designs

For UAV manufacturers to add flight time, extend battery life

Sample build.

Photo: Texas Instruments Sample build.

Two circuit-based subsystem reference designs can help manufacturers add flight time and extend battery life to quadcopters and other non-military consumer and industrial drones used to deliver packages, provide surveillance or communicate and assist at long distances. The 2S1P Battery Management System (BMS) reference design transforms a drone’s battery pack into a smart diagnostic black box recorder that accurately monitors remaining capacity and protects the Li-Ion battery throughout its entire lifetime. Designers can use the drone BMS reference design to add gauging, protection, balancing and charging capabilities to any existing drone design and improve flight time. A second reference design helps manufacturers create drones with longer flight times and smoother performance. It helps electronic speed controllers achieve the highest possible efficiency with performance for speeds more than 12,000 rpm (> 1.2 kHz electrical) including fast-speed reversal capability for more stable roll movement.

Texas Instruments, www.ti.com


TRANSPORTATION

Aviation GPS receiver

Precision approach for all aircraft

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Photo: Esterline

The CMA-5024 GPS landing system sensor meets the requirements for an instrument-flight-rules civil-certified GNSS. The European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) augments GPS to provide an extremely accurate navigation solution that will support all flight operations from en route through localizer performance with vertical guidance (LPV) CAT-l equivalent approach. The CMA-5024 is compliant with and completely supports EGNOS/SBAS, from departure, en-route navigation and all EGNOS/SBAS LPV precision approaches, and complies with published Communication Navigation Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) navigational mandates.

Esterline CMC Electronics, www.esterline.com

Connected car tech

New variant of reference platform

Snapdragon-QualcommA new variant of Qualcomm’s connected car reference platform uses its gigabit-class Snapdragon X16 LTE modem to help car manufacturers deliver high-speed, high-quality and reliable connectivity for advanced telematics and connected vehicle services. It supports peak download speeds up to 1 Gbps. The reference platform allows carmakers to integrate additional wireless and networking technologies, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy and GNSS, with optional support for dedicated short-range communication (DSRC) and cellular-V2X. The platform includes a module reference design for the Snapdragon X16 LTE modem to help automotive suppliers accelerate development. The reference platform integrates quad-constellation GNSS and 3D dead-reckoning location solutions, and is designed to manage concurrent operation of multiple wireless technologies using the same spectrum frequencies.

Qualcomm Technologies, www.qualcomm.com