High-precision Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver cards are complex pieces of hardware providing centimetre-level accuracy. These cards were deployed across many industries, including into unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), auto-steering agricultural equipment and more. As industries move towards autonomous platforms and large-volume fleets, however, there rises a need for a smaller, more compact receiver chipsets. Currently, chips at a smaller, more efficient size that are manufactured at high volumes cannot provide the same level of high-precision as the more specialized GNSS receiver card. So how can automotive and transportation industries progress towards unmanned and autonomous platforms?
In this article, we’ll outline how to ensure a high level of precision with sub-metre accuracy in a compact GNSS receiver chipset suitable for large volume manufacturing.
Photo: NovAtel
Achieving high-precision positioning in receiver chipsets
To enhance safety and comfort, the automotive industry began investigating advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) such as cruise control, antilock braking systems and more. ADAS technology today requires a complex range of inputs – including GNSS signals, inertial measurements, radar, lidar and more – to ensure safety, integrity of position and a reliable system. Sensors need to be scaled down to smaller size, weight and power (SWaP) requirements while still delivering the level of precision necessary for ADAS. For GNSS receiver cards, a new compact version needed to be developed.
Introduced as part of a new family of automotive GNSS positioning products, the PIM222A from Hexagon | NovAtel has automotive-qualified hardware in the low-SWaP standards required. Built on NovAtel’s decades of experience with precise positioning technology, the PIM222A delivers accurate position data even within challenging environments to fully support unmanned and autonomous platforms. The solder-down module can be applied to low, medium and high production volumes while retaining multi-frequency, multi-constellation and dual-antenna .
This new GNSS chipset brings together the history of expertise from NovAtel and its proven solutions. PIM222A harnesses NovAtel’s SPAN GNSS+INS technology, which GNSS and inertial navigation system measurements to enhanced satellite tracking through GNSS interruptions, rapid signal reacquisition and a 3D understanding of the vehicle’s position and orientation in the world. ADAS relies upon position and attitude measurements to orient the system as it navigates through crowded streets and high traffic areas.
For further reliability and accuracy, the PIM222A supports TerraStar Correction Services. These precise point positioning (PPP) services provide a layer of redundancy as well as enhanced precision to strengthen GNSS positioning against errors sources like multipath and atmospheric delays. Combined with SPAN GNSS+INS technology, the ensures the level of accuracy, integrity and safety ADAS requires, enabling autonomy at scale.
“Hexagon’s Autonomy & Positioning division is empowering autonomy across many markets. When it came to the automotive and transportation industries, we consistently heard the pain point of needing high-precision at low-SWaP standards,” said Gordon Heidinger, segment manager for automotive and safety-critical systems at Hexagon’s Autonomy & Positioning division. “The PIM222A is the best of both worlds for high-performance GNSS and automotive standards. It jump-starts high-precision GNSS for all levels of autonomy, ADAS and positioning needs.”
Positioning expertise you can trust
NovAtel, part of Hexagon, is a global technology leader, pioneering end-to-end solutions for assured autonomy and positioning on land, sea, and air. For NovAtel, positioning is only assured when it is precise, accurate, reliable, available and authentic. To learn more about NovAtel’s positioning solutions, SPAN technology and TerraStar Correction Services, reach out to our sales team.
Header video: Hexagon | NovAtel
This page was produced by North Coast Media’s content marketing staff in collaboration with Hexagon|Autonomous. NCM Content Marketing connects marketers to audiences and delivers industry trends, business tips and product information. The GPS World editorial staff did not create this content.
