Is Blockchain a Technological Solution in Land Administration?
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N S S I ISSN 0973-2136
Volume XV, Issue 9, September 2019 THE MONTHLY MAGAZINE ON POSITIONING, NAVIGATION AND BEYOND
Is Blockchain a technological solution in land administration?
Galileo Outage Reliability is a key factor for GNSS Intelligent Imagery.
Vexcel’s cloud-based imagery service offers high resolution aerial imagery along with derivateive data products making it the most diverse image collection of its kind.
Discover more on www.vexcel-imaging.com.
PARTNER NETWORK
Stuttgart, Germany CCoordinatesoordinates September 2019 | 3 x COLOPHON AND CONTENTS
In this issue CCoordinatesoordinates Volume 15, Issue 9, September 2019
Articles Blockchain as a technological solution in land administration – What are current barriers to
implementation? PAULIINA KRIGSHOLM, KAISA RIDANPÄÄ AND KIRSIKKA RIEKKINEN 14 Galileo outage - Reliability is a
key factor for GNSS FABIO DOVIS 31 Geo-spatial techniques: An Instrument For Regional Planning
PRITI DEO 36
Columns
My Coordinates EDITORIAL 5 His Coordinates MATTEO SGRENZAROLI 6 CHRIS RIZOS 8 DAVID LAST 34 News GIS 42 GNSS 43
UAV 45 IMAGING 45 LBS 47 INDUSTRY 47 Mark your calendar SEPTEMBER 2019 TO OCTOBER 2020 50
This issue has been made possible by the support and good wishes of the following individuals and companies Chris Rizos, David Last, Fabio Dovis, Kaisa Ridanpää, Kirsikka Riekkinen, Matteo Sgrenzaroli, Pauliina Krigsholm and Priti Deo and; CHC, EOS Positiong, Gexcel, Javad, Labsat, MicroSurvey, Pentax, SBG System, Tersus, Vexcel and many others
Mailing Address Coordinates is an initiative of CMPL that aims to broaden the Printed and published by Sanjay Malaviya on behalf of A 002, Mansara Apartments scope of positioning, navigation and related technologies. Coordinates Media Pvt Ltd C 9, Vasundhara Enclave CMPL does not neccesarily subscribe to the views expressed Published at A 002 Mansara Apartments, Vasundhara Delhi 110 096, India. by the authors in this magazine and may not be held liable for Enclave, Delhi 110096, India. Phones +91 11 42153861, 98102 33422, 98107 24567 any losses caused directly or indirectly due to the information Printed at Thomson Press (India) Ltd, Mathura Road, provided herein. © CMPL, 2019. Reprinting with permission is Faridabad, India Email encouraged; contact the editor for details. [information] [email protected] Editor Bal Krishna [editorial] [email protected] Annual subscription (12 issues) Owner Coordinates Media Pvt Ltd (CMPL) [advertising] [email protected] [India] Rs.1,800 [Overseas] US$100 [subscriptions] [email protected] Web www.mycoordinates.org This issue of Coordinates is of 52 pages, including cover.
4 | CCoordinatesoordinates September 2019 x MYCOORDINATES On the
Despite the communication lost with the lander Vikram
On the early morning of September 7, 2019
Ninety fi ve per cent of the mission Chandrayaan 2 objectives have been accomplished
As the Orbiter module
Will continue to carry out most of the scientifi c investigations
for over 7.5 years instead of one year as announced earlier.
Indian Research Space Organization’s (ISRO) exploratory missions know no bounds
and will continue to dive deeper into the space.
Such space missions are more exploratory in nature.
They can neither be confi ned to the boundaries of success and failure
Nor be trivialized to premature celebratory blitz.
Instead, ISRO deserves accolades
for venturing in to an unexplored trajectory to reach south pole of the moon.
Though the lander Vikram could not land as planned,
We are on the moon, anyway.
Bal Krishna, Editor [email protected]
ADVISORS Naser El-Sheimy PEng, CRC Professor, Department of Geomatics Engineering, The University of Calgary Canada, George Cho Professor in GIS and the Law, University of Canberra, Australia, Professor Abbas Rajabifard Director, Centre for SDI and Land Administration, University of Melbourne, Australia, Luiz Paulo Souto Fortes PhD Associate Professor, University of State of Rio Janeiro (UERJ), Brazil, John Hannah Professor, School of Surveying, University of Otago, New Zealand
CCoordinatesoordinates September 2019 | 5 x HIS COORDINATES “Our mission is to turn the latest scientifi c achievements in the fi eld of Geomatics into hi-tech products and services” Says Mr Matteo Sgrenzaroli of Gexcel srl, in an interview with Coordinates
Reconstructor engine is now adopted by several important Lidar manufacturers enabling their customers to achieve maximum results from their surveying systems. Building on this soft ware skill, around 4 years ago we started to develop vertical solution as strong combination of hardware and soft ware. We started with the Open Pit Mine Monitoring (OPMMS) solution for continues change detection with long range Lidar in dangerous areas, and we are going to launch a complete new version, very soon. Last but not the least, Gexcel HERON back pack for indoor mapping, positioning and real time change detection, is the last SLAM based solution that combines Lidar and 360° imagery, and is appreciated in the several applications fi eld; construction, BIM, underground mining, industry, safety and security.
Matteo Sgrenzaroli You call HERON solution ‘More than a 3D mapping system’. Why? How this system has an edge over others co-founder and the person responsible for and what applications is it best suited for? research and development at Gexcel srl. The 3D mapping capabilities is just one of the functionality of HERON backpack. HERON was born as localization system and Gexcel started with the mission to turn the latest it provides the unique feature to automatically localize the user scientifi c achievements in the fi eld of geomatics into hi- with respect to a previous acquired point cloud or CAD/BIM tech products and services for wide areas of application. model. The user can then visualize in real time the diff erences How far have you been able to achieve your mission? between the reference model and the new acquisition.
We can say that we achieved our mission to create the route to move scientifi c achievements in the real world. Of course, it is a never ending task; the market is asking for more and more solutions and Gexcel is always more involved in hi tech R&D projects with key partners and scientifi c institutions, and working to introduce these achievements to the real worldworld apapplications.plications
GexcelGexcel beganbegan thist mission 12 yeayearsrs ago bby focusing on Moreover during the post processing we introduced the soft ware applicationsapp to possibilities to use portion of geo-referenced point cloud managemanage 3D3D point clouds from diff erent sensors as constrain in the SLAM process. andannd creatingcrea powerful HERON is having terrifi c feedback in the deep mining toolst for scans market and in the industrial fi eld. The recent agreement automatica with ClearEdge3D makes HERON a perfect solution for alignment,a advancement work monitoring in construction and meshing,m texture infrastructure. In the forensic and industrial fi eld, the mapping,m possibility to easily and automatically align outdoor MMS, anda change hand held laser scanner, trypod scanner data, in the same detectiond that platform is highly appreciated. The combination between areara e mergedmeerrged intoin the HERON and the Gexcel’s soft ware Reconstructor makes the well-knownwell-kknown RReconstructoreecoonstructo soft ware. Gexcel iMMS an unique advanced productive tool.
6 | CCoordinatesoordinates September 2019 Could you please tell us about Gexcel Lidar data In the construction and BIM sectors, Reconstructor is chosen processing soft ware, Reconstructor? How has it benifi tted for change detection, planarity and verticality tools, together your customers? with easy to use tools to create and share blueprints and orthophotos thanks to the new GoBlueprint free tool. First of all Reconstructor is appreciated as a professional soft ware platform independent from specifi c sensors but Could you tell our readers briefl y about the capable to manage in single platform raw data from multiple presitigious collaboration between Gexcel and European sensors including images. This benefi t comes also from the Commission Joint Research Centre? strong Reconstructor capability of automatically aligning without target multiple point clouds. Gexcel was born as a Spin Off company of the University of Brescia and with a transfer technology agreement with In addition to that, our clients are choosing Reconstructor the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission. for vertical tools in the mining sector such as cut&fi ll volume The team that founded Gexcel is partially composed by calculation, DTM creation and crest&toe extraction. researchers coming from the EU Commission Research labs.
Since its foundation Gexcel has defi ned a collaboration agreement with the JRC, having interesting and important technology benefi ts to Gexcel’s products and solutions. It since 2008 that Gexcel has a transfer of technology and collaboration agreement with the European Commission, representing one of the best examples of how some technologies development in EU Research Labs can be transformed into excellent solutions for the real world applications. x
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CoordinatesCoordiinatates SeptemberSepptememmbere 202201919 | 7 *'410&^UCNGU"IGZEGNKV^YYYIGZEGNKV *(20$7,&6 (;&(//(1&( x HIS COORDINATES Multi-GNSS is making GNSS PNT commonplace Says Chris Rizos, an Emeritus Professor in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering and a co-director of the Satellite Navigation and Positioning (SNAP) Lab at UNSW
You have been active in international scientifi c unions, such as the IAG, and most recently you have been elected Vice President of the IUGG. Can you explain some of the activities of these organisations?
The international Union of Geodesy & Geophysics (IUGG – http://www.iugg.org), is the umbrella organisation for many of the geoscience disciplines which are organised as 8 Associations. The IUGG was established on the 28 July 1919, and recently celebrated its 100 year anniversary in Paris at UNESCO Headquarters (http://100.iugg.org). I have been elected Vice President for 4 years (2019-2023). The President is Professor Kathryn Whaller (Professor of Geophysics, University of Edinburgh), the fi rst woman to hold this position.
As you can see from the Mission of the IUGG on its home page:
“The International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG) is the international organization dedicated to advancing, promoting, and communicating knowledge of the Earth system, its space environment, and the dynamical Chris Rizos is an Emeritus Professor in the School of Civil and processes causing change. Through its constituent Environmental Engineering and a co-director of the Satellite Associations, Commissions, and services, IUGG convenes Navigation and Positioning (SNAP) Lab at UNSW. Chris is president- international assemblies and workshops, undertakes elect of the International Union of Geodesy & Geophysics (IUGG). research, assembles observations, gains insights, coordinates activities, liaises with other scientifi c bodies, Professor Rizos’ early fascination with old maps and Australia’s exploring plays an advocacy role, contributes to education, and pioneers sparked his own exploration of what we know today as the works to expand capabilities and participation worldwide.” global navigation satellite technologies of the future. His research ▪ The 8 IUGG Associations (in alphabetical order) are: in Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), and their applications ▪ IACS (international Association of Cryospheric Sciences) extends across the whole spectrum of uses from Navigation to ▪ IAG (Int. Assoc. of Geodesy) Geodesy. With over 20 years of service to some of the most prominent ▪ IAGA (Int. Assoc. of Geomagnetism & Aeronomy) international geodetic organisations, he has had the opportunity to be ▪ IAHS (Int. Assoc. of Hydrological Sciences) part of the evolution of a fi eld that has considerable global impact. ▪ IAMAS (Int. Assoc. of Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences) As a big picture thinker he has watched Geodesy rapidly evolve with ▪ IAPSO (Int. Assoc. for the Physical Sciences of the Ocean) its tools and datasets helping geoscientists monitor global change ▪ IASPEI (Int. Assoc. Seismology & (including natural and climate change), changes in the environment Physics of the Earth’s Interior) (to ice sheets and atmosphere) and geohazards (volcanos and ▪ IAVCEI (Int. Assoc. of Volcanology & earthquakes), and surveyors and engineers applying these technologies Chemistry of the Earth’s Interior) from small-scale building works to international mapping projects. Through his research, Professor Rizos’ aims to “spatially enable” all Each Association operates in a semi-autonomous fashion, aspects of life, through the further development of technologies and running their own conferences, programs, outreach, systems that provide continuous, seamless, high accuracy positioning services, etc. Increasingly, however, the need for multi- of objects, people and every feature on the surface of the Earth. disciplinary approaches to geoscience means that the associations are cooperating and running joint working
8 | CCoordinatesoordinates September 2019 groups or commissions, supporting combined conferences, I do predict that there will be a rush etc. This trend is expected to continue. Having said that, it is also true that all geoscience disciplines now use geodetic to develop “next generation” SBAS technologies (to varying extents), such as GNSS, gravity fi eld mapping, InSAR, satellite altimetry, earth observation. Hence systems by many countries, as a means geodesy is increasing its “visibility” within the geosciences. of delivering augmented PNT services to I was the IAG president for the period 2011-2015. their nations (beyond aviation services).
This is a world of multi-GNSS systems. What But I cannot rule out the possibility advantages do you see about this scenario? that even these will be ultimately out- The obvious advantages of multi-GNSS are related to measurements, signals and outputs. For example: numbered by systems launched and ▪ More satellites increases redundancy and availability of signals, and increases precision of positioning results operated by private sector players ▪ Multi-GNSS increases the number of signals, and hence increases robustness against jamming, etc. ▪ Multi-GNSS creates an environment of “friendly PRS is to some extent “militarised”). Some security competition”, whereby advances in signal design component will no doubt be incorporated into ALL RNSS and capabilities are evident, hence increasing systems (e.g. so-called “restricted” or “authorised” signals). accuracy and reliability of positioning results SBAS is a more complicated matter, as these “augment” the GNSS satellites, through provision of extra ranging Other commentators may also suggest that there is signals and downlinks for augmented (accuracy and/or increased “choice” in which constellations and signals may integrity) services to address only civilian applications. be tracked. However I believe that the manufacturers of systems & developers of services for professional (high I do predict that there will be a rush to develop “next accuracy) users will want to make measurements on ALL generation” SBAS systems by many countries, as a open signals from ALL GNSS (& RNSS) constellations. means of delivering augmented PNT services to their Interestingly, a similar trend is evident for mass market nations (beyond aviation services). But I cannot rule out users (via smartphone devices), in that GNSS chips are the possibility that even these will be ultimately out- now (& increasingly so) tracking ALL GNSS (& RNSS) numbered by systems launched and operated by private constellations, but only on 2 frequencies: L1 and L5. sector players. In fact, SBAS may evolve into systems that include (or be replaced by) downlink services from small, Having said that, there must be a optimal number of inexpensive LEO satellites (that do not require complex and GNSS/RNSS/SBAS satellites that provide all the above expensive satellite clocks for GNSS signal generation). advantages, but beyond which the “law of diminishing returns” comes into play. There is no agreed-to number, but in my opinion we have enough GNSS constellations, and How serious are the threats like interference, probably hitting the limit of RNSS and SBAS constellations. jamming and spoofi ng? How prepared is the GNSS community to deal with it?
Many countries plan GNSS systems primarily Very serious! A day does not pass that we do not hear because of defense and security needs. Do you think about jamming (and increasingly also spoofi ng) of user that this may trigger a race with more countries systems in localised areas. A few years ago we thought joining in? What would be the implications? the threat was “misguided” individuals buying “privacy protection devices” from the internet, that jam GNSS at Following from my remarks above, I believe that it would or near their truck, place of work, or home, in order to be counter productive (not to mention wasteful) for more guard against unwanted (location) surveillance (where GNSS to be developed. We already have plans (or hints) PNT or smartphone devices send coordinates to servers). that RNSS & SBAS will increase in the near future, with systems from Korea, Australia and Brazil, and perhaps Though this is indeed a threat, it has not yet reached Nigeria being added to these base constellations. All GNSS, the predicted epidemic proportions. However, “state apart from Galileo, are primarily funded for defence and players” such as North Korea, Russia, Iran (& probably security needs (although we could argue that Galileo’s many other countries) have been denying PNT across
CCoordinatesoordinates September 2019 | 9 Unfortunately there is no alternative Given this, what’s your opinion on GNSS back ups? (non-GNSS) PNT (APNT) technology that Unfortunately there is no alternative (non-GNSS) simultaneously satisfies requirements PNT (APNT) technology that simultaneously satisfi es requirements such as low cost, low complexity, such as low cost, low complexity, minimal infrastructure needs, wide/global coverage, adequate accuracy, high reliability & versatility. minimal infrastructure needs, wide/ Multi-GNSS is therefore seen as the ultimate “back- global coverage, adequate accuracy, up” because it is assumed that not all GNSS/ RNSS/SBAS signals and measurements will be high reliability & versatility denied to users for anything longer than perhaps a few hours. (But surely the most sophisticated GNSS denial will be using military-style e-warfare large areas, impacting mostly (currently) the aviation techniques, and we are seeing their eff ectiveness and marine user communities. E-warfare is of in the middle east and in baltic areas.) course what every country’s military is gearing up as a capability to prosecute, and that means using There are some back-up options which have widespread means to deny GNSS capability to adversaries while applicability (not just global coverage, but also indoors), somehow protecting their own capability. So there and most widespread is wifi -based positioning. But are no “bad guys” versus “good guys” in this respect. this is a relatively low accuracy positioning technology. When President Trump visits another country, I suspect With respect to navigation (especially autonomous that there are localised GNSS jammers around his systems), the solution is multi-sensor integration. In motorcade, just as is the case for Putin and Xi. vehicles especially, GNSS may not even be considered essential for safety applications. As vision, Lidar and Spoofi ng is a more serious issue, as it is not a case of radar systems are better at “collision avoidance”. “GNSS denial of service” as in the case of jamming, but Developments such as “clock-on-a-chip” can address that it can result in seriously erroneous PNT results. the timing requirements of modern societies. New Many instances of this have been identifi ed, so this high-performance INS are likely to come down in is no longer just a possibility, but a reality. Smarter cost and size over the coming decades, and may receiver design, as well as some innovations in signals be used for more than just a back-up for GNSS. to protect against cyber attack, can go a long way to protect against spoofi ng. But currently we are a long way Then there are the bespoke systems, such as high from these protective measures being implemented. accuracy PNT technologies that operate where GNSS cannot operate reliably, such as indoors or in high There have been a number of studies (and reports) multipath environments. Locata is one such example. on the impact of denial of GNSS service to society. However they cannot be considered back-ups, as they are expensive, deployed in “hot spot” mode, and due to Thankfully, in “normal circumstances” (i.e. not a major them being based on terrestrial ranging signals, are able nation-to-nation confl ict) any such denial would be to provide coverage only over relatively localised areas. short-term, and relatively localised. Nevertheless we need, at the very least, detection systems that can alert users to jamming or anomalous GNSS operations. You also worked on Locata terrestrial The recent 6 day Galileo outage was not caused by positioning system. Can you explain “nefarious players”. Details of what did fail are not yet the signifi cance of this system? available. However, its outage did not impact users, as their receivers were able to continue to perform to Locata is a high accuracy (centimetre-level) APNT specifi cations using measurements from the other GNSS/ technology based on terrestrial signals that are in many RNSS constellations. This reinforces (though does not respects similar to GNSS signals. However the signals are entirely support) the notion that it is extremely unlikely transmitted in the non-licensed ISM 2.4GHz frequency that ALL GNSS can simultaneously experience an outage. band. Locata does have several innovative features that explain its high accuracy without the use of atomic Jamming or spoofi ng of autonomous systems clocks. However, in the short-to-medium term, there is is of course the nightmare scenario. So no low-cost Locata receiver chip, and hence it remains we do need back-up technologies. only suitable for niche (and high-value) applications
10 | CCoordinatesoordinates September 2019 such as autonomous vehicles in ports and open-cut mines. in many instances increased automation (i.e. autonomous In the coming years Locata could be integrated into GNSS driving and transportation, automated mining, agriculture receivers intended for high-value professional markets. and construction, etc) will increase the need for PNT capabilities. Furthermore there will be increased demand for augmentation services, such as increased accuracy Whats is your take on eLoran? and increased integrity. As we mentioned above, such developments will drive the development of improved As a back-up its only advantage is wide area coverage alternative PNT (APNT) technologies. Hence GNSS will (assuming there are transmitter towers), and relatively become more important for the “digital transformation” low-complexity (resulting in low-cost receiver solutions). revolution, in which AI, Big Data, 5G comms, UAVs, and Its accuracy is very poor (both in respect to timing and automated systems all play their part. There is no doubt positioning), and would hardly be a true back-up except that without these requirements GNSS (and other PNT for some very specifi c marine and air applications (where technologies) would remain a technology for primarily the wifi -based positioning cannot be used). I would rather professional markets, with its mass market use limited see eff orts made to test the “scaling up” of other PNT to LBS-smartphone applications (which have rather low technologies across cities and later across provinces and performance requirements for GNSS-provided PNT results). states, such as Locata (and its competitors), as their accuracy is more comparable to GNSS than eLoran. Geodesy has been an area where you have been very active. Do you think that What infl uences you envisage in Geodesy needs more attention as we do satellite navigation in the near future not fi nd many Geodesists around? given the advancements in the fi eld of AI, Autonomous Vehicles, UAV, etc.? Good question. Geodesy is becoming increasingly recognised as a vital component of what we might refer to as the Advances such as those listed will impact users and Positioning Infrastructure, which underpins GNSS products applications. In general they will expand “automation”, and and services (especially the augmented accuracy services).
Global Accuracy Easier
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CCoordinatesoordinates September 2019 | 11 I see the parallel development of alternative PNT technologies, being driven by mass market applications such as machine/vehicle automation. In some respects they would be complementary (able to operate when GNSS capability is unavailable), and even seen as back-ups to GNSS, but some of them, in some scenarios, will be true alternatives to GNSS
Geodesy is responsible for the reference frame in which will bring forth new ideas, new algorithms, etc, for GNSS high accuracy positioning is expressed. Geodesy also technologies and applications. When these graduates are provides the basic services and infrastructure (national and employed by companies, they will assist in the development international) that support high accuracy GNSS positioning. of new products and services. When employed by Hence geodesy is becoming more closely associated with government agencies they will assist in the implementation all aspects of the geospatial disciplines, from positioning and operation of new or upgraded PNT systems (based (3D, heights, etc) through to mapping (in 3D and 4D). This on GNSS and APNT) for a whole range of applications. is a welcome development. (Another example is the UN resolution on the Global Geodetic Reference Frame – GGRF Academics play very little role in promoting GNSS – championed by the UN-GGIM Committee of Experts.) to the wider community. Nor in launching start- up companies that drive PNT innovation. Geodesy is also increasingly providing the tools, services and infrastructure to support (geo)science. As indicated earlier, the visibility of the IAG (and hence geodesy) within How do you perceive the direction the IUGG (its other 7 Associations) is much higher than it of satellite navigation? was a decade ago. For example, we now have new initiatives within the IUGG in “seismo-geodesy” and “volcano-geodesy”. Multi-GNSS is making GNSS PNT commonplace. It is already a capability built into every smartphone. But I Every discipline of science and engineering claims there is a believe that there will be a “democratisation” of high shortage of qualifi ed practitioners and researchers. Geodesy accuracy (defi ned as being in the range of sub-metre (and even surveying) is no exception. But where there are down to centimetre), so that it will be available on many quality jobs and career paths, there will be incentives for more devices (including smartphones) to non-expert highly trained individuals to “jump” sideways into areas users. This has challenges for the “experts” in academia where there is greater demand. Nowadays geodesists (education and research) as well as the geodesy/ come through either the PhD training pathway (from many geospatial professionals (implementing and operating the disciplines), or by receiving “on-the-job” training in geodetic infrastructure to support high accuracy positioning). institutes, government agencies, etc. What we need is a large pool of well-qualifi ed scientists (in the geosciences, I believe that the only area of expansion of satellite physical sciences and mathematical sciences) and engineers constellations and signals is for SBAS type systems (geospatial, EE, IT, mechanical, civil engineering disciplines) (as mentioned earlier). These low-cost satellites could to draw on. Exciting careers in geodesy, and in PNT deliver augmented accuracy and integrity services technologies and applications in general, will be irresistible. by acting primarily as wide-area communications links, transmitting the correction/warning information necessary to enable augmented services. You had a long association with academia. Given the pace of technology evolution, would But I see the parallel development of alternative PNT challenges you see before the academic technologies, being driven by mass market applications community and GNSS education? such as machine/vehicle automation. In some respects they would be complementary (able to operate when Academia educates professionals (such as engineers), and GNSS capability is unavailable), and even seen as back- trains researchers (through PhD programs). The former ups to GNSS, but some of them, in some scenarios, obviously must educate graduates so that they are “job- will be true alternatives (i.e. even competitors) to ready”. Some engineering disciplines will therefore use GNSS. I predict in 1-2 decades that vision systems, INS today’s GNSS technologies. They will also be able to adapt and alternative ranging systems (both terrestrial and to developments in GNSS/RNSS/SBAS. The postgraduates those based on low-cost space transmitters) will have with PhDs will push the knowledge envelope, and hence similar performance characteristics to GNSS. x
12 | CCoordinatesoordinates September 2019 Enable GNSS Survey Anytime, Anywhere!
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WWW.CHCNAV.COMWWW.CHC Coordinates September 2019 | 13 x BLOCKCHAIN Blockchain as a technological solution in land administration In this paper we want to investigate what is the current state of blockchain technology and what kind of barriers relate to blockchain implementation
Pauliina KRIGSHOLM common view is that a cadastral central features of a decentralized system, Doctoral candidate in land A system is needed to ensure effi cient might be the future also for public data. management, Department exchange as well as suitable use of real of Built Environment, property units (e.g. Enemark et al., 2005). As the maturity of technology evolves, School of Engineering, The role of cadastral system is to act as more solutions based on blockchains Aalto University, Finland the ‘where’ component of property rights will become possible. The change is fast: Researcher, Finnish system by providing accurate information since 2009 there have been huge strides Geospatial Research of real property units, their location and from the technology behind bitcoin to Institute (FGI), National interests related to them. This can be, of second generation blockchain networks, Land Survey of Finland course, achieved under various technical like Ethereum, which are faster and have solutions. In many countries, the current more capabilities. Hence, we cannot cadastral system regime is based on a underline enough the need to increase Kaisa RIDANPÄÄ centralized database maintained by a understanding of blockchain in the land Graduated from Aalto public authority. New solutions are gaining administration industry. Lack of basic University, School of interest though. For instance, blockchain knowledge of the technology can create Engineering, Finland technology and its implications for land a huge barrier for horizon scanning and administration have been under discussion recognition of future possibilities. lately (e.g. Anand et al., 2015; Vos, 2016). In this paper we want to investigate Blockchain is still an immature technology what is the current state of blockchain and despite the application fi eld, we are technology and what kind of barriers Kirsikka RIEKKINEN still discussing about ‘use cases’ and relate to blockchain implementation. Assistant professor, implications. There are many reasons why We defi ne our research aim with Department of Built land administration fi eld should not neglect following research questions: Environment, School the blockchain technology at this point. To of Engineering, Aalto begin with, similar to the banking industry, RQ1: What can blockchain technology University, Finland, the main role of land administration offer for land administration? National Land authority is to act as a ‘trusted third party’ Survey of Finland - exactly the role that blockchains promise RQ2: What kind of issues need to displace. Second, possibilities (as well as to be addressed if the plan is to drawbacks) of a distributed ledger deserve apply blockchain technology? more attention. Greater transparency and control over your own personal data, The paper is structured in a following manner. First, in Section 2 we review literature on the blockchain technology Blockchain is still an immature technology and and its basic terminology. We also review potential blockchain disruption from despite the application field, we are still discussing land administration point of view. Next, in Section 3 we present our empirical about ‘use cases’ and implications. There are many fi ndings. We take a qualitative approach and ask more technically oriented experts reasons why land administration field should not about their views on implementing the blockchain technology. Section 4 concludes neglect the blockchain technology at this point
14 | CCoordinatesoordinates September 2019 Blockchain technology - basic Hash derived from concepts and current state datastoredinablock
Hash from Block 5 Block 6 Block 7 previous block 00112233XY 77553311PQ 55882211YV In this section, we go through some basic concepts related to blockchains. 66442211ZW 00112233XY 77553311PQ 0100101010 1010110010 0011001010 In particular, we focus on the basic 0101010010 1010100011 1101101000 features of blockchain and present the Data stored 1100110101 1100101010 1010101011 inablock ground components of the technology. We then speculate blockchain disruption Figure 2 Blockchain mechanism illustrated, modifi ed from Kotilainen 2017 in land administration, mainly based on its technical possibilities and what starts to decline due to some unsuccessful or as a database structure. The Gardner’s previous studies have proposed. examples and projects. Then comes a hype curve, for instance, presents the ‘slope of enlightenment’ that shows a blockchain and its maturity as a societal Technology maturity and terminology returning interest that usually stems from a phenomenon. Blockchain as a technology growing understanding of real benefi ts of pile, on the other hand, means that the New technologies come and go and it the technology. In general, at this phase the utilization of technology consists of can be challenging - or impossible - market players start to realize the potential several levels. For example application, to accurately predict which ones will of the technology for their own businesses. platform, processing and protocol levels have a large scale impact on society. Finally, the technology life cycle reaches can be distinguished for blockchain. One commonly referred source for the the phase of ‘plateau of productivity’. Often fi rms specialize on one of the maturity level of different technologies At this phase the technology is mature aforementioned levels. Finally, blockchain is the annually published Garner’s hype enough and its introduction is profi table. as a database structure usually refers to curve (Figure 1). The curve positions the technical operations of blockchain different technologies based on their As we can see from Figure 1, blockchains and to the facilities that make possible ‘hype’ and expected time to mainstream are currently on a transition from second storing of information (Mattila & Seppälä, adoption. First stage on the fi gure is called to third phase, with expected 5 to 10 2017). Blockchain enables a platform for ‘innovation trigger’, a phase when a new years to mainstream adoption. Indeed, decentralized database that can be used potential technology breaks through and we have witnessed several use case for a constantly growing data register. catches media attention. Next follows a examples of blockchain in recent years, This type of register is called a public phase called ‘peak of infl ated expectations’ also in the fi eld of land administration. ledger since it contains information on that includes for instance reporting of fi rst all transactions. Thus, blockchain can be use case examples. Third phase is called Blockchain can be given at least three used for instance for storing some sort of ‘trough of disillusionment’, a period during interpretations. It can be defi ned as a transaction accountancy or script of code. which the fascination towards technology societal phenomenon, as a technology pile In a blockchain, data is stored in blocks and each new block is linked to the previous block with a mathematically computed, mixed character string called hash. Certain data always produces a similar hash, which guarantees that data in (the previous) block is same for all users. The hash is also called a digital fi ngerprint since it embodies a time stamp of previous actions. Hence the date and time of each transaction can be traced from the blockchain. We illustrate the operational principles of blockchain in Figure 2. Here we can see graphically how each new block contains a hash from the previous block. The fi rst row, or each block’s own hash, is computed from the contents of the block.
Node is another concept central to blockchain upkeep. Nodes denote host Figure 1 Garner’s Hype Cycle in 2017 (adapted from Gartner 2017) computers of blockchain administrators
CCoordinatesoordinates September 2019 | 15 we note that several types of blockchains exist. First step in based decentralized environment, they can be executed safely even without implementation planning is to decide what kind of actors are trust between contract parties. Smart contracts have then potential to lower allowed to act as an administrator. Further, we can divide transaction costs (using a trusted third party verifi cation has costs) as well as to blockchains into public and private chains. Both types can decrease frauds and other malpractices.
operate in either a permissionless or a permissioned network Finally, we note that several types of blockchains exist. First step in where blocks and their content are saved. mechanism is used to determine which implementation planning is to decide Data is available for all contributing nodes, version of database is the valid one. With what kind of actors are allowed to act as and thus transaction processes become centralized database, in contrary, there is an administrator. Further, we can divide more transparent when an objective only one trusted party who verifi es the blockchains into public and private intermediary is used as part of the process. authentity of added data. Thus the role of chains. Both types can operate in either Every node also has a full or partial copy of consensus mechanism is to create trust and a permissionless or a permissioned the blockchain and the stored transactions. mutual understanding between blockchain network. In a permissionless network This feature guarantees that an individual network actors. Several consensus participation does not require permission user cannot falsify information. If someone mechanisms exist but the most common from a central body or other network would try to fi nger the information ones are Proof of Work and Proof of Stake actors. In a permissioned network, as stored into the blockchain, this would mechanisms. Proof of Work mechanism, the name implicates, a permission is infl uence a hash as described above. Only which for instance the Bitcoin network required (Kinnunen et al., 2017). a one character change in a hash would utilizes, is considered to be easily verifi ed. infl uence the following blocks, so other Biggest downside of Proof of Work is that Blockchain disruption in administrators would notice the attempt the mining procedure that is needed for land administration and they could interfere the situation. data extraction requires lots of computing power and, hence, lots of energy. (Anand There are certain criteria or prerequisites The blockchain technology is based on a et al. 2015; Lin and Liao, 2017.) studied by Mattila et al. (2016) when peer-to-peer network. Peer-to-peer network planning to utilize the blockchain refers to a computer-based network where Another basic component of the blockchain technology for a certain purpose. We will each computer can act both as a server technology is a public key infrastructure present these prerequisites and after that and a customer device. For instance, in the (PKI). The idea is that a user has both compare them with an application to land Internet peer-to-peer networks are used for a public and a private key that are used registration. First prerequisite wells from fi le and software sharing. In the blockchain to control access to data stored into the essence of blockchain technology technology an important component is blockchain. Private key is randomly basing itself to a peer network. Thus, the a decentralized peer-to-peer network created, and it usually consists of a long application purpose benefi ts from the that is needed for consensus creation. In string of numbers and letters. Public key, decentralized database structure. Second this context, a p-2-p network consists of on the other hand, is derived from the prerequisite is that there is a need for several independent nodes maintaining private key mathematically so that the several users to update the database at the the blockchain that follow certain rules. keys together form a pair. Using again same time. If there is no such need, the Nodes verify transactions happening in the Bitcoin network as an example, the centralized structure of a conventional the chain following the rules. This is how public key is used for receiving bitcoins database should be enough. Third consensus is reached in a p-2-p network whereas the private key is used for user prerequisite is the consensus mechanism. and verifi ed transaction can be stored into verifi cation when a user wants to transfer If the database is updated simultaneously the blockchain. We can easily see how or use bitcoins. (Antonopolous, 2014.) by several users, there is a risk that this mechanism could have implications several versions of that database are to centralized organisations whose role is Next concept that needs to be explained is a created. Overlapping and simultaneous to maintain and secure transactions and smart contract. Smart contract is a solution modifi cations must be able to unify. The related registers (e.g. Anand et al. 2015). that utilizes the blockchain technology for potential applications for blockchain are creating contracts between two or more decentralized databases with one correct An important difference between a parties in a decentralized environment (Yli- version. Fourth prerequisite is that the completely decentralized p-2-p network Huumo et al., 2016). In its simplest form modifi cations done in the database need and a traditional database is how data smart contract is a coded programme that to communicate with each other. The need evolves over time. In the p-2-p network is read and also executed automatically if for blockchain might not be justifi ed, participants may add data to the certain pre-defi ned provisions are fulfi lled. if there is no need for interaction with decentralized register, and a concensus If contracts are made in a blockchain- the data and if the modifi cations are not
16 | CCoordinatesoordinates September 2019
We can note that the use of blockchain in applications research question. At the second phase, eight interviews were conducted. In order for land administration is not yet made its to achieve broad enough knowledge base, the interview participants were selected breakthrough. The success of existing and emerging from different backgrounds ranging from academia to business sector. pilot applications will show, how the future of The interviews were semi-structured by blockchain and land administration will look like nature and built around predetermined topics and key questions. Data collection dependable or do not affect each other. But Vos (2016) poses a question: should method was fl exible enough for the The fi fth criteria is trust, or the lack of we try to replace a well-functioning land purpose of this study as it allows the trust. Trust is usually related to a situation registration by blockchain, and why? researcher to develop new questions also where some party might benefi t from during the interview session. Interviews deleting or forging data, or in the current Graglia and Mellon (2018) recognize were conducted either face-to-face or system there are problems with keeping eight theoretical steps towards integrating via Skype between October 2017 and the data safe. Often these problems can blockchains as part of society can be November 2017. The interviews were be solved by using a trusted party, for distinguished, starting from public recorded and they last between 30 to 80 example a land registration authority, to blockchain for recording documents minutes. The interviews started with a update a database. Still, sometimes the ending up with interoperability where short introduction to present study and its use of this trusted party is not reasonable different blockchain-based registers goals, after which following topics were due to high expenses, or some cases merge. Examples on the adaptation covered: (1) General questions about this trusted party does not even exist. of the blockchain technology in land blockchain technology, (2) Technical administration can be found on the fi rst implementation, (3) Introduction and use Thinking about the essence of land levels: Several countries have started to of (blockchain) technology, (4) Legislation, administration and especially the record either documents related to land and (5) Future possibilities. For this study, land register, we can tick the boxes of transactions (Brazil, Georgia, UAE) we utilize only part of collected material. prerequisites for using the blockchain and also to record the workfl ow, the technology. Decentralized database progress of transaction (Sweden). Georgia We organize our fi ndings and together with the several users updating has built its whole land registration discussion into two sub-sections, the register at the same time resulting basing itself on blockchain, and so has according to our research questions. to one correct version of the database the city of Dubai in UAE. Still, most are certainly essential features of land of the world is no yet at the stage of What can blockchain registers. Not to even mention the utilizing the blockchain technology, technology offer? importance of interaction between the especially for land administration. registered data, and trust. We can state The interviews started by charting that land registration fulfi lls the criteria set We can note that the use of blockchain in the expert views about what new the for using blockchain-based application. applications for land administration is not blockchain technology could provide Let us next have a short overview of the yet made its breakthrough. The success of compared to the traditional technical actual use of blockchain technology in existing and emerging pilot applications confi gurations. The common impression tasks related to land administration. will show, how the future of blockchain among the interviewees was that from and land administration will look like. technical point of view the technology The purpose of using blockchain for land does not provide much novelty - in registration is rather easy to justify in a technical sense it is more about combining country where the land administration Empirical fi ndings existing technologies into one solution. system is not trusted, either due to and discussion For example peer-to-peer networks or corruption, bad governance or just the decentralized systems are utilized in many lack of quality of that register (Vos In this study we apply a qualitative other methods as well, which means that 2016). Anand et al. (2015) rank land research methodology. As part of the some of the features provided by the administration to be amongst the top most research process, both primary and blockchain technology could be executed corrupted sectors in the world. There secondary qualitative data are collected. with traditional database solutions as well. is no doubt that blockchain technology To answer the research questions we in these cases would be the answer for combine information from the literature Combining different techniques creates, organizing land administration effi ciently and interviews. The literature is also used however, new possibilities that cannot be and trustworthy. Indeed, the use of for identifying the adequate expert profi les achieved with other methods. Indeed, the blockchain in these cases is reasonable. to share their viewpoints about the second promise of simultaneously decentralized
18 | CCoordinatesoordinates September 2019 The blockchain technology Lack of trust might have hindered the Barriers to blockchain implementation creation of business or services in some can provide trust and areas, but the blockchain technology General challenges could be part of the solution for such transparency in an situations. Then, on the other hand, we A fundamental challenge is whether could imagine a situation where a lack of blockchains will be used in a right environment where there transparency or the previous centralized way in right targets of application. Our solution has caused issues in past. Under interviewees stressed that the use of is no certainty about the such circumstances a need for new blockchains will never reach its potential type of ‘trust services’ might arise. One benefi ts unless the chosen solution is reliability of other parties, possible horizon that was mentioned a right fi t for the application area. As in the interviews was a solution that is mentioned above, some of the features nor about the permanence no longer tied to a certain occupational can be achieved with more traditional group or controlling organization to solutions as well, and there should be an of stored information act as a trusted party. Nonetheless, this actual need or requirement for the added suggestion should not be interpreted too benefi ts so that implementation of the and reliable database is perhaps the extremely, said some of the interviewees. blockchain technology is the right choice. biggest reason behind excitement towards Getting rid of trusted third parties might the blockchain technology, especially in cause unwanted consequences as well: Another general challenge is that the governance. Decentralized architectures their role as intermediaries in case of blockchain is not a feasible solution for could be carried out with other solutions, confl icts or faulty actions is indisputable storing large amount of data. Instead of yet the blockchain technology and the and hence should not be undervalued. data, it is usually more worthwhile to store mathematical algorithms it uses enable important transactions related to the target preservation of trust among all parties as Another potential benefi t stems from of application. Moreover, it is possible well. Trust remains since the data that is the ‘tracking feature’ of blockchain. As to store the hash derived from the data stored into a block is extremely diffi cult explained in the previous section, with instead. What comes to the ‘actual data’, to forge. In addition, the blockchain blockchain it is more diffi cult to falsify it can be stored for instance into another technology can provide trust and or eradicate information, or at least it is decentralized system tailored especially transparency in an environment where there possible to trace down at which point of for storing documentation. Documents is no certainty about the reliability of other the chain information has been fudged. can be found through the system and parties, nor about the permanence of stored In addition, due to the decentralized their originality can be checked from information. Some interviewees pointed structure, a blockchain based system the hash stored to the blockchain. Thus, this ability to maintain integrity, reliability, has a high tolerance for faults since the when considering the application of and originality of data in situations where maintained database locates at several blockchain, it is advisable to assess what trust is missing between parties as the most servers simultaneously. This means that is going to be stored into the blockchain important reformation of the blockchain a single server is not alone in a critical and whether it is feasible to do that. technology. Few experts wanted, however, position in case of possible attacks That is only way to avoid expanding further stress that the new features or other faults. Further, some of the the blockchain into a too large entity. provided by the blockchain technology interviewees pointed out the additional depend strongly of the application fi eld. value from smart contracts. With smart Also the complexity of technology and Besides the mere facts of how and where contracts it is possible to programme lack of knowledge were considered the technology is applied, also previous and automate certain processes and as general challenges. The blockchain solutions set many boundary conditions: thus create long transaction chains. technology brings many reformations for instance the type of blockchain (as presented in previous section) should be chosen considering the application The blockchain technology brings many reformations fi eld and existing technical solutions. related to both technological solutions and business Besides the transparency and reliability aspects mentioned above, the experts models, but there are no common practices or standards saw some other potential benefi ts as well. One foreseeable benefi t would be for guidance available yet. Existing systems based on that with the blockchain technology, it is easier to produce such services that the blockchain technology are scarce in number, thus have been impossible to provide thus far due to a missing trusted third party. learning from historical examples is not an option either related to both technological solutions Scalability Bitcoin network is burdened with ongoing and business models, but there are no transaction events and the lightning common practices or standards for Already a quick review on the literature network would address this problem. guidance available yet. Existing systems of blockchain reveals that scalability is a What we can learn from this example is based on the blockchain technology are big issue in permissionless blockchains that technological advancements may help scarce in number, thus learning from like the Bitcoin. Scalability problems with the scalability problem but also the historical examples is not an option relate to the ability of blockchains to decisions of the network administrator either. Understanding the operations of handle large amounts of information. Our as well as the governance model of the blockchain technology, its application as interviewees stressed that ensuring the blockchain have important roles. well as the consequences of larger scale scalability is a challenge especially for the implementation will require expertise permissionless and public blockchains. Another viewpoint that came up frequently from several fi elds. It is imperative to For the permissionless blockchains, it in the interviews was that the scalability raise the knowledge base at least to a is diffi cult to evaluate beforehand how is not such a big issue for private and level where people understand what the many users and network actors there licensed networks. Such networks often blockchain technology is all about and will be. A growing number of actors have much less users and network actors, how it could be applied under different makes the scalability a challenge since and the amount of storable data is not solutions. Furthermore we need more all data that has been accumulated into comparable to transactions happening knowledge of impacts and risks related a net must be decentralized in a way in permissionless networks such as to the use of blockchain technology that was agreed on in the beginning. the Bitcoin. It is important, however, in long run. Currently the number of to acknowledge the restrictions on use blockchain specialists is low and many According to our interviewees, one fi x to already in the initialisation phase. As it was of the interviewees suspected that the scalability problem is to create such a mentioned earlier, the blockchain is not a lack of human resources is one factor governance model to the blockchain where good solution for storage of actual data, but hindering the implementation of the the chain can be modifi ed afterwards if better suitable for recording transactions technology. There is, however, a growing there is a need for that. Thus the scalability and hashes. Thus the scalability is less interest towards the technology and its is not necessarily only a technological likely to turn into a serious problem if this possible applications, which should barrier. Current view is that the technology is kept in mind since the very beginning. eventually widen the knowledge base. may enable storage of several transactions into one block in the (near) future. So it Data protection and privacy Few interviewees mentioned also the is more essential to reach a consensus usability of blockchain applications about governance of blockchain and Data openness in blockchain creates many as a challenge. For example in open whether it is possible to make changes possibilities but also challenges related to Bitcoin network a mistake in writing the to the current blockchain in order to data protection and privacy especially in recipient’s address or losing your own support the scalability. The planning permissionless and public blockchains. That private key can lead to loss of assets. phase of a blockchain should include type of networks usually have the whole This results from the fact that in the good technological choices that support transactions history and transaction paths Bitcoin network there is no central body the scalability but it is equally important available. However, alternative solutions that could be reached in problematic to plan carefully the governance model where open data could be partly hidden situations. If permissionless blockchain and leave room for modifi cations as the are already under development. Different applications like that gain more ground, technology inevitably continues to develop. encryption methods also aim to prevent the a solution for such examples is needed. ability to connect transactions to a certain This would require that some party is Another solution to the scalability problem person. Nevertheless, some evidence trusted over others. Due to problems is to leave older blocks out of the storage. exists that with the current regime, it is not related to everyday operations, more Depending on the target of application, particularly diffi cult to connect transactions closed and cross-organizational versions older events and transactions might not have to certain accounts in the Bitcoin network. of blockchain become more frequent such relevance that they should be stored Again, this issue has been already addressed fi rst, since trust (at least to someone in the beginning of the blockchain. For and a heavier encryption method that would extent) is a built-in feature in them. instance on top of the Bitcoin network some increase data protection and privacy has new technology has already been planned: been proposed. With this kind of add-ons Finally, high energy consumption this so-called lightning network would be a there is a drawback also: the feature can that results from the use of consensus substantial help to the scalability issue. With become a subject of misuse and attract mechanisms such as Proof of Work the lightning network transactions could be for instance actors with criminal goals. can be categorized as a general executed faster and in higher volume than at challenge. Especially for public and the moment. The lightning network would Our interviewees emphasized that the permissionless networks the energy create a separate channel for transactions challenges related to data protection consumption can become an issue. happening between parties. Currently the and security as well as privacy are also
20 | CCoordinatesoordinates September 2019 connected to the governance model of the wanted to emphasize that the blockchain There was a consensus among the experts application. Further, what type of data technology will not magically solve ‘deeply that legislation should be included as part is stored into the blocks and how it is rooted’ problems of register keeping. For of the blockchain implementation, since encrypted matters too. Actors of blockchain instance, even though the blockchain new technological solutions and business network can be given for instance different technology could provide a reliable and models cannot be formed if they are illegal. kind of access rights to data by defi ning functioning technology system, people This was seen as an imperative to include that certain actor only has access to data in control of storing the information can legal scholars into the development and that is integral to his own actions. This type still be bribed or forced into false entries. application of the blockchain technology. of feature could be utilized for example as Further, it should be kept in mind that Some of the experts thought that the legal part of a cross-organizational blockchain values and attitudes of authorities matter barriers for the blockchain implementation solution. According to our experts, it as well. We provide a simple fi ctional are currently underestimated and the is not rational to store highly sensitive example: a blockchain based register could legal issues should be considered more data into blockchains yet. In principle show reliably that a person owns the real thoroughly in different applications. anything you store into a blockchain property unit but another person is currently However, the only way to fi nd out how remains there till eternity, and even though occupying the unit. If the authorities neglect big changes different laws require due different encryption methods could be the register information and leave the issue to the technology implementation, is applied, it is likely that in the future there aside, the blockchain based register is as to wait and see fi rst how common and is enough computing power to decrypt worthless as any other technical solution. infl uential the technology will be. these encryptions. Another viewpoint that arose in interviews related to data security In addition to social challenges that where Smart contracts fall also under juridical was that a possibility of attacks should brought up in interviews, we note the issues that need more clarifi cation and be considered as well. It is important importance of surrounding society and its clear guidelines in the future. If the smart ponder beforehand different scenarios for values and attitudes should be considered contracts become common practice, attacks and how they could be prevented. as well. In some cases blockchains can there should be clear rules how they help in increasing trust and transparency are formulated and how they fulfi l their We further asked if it is possible to create but the signifi cance of social barriers function. We also need clarity on the a blockchain where part of the data is should not be underestimated. Few of question whether transaction based on a public and part of it is accessible only the interviewees even stated that thus far smart contract is juridically secure. Then a to a certain group of actors. The experts it seems that blockchain-based systems question arises how far the current contract evaluated that it is technically possible to function best in societies that do not jurisprudence can be stretched to cover partially hide information with encryption necessarily need such solution. We argue the smart contract transactions. We note methods and then defi ne who has access that explanation for signals like that call that the smart contract as a name is a bit to what information. For instance in the for wider perspective than just evaluation misleading since it does not always cover case of registries of cadastral system of technical and economic feasibility. all the features of a contract. Also we know this kind of feature would be useful. that there are many things in legislation According to the interviewees, personal Juridical barriers that cannot be captured into a programmed information (such as personal ID) and code. Thus we need to fi rst defi ne which other partly hidden information could be We addressed also the interviewees’ articles (and details related to them) can stored into a blockchain as some sort of perspectives on juridical barriers. be automated with the smart contracts. identifi er. These identifi ers would then be Answering that question was, however, a used to trace down the original personal challenging task since there is currently Table 1 Blockchain technology information from external database. A no legislation regarding the blockchain barriers summarized. suggestion is that this would be possible technology, at least in Finland where the Technical Large data volumes only through a certifi ed key so that study was conducted. Further, at the time Complexity predefi ned actors exclusively could perform the material was collected, there was Correction of errors this kind of connecting operations. no precedents either to give a form to Safety judicial custom. To make the assessment of Usability Social barriers juridical barriers even more challenging, Scalability it is still unclear which laws should be Energy consumption Our experts conceived that social barriers taken into account when implementing Social Lack of knowledge relate mainly to knowledge base and the the blockchain technology. Thus many of Values and attitudes usability of blockchain based systems. In the interviewees perceived blockchains Surrounding society addition, the overall understanding and as juridically challenging environment ‘Deeper’ issues in register keeping acceptance of new technologies such as and partly as a ‘grey area’ that hinders Juridical Lack of legislation the blockchain technology was brought up the introduction of technology. EU general data protection regulation as a social barrier. Few interviewees also Smart contracts and their juridicality
CCoordinatesoordinates September 2019 | 21 The blockchain technology industry. In order to get forward with Graglia, J.M., Mellon, C. 2018. Blockchain this question, more research on potential and Property in 2018: At the End of the offers a possibility to make uses and implications, but also on Beginning. Paper prepared for presentation challenges related to introduction of the at the 2018 World Bank Conference on a decentralized, transparent blockchain technology is needed. In this Land and Poverty. The World Bank – study we address this gap by examining Washington DC, March 19-23, 2018. 58 p. and reliable database. It new possibilities that the blockchain technology offers for land administration Kinnunen, T.K., Leviäkangas, is still unclear, however, as well as barriers of implementation. Our P., Kostiainen, J., Nykänen, L., approach was to interview experts that Rouhiainen, K., Finlow-Bates, K. how disruptive the have proven expertise of the blockchain 2017. Lohkoteknologian soveltaminen technology. We summarize our fi ndings ja vaikutukset liikenteessä ja technology will be for land as follows: besides technical barriers, viestinnässä. 38 p. Liikenne- ja also social and legal barriers should viestintäministeriön julkaisuja administration industry be acknowledged when a blockchain 12/2017. ISBN 978-952-243-528-6. implementation becomes topical. Another topical issue related to the legal Kotilainen, S. 2017. Näin toimii lohkoketju barriers of blockchain implementation is Main contribution of this study is that - säätövirhe voi johtaa paisumiseen. Tivi the new European Union (EU) general data it can be seen as guidance for future 15.3.2017 [e-publication]. Accessed protection regulation (GDPR). Problematic endeavours. The study has both academic 27.9.2018. Available http://www.tivi.fi / part of GDPR in relation to blockchains and and practical value since it combines basic Kaikki_uutiset/blockchain-mullistaa- their technical mechanism is the so-called knowledge on blockchains with expert maailman-kuin-internet-6623590. right to be forgotten which states that “the views about blockchain implementation. data subject can have his or her personal Lin, I.C., Liao, T.C. 2017. A Survey data erased if the data is no longer necessary of Blockchain Security Issues and or if legal grounds for processing no References Challenges. International Journal of longer exist” (Castrén & Snellman 2015). Network Security. 19:5, 653—659. This is in contrast with the principle that Anand, A., McKibbin, M., Pichel, F. 2015. once a piece of data is stored into blocks, Colored Coins: Bitcoin, Blockchain, Mattila, J., Seppälä, T., Holmström, it cannot changed or erased afterwards. and Land Administration. 16 p. J. 2016. Product-centric Information Another aspect of the GDPR that is open Management – A Case Study of a to interpretations is the question of whether Antonopolous, A.M. 2014. Shared Platform with Blockchain we are maintaining a person register or Mastering Bitcoin: Unlocking Technology. Conference paper. Industry not. The GDPR obligates those companies digital cryptocurrencies. Sebastopol, Studies Association Conference. and operators that process personal data. CA: O’Reilly Media, Inc. 263 p. Minneapolis, USA, May 24-26, 2016. ISBN 978-1-449-37404-4. We summarize the fi ndings related to the Mattila, J. and Seppälä, T. 2017. blockchain technology barriers in Table Castrén & Snellman. 2015. Finally Agreed Distributed Governance in Multi- 1. The barriers are categorized into three - New EU Data Protection Regulation Is Sided Platforms. Conference paper. groups: technical, social and juridical Here. Blog post 17.12.2015 [e-publication]. Industry Studies Associa-tion barriers. We emphasize that the barriers are Accessed 27.9.2018. Available https:// Conference. Washington D.C., USA. in no particular order here, nor did we even www.castren.fi /blogandnews/news- try to assess their importance in relation to 2016/fi nally-agreed---new-eu-data- Vos, J. 2016. Blockchain-based land other barriers. We note, however, that even protection-regulation-is-here/ registry: panacea, illusion or something though we chose to interview experts with in between? European Land Registry technological background, our results raise Enemark, S., Williamson, I., Wallace, Association. 7th Annual Publication. 26 p. social and juridical perspectives as well. J. 2005. Building modern land administration systems in developed Yli-Huumo, J., Ko, D., Choi, S., economies. J. Spat. Sci. 50, 51–68. Park, S., Smolander, K. 2016. Where Conclusions Is Current Research on Blockchain Gartner. 2017. Gartner Identifi es Three Technology? – A Systematic Review. The blockchain technology offers a Megatrends That Will Drive Digital PLOS ONE. 10:11, e0163477. possibility to make a decentralized, Business Into the Next Decade. Gartner transparent and reliable database. It is Newsroom 15.8.2017 [e-publication]. The paper was presented at FIG still unclear, however, how disruptive the Accessed 27.9.2018. Available http:// Working Week 2019, Hanoi, technology will be for land administration www.gartner.com/newsroom/id/3784363. Vietnam, April 22–26, 2019. x
22 | CCoordinatesoordinates September 2019
x GALILEO OUTAGE Galileo outage - Reliability is a key factor for GNSS Is it time for Europe not just to think about the Galileo second generation, but also to start thinking beyond Galileo?
Fabio Dovis (Ph. D) “Until further notice, users may (issue 1.1, May 2019) they should not be Associate Professor at the experience service degradation on all used when older more than 4 hours [1]. Department of Electronics Galileo satellites” the Notice Advisory and Telecommunications to Galileo Users (NAGU) issued by the This is the event, as seen by the users, of Politecnico di Torino. European GNSS Service Center on July without any insight on what actually He coordinates the 18 2019, was not very reassuring for the happened in some block of the control Navigation Signal people using and working on Galileo. chain of the overall system. But Analysis and Simulation When then the outage lasted for several what could be our remarks on such a – NavSAS -, research days, things became even more scaring. global event, and the lesson learnt? group that works in the What was going on with Galileo? satellite navigation fi eld First of all, it is clear that an event like this For a pure scientifi c purpose, and also cannot be underestimated or just considered out of curiosity, thanks to the processing as a temporary technical issue for a GNSS tools available in our research group we system that is still providing Initial Services started our independent investigation, (anyway, this should not be forgotten). trying to see what the problem was. Without considering this disruptive event, in the previous months the system was A thing was clear: the position estimated showing very good performance in terms of using the Galileo-only satellite or hybrid signals and functionalities, and even during GPS-Galileo solutions were showing errors this event it was shown that, replacing the on the order of 500 meters or even more, content of the navigation message with and a dummy receiver not implementing valid ephemeris, it was still possible to proper checks might have been cheated achieve very good position estimations [2]. by the unreliable signals. For some time The number of Galileo users is constantly the Signal in Space (SIS) Accuracy Index growing [3], expectations for the new (SISA), giving indication of the minimum features of the system such as the High standard deviation of an overbound of the Accuracy Service or the OS NMA are SIS error, was still at acceptable level, and high on the user side, so this event felt the only clear evidence that something like a “stop” to this growing enthusiastic was wrong and the system should not attitude toward the Galileo system. It can be used was provided by the ephemeris also be imagined that the outage might parameters, that were not up-to date. In have triggered a number of political fact, according to the Galileo OS SDD issues, considering also the debate at European level about the funding for the satellite, the sensitive balance for the The number of Galileo users is constantly growing, involvement of the different European countries in the management of the expectations for the new features of the system such programme, and the Brexit coming up.
as the High Accuracy Service or the OS NMA are high Reliability is a key factor for GNSS. We know it very well when talking of on the user side, so this event felt like a “stop” to this jamming and spoofing attacks, and we consider not just the technical fact, but growing enthusiastic attitude toward the Galileo system the consequences this might have on
CCoordinatesoordinates September 2019 | 31 Galileo, that, for sure, since its design of robust navigation units embedding It can also be imagined phase, raised the bar for the civil GNSS, sensors with complementary features. targeting high performance levels and that the outage might innovative signals and services. Redundancy of the constellations is another way to increase robustness for have triggered a number of There are for sure a couple of some applications, but this road cannot lessons learnt from this event. always be pursued when you target political issues, considering the use of advanced features such as GNSS systems are quite a complex authenticated signals, or frequencies also the debate at infrastructure and that there is still which are not interoperable. room for improvement. GNSS is fast European level about the evolving both on the system side It is interesting to see how, even in the and on the users’ side with more United States, there are discussions funding for the satellite, complex receivers and platforms being going on, at the highest level, on designed. We are not just yet at the the need for one (or more) backup the sensitive balance time of implementation of consolidated technologies to GPS, in order to grant technologies, and, especially in Europe, continuity of a positioning service for for the involvement of there is a strong need for a culture different classes of applications. of GNSS which is still developing. the different European Education and training on the multifold GNSS remains one of the most relevant discipline of satellite navigation is enabling technology that came into the countries in the needed now, to consolidate, for the full light in the past years, and there years to come, a critical mass of is no doubt that Galileo represents management of the researchers, scientists, technicians, for Europe a historical step into a service providers, businessmen, new world of science, technology, programme, and the skilled on the specificity of GNSS. industry, and business. Anyway, is it time for Europe not just to think about Brexit coming up The other lesson learnt is that users, and the Galileo second generation, but in particular application developers, to start thinking beyond Galileo? critical infrastructures, sensitive services should be aware of the limitation of and also on mass-market applications GNSS despite of its relevance and utmost [1] Galileo OS SDD (issue 1.1, used by a large number of people. importance. For many services it can May 2019) available at https:// Still, this kind of attack would deny, be the ultimate solution and it needs www.gsc-europa.eu/system/fi les/ partially, some services, in a limited backups that can compensate temporary documents/Galileo-OS-SDD.pdf area, while a full system outage like this outages. This is a fact to be taken into one made it unusable on a global scale. account not just because of the possibility [2] F. Dovis, A. Minetto, A. Nardin, of disruptive system events like the one E. Falletti,D. Margaria, M. Nicola, An interesting report published in June we faced in July for Galileo, that anyway M. Vannucchi, “Analysis of the 2019 [4], analyzes what would be the we expect to be rather rare, but also in Signal Outage” GPS WORLD. impact of a 30 days outage of GPS, case of unavailability on a more local - 30:8(2019), pp. 10-12. but also the large economic benefit of scale. Harsh environments, natural and using GPS in many different Industry anthropogenic interferences might always [3] GSA press release: https:// Sectors. The report shows how most affect and deny the GNSS positioning. www.gsa.europa.eu/newsroom/ of the economic benefit of civil GPS news/usegalileoeu-tracking-rapid- (about 90%), have accrued since 2010. The great emphasis put in these years uptake-galileo-initial-services Until some years ago, an event like the on the promotion of the downstream Galileo outage would have probably market to motivate and justify the [3] O’Connor, A.C., Gallaher, M.P., not even be covered by the news, while development of the new GNSS and Clark-Sutton, K., Lapidus, D., Oliver, this event was reported by magazines the modernization of the old ones, has Z.T., Scott, T.J., Wood, D.W., Gonzalez, and tv all over the world. This is a clear sometimes made users overconfi dent M.A., Brown, E.G., and Fletcher, J. evidence of how much our dependency in GNSS as the ultimate solution to 2019, June. Economic Benefi ts of the on positioning and timing services grew any positioning problem. The use of Global Positioning System (GPS). RTI in the past years, and we see and taste navigation units integrating GNSS and Report Number 0215471. Sponsored the impact on many ordinary services other sensors should be driven not just by the National Institute of Standards we use everyday. On the other hand, it by the search for improved accuracy and Technology. Research Triangle confirmed a relevant attention toward and precision, but also by the need Park, NC: RTI International. x
32 | CCoordinatesoordinates September 2019 x GALILEO OUTAGE “Galileo combined with eLoran would provide a robust technology”
says says Professor David Last in an interview with Coordinates while sharing his views on recent Galileo outage. Professor David Last is a Consultant Engineer and Expert Witness specialising in Radio Naviga on and Communica ons Systems. He is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Bangor, Wales and Past-President of the Royal Ins tute of Naviga on
Certainly; interference, jamming and spoofi ng are not the only threats – GPS and Galileo have suff ered service failures. Faulty GLONASS data uploads caused kilometres of error. But many recent incidents and surveys have shown that the threats of interference, jamming and spoofi ng are real, serious and much more frequent. Interes ngly, our professional GNSS community has come to accept that; many technical mee ngs are now dominated by papers on these problems and proposed solu ons. But among policy-makers and governments recogni on of this vulnerability is s ll rare. We’re now beginning to see it in the US. But in many other countries and regions, notably in Europe, the need to defend one’s own high-cost GNSS program has resulted in denial of the issue In July this year, Galileo suff ered a week-long of vulnerability. Un l there is acceptance of these outage? How do you regard this ‘technical problems by governments, the cri cal na onal incident’? infrastructure of their na ons will remain at risk.
Outages can happen. The thing that grabbed The recent government-commissioned report by a en on was the way it was handled. For the fi rst London Economics es mated the cost to the UK few days there was more informa on coming from economy of a one-off 5-day loss of GNSS at £5.2B the US than from Europe. The operators of Galileo (USD7.1B). In my book, that’s a serious threat! kept themselves as hidden as if it were a state secret! We’ve come to expect that with military Given this, what’s your opinion on GNSS back-ups? systems, but Galileo was set up to be a civilian opera on. You can’t persuade folk to rely on your It would be hard now to fi nd a satellite naviga on technology then, when there’s a problem, hide professional who has studied the ques on of behind a wall of silence. vulnerability and s ll believes that a single GNSS alone can provide resilient PNT. Equally, most now You have emphasised several mes the threats like agree that in many situa ons one GNSS cannot interference, jamming and spoofi ng. Does not this back-up another GNSS, given that they use the same incident highlight that there could be some threats radio frequency bands and are, in eff ect, slightly beyond as well? diff erent versions of the same technology. The need
CCoordinatesoordinates September 2019 | 33 for our various GNSS to be mutually compa ble low powers of GNSS) and terrestrial transmi ers and interoperable means that when one is lost to (not space-based). In many applica ons, eLoran interference and jamming, they all may be. And can take over automa cally and seamlessly there are now even low-cost, mul -GNSS spoofers! when GNSS is interrupted, allowing opera on to con nue, mee ng similar standards. That has been So, any eff ec ve back-up must employ a diff erent demonstrated at sea, on land and in the distribu on technology from the GNSS it is to complement. For of data and precise me, with receivers outdoors, precise ming that might be a very stable clock. In indoors and under-ground. the air it will be one of the many non-GNSS systems – DME, ILS, VOR, NDB, iner al – that have been The London Economics report iden fi ed eLoran retained for both commercial and general avia on. as one of two technologies that off ered “the most The best back-up depends on your applica on. applicable mi ga on strategies for the largest number of applica ons”. The UK government then You strongly support eLoran as GNSS back-up? signalled its support for the system. Do you think a er this incident, it again needs a serious considera on? If eLoran is that good, then why it has not yet been adopted in Europe? I am strongly in favour of enhanced Loran (eLoran), having closely watched the UK and Ireland trial eLoran comes up against a profound prejudice: system that demonstrated its technical viability GNSS replaced an earlier genera on of terrestrial and excellent performance over more than 2 radio naviga on aids. Recommending a terrestrial years. At sea it met IMO requirements and reached system to overcome the vulnerability of a satellite Ini al Opera onal Capability. This prototype used system is to swim against a powerful de! the transmissions of the legacy LoranC sta ons across North-West Europe un l they reached their Galileo combined with eLoran would provide a closedown dates, adding a data channel broadcast robust technology; they can even share chips. The from a new UK sta on. The system operated in both obstacles are not technical or fi nancial, but poli cal. stand-alone and diff eren al naviga on modes and Look: Europe has invested more than 10B Euros delivered precise ming. in Galileo; the last thing they want to hear about is its vulnerability! Norway – which had the best eLoran, originally proposed by the US Federal legacy Loran set-up in Europe - blew up its towers, Avia on Administra on, has the great benefi t of fi lming their collapse as entertainment on Youtube. sharing almost no vulnerabili es with GNSS: it Absurd! The US Congress, in contrast, is now well operates at low frequencies (not the microwaves of aware of the weaknesses of GPS and has fostered GNSS), with high-power transmissions (not the very an eLoran system. China, Russia, South Korea and Saudi Arabia have similar ground-based naviga on eLoran comes up against a profound sta ons. Europe is lagging some 20 years behind; the disappearance of Galileo in July came as a prejudice: GNSS replaced an earlier shock! generation of terrestrial radio navigation Moreover, the provision of a US Loran system for aids. Recommending a terrestrial system 20 years would cost the equivalent of a single GPS satellite! Satellite naviga on is much more a rac ve to overcome the vulnerability of a satellite to industry and creates lots of jobs. Maybe Loran is system is to swim against a powerful tide! just too cheap to survive; that’s frustra ng! x
34 | CCoordinatesoordinates September 2019 x URBAN PLANNING Geo-spatial techniques: An Instrument for regional planning The present paper focuses on the geo-spatial approaches used to determine the changes occurring on the land surface using GIS tools and techniques, followed by a case study to demonstrate its usage in regional planning
Priti Deo emote Sensing Systems optimizes spectral resolution of the electromagnetic Assistant Professor, Rthe usage of advanced camera sensor wavelength region that records the School of Planning technology for capturing satellite imageries refl ectance from ground features to produce and Architecture, of objects present on the earth, by means of higher-resolution images. These systems New Delhi, India transmitting signals and spectral radiance are capable of producing information about captured through a different wavelength the smallest separable feature located region from a distance. Rationally, the on the earth’s surface. The information remote sensing system has three main captured through this system is stored in indelible constituents: electromagnetic pixels. Every single pixel has a specifi c radiation, remote sensors and platforms digital number ranging between 0 to 255 that capture remotely sensed images wherein 0 represents no or minimum (commonly known as satellite images). light and 255 represents very bright or Wherein, Geographic Information Systems maximum light radiated from an object. allows performing spatial analysis on the data procured through remote systems. In- Oman (2011) emphasized the benefi ts depth understanding of the above systems of geo-spatial techniques and provides is a precondition for data capturing and solutions to resolve the associated issues data analysis. By and large, the strong and their causes related to vegetation cover. analytical capabilities of the software are A study by Rai et al. (2016) emphasized well recognized by planners, decision- that land cover / land use change detection making authorities, and policy makers. is a vital for sustainable planning and for managing land and other natural resources. Sivakumar (2010) highlighted the Pattanayak and Diwakar (2016) defi ned signifi cant advances of sensor technology land cover as the actual surface cover have allowed the subdivision of spectral utilized by vegetation, buildings, or water ranges of electromagnetic radiation into bodies. Such features or objects could be several bands for constructing multispectral observed or monitored through a remotely images. The spectral bands information sense system. Tamilenthi and Baskaran present in a particular scene of an area (2013) deliberated upon the various social, is used appropriately to undertake economic, cultural, administrative, and spatial analysis on satellite imagery for chronological factors affecting changes constructing the composite image by in land surface of area of interest. Such combining all the bands of particular explanations demand the procurement scene. Each gray scale single band image is of higher resolution satellite imageries. theoretically known as the pan-chromatic image, but a combination of three or Necessity of change detection more bands generates color composite images known as multispectral images. Change is inevitable and reliable change detection techniques provide information Exceptional progress was made towards about the areas of change, the pace of improving the spatial resolution of satellite change and types of change. The growth image which specifi es the size of the and development of necessary social, pixel in an image in addition to in the economic and physical infrastructure in the
CCoordinatesoordinates September 2019 | 35 limited available space bring major changes and the vegetation growth. To compute the However, the results of the index to the land. Chen (2002) emphasized the vegetation index, red spectral band and couldn’t manage to provide the desired role of land cover / land use planning in near infrared spectral band are used due to results. To redress the issues, Xu (2005) regional and socio-economic development, their absorbance and refl ectance properties. developed modifi ed water index using which has lately been acknowledged as a Tucker (1979) presented a detailed study the green and shortwave infrared bands vital instrument for measuring changes in by observing the linear combinations from electromagnetic wavelength the land cover. A sound knowledge of the between the visible red spectral band and region. In the equation (3) below, Band technology and its usage is a prerequisite near infrared spectral bands. He concluded 3 and Band 6 of Landsat 8 are used. for data handling and for performing the that, such linear association between red The water index value ranges between change detection analysis. Recently, Zhou band and photographic infrared bands -1 and +1. The modifi ed water index et al. (2011) examined the reversible and provides information that is highly was computed using the equation (3). irreversible land cover / land use changes essential to monitor the photo-synthetically To understand the indices values of and also identifi ed the factors responsible active biomass of plant canopies. NDVI modifi ed water index, the resulting value for such changes. Several techniques and values range from -1 to +1. Zhou et al. of greater than 0.5 represents presence methods are available to detect spatial (2011) expressed that higher NDVI values of high amount of water in the region. changes on the land surface; these have imply healthier vegetation condition, some advantages and limitations. wherein NDVI values less than or equal …(3) to zero represent land with low or no Moreover, the peculiarity of a place vegetation cover or bare land. The lower Index Base Built-up or Normalized can be ascertained through its location, value of indices also represents drought Difference Built up Index (NDBI) morphology, vertical profi le, spatial pattern, condition or water scarcity in the region. socio-economic functions, environment, Urbanization is a dynamic concept, and government and private institutions. In the given NDVI equation, the refl ectance more commonly referring to a process of All these aspects are interrelated and values of red band need to be subtracted transformation that leads to urban sprawl. interdependent on each other, based on from the refl ectance values of near Serious efforts are being made to map the nature of their interaction. It is often infrared band (NIR) and then divided by such sprawl and analyze their patterns possible to determine these changes using the submission of the above mentioned of growth. Historical archives have been the census data on population; however bands (Paul and Florian, 2017). In the given considerable recognition in mapping using the spatial technology and remotely given equation (1), Landsat 8 data of and assessing the urban sprawl that occurs sensed data, such spatial changes can Band 4 (red) and Band 5 (NIR) are used. over a place at a particular period of time be determined to check the situation on (Bhatti and Tripathi, 2014). Zha et al. ground conditions as well as useful for …(1) (2016) presented an index for mapping making future growth trends and potentials. rapid and accurate changes resulting Water Differencing Index from urbanization. In today’s context, or Normalized Difference satellite based systems have proven to be Overview of change Water Index (NDWI) an invaluable resource for mapping built- detection techniques up areas and providing a comprehensive The Water Differencing Index has been view of larger areas. The NDBI index is This section presents a comprehensive formulated to distinguish water features computed using the Band 6 and Band 5 study of various techniques and approaches, from the remotely sensed imagery using of Landsat 8 respectively (Kaplan et al. including their advantages, limitations the near infrared band and visible green 2018). In the equation (4) below, Band 5 and relevance in planning studies. An band light (Zha et al. 2016). In 1996, and Band 6 of Landsat 8 are used. NDBI effort has been made here to exploit the McFeeters derived information on water values range from -1 to +1. Positive potential of geospatial technology to bodies employing the Band 3 of Landsat values of the NDBI imply presence of demonstrate its relevance and application 8 and Band 6 of Landsat 8 bands due to built or hard surfaces and negative values particularly in spatial or regional planning high optical density and low refl ectance in represent presence of water bodies, and through a case study. Here, we shall the near infrared band and beyond. NDWI values in between imply the presence of look at the three salient indices of land values range from -1 to +1. Higher NDVI vegetation. Generally, the resultant values cover change indices: Vegetation Index, values imply presence of water bodies, of built-up features range from 0 to 0.2. Water Index and Built-up Index. wherein NDWI values ranging from less than 0 to -1 represent land with low or no …(4) Vegetation Index or Normalized vegetation cover or barren land. The NDWI Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) can be formulated using the equation (2). The fi g.1 provides an overview of spectral bands, their resolutions, bandwidths The vegetation index examines the relation …(2) and their uses. Practically, the usage of between spectral wavelength changeability band combination for performing change
36 | CCoordinatesoordinates September 2019 analysis is slightly complicated, as the The fi g.2, fi g.3 and fi g.4 shown below Study methodology wavelength region of each Landsat band illustrate the indicative values representing is different. Primarily, Landsat 1-5 and various features of land and water, and The subsequent section covers the multispectral scanners capture objects vegetation in particular. The values description of the case study area, data using four spectral bands. Subsequently may vary due to spectral enhancements, procurement methodology and spatial with improvements in spectral wavelength refl ectance and absorbance properties of an data analysis techniques. Selective regions the Landsat 4, Landsat 5, Landsat object at the time of capturing the image techniques and methods have been 7, TM and ETM-1 capture objects’ through camera installed on satellite. At used here to demonstrate the potential information through nine bands. Following times, deviations occur due to temperature of satellite data and GIS software for the consecutive developments in the sensor variation, seasonal variation, time and most carrying out regional scale studies. technology, Landsat 8, OLI, and TIRS has importantly, the location of an area. To NDVI, MNDWI and NDBI maps allowed satellites to capture objects on land measure the accuracy of the results, we also have been generated using the given through eleven different spectral bands. need to exercise other relevant techniques. equations in ArcGIS software.
Figure 1 Landsat 1–8 Spectral Wavelength Regions, Bands and their Signifi cance Source: Prepared using data available on https://landsat.usgs.gov/what-are-best-spectral-bands-use-my-study. Accessed 18, July 2018.
CCoordinatesoordinates September 2019 | 37 persons/ sq.km, which had been almost half in the previous decade. The urbanization level in the district has increased from 60% in 2001 to 79.74% in 2011. Presently, the district consists of 10 talukas, 8 statutory towns, 14 census towns and 713 villages.
The district is geographically the part of Gujarat Plains and located in the south between the 20.81o to 21.58o North Latitudes and 72.61o to 73.71o East Longitudes. It has seven sub micro regions following climatic zones, topography, geological features, natural vegetation, Figure 2 Values of NDVI calculated using NIR and Red Band of Landsat 8 Image and soils types. The district has minor Source: Author hill ranges belonging to the Deccan Peninsula’s western coastlines. The main Sahyadrian range is located slightly outside the limits of the district. The district is surrounded by the tapi district in the east by the Bharuch and Narmada districts in the north by the Navsari district in the south and the Khambhat gulf.in the west. There are four main rivers in this district: Tapi, Kim, Purna and Ambika. Among them, the Tapi River is the largest perennial of the district. The map (fi g.5) shows the location of case study aera.
Resources and material
Figure 3 Values of Modifi ed NDWI calculated using Green and SWIR of Landsat 8 Image Several steps, including data procurement, Source: Author generation, processing and analysis, were performed. The ArcGIS software was used to digitized the study area map; the spatial analysis was conducted on satellite images downloaded from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) earth explorer, which is an open source website where one can download georeferenced and non- georeferenced satellite images for research and academic purposes. The vector data layers were generated using the digitization or geoprocessing tools available in the ArcGIS software. The process of vector data creation is known as digitization. Some open source websites allow you to download or provide already digitized Figure 4 Values of NDBI calculated using SWIR and NIR of Landsat 8 Image layers of various features. In the present Source: Author study, the shape fi les of Surat district up to the taluka level and the associated Introduction to case study of Gujarat’s total area according to 2011 physical features were extracted from census records. The district has experienced Open Street Map and DIVA-GIS. Since, Surat is the second most populated district 42.24% population growth from 2001 to both raster images and digitized vector in Gujarat state after Ahmedabad and it 2011. The district had a total population of layers were obtained from different covers an area of 4,549 sq. km—2.32% 60.81 lakhs in 2011 and a density of 1337 platforms, standard accuracy has been
38 | CCoordinatesoordinates September 2019 indicate no-change areas; negative values represent the reduction in vegetation density; and positive values indicate high vegetation density. The classifi cation of these images reveals the apparent change in the pixel values of the resultant NDVI images. Ideally, the pixel values of vegetative index ranges between 0.2 and +1, which includes shrubs, grassland, cropland and dense vegetation. There was a substantial decline in the NDVI values over the last fi ve years from 0.224 to +0.578 in the year 2015 and from -0.326 to +0.563 in 2018. From this, it can be concluded that there was a decrease in vegetation cover from 2015 to 2018.
Modifi ed Normalized Difference Water Index (MNDWI)
The result from the MNDWI analysis Figure 5 Location of Surat District depicts the increase in water bodies Source: Prepared by author in ArcGIS around the coastal belt of Surat district over the last fi ve years. However, the ensured using functions and tools such as conduct spatial analysis for constructing the values of water index range from -1 to georeferencing and redefi ning projection; NDVI, NDWI and NDBI indexes, which +1, and values greater than 0.5 represents raster processing includes mosaic raster, ensure the timely provision of information the water features. Likewise, colors have composite bands, and clip, and spatial required for planning and management been chosen appropriately to represent analysis includes the raster calculator of human and natural resources. the features present on the land surface. and related tools and functions. The existing analysis was done using Normalized Difference the Band 3 and Band 6 of Landsat 8 to For assessing change detection, satellite Vegetative Index (NDVI) extract the water features. The MNDWI data from Landsat 8 Level-I was obtained of Surat district was generated using the from the USGS earth explorer site. In ArcGIS, several methods are available for ArcGIS Spatial Analyst tool available Creating a user login ID is a prerequisite determining the changes in vegetation cover. with spatial analyst extension. for obtaining data from USGS. The The NDVI of Surat district was generated study is based on the approaches used through the ArcGIS Spatial Analyst raster The resulting MNDWI images (fi g.7) for feature extraction—the NDBI, the calculator tool that uses Map Algebra as highlights the changes in water bodies NDVI and the NDWI. For the present its analysis language. The tool helps you from 2015 to 2018. The classifi cation study, satellite images from May 2015 to insert the NDVI function and generates of MNDWI image revealed changes and May 2018 were procured and have a new image displaying the intensity of in the values of the water index from been used for a detailed analysis for vegetation cover. The resulting NDVI 0.560 in 2015 to 0.529 in 2018. assessing the changes in the objects on image (fi g.6) represents the vegetation the earth’s surface. Prior to analysis, all change between 2015 and 2018. The Normalized Difference the scenes of study area were mosaicked trifl ing changes in the brightness values of Built up Index (NDBI) to create one single image of an area. vegetation cover between the two periods These images were then clipped using is be due to noises in the atmosphere, even Likewise, the NDBI of Surat district was the vector layer of the Surat district after the radiometric normalization of the generated using the same tool available boundary to extract the study area. satellite images (Sharma and Jalan 2013). in spatial analyst. The Landsat 8 satellite The results indicates high vegetation cover data, particularly the Band 5 and Band 6, in the Kamrej, Bardoli, Mangrol, Olpad, and were used to determine the changes in the Spatial analysis of indices Mahuva talukas due to the presence of large built up space of Surat district. Generally, agricultural fi elds, shrubs or barren land. negative NDBI values represent water The present study investigates the changes The colors in Fig. 6 represent the respective bodies and higher values (towards +1) in the main components of land cover i.e. features on the land surface. Green represent intensive built up areas. The values vegetation, water and built-up space, over represents vegetation; red shows built-up on the lower side represent vegetation. In four years. Processed images were used to areas; and blue shows water. The zero values the present case, the values of NDBI images
CCoordinatesoordinates September 2019 | 39 Figure 6 Vegetation Index – 2015 and 2018 Source: Author
Figure 7 MNDWI – 2015 and 2018 Source: Author
Figure 8 NDBI – 2015 and 2018 Source: Author
40 | CCoordinatesoordinates September 2019 were classifi ed to highlight the changes The discussed techniques are highly Kaplan, G., Avdan, U., & Avdan, Z. Y. (2018). in built up area during the two respective benefi cial for the preparation of regional/ Urban heat island analysis using the Landsat 8 years. The resultant images clearly reveals district plan, development plans, land satellite data: A case study in Skopje, Macedonia. the increase in built up space from 2015 suitability analysis and environmental Proceedings, 2(7), 358. DOI: 10.3390/ecrs-2-05171 to 2018 (fi g.8). The changes in built up studies. These studies are sometimes index between the two periods indicates expensive in terms of both time and money, Macarof, P. & Statescu, F. (2017). Comparison of the increase of built up space particularly because they require high-end hardware NDBI and NDVI as indicators of surface urban heat in Surat city. This is due to the fact that, and software, followed by extensive fi eld island effect in Landsat 8 imagery: A case study of Iasi. nearly 80% of the district population lives surveys. Nonetheless, such studies could Present Environment and Sustainable Development, in the city, according to the 2011 census, be conducted or verifi ed through other 11(2), 141–150. DOI: 10.1515/pesd-2017-0032 resulting in a population density of 13500 available techniques, such as, supervised persons per sq. km. Known as a dynamic classifi cation and accuracy assessment. Oman, G. (2011). The use of remote sensing & city and a major employment center The need of the hour is to acquire an in- geographical information systems to identify with several manufacturing industries depth understating of the application of vegetation: the case of Dhofar Governorate (Oman). the city attracts migrant population these geo-spatial tools and techniques. from the nearby district or states. Pattanayak, S. & Diwakar, S. (2016). District- wise change analysis of land use-land cover Spatial Indices and their Application References in Delhi territory using remote sensing and GIS. Journal of Urban and Environmental The NDVI index helps in monitoring the Allan, J. (1980). Remote sensing in land and land Engineering, 10(2), 201–213. Retrieved from changes in vegetation densities. It is also use studies. Geography, 65(1), 35–43. Retrieved http://www.jstor.org/stable/26203459 useful for determining the distribution of from http://www.jstor.org/stable/40570273 / specifi c features, such as water bodies, Rai, P., Vishwakarma, C., Thakur, S., Kamal, V. & transport networks, settlements, agricultural Azmi, R., Bachir Alami, O., Errahim Mukherjee, S. (2016). Changing land trajectories: A land and concrete structures. The MNDWI Saadane, A., Kacimi, I., & Chafi q, T. (2016). case study from India using a remote sensing based index allows the monitoring of changes A modifi ed and enhanced normalized approach. European Journal of Geography, 7, 63–73. in water bodies. It helps in effectively built up index using multispectral enhancing and assessing the surface water and thermal bands. Indian Journal of Sharma, K & Jalan, S. (2013). Change assessment features in terms of quality and quantity. It Science and Technology, 9 (28):1–10 of urban green spaces of Dehradun city using further reduces or removes the vegetation image-derived parameters. Transactions of the and soil cover noise, thus enhancing the Barsi, J., Lee, K., Kvaran, G., Markham, Institute of Indian Geographers, 35, 63–74. water features. The NDBI index aids in B., & Pedelty, J. (2014). The spectral monitoring the changes in built up area. response of the Landsat-8 operational land Sivakumar, R. (2010). Image interpretation Nonetheless, these observations only imager. Remote Sensing, 6(10), 10232– of remote sensing data. Geo-spatial World. provide a general viewpoint. The actual 10251. DOI: 10.3390/rs61010232 https://www.geospatialworld.net/author/ application and utility depend fairly geospatialworl/ Accessed 25 July 2018. upon the study area under consideration Bhatti, S. S. & Tripathi, N. K. (2014). Built up and are further subject to fi eld studies. area extraction using Landsat 8 OLI imagery, Tamilenthi, S., & Baskaran, R. (2013). Urban GIScience & Remote Sensing, 51(4), 445– change detection based on remote sensing 467. DOI: 10.1080/15481603.2014.93953 and GIS study of Salem revenue division, Conclusions Salem district, Tamil Nadu, India. European Chen, X. (2002). Using remote sensing and Association of Geographers, 4(3), 50–59. The above regional-level study very GIS to analyze land cover change and its effectively exhibits the utility of geospatial impacts on regional sustainable development. Tucker, C. J. (1979). Red and photographic infrared technologies. However, in case of urban International Journal of Remote Sensing, 23, 1, linear combination for monitoring vegetation. areas, the accuracy of the results could be 107–124. DOI: 10.1080/01431160010007051 Remote Sensing of Environment, 8, 127–150. further ground-tested by fi eld verifi cation. This is required because the equations District Census Handbook, Surat, Census of Zha, Y., Gao, Y. and Ni, S. (2003). Use of normalized used to determine these indices uses India (2011) Village and Town wise Primary difference built up index in automatically mapping spectral bands information that enhances Census Abstract, Series-25, Part XII-B, urban areas from TM imagery. International certain specifi c feature and show the slight Director of Census Operation, Gujarat Journal of Remote Sensing, 24, 583–594. changes in the refl ectance and absorbance properties of any object. Such errors or a District Census Handbook, Surat, Census of Zhou, Q., Li, B., & Chen, Y. (2011). Remote change in the spectral values of any objects India (2001) Village and Town wise Primary sensing change detection and process analysis needs either technical correction on the Census Abstract, Series-25, Part XII-A&B, of long-term land use change and human image itself or through fi eld verifi cation. Director of Census Operation, Gujarat impacts. Ambio, 40(7), 807–818. x
CCoordinatesoordinates September 2019 | 41 x NEWS - GIS
UN-GGIM recommends establishing a allow more sustainable management of Abstract Specifi cation Topic 20 is from Global Geodetic Centre of Excellence common land and to improve the protection 2013. As such, the standard requires of common land from neglect and abuse. revising to accommodate technical The UN-GGIM Subcommittee on issues discovered in various standard Geodesy has recommended establishing The Commons Act 2006 includes a implementations and harmonization a Global Geodetic Centre of Excellence new provision allowing the creation with recent W3C/OGC standardization to strengthten the capacity to implement of digital registers and maps leading work on sensor network terminology and the UN General Assembly resolution. The to the decision by Welsh ministers concepts defi ned in the Semantic Sensor subcommittee is presenting the second to develop and introduce electronic Network (SSN) and Sensor, Observation, iteration of the position paper defi ning registers in Wales. www.scisys.co.uk Sample, and Actuator (SOSA) ontologies. appropriate governance arrangements. The ISO 19156 revision will be carried New geospatial cloud out by the ISO/TC 211 in parallel, The Global Geodetic Reference platform by MyCRM and in close co-operation with the Frame (GGRF) is in acute danger of O&M SWG revision work on the degradation, due to aging infrastructure, MyCRM, based on the Isle of Wight, is OGC O&M encoding Standards. insuffi cient coordination and fi nancing, building up to the worldwide launch of its and diminishing human capacity. new mapping technology suite. Mapsimise The OGC Observations and Measurements will enable businesses to connect live - XML Implementation (OGC 10-025r1) The GGRF is the foundation for virtually data from Salesforce, SugarCRM and Standard defi nes an XML encoding every aspect in collecting and managing of Microsoft Dynamics. Using other for the concepts defi ned in OGC spatial information and global monitoring services with Google Maps and, crucially, Abstract Specifi cation Topic 20 and of the Earth. It is imperative to ensure store it all securely in the cloud. will also be revised to accommodate the its sustainability and enhancement. changes to the OGC Observations and Organizations of any type will be able Measurements Abstract Specifi cation. Data to reducetraffi c congestion to visualize and map data, either via connectors or by uploading data to create Notably, and in addition to the revision A partnership between Ordnance Survey, representative maps. These geospatial of the O&M XML Implementation the Department for Transport, the British technologies will help businesses to build Standard, there is an identifi ed need to Parking Association, and GeoPlace, could targeted mailing lists by location and standardize an O&M data encoding for dramatically reduce traffi c congestion help sales teams plan appointments by formats like JSON/GeoJSON. These on UK roads by making crucial data on location. Mapsimise will be released in formats are preferred in modern Web planned changes to the road network late 2019, hosted with data centres in the APIs, including those conforming to available to tech companies to build US and the EU. www.mapsimise.com the OGC API - Features - Part 1: Core artifi cial intelligence routing platforms. Draft Standard (OGC 17-069r2). OGC seeks to modernize Through the Department for Transport’s its Observations & Both the Observations and Measurements review of legislation around Traffi c Measurements standards conceptual data model and its standardized Regulation Orders (TROs), the data could XML encoding are used extensively in soon be made available to tech fi rms to Newly revised O&M SWG will update Spatial Data Infrastructures such as in develop and enhance navigational apps. It the existing O&M standards to conform the EU INSPIRE. There is also on-going is hoped the apps could warn drivers up to to modern web architecture requirements work to additionally provide INSPIRE months in advance of planned disruption and best practice, and create a new O&M datasets in JSON/GeoJSON based to routes and offer alternatives, potentially OGC standard for JSON encoding formats, but no standard has yet been saving them time and money. www.Os.uk of O&M data. The Open Geospatial identifi ed describing an interoperable Consortium (OGC) requests public way of doing this. www.ogc.org Transformation of common land a comment on the recharter of the OGC Observations and Measurements (O&M) Dubai Municipality opens Software by SCISYS UK Ltd., has been Standards Working Group (SWG). geospatial training centre chosen by Welsh Government to enable the on-going implementation of the Commons The O&M standard was originally Dubai Municipality has recently launched Act 2006. The software will enable the defi ned within the OGC Sensor Web an internationally accredited training centre development and introduction of electronic Enablement Initiative in 2003-2007. for geospatial courses by ESRI. It is the registers for common land and town or Version 2.0 of the standard was co- only accredited centre in Dubai to offer village greens throughout Wales. The published as the OGC Abstract specialized courses in the ϐield of GIS Commons Act 2006 was introduced to Specifi cation Topic 20 and ISO and Geospatial Service, the civic body protect common land from development, 19156:2011. The latest version of OGC said in a press release. www.dm.gov.ae x
42 | CCoordinatesoordinates September 2019 x NEWS - GNSS
US Space Command established USSPACECOM is a geographic by its private operator Airbus – combatant command with a global area uses innovative laser technology to In a move to enhance the United States’ of responsibility defi ned as the area dramatically cut the time needed for space superiority capabilities, President surrounding the earth at altitudes equal to Earth observation satellites to deliver Donald J. Trump, Vice President Mike or greater than 100 kilometers above mean information to the ground. The satellites R. Pence, Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark (average) sea level. The new command can transmit data at a rate of up to T. Esper and Air Force Gen. John W. is globally integrated with the other 1.8 Gbit/s. The latest satellite, called Raymond formally established the United geographic combatant commands and EDRS-C, will operate in geostationary States Space Command during a ceremony prepared to support its partners to meet orbit. It will join its sister EDRS-A, held Aug. 30 at the White House. today’s threat on a global scale. www.af.mil which was launched in January 2016.
At the direction of the President of the EDRS-C successfully launched EDRS is a new, independent European United States, the Department of Defense satellite system, and is a public–private established U.S. Space Command as The second satellite to join the partnership between ESA and Airbus the 11th unifi ed combatant command, constellation that forms the European as part of ESA’s efforts to federate with Raymond as its congressionally Data Relay System (EDRS) has been industry around large-scale programmes, confi rmed commander. Establishing successfully launched. It was launched stimulating technology developments to USSPACECOM is a critical step that on board an Ariane 5 from Europe’s achieve economic benefi ts. www.esa.int underscores the importance of the space Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, on domain and its strategic contributions to 6 August at 21:30 CEST (19:30 UTC). Chinese scientists test satellite U.S. national security. The USSPACECOM positioning technology establishment will accelerate the United EDRS enables people to observe Earth States’ space capabilities to address almost live, accelerating responses to Chinese scientists have successfully rapidly evolving threats to U.S. space emergency situations and spurring the tested a satellite positioning technology assets and the importance of deterring development of new services and products called pulsar navigation, catching potential adversaries from putting that create jobs and increase prosperity. up to the United States, which critical U.S. space systems at risk. It is dubbed as the ‘SpaceDataHighway’ was the fi rst to do so last year.
CCoordinatesoordinates September 2019 | 43
SD65_CMPL_Pentax Half-Page_April17_Ad.indd 1 11/04/17 3:35 pm Researchers with the Institute of High China’s super-thin atomic clocks Fiji, Cuba, Vietnam to have Energy Physics at the Chinese Academy achieve mass production GLONASS stations of Sciences in Beijing said on Thursday that a Chinese scientifi c satellite had China’s super-thin rubidium atomic clock, Roscosmos has conducted managed to calculate its own position which is just 17 millimeters thick, has negotiations with a handful of in space by using the X-ray emitted by been put into mass production, said its countries, including Cuba and Fiji, a small, distant star for reference. manufacturer. The clock, developed in about placing GLONASS satellite 2018 by a research institute under China stations on their territory, according With a margin of error of just 3.3km Aerospace Science and Industry Corp Ltd, to the company’s 2018 annual report. (2 miles), the accuracy was an is the key to the positioning and timing As of now, there are 11 GLONASS improvement of more than 30 per cent accuracy of BeiDou navigation satellites. stations outside of Russia. on a similar Nasa experiment last year, which had a 5km margin of error. Compared with the previous generation, Factory warranty of half of the new clock is smaller in size but operating glonass satellites expired Many nations have joined the race performs better. It adopts a plug-in to develop new satellite positioning design, making it easy to insert and More than half of satellites of and navigation systems that can work remove on circuit board. With stronger the Russian global navigation system independently in space without the resistance to high temperatures, it can GLONASS are operating despite the need for reference signals from ground work at 70 C. www.chinadaily.com expiry of the warranty period established stations, but none are yet ready for use by the manufacturer, according in the fi eld. There are many challenges, Law on ratifi cation of the to data of the satellites’ operator, including developing detectors with agreement on the application of GLONASS System Control Center. extremely high sensitivity that can GLONASS and Beidou systems pick up weak signals from tiny stars 13 out of 23 operating satellites, which thousands of light years away. At a meeting of the Council of the were launched between 2007 and Federation of the Federal Assembly of 2011, exceeded the warranty period China’s Insight-HXMT satellite and the Russian Federation on July 26, 2019, established by the manufacturer, Nasa’s NICER/SEXTANT instrument, the Federal Law on the Ratifi cation of the Information Satellite Systems which is mounted on the International Agreement between the Government of the Reshetnev (part of Roscosmos). All Space Station, are both aimed at neutron Russian Federation and the Government of them belong to the Glonass-M stars that emit pulses of electromagnetic of the People’s Republic of China on Co- series, which have a guaranteed 7-year radiation with a regularity that makes operation in the use of GLONASS and lifespan. The oldest satellite, which these pulsars more stable than an atomic Beidou for Peaceful Purposes was approved. was launched in 2007, exceeded the clock for timekeeping. That means the warranty period by fi ve years. absolute position and relative speed of The Intergovernmental Agreement was a satellite or spacecraft can be deduced signed on November 7, 2018 in Beijing All in one GNSS/INS Navigation by measuring the difference in arrival during the 23rd regular meeting of the time of signals from the pulsars, which heads of government of Russia and China. Australia’s Advanced Navigation, usually take the form of X-rays. which specializes in a broad range The agreement creates the legal framework of fi elds including sensors, GNSS, It would be an improvement for existing for cooperation in the development inertial navigation, RF technologies, satellites and spacecraft – including and production of civil navigation acoustics, robotics, AI and algorithms, global navigation systems such as the equipment using GLONASS and Beidou offers the GNSS Compass, a fully American-owned GPS, China’s Beidou systems, as well as the development of integrated wheelmark certifi ed GPS/ and Russia’s Glonass – which depend on Russian-Chinese standards for the use INS navigation and heading solution. signals generated by command centres on of navigation technologies using both the ground to perform such calculations. systems, in particular, standards for the It contains a 9 axis IMU that is integrated control and management of traffi c fl ows with a dual antenna GNSS system The X-ray pulsar navigation technology crossing Russian-Chinese border. with high performance antennas. It is was initially developed for deep space designed to provide higher heading missions in which communication with In particular, within the framework of the accuracy than magnetic systems and Earth is challenged by the enormous Agreement, it is planned to deploy on a does not require any calibration or setup. distance involved. Nasa has already reciprocal basis GLONASS and Beidou The system is plug and play for NMEA announced plans to use the technology measuring stations in the territories of 0183 and NMEA 2000 integrations, on spaceships taking astronauts to the the People’s Republic of China and the requiring no setup or confi guration. moon and Mars.www.scmp.com Russian Federation. www.roscosmos.ru www.advancednavigation.com x
44 | CCoordinatesoordinates September 2019 x NEWS - IMAGING x NEWS - UAV
NASA and METI release ASTER University of New Hampshire, Durham, FlytGCS Enterprise for remote Digital Elevation Model Version 3 will provide unique observations of ocean drone fl eet operations biology, chemistry, and ecology in the Gulf The US National Aeronautics and Space of Mexico, portions of the southeastern FlytGCS, is a cloud-based remote Administration (NASA) and the Ministry United States coastline, and the Amazon operations solution for drone operators of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) River plume – where the waters of the and service providers. As the commercial of Japan jointly released Version 3 of the Amazon River enter the Atlantic Ocean. drone market matures, professional drone Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission operations are maturing to enterprise and Refl ection Radiometer (ASTER) The instrument was competitively selected ones – with corporations across the Global Digital Elevation Model (GDEM), from eight proposals considered under world building in-house drone fl eets and recently. The ASTER GDEM is available at NASA’s fi fth EVI solicitation released in programs, runnings PoCs and pilots for no charge to users worldwide via electronic 2018, with an award of $107.9 million. This multiple use-cases, and investing in – and download from Japan Space Systems and is the largest NASA contract award in the even acquiring – drone technology vendors. from NASA’s Land Processes Distributed history of the University of New Hampshire. Taking cognizance of this market evolution Active Archive Center (LP DAAC). Salisbury and his team have proposed the from the ‘early adopters’ to the ‘early instrument as a hosted payload, for which majority’, FlytBase has now launched The ASTER instrument was built by NASA will provide access to space. FlytGCS Enterprise. https://fl ytbase.com METI and launched aboard NASA’s Terra spacecraft in December 1999. It has an EVI investigations are small, targeted Airbus Aerial Receives waiver for along-track stereoscopic capability using science investigations that complement Urban BVLOS UAS fl ight operations its near infrared spectral band and its nadir- NASA’s larger Earth-observing satellite viewing and backward-viewing telescopes missions. They provide innovative Airbus Aerial has been granted a waiver to acquire stereo image data with a base-to- approaches for addressing Earth by the Federal Aviation Administration height ratio of 0.6. The spatial resolution science research with regular windows (FAA) to conduct Beyond Visual Line of is 15 meters in the horizontal plane, with a of opportunity to accommodate new Sight (BVLOS) Unmanned Aerial Systems 60 kilometer by 60 kilometer ground area. scientifi c priorities. The investigations are (UAS) operations in Grand Forks, ND cost-capped and schedule constrained. without the need for a visual observer. The methodology used to produce the The missions are managed by the Earth The waiver allows Airbus Aerial to ASTER GDEM involved automated System Science Pathfi nder (ESSP) conduct such operations as part of North processing of 2.3 million scenes from program offi ce at NASA’s Langley Dakota Department of Transportation’s the ASTER archive, including stereo- Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, UAS Integration Pilot Program (IPP). correlation to produce individual scene- for the Earth Science Division under based ASTER DEMs, masking to the Science Mission Directorate. In 2018, the US Department of remove cloudy pixels, stacking all cloud- Transportation selected NDDOT as one screened DEMs, removing residual bad ICEYE releases world-fi rst under 1 of 10 state, local or tribal entities to values and outliers, averaging selected meter resolution radar imagery participate in the FAA’s UAS IPP. The data to create fi nal pixel values, and North Dakota team is working to safely then correcting residual anomalies Under 1 meter resolution radar satellite incorporate UAS technology in three core before partitioning the data into 1° imaging from ICEYE breaks previous challenge areas: conducting fl ights over by 1° tiles. https://lpdaac.usgs.gov people, night operations and BVLOS ICEYE, is the fi rst in the world to achieve operations without the need for visual NASA targets coastal ecosystems better than 1 meter resolution imagery observers (VOs). www.airbus.com with New Space Sensor from under-100kg (220 pounds) SAR satellites. The new Spotlight imaging Lido Surface Data NEXTView NASA has selected a space-based capability builds on ICEYE’s legacy of for UAS market instrument under its Earth Venture leading the way on small satellite SAR Instrument (EVI) portfolio that will since its history making fi rst small SAR Intermap Technologies has launched make observations of coastal waters to satellite launch in January 2018. Since its Lido Surface Data NEXTView help protect ecosystem sustainability, then the company has continued to launch (“NEXTView”) data solution, co-developed improve resource management, more satellites, the latest in July 2019 with Lufthansa Systems, for the Unmanned and enhance economic activity. with two new units. With new satellites Aircraft Systems (UAS) market. It is a being launched still during 2019, ICEYE high-accuracy, global 3D elevation dataset The selected Geosynchronous Littoral continues to develop and optimize its customized for aviation applications. It is Imaging and Monitoring Radiometer imaging capabilities further for customers continually refreshed to ensure currency (GLIMR) instrument, led by principal in both commercial and government and compliance with regulatory update investigator Joseph Salisbury at the segments. www.nasa.gov/earth x requirements. www.intermap.com
CCoordinatesoordinates September 2019 | 45 FAA approves solar drone an opportunity to educate recreational State. These fl ights over Hawaiian Island fl yers on UAS safety and to bring village Gaothan new fl yers into the existing aviation areas not been surveyed Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety culture. The law requires that earlier will be mapped has approved Japanese drone company fl yers of recreational drones pass an at 1:500 scale covering all land parcels HAPSMobile to fl y its solar-powered aeronautical knowledge and safety test. in the village for preparing the accurate unmanned aircraft HAWK30 over revenue maps and GIS database. Drone Hawaiian Island. HAWK30 drone will The FAA is developing the test content survey will be pivotal to fi x locations provide a stratospheric telecommunications and the training in consultation with of village boundaries, canals, canal platform system across the stratosphere stakeholders. The test must be administered limits and roads in these villages. of the Hawaiian island of Lanai. electronically by the FAA, community- based organizations, or other persons A detailed presentation about this Large HAPSMobile partners with the University designated by the FAA. The FAA’s scale Mapping Project was also made in of Alaska Fairbanks, which manages objective is to work with third party the National Workshop and Conference of the PPUTRC, and the University of entities to allow them to administer the Sarpanch and Upsarpanch organized jointly Hawaii to conduct stratospheric test knowledge training and test content on by Department of Rural Development, fl ights using HAWK30. The University various platforms for the recreational Govt of Maharashtra and All India of Alaska Fairbanks applied to the fl yer community. www.faa.gov Sarpanch Association Shirdi, Ahmednagar FAA for the COA2 on behalf of the district on 31st July. https://pib.gov.in partnership. www.hapsmobile.com HEISHA launches new pilot free VTOL fi xed-wing Echodyne and Iris Automation Advanced thermal, multispectral, ensure safety for pioneering and high-resolution imagery HEISHA has recently launched the new drone fl ight over by ATMOS UAV unattended system. D.NEST F300, combined the auto-charging station C300 with VTOL Echodyne, the manufacturer of innovative, Atmos UAV, the Delft-based drone fi xed-wing is available for sale. It’s expected high-performance radars for government manufacturer for mapping and surveying, to revolutionize the way how drones and commercial markets, has announced continue to expand its payload options are used in daily life and it can be used that its EchoGuard airspace management now including the new MicaSense sensor, for farm/pasture/privacy land inspection radars were the ground-based sensor for “Altum”, which integrates a radiometric anytime, anywhere. www.heishatech.com the fi rst-ever UAS mission to operate thermal camera with fi ve high-resolution beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) fl ight narrow bands, producing advanced thermal, DroneShield releases RfZero without ground observers. The ground- multispectral and high-resolution imagery based sensors worked in coordination in one fl ight for advanced analytics. Marlyn, DroneShield has released a new product, with Iris Automation’s onboard detect- the fi xed-wing VTOL surveying platform RfZero, which is an omnidirectional drone and-avoid system. The demonstration of a developed by Atmos UAV, is now the only detection device with a 1km range. It is nearly four-mile linear inspection mission drone in its class capable of carrying this designed to be a cost-effective fi xed site along the Trans-Alaska pipeline was new high-end sensor. www.micasense.com alternative to DroneShield’s higher end designed and conducted by The University product, RfOne (a 5km radiofrequency of Alaska’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems Input south on Recreational direction fi nder) www.droneshield.com Integration Pilot Program (UASIPP) and Drone Operator Testing by FAA the Alyeska Pipeline Service Company Large scale mapping by drones and is a true fi rst for the UAS industry. All The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in Maharashtra, India other BVLOS missions required ground has issued a Request for Information observers, which is too logistically complex (RFI) seeking to work with Survey of India, the national mapping and costly for business applications. stakeholders on the administration of agency of India has signed an MoU a new aeronautical knowledge test with Department of revenue & Land The U.S. Department of Transportation’s for recreational drone operators. records, Govt of Maharashtra to UASIPP is conducted in multiple locations undertake the Large scale Mapping of across the US, and Echodyne’s sensor Section 349 of the FAA Reauthorization Village Gaothan (Aabadi) areas in the technology is a key part of these programs. Act of 2018 requires new conditions to State of Maharashtra using drones. The program encourages government operate recreational small unmanned authorities at all levels to cooperate with aircraft systems (UAS). Many drones This large scale mapping project is being drone operators and sensor technology can be fl own today with minimal carried out using Professional Survey grade manufacturers to accelerate the safe training or knowledge of aviation rules Drone covering more than 40,000 Village adoption of drones into the nation’s or safety practices. The new statute is Gaothan (Aabadi) areas in Maharashtra airspace. www.simactive.com x
46 | CCoordinatesoordinates September 2019 x NEWS - LBS & AI x NEWS - INDUSTRY
BasicAI OnPrem data Zenuity and CERN team up Spirent Sim3D - Realistic labeling platform for Autonomous Driving multipath simulation
BasicAI has announced the availability Zenuity, the autonomous driving software Spirent Communications plc has of a suite of enterprise software company headquartered in Sweden, has announced the availability of its designed to enable organizations to become the fi rst automotive company innovative multipath simulation directly manage the often complicated to team up with CERN, the European solution, Spirent Sim3D. It enables and time-consuming data annotation Organization for Nuclear Research, the testing of realistic multipath and process in their own secure in the development of fast machine obscuration effects on GNSS signals in environments, either on-premises learning for autonomous drive cars. a true-to-life synthetic environment. or in a private cloud deployment. One of the main quests at CERN is to Historically, researchers and deve lopers BasicAI OnPrem represents a ground- study the standard model of particle of GNSS receivers have had to rely on breaking approach to proprietary labeled physics by collecting large quantities of statistical models and time-consuming data set creation and management for data originating from particle collisions fi eld testing to study the effects of AI/ML applications. It further enhances produced by CERN’s Large Hadron multipath on GNSS signals. With Sim3D, the leading functionality and features Collider (LHC). Both particle physics and the industry can now gain a greater of BasicAI Cloud Platform while autonomous vehicles require fast decisions understanding of the impact of multipath empowering users to manage internal to be made. CERN has approached this and obscuration in a broad range of real- annotation workfl ows from end-to-end challenge by using Field-Programmable life situations. It offers the level of control including project defi nition, workforce Gate Arrays (FPGAs), a hardware solution and traceability needed for developers management, labeling template that can execute complex decision-taking to improve their customers’ experience customization, acceleration and pre- algorithms in micro-seconds. The synergy in the most challenging environments. processing tools, progress monitoring, between Zenuity and CERN aims to quality control, and more. www.basic.ai use FPGAs for fast Machine Learning The unique system has been developed applications, to be used in the AD industry in partnership with OKTAL Synthetic Lytx help clients reduce and in particle physics experiments. Environment. It offers the ability to drowsy driving rates simulate multipath effects in a range of The research to be conducted under life-like geo-typical environments, using Lytx®, a leading global provider of the collaboration concerns so-called different models to recreate locations machine vision and artifi cial intelligence- ‘deep learning’, which is a class of such as urban highway, an inner city powered video telematics solutions for machine learning algorithms. In recent or a forest. Geo-specifi c models of real commercial and public sector fl eets, years such algorithms, commonly locations can also be commissioned. has shared its data showing drowsy referred to as AI, have been applied to www.spirent.com/products/sim3d. driving and falling asleep behind a multitude of fi elds with great success, the wheel are dramatically declining even exceeding human performance Next generation GPS III satellite among commercial drivers who use on certain tasks. www.zenuity.com responding to commands the Lytx Driver Safety Program. HERE Technologies to power The U.S. Air Force’s second next- Lytx data refl ects reduction in WorkWave’s mapping functionality generation GPS III satellite, built by drowsy driving events among Lytx Lockheed Martin is responding to clients from June 2018 to June HERE Technologies, has announced that commands, under control and now using 2019, and a reduction in drivers WorkWave®, a provider of cloud-based its own internal propulsion system to get falling asleep behind the wheel. software solutions that support every to orbit following its successful launch. stage of a service business’s lifecycle, The data refl ects a 39 percent has replaced Google’s Map and Geocoder GPS III SV02 is the second GPS III reduction in drowsy driving events products with the HERE Location Suite. satellite designed and built by Lockheed among its clients and a 66 percent Martin to help the Air Force modernize reduction in drivers falling asleep WorkWave’s cloud-based GPS and today’s GPS constellation with new behind the wheel. The data also shows route planning solutions will utilize technology and capabilities. It provide morning hours between 5 and 8 a.m. industry leading mapping data, reliable 3x greater accuracy and up to 8x had the highest concentration of routing options and robust geocoding improved anti-jamming capabilities. It events recorded for drowsy driving, functionality from HERE to enable also provides a new L1C civil signal, falling asleep behind the wheel, and WorkWave’s solutions to maintain compatible with other international global collisions, while 6 to 9 p.m. had the scalability and reliability for its customers. navigation satellite systems, like Europe’s fewest instances. www.lytx.com https://openlocation.here.com. x Galileo. www.lockheedmartin.com
CCoordinatesoordinates September 2019 | 47 Rohde & Schwarz completes The payload also boosts signal power, to calculate precise position. The two industry’s fi rst 5G LBS session which increases jamming resistance sensors work together to calculate exactly by eight times and helps extend the where the tracks are on the ground. Rohde & Schwarz, in collaboration with satellite’s lifespan. L3Harris.com Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., have New technology makes GPS more successfully verifi ed an A-GPS control- CHC Navigation introduces secure and reliable for military systems plane LPP test session over 5G NR using new corporate website a device powered by the Snapdragon X55 Raytheon received security certifi cation 5G modem and Qualcomm(R) RF Front- CHC Navigation is proud to announce for new GPS modules and receivers end solutions. The device was able to the launch of its brand-new website from the Global Positioning Systems successfully establish a 5G non-standalone which conveys its expanding role as a Directorate at the U.S. Air Force (NSA) connection and then perform GPS global leader in Geospatial Solutions. Space and Missile Systems Center. fi xes according to 3GPP requirements. It provides a clear insight about the company and its ambition when The new modules and receivers will give The R&S TS-LBS test system, which developing, delivering and supporting military aircraft, ships, ground vehicles consists of the R&S CMX500 and R&S high-end, professional and innovative and weapon systems secure and reliable CMW500 radio communication testers GNSS-based solutions to its customers. access to modernized GPS. Raytheon’s and the R&S SMBV100B vector signal military code common GPS module was generator, covers 3GPP conformance and NovAtel unveils RTK from the sky certifi ed, along with its ground-based GPS network operator test plans for 5G NR, corrections for precision agriculture receiver, or GB-GRAM, and the avionics LTE, WLAN, WCDMA and GSM location GPS receiver, or GRAM-S/M. GB-GRAM based services. Test coverage includes NovAtel introduced a new addition to and GRAM S/M are jointly developed with all minimum performance and protocol its corrections portfolio - TerraStar-X Trimble Inc., while General Dynamics tests, which can easily be extended to service is available for use in precision provides cryptographic capabilities for cover R&D-level control testing or agricultural applications across the the modules. www.raytheon.com VoNR E911 in 5G NR Standalone mode. Midwestern United States. It delivers RTK www.rohde-schwarz.com/wireless From the Sky performance by providing Drotek releases Sirius RTK convergence in under one minute with F9P GNSS rover GPS III satellite launches with 2 cm RMS accuracy and 99.9% uptime RAD750™ single board computers while reducing equipment needs and The new Sirius RTK GNSS Rover F9P increasing productivity for end-users. is meant to be mounted on the vehicle The U.S. Air Force has launched its that’s moving. Whereas the base is second GPS III satellite, the most powerful By combining global and regional supposed to be immobile (even though GPS satellite ever built. BAE Systems’ correction technology with L-band it can be mobile, which implies a loss RAD750™ Single Board Computer (SBC), delivery of data for precision agriculture of accuracy), the rover is the module part of Harris Corporation’s navigation applications, TerraStar-X provides receiving the corrections, providing payload for GPS III prime contractor users the precision and speed of the information to the autopilot with Lockheed Martin, will provide radiation traditional RTK networks without the its position, heading, height… hardened, high-performance onboard need for base stations, saving growers processing capability for the satellite’s time and money. www.novatel.com This new rover module has a built-in mission. baesystems.com/space. active antenna patch. It is capable of Komatsu dozing control interacting with the Galileo satellites L3Harris Technologies delivers logic combines GNSS/INS network, along with GPS, BeiDou, eighth GPS III navigation payload for machine control GLONASS and Galileo networks, which is designed to provide more L3Harris Technologies delivered its eighth Komatsu America Corp. has introduced accuracy for its positioning. navigation payload to GPS III satellite Proactive Dozing Control logic, a prime contractor Lockheed Martin. fully-integrated dozing control system Precise Positioning for that allows operators to perform Autonomous Vehicles The GPS III navigation payload features auto-stripping, auto-spreading, high a Mission Data Unit (MDU) with a production dozing and fi nish grading. Swift Navigation has announced unique 70-percent digital design that nationwide coverage for its network- links atomic clocks, radiation-hardened Built on the company’s intelligent connected Skylark™ precise processors and powerful transmitters – machine control, the system uses positioning service in the USA. Full enabling signals three times more accurate GNSS positioning in conjunction with contiguous United States (CONUS) than those on current GPS satellites. an inertial measurement unit (IMU) coverage reduces initialization times
48 | CCoordinatesoordinates September 2019 to seconds, ensuring high-accuracy— FieldGenius continues to be the world’s Compact-sized tablet for geospatial and high-integrity—positioning is premier third-party, brand-neutral data fi eld applications by Trimble available when customers need it. collection software choice amongst surveyors. This new release builds on Trimble has announced the launch of Unlike legacy Real-Time-Kinematic (RTK) decades of innovation MicroSurvey has the latest addition to its portfolio of data services that are designed for smaller invested into the original FieldGenius collectors—the Trimble® T7 tablet. regions and Precise Point Positioning software, providing users with an Purpose-built for survey and GIS data (PPP) services that suffer from slow easy to use and intuitive mobile data collection applications, the next-generation convergence times, Skylark is a high- collection software package for the next tablet connects to Trimble’s suite of performance hybrid nationwide U.S. generation.www.microsurvey.com/fga/ survey instruments and GNSS receivers network that delivers initialization times in a portable and ultra-rugged package. in seconds, better than 10 centimeters of EagleView sets up R&D Equipped with a tough 7-inch multi-touch accuracy and integrity required by the centre in Bengaluru screen, modular expansion capability, most demanding safety-of-life critical multiple connectivity options and featuring applications. swiftnav.com/skylark EagleView Technologies has opened its a Windows® 10 Professional operating Research and Development centre in system, the T7 streamlines the fl ow of MicroSurvey introduces Bengaluru on of the southern state of India. geospatial data between the fi eld and offi ce a new generation of data for maximum effi ciency and productivity. collection software The centre is EagleView’s third R&D centre other two are located in Bellevue, A professional grade built-in GNSS MicroSurvey Software Inc. released Washington and in Rochester, New receiver supports GPS, GLONASS FieldGenius for Android version 1.0. This York. While the former is focussed on and BeiDou constellations as well fi rst release of our new multi-platform Machine Learning and Applications as Satellite-Based Augmentation fi eld software is built on the Android development, the latter is focussed on System (SBAS) capabilities for platform and supports most popular the hardware side of the company’s accurate real-time positioning. https:// GNSS sensors on the market today. business. www.eagleview.com geospatial.trimble.com/t7. x x MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Dehrardun, India September 2019 http://inca2019.org YES! I want my ISDE 11 24 - 27 September January 2020 I would like to subscribe for (tick one) Florence, Italy Precise Time and Time Interval Meeting (PTTI) digitalearth2019.eu 21 - 24 January October 2019 San Diego, USA www.ion.org The 8th FIG Land Administration Domain Rs.1800/US$100 Rs.3000/US$170 Rs.4300/US$240 Model Workshop (LADM 2019) March 2020 4th International Conferenceon Smart Munich Satellite Navigation Summit Data and Smart Cities (SDSC2019) 16 - 18 March First name ...... Geomatics Geospatial Technology (GGT2019) Munich, Germany www.munich-satellite- 1 - 3 October navigation-summit.org Last name ...... Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, http://isoladm.org www.geoinfo.utm May 2020 Designation ...... 40th Asian Conference on GISTAM 2020 Remote Sensing (ACRS) 7-9 May Organization ...... 13 - 18 October Prague, Czech Republic Deajuong City, Korea www.gistam.org www.acrs2019.org Address ...... FIG Working Week 2020 Commercial UAV Expo Americas 10 -14 May ...... 28 - 30 October Amsterdam, the Netherlands Las Vegas, USA www.fi g.net www.expouav.com City ...... Pincode ...... European Navigation Conference 2020 ISGNSS 2019 11-14 May State ...... Country ...... 29 October - 1 November Dresden, Germany Jeju Island, South Korea www.dgon.de www.ipnt.or.kr/isgnss2019 Phone ...... GeoBusiness 2020 November 2019 20 - 21 May Fax ...... International Timing and Sync Forum 2019 London, UK www.geobusinessshow.com 4-7 November Email ...... Brighton, United Kingdom ICCM 2020: International Conference http://itsf2019.executiveindustryevents.com on Cartography and Mapping I enclose cheque no...... GEO Week 2019 and the GEO Ministerial Summit 21 - 22 May 4-9 November London, UK https://waset.org drawn on ...... Canberra, Australia www.earthobservations.org June2020 date ...... towards subscription The Commercial UAV Show 2019 XXIVth ISPRS Congress 12 – 13 November 14 - 20 June 2020 charges for Coordinates magazine London, UK Nice, France www.terrapinn.com www.isprs2020-nice.com in favour of ‘Coordinates Media Pvt. Ltd.’ International Navigation Conference 2019 July 2020 18 - 21 November Esri User Conference Edinburgh, Scotland 13 - 17 July https://rin.org.uk/events Sign ...... Date ...... San Diego, USA www.esri.com December 2019 Mail this form with payment to: Amsterdam Drone Week September 2020 4-6 December 2019 ION GNSS+ 2020 Coordinates Amsterdam, The Netherlands 21-25, September www.amsterdamdroneweek.com A 002, Mansara Apartments St. Louis, Missouri, USA www.ion.org C 9, Vasundhara Enclave International Committee on Global Delhi 110 096, India. Navigation Satellite Systems (ICG) October 2020 8 - 13 December INTERGEO 2020 If you’d like an invoice before sending your Bengaluru, India 13 – 15 October www.icg14.org Berlin, Germany payment, you may either send us this completed www.intergeo.de subscription form or send us a request for 39th INCA International Congress an invoice at [email protected] 18 – 20 December
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TI Asahi Co., Ltd. Authorized Distributor in India International Sales Department Tel.: +81-48-793-0118 Lawrence & Mayo Pvt. Ltd. Tel.: +91 22 22 07 7440 4-3-4 Ueno Iwatsuki-Ku, Saitama-Shi Fax: +81-48-793-0128 274, Dr. Dadabhai Naoroji Rd. Fax: +91 22 22 07 0048 Saitama, 339-0073 Japan E-mail: [email protected] Mumbai 400 001 India E-mail: [email protected] www.pentaxsurveying.com/en/ www.lawrenceandmayo.co.in CCoordinatesoordinates September 2019 | 51 SatGen Signal Simulation Software
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