RNI: DELENG/2005/15153 No: DL(E)-01/5079/08-10 Publication: 15th of every month Licensed to post without pre-payment U(E) 28/2008-10 Posting: 19th /20th of every month at NDPSO Rs.100 ISSN 0973-2136

Volume V, Issue 2, February 2009 THE MONTHLY MAGAZINE ON POSITIONING, NAVIGATION AND BEYOND

The dangers of GPS/GNSS

February 2009 |  2 | Coordinates February 2009 GPS BY ITSELF WOULD BE GREAT. IF THE WORLD WERE STILL FLAT. IMPROVEYOURGPS.COM

Coordinates February 2009 | 3 colophon and contents

In this issue Volume 5, Issue 2, February 2009

Articles

The dangers of GPS/GNSS Börje Forssell 6 Challenges before National Mapping Organisations Vanessa Lawrence CB, P Nag, Lam Joon Khoi 10 Quality evaluation of NRTK correction transmission Lei Yang, Chris Hill, Xiaolin Meng and Jose Aponte 14 Accuracy performance of hand-held GPS Abdullah S Alsalman and Abdullah E Ali 27 Geomatics in Pakistan A W Mir 30

Columns My Coordinates Editorial 5 News Remote Sensing 32 GPS 34 Galileo update 35 LBS 36 GIS 36 Industry 38 Mark your calendar February 2009 to September 2009 42

This issue has been made possible by the support and good wishes of the following individuals and companies Abdullah E Ali, Abdullah S Alsalman, A W Mir, Börje Forssell, Chris Hill, Jose Aponte, Lam Joon Khoi, Lei Yang, P Nag, Vanessa Lawrence CB, Xiaolin Meng and Antrix, Hemisphere GPS, Sanding, Magellan, Navcom, NovAtel, NRSA, Spirent, Javad, Leica, South; and many others

Mailing Address Coordinates is an initiative of cGIT that aims to broaden the Editor Bal Krishna 11C Pocket A scope of positioning, navigation and related technologies. SFS Mayur Vihar Phase III cGIT does not neccesarily subscribe to the views expressed Owner Centre for Geoinformation Technologies Delhi 110 096, India. by the authors and advertisers in this magazine and may not Phones +91 11 22632607, 98102 33422, 98107 24567 be held liable for any losses caused directly or indirectly due Designed at Thomson Press India Ltd. Fax +91 11 22632607 to the information provided herein. © cGIT, 2009. Reprinting with permission is encouraged; contact the editor for details. Printer Thomson Press India Ltd., B 315, Okhla Phase I, Email New Delhi-110020, India [information][email protected] Annual subscription (12 issues) [India] Rs.1,200 [editorial][email protected] [Overseas] US$80 This issue of Coordinates is of 44 pages, including [advertising][email protected] cover [subscriptions][email protected] Printed and published by Sanjay Malaviya on behalf of Centre for Geoinformation Technologies at A221 Mangal  | February 2009 Web www.mycoordinates.org Apartments, Vasundhara Enclave, Delhi 110096, India. Mycoordinates

Defining limits

A group of Japanese professionals and lawyers have asked Google to stop providing the detailed street level images of Japanese cities.

Their concern is that it violates privacy rights.

The ‘owners of the technology’ tend to demonstrate the extent to which the technology can go and what it can do.

The benefits of such efforts are convincing but the concerns being raised cannot and should not be ruled out.

Banning’ or even ‘constraining’ such service providers is not an answer.

It is neither appropriate nor practical.

However, it is the time to be more sensitive towards the concerns being raised.

Apparently, there is a conflict between ‘right to information’ and ‘right to privacy’.

Bal Krishna, Editor [email protected]

CHIEF ADVISOR Muneendra Kumar PhD, Chief Geodesist (Retired), US National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, USA 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, Dr Abbas Rajabifard Director, Centre for SDI and Land Administration, University of Mel- bourne, Australia, Luiz Paulo Souto Fortes PhD Associate Director of Geosciences, Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics -IBGE, Brazil, John Hannah Professor, School of Surveying, University of Otago, New Zealand

February 2009 |  GNSS The dangers of GPS/GNSS

The problem is that nothing works 100 %. GPS is very close, but for some users under some circumstances, “very close” is not good enough

Professor Börje Forssell NSS (Global Navigation Satellite discussion. In not too distant a future, Norwegian University of GSystems) is a common acronym even better numbers can be expected. Science and Technology, encompassing all existing and planned Dept. of Electronics and satellite-based navigation systems. So far, PDOP Availability: Requirement Telecommunications, the US-built GPS dominates the scene - PDOP of 6 or less, 98% of the Trondheim, Norway completely, but the Russian GLONASS time or better; Actual - 99.98%. [email protected] is approaching around-the-clock global operational status, and other systems are Horizontal Service Availability: being developed (the European Galileo, the Requirement - 95% threshold of Chinese Compass/Beidou and the Indian 36 metres, 99% of the time or IRNSS). There are also augmentation better; Actual – 3.7 metres. systems of more or less operational status (the US WAAS, the European Vertical Service Availability: Requirement EGNOS, the Japanese MSAS and the - 95% threshold of 77 metres, 99% of Indian GAGAN). Satellite navigation the time or better; Actual – 5.3 metres. is becoming part of everyday life, user equipments are becoming cheaper, smaller, User Range Error: Requirement easier to handle and with increasingly - 6 metres or less; Constellation improved performance. This development Average Actual - 1.2 metres. is expected to continue for the foreseeable future with receivers in mobile phones and cars as dominating markets (Figs. 1-3). What’s the problem?

The following discussion for obvious The problem is that nothing works reasons mostly refers to GPS, but the 100 %. GPS is very close, but for arguments are generally valid for all some users under some circumstances, global navigation satellite-based systems. “very close” is not good enough. The situation in general is as follows:

Actual performance • Most GPS users know nothing about GPS vulnerability. Today’s average performance of GPS • Most users don’t care. is used as a starting point for our • Most GPS users can stand some Fig. 1. GPS users in 2006 interruptions or performance reduction. Manufacturing • Most politicians and representatives of 7% authorities in the fi eld of navigation don’t know of GPS vulnerability. Tracking • Back-up systems are being 10% closed down (e.g. LORAN-C), and Aviation there is little or no contact between Vessel voyage 4% Hand held 2% 26% different countries about these matters.

Military affairs GPS (and all satellite navigation systems, 1% more or less) are vulnerable because of

GIS Survey • Very low signal power received; 8% 7% • A few frequencies (in the GPS case today, only one for general use) and a Car navigation 35% known signal structure;

6 | Coordinates February 2009 • Spectrum competition; • All GPS/GNSS receivers in critical • Unintentional interference: • Worldwide military applications drive applications must provide a timely a GPS disruption industry; warning when the signals are • Radio-frequency interference • Jamming techniques are degraded or lost; (RFI) from external sources well known, devices are available, • Development of certifi able, (spectrum congestion, or can be built easily (fi g. 4). integrated (multipurpose) receivers harmonics, high-power should be encouraged; signals saturating receiver front In 2001 (just before the infamous 9/11), the • A comprehensive analysis of GPS/ ends); U.S. Department of Transportation’s Volpe GNSS back-up navigation and • Testing at system level; National Transportation Systems Center precise timing options (e.g. LORAN, • Ionospheric infl uence published results from an investigation VOR/DME, ILS, INS) and operating (solar maxima, magnetic storms, into the vulnerability of the transportation procedures should be conducted. scintillations); infrastructure relying on GPS. Conclusions • Multipath. to be drawn from that investigation are: Causes of trouble • Intentional interference: • Awareness should be created in the navigation and timing communities There are many possible reasons for • Jamming; of the need for back-up systems or degraded performance or service • Spoofi ng (false signals into the operational procedures; interruption for users of GNSS: receiver); • All transportation modes should be • Meaconing (interception and encouraged to pay attention to • Satellite or control- re-broadcast of navigation autonomous integrity monitoring of segment malfunctions. signals). GPS/GNSS signals; • Human factors:

• User equipment and satellite design errors; • Over-reliance; • Lack of knowledge and/or training.

The main technical explanation of GNSS receiver vulnerabilities to external interference can be summarised as very low power received from the satellites. Fig. 2. Experienced and expected use of GPS/GNSS in cars The minimum power level is usually between -150 and -160 dBW. Looking at the details for GPS, we see that

• acquisition requires 6 – 10 dB higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) than tracking, • loss-of-lock sometimes occurs for interference-to-signal ratios (I/S) below 30 dB, • receiver detection of loss-of-lock is delayed because of narrowband Fig. 3. Experienced and expected use of GPS/GNSS in mobile phones code-tracking loops, • some lines in the GPS C/A-code spectrum are more vulnerable than others because of higher power levels (Gold code spectra do not exactly follow a sinc shape, and spectral lines work as local oscillator frequencies for received interference signals), • modulated interference is generally

Fig. 4. This dice is a 10 mW GPS jammer. Fig. 5. Example of a car navigation problem. Coordinates February 2009 | 7 worse than white noise, and narrow- continuously for 4.5 days. There were LORAN) can be very useful in case band interference is worse than several impacts to ATC operations of satellite signal malfunctioning. wide-band. during the six days of jamming: Such integration can also be effi cient against interference and jamming. • Aircraft lost GPS 45 nm from Recorded examples Phoenix, performed a 35° turn toward Other countermeasures against all kinds of GPS troubles traffi c; of external interference are fi ltering and • NOTAM was not issued until 2nd advanced signal processing, including During the long (and ― don’t forget! ― day; adaptive antennas and null-steering. usually very successful) history of GPS, • numerous pilots reported loss of GPS; a number of satellite malfunctions and • There were reports of hand- A question which is often asked is interference problems have been recorded. held GPS receivers not working. whether upcoming systems (Galileo, Taking the record of April – August of INRSS, etc.) will solve the problem. the year 2005 for examples of satellite The answer is that they will reduce the malfunctions, we fi nd the following: Time users problem but not solve it completely.

• SVN37 (PRN7): 3 Apr – Load-shed; Users of GPS as a time and/or frequency • SVN31 (PRN31): 14 Apr – Baseband reference are an often forgotten Satellite navigation reset; or unknown but very important problems in cars • SVN27 (PRN27): 14 May – part of the GPS community. Some Rubidium #1 runoff leads to clock applications where GPS time is used: Drivers using car navigation equipment swap; experience problems fairly often • SVN26 (PRN26): 9 Jun – Rubidium • Navigation; (Fig. 5). Due to lack of knowledge, #1 clock jump; • Telecommunications; these problems are often wrongly • SVN15 (PRN15): 22 Jun – • Digital broadcasting; ascribed to the satellite system instead Comparator Reference Value Change; • Power generation and of to the real cause, the map system. • SVN32 (PRN1): 24 Jul – Load-shed; distribution; (In fact, a lot of users call their car • SVN26 (PRN26): 21 Aug • Metrology; navigator “my GPS”). A summary of – Crypto Variable Upload. • Meteorology; these problems might be written: • Radar; Experienced jamming and other records • Tests and measurements • Satellite-based car-navigation of intentional interference are (for • Time tagging (Internet and equipment attracts negative obvious reasons) less available, but transport) attention for doing a job logically… unintentional interference examples are • Time-of-day distribution. but unintelligently; abundant. Let us look at just two of them. • Expectations for such equipment are Many users of these applications high – expected to be smarter than the An infamous example is Moss Landing in are crucially dependent on GPS for driver (which-in fact-it often is!); California. From May 2001 and several their systems to work properly. • Road classifi cation months onward, no use of commercial is diffi cult – one person’s farm GPS receivers was possible in the whole track is another’s handy shortcut. harbour area out to a distance at sea of Countermeasures at least one kilometer. After the fi rst user reports about GPS unavailability, If satellite signals do not meet Conclusions and considerable efforts were launched to fi nd requirements, the only thing users can recommendations the source of the interfering signal(s). do is to acquire information about the Finally, it was discovered that there were malfunction(s) from other sources as All GNSS users must evaluate and in fact three sources, all of them being quickly as possible. Such information analyse their own situation: active UHF/VHF TV antennas with acquisition is called integrity monitoring. preamplifi ers onboard pleasure boats. It can be receiver autonomous (RAIM) What would be the consequences or received from external wide-area in case of GNSS problems? In December the same year, a GPS augmentation sources (e.g. WAAS, jammer caused GPS failures within EGNOS, MSAS, GAGAN) or from If the answer is ‘no serious consequences’, 180 nautical miles of Mesa, Arizona. local monitors (GBAS = Ground- then “business as usual”. Boeing was preparing for upcoming Based Augmentation Systems). tests and accidentally left a jammer But if there are possible serious on the L1 frequency, radiating just Integration of GNSS receiving equipment consequences, users must 0.8 mW. The jammer operated with other sensors (e.g. inertial systems, prepare for the unexpected !

8 | Coordinates February 2009 Coordinates February 2009 | 9 PERSPECTIVE Challenges before National Mapping Organisations Here are some perspectives Geographic innovation platforms and support networks

Vanessa Lawrence CB living and working, climate change, ingredient - a role NMOs are familiar with. Director General & CEO aging populations, competition for scarce Ordnance Survey, UK resources, asymmetric warfare and the 3. Provide for ease of use and ease of effects of globalisation. Tackling these access to geographic information at users “grand” challenges requires unprecedented time, point and context of need. Providing local to global collaboration, between the right information at the right time in governments, businesses, communities the right way to meet users’ expectations ver the last few years we have and ourselves as individuals. Whilst in a given situation is a requirement of Oseen signifi cant, global, often the technological developments have good information service design and disruptive, change in the technological led to an explosion in the availability one NMO’s are beginning to address. and social environment within which of data, captured and served by many, National Mapping Organisations (NMOs) they have made the information operate. These changes will continue to management task, in tackling such Whilst the technological have profound effects on both: the way grand challenges, more complex. geographic information (GI) is captured, developments have led managed, traded and used; and the role and In a world where others can do what we function of national mapping agencies. do as national mapping agencies, NMO’s to an explosion in the must address the following challenges: GI is now part of the mainstream availability of data, information economy with global players 1. Provide geographic information (Google, Yahoo, Microsoft and Nokia frameworks as a critical means of they have made the and other device and service providers) ordering and managing information providing common user interfaces to GI complexity, most of which resolves to information management both at home and in the workplace. It is location or place. This is an essential task more complexed. now exchanged under global (W3C based) requirement in enabling local to global information standards and infl uenced collaboration across government, by developments in: wireless, mobile, businesses and third sector communities 4. Provide geographic innovation positioning, sensing, location, imaging, in addressing grand challenges. The platforms and support networks that storage and processing technologies. recently published UK Location Strategy encourage open and user led innovation These developments enable GI to be Place Matters: the Location Strategy for from communities of users in government, expressed and visualized in 2-, 3- and as the United Kingdom begins to set out that business and the third sector. Both 4Dimensions (the temporal dimension) as geographical framework for the Nation. business and social value can be well as in virtual and augmented reality Endorsed by British Ministers phrases derived from these networks, growing and increasingly, to be delivered as part such as “In almost everything, people the market for GI and quality of life of an on-line service. Most profoundly need to know when and where things for a globalised population. Ordnance however we have seen a change in the happen: place matters” are now common Survey’s OS OpenSpace is an experiment general information model: from a linear, place. User generated content can also in just such an innovation platform. publishing, “push” model to an inter- ordered within these frameworks thus networked, participatory model where making best use of information collected. The challenge for NMO’s going users create, share and “mash-up” data forward is to provide the information using application programming interfaces 2. Governments globally are increasingly frameworks, innovation platforms, ease and open source. Against this background looking to the third sector as a channel of of access and ease of use of accurate of rapid technological developments the service delivery to their communities. High maintained geographic information which world today faces unprecedented global quality service delivery requires, accurate, are needed to address local to global challenges: sustainable (one planet) current, trusted, and maintained GI as an challenges, effi ciently and effectively.

10 | Coordinates February 2009 Challenge is how to get our hands on good authoritative data

Lam Joon Khoi worth a thousand words – needs no further We named our NSDI initiative as the Chief Executive, Singapore elaboration. The increases in supply of and Singapore Geospatial Collaborative Land Authority, Singapore demand for geospatial information provide Environment, or SG SPACE in short. a positive outlook for the industry. The implementation of SG SPACE will allow geospatial information from many While many countries recognized public sector sources to be shared within that geospatial information and its a consistent reference framework across espite the economic gloom and exploitation is a rapidly growing and the public sector. It is our vision for this Dchallenges currently confronting profi table industry, each has its own initiative to go beyond the public sector to the whole world, I believe the use of challenges. Let me share with you a little encompass the private and people sector, geospatial information will continue to about the Singapore Geospatial Story. through licensing and the provision of grow, and grow rapidly. Why do I think so? common goods. The initiative will result As countries put more people and things in removing duplication of data collection, into cities, the urbanization of cities will The Singapore geospatial story encouraging re-use of data, and making increase the complexity in land usage. As informed decisions and monitoring. A cities become densely populated and well In Nov 2007, at a similar ESRI user multi-agency and inclusive committee developed with modern infrastructures, we conference in Singapore, I spoke about the has been formed to drive and coordinate can expect more geospatial information to importance of geospatial information for the various action plans. We hope the be available for capture. More help is then decision-making. I shared that the use of strong leadership and governance in needed to manage and analyse the vast geospatial information in the Singapore the committee is suffi cient to drive the information. The content of information Public Service has been around for many changes and implementation. also changes over time and that too has to years, primarily in the security and land be managed. I can see the transformation planning authorities. Our Land Data Hub, We will be inviting the industry in a few happening in Singapore too. Singapore is months’ time to help us build a national adding more road and rail infrastructures. clearing house for geospatial data. In More lands are re-developed with We must persevere to essence, the clearing house will link up higher intensifi cation. We are using the all the 4 hubs that I spoke about earlier. It subterranean space more intensely than create a mindset of will provide a gateway for easy discovery more. Hence, information over different and rapid access to geospatial information levels of space (e.g. from subterranean, sharing and responsible across the public sector. to ground level and into the airspace) will be captured. In short, the supply of usage of geographic One of the goals of SG SPACE is to geospatial information will continue to strengthen our policy formulation grow in scope and quantity. Information information and evaluation. We know geospatial will be in 2-dimensional and even 3- information is essential to support our dimensional form. There is also the time for instance, was in place since 1989. approach to emergencies, environmental dimension of geospatial information to Today, 15 public agencies are sharing challenges (e.g. climate change and manage. Beyond the cities, there are other some 125 layers of geospatial information water issues), disease management and geospatial information to manage – natural through our network, known as LandNet. control, and so on. But we are not just resources, the environmental issues (such Since April 2008, the Singapore Public looking inwards. We believe SG SPACE as climate change, water issues) and so on. Service has embarked on a new phase. can potentially provide the private and We have decided to link up the Land people sector with useful information I also believe the demand for geospatial Data Hub and 3 other data hubs under a that helps them to deliver their products information will correspondingly increase. national spatial data infrastructure (NSDI) and services better. Hence, we are also People and organizations need to know framework. The other data hubs are building an intelligence map system that when and where things happen. Increasing repositories of data concerning people, is interactive to serve the public better. ownership of mobile devices, such as businesses and security matters owned Besides presenting the public sector handphones and PDAs with GPS, adds by various public agencies. Hitherto, all information, the intelligence map system to the demand for more location-based the 4 data hubs have been developed and can potentially allow individuals and services. Once decision-makers understand operated independently. In our concept businesses to use some of the public and appreciate the value of graphical of NSDI, Singapore aims to develop an geospatial information via mash-up. All in presentation of situation, analysis and environment in which public agencies can all, everyone stands to gain in SG SPACE. simulation using GIS, there is no turning collaborate and share data more easily. back. The common saying – A picture is

Coordinates February 2009 | 11 Challenges NMOs working in isolation are no longer

There are many challenges facing those a solution developing an NSDI. I shall highlight 2 of them which I believe are not unique to Dr P Nag copy of DSM, and (e) maintaining of the Singapore. Director, National Atlas National Topographic Data Base. Though & Thematic Mapping technology is reducing the workload, One challenge is how to get our hands Organisation (NATMO), the depleting strength is coming in the on good authoritative data? Authoritative India way. The story of NATMO is also not data are those that are closest to the different. The Golden Map Service has source, authentic and accurate for the increased the workload several times. functions that they are intended for. or any institution challenges are all Unless we collect all the data ourselves, Fthe time. In the history of institution Perhaps one solution is to out-source which is impractical and duplicative, building challenges are considered to be the mapping activities to the industry. we have to rely on others. However, opportunities. These opportunities are to Considering several projects which often the data source owner needs to be encashed in time with right vigor. The have either been completed recently be thoroughly convinced on our needs institutions have to keep on shifting their or now under-completion, we fi nd that before it can agree to provide or share the focus within their mandates. Same is true there is a gap in understanding between information. That to me is a reasonable for the national mapping organizations the NMOs and industry. The NMOs precaution on the part of the data owner. (NMOs) in India. If we see the growth are tied down with rules, procedures, However, sometimes the issue of privacy patterns of the Indian NMOs, Survey of method of acceptance of data and mode and security of data could be used India and the National Atlas & Thematic of payments. These regulations are not conveniently as a reason for not sharing Mapping Organisation (NATMO), we the data. Some of the impediments will fi nd that former got impetus during to sharing are even stipulated by the the 1961 Indo-China war; and latter after The issue is whether NMOs legislations. Recently, the terrorists who independence when the country required wrecked havoc in Mumbai were reported maps different from topographical maps can cope up with the ever- to have used Google Earth for “location for national reconstruction and planning. intelligence” and operational planning. Both were challenges during those times. increasing expectations of This event will undoubtedly reinforce the Government and the the list of considerations in any future The biggest challenge before the releases of geospatial information. I NMOs is the management of such people at large? believe there is no short cut to overcome institutions. These challenges have the impediments to sharing and we must come due to (a) reducing man- persevere to create a mindset of sharing, power, (b) fast changing geospatial always appreciated by the industry. A and responsible usage. A transparent and technology, (c) new data sources, and new method of sharing responsibility collaborative environment is perhaps a (d) new market and application driven is to be worked out. Some models good approach to begin. requirements. The scenario is changing are being practiced by the NMOs so fast that the manual, procedures but they are not always foolproof. Another challenge is how to convince and training become out-dated in no decision-makers to invest in geospatial time. NMOs are used to have their The issue is whether NMOs can cope up applications and information…. Many own traditions in map-making. It has with the ever-increasing workload and decision-makers have not realized that become diffi cult to hold these traditions. expectations of the Government and the geospatial information is essential to However, the core properties of the data people at large? What kind of control they them and their businesses. Having are still maintained, whether required should exercise? How the responsibility been in the military service for 20 or not. Nevertheless, such stringent about the quality of the geographic data is years, I appreciate the value of GIS for criteria are not always appreciated. to be shared? What should be the model operations and analysis. Therefore, it of participating in this national task? How did not take my staff long to convince Due to the nature of demand, security a revenue model is to be worked out? me that geospatial information is priorities and requirements for openness Examples from abroad are often quoted essential to the public service too and of geographic data, a new Open Map to answer these intricate questions. But the idea led to the birth of SG SPACE. Series (OSM) has been initiated by the the prevailing conditions are not similar. Government. This has increased the A serious debate is required in this Excerpts from the address at the workload on Survey of India at least fi ve regard. Even several surveys of geospatial ESRI Asia Pacifi c User Conference, times due to : (a) digital data of OSM, (b) industry conducted recently are silent on Singapore International Convention & digital data of the Defence Map Series this subject. NMOs working in isolation Exhibition Centre, 20 -21 Jan 2009 (DSM), (c) hard copy of OSM, (d) hard are no longer a solution for India.

12 | Coordinates February 2009 Coordinates February 2009 | 13 POSITIONING Quality evaluation of NRTK correction transmission The paper investigates the quality variation of the NRTK correction transmission, and reveals its infl uence on the positioning solution

Lei Yang NSS positioning/navigation devices between the receiver and a reference Research Fellow IESSG Gare rapidly merging into and station with known high-accuracy University of Nottingham changing our modern lives, just like the position, spatially correlated errors can United Kingdom personal computer in the 1980’s and the be removed, and positioning accuracy [email protected] cellular phone in the 1990’s. It is predicted can be improved from tens of meters that by 2012, the annual shipment of (Stand Alone mode) to centimetre level. navigation devices will increase to over 65 million units, which is more than three The limitation of traditional RTK is that Dr Chris J Hill times the 19.8 million shipped in 2006 [1]. some distance-dependent errors (such Principal Research IESSG Also in a situation personal computer and as ionosphere delay) will increase with University of Nottingham cellular phone ever faced, a higher standard the increasing length of the baseline United Kingdom service demand has been placed in front between the rover and the reference of the GNSS technology, and becoming station. Normally for an implementation a bottleneck before its potential mass with centimetre-level accuracy market can be exploited. More precisely, at requirement, the baseline length should present, real time and high accuracy are the not be more than 20km [2]. For national Dr Xiaolin Meng two major concerns for many promising GNSS applications, this limitation Research Councils UK commercial GNSS plans, such as Road would result in a dense reference Academic Fellow at the IESSG Pricing and Intelligent Transportation station network and considerable Professor of Wuhan Systems Services (ITSS) [2]. investment in infrastructure. University and Mapping For these high demand applications, Real- To overcome this constraint, NRTK Time Kinematic (RTK) positioning is one was developed in recent years. In a of the most signifi cant solutions and has NRTK GNSS facility, a central data been widely tested and commercialized in server collects the raw observations Jose Aponte many countries [3-5]. Its latest evolving from a number of reference stations, PhD student at the IESSG, trend has been leading in the Network and sends corrections to a rover the University of Nottingham RTK (NRTK) direction. NRTK technology positioning terminal after carrying out can remove spatially correlated errors and an integrated processing. The rover effectively mitigate distance-dependent then combines these corrections with errors in the GNSS measurements, and its local carrier phase observations, achieve a centimetre-level positioning to obtain a high accuracy real time solution [6]. In such a high accuracy real positioning solution. The architecture time system, reliable and high-speed of NRTK system is shown in Figure 1. server-rover communication (i.e. correction message transmission) plays an important In a NRTK implementation, through role in the fi nal performance. Our work the interpolation of corrections from a will investigate the quality variation of the set of reference stations, the distance- NRTK correction transmission, and reveal dependent errors are mitigated and its infl uence on the positioning solution. the high-accuracy solution can be achieved in a much greater area than a traditional RTK implementation. The NRTK background separation between the NRTK reference Figure 1: Network RTK system architecture stations can be extended to 100km which consists of a network reference stations (left), central processing facility (middle) and In the traditional RTK technology, by [7], which means only 600 stations the user groups (right) differencing the carrier phase observables could cover the whole European area.

14 | Coordinates February 2009 Data dissemination Currently both public Internet and using the setup as shown in Figure 2 GPRS can provide high-quality in a research lab within the Institute of Much research in NRTK technology has services. However, these services are Engineering Surveying and Space Geodesy focused on the effi ciency and effectiveness not guaranteed. RTK data does not (IESSG) in the University of Nottingham. of the reference stations measurement have any priority on these channels, The tests were carried out in a static NRTK usage, through improving models although it is quite time-sensitive. mode with a GNSS antenna fi xed on a (especially for the ionosphere model) and During the transmission, frequent route precisely measured point to minimize the data processing technique to reduce switching, channel congestion in peak- the infl uence from irrelevant factors. the number of stations and cost. When a time and even any faulty from the service network is getting sparse, the length of data provider’s equipment might cause the The whole system can be separated communication will extend accordingly. RTK messages to be delayed or lost. into three sections: Data Source, Data In the meantime, due to the rapid change Dissemination Route and Data User. In the of the satellite geometry and also the data source section, a dedicated RTK GPS atmospheric conditions, the correction Evaluation System network established jointly by the IESSG messages from the data server have a and the Leica Geosystems is utilized. This time-limited validity. Thus the challenge To study the impacts of these transmission network consists of 14 high grade geodetic for NRTK data dissemination is to keep a variations, parallel tests were conducted GNSS station sites and covers an area of reliable and high speed wide-bandwidth service in a long distance transmission. Type of Comm. Radio Cellular Satellite Wi-Fi The variations during the correction Range short large large very short data transmission, i.e. message delay Coverage line of sight nearly full full limited and loss, may increase with the increase Bandwidth Wide Wide/limited limited Wide of the baseline and eventually degrade the high accuracy solution. Therefore IP supporting no yes yes yes the quality of the RTK correction data Service charge no medium high low dissemination should be taken seriously. Licensing required no no no reliability dedicated not guaranteed Exclusive not guaranteed The RTK data transmission channel is service a combination of cable connection and Table 1: Comparison of Different Correction Dissemination Approaches wireless connection. In terms of the cable connection part, public Internet is the dominating choice. In 2003 an application-level protocol, Network Transport of RTCM via Internet Protocol (NTRIP) was developed by the Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy (BKG), Germany [8]. It is dedicated to streaming GNSS data over the Internet. The data server of a RTK network is both a TCP/IP server and an NTRIP caster.

In terms of the wireless connection part, there are several available transmission Figure 2: Evaluation System Design methods which can be utilized for NRTK positioning [9]. Table 1 includes the comparison of the major features of these methods and it can be concluded that only commercial cellular communication and satellite communication can be used in the large area applications. Comparing these two methods, the former has great economic and practical predominance at the current stage. Among the various mobile networks in today’s market, the GPRS (EDGE) and 3G network are the best options [10] and the former has a further advantage in the service coverage.

Figure 3 Data latency and corresponding horizontal and vertical errors; Blue : Benchmark solution, Red: GPRS + Long Distance solution Coordinates February 2009 | 15 ~20,000 km2 in the Midlands region in the the receiver and the NRTK server and sent back to the receiver. The public UK. The raw observations from these site is only tens of meters long, and can Internet link used here is over 2000km servers were sent to an NTRIP caster in simulate an ideal transmission link. long. This scenario is designed to simulate the central data processing centre, which This transmission is assumed to have a rigorous cabled connection environment. is located in the IESSG. Professional zero message loss and delay, and The last confi guration is a combination of NRTK software Leica Spider v3.0 was is used as a benchmark to compare the second and third setting, i.e. a long- adopted to organize the raw data, generate with the other three transmissions. distance public Internet plus a GPRS correction data for any receiver request link. The RTK data is sent to the remote and disseminate the correction messages The second confi guration is through a NTRIP caster in Helsinki and sent back to in the Radio Technical Commission for commercial GPRS link, where the receiver the receiver via a commercial GPRS link, Maritime services (RTCM) format. communicates to the NRTK server via which can represent a typical commercial a dedicated cellular modem. The third NRTK correction transmission. In the data dissemination section, four confi guration is through a long-distance different transmission scenarios are public Internet link. In this scenario the In the data user section in Figure 2, considered. The fi rst one is through RTK data is relayed via a remote NTRIP a geodetic Leica 1200 receiver was a short local Ethernet link, in which caster which is located at the Finnish employed. Its outputs are provided in case the cabled connection between Geodetic Institute (FGI), Helsinki, Finland, NMEA $GPGGA format at 20Hz and are logged by a PC. Besides the positioning solution, the data latency, or the “age of correction” (i.e. the elapsed time from the time of the latest RTK correction to the time of the current solution made [11]) is available in the GGA sentence and can be used to determine the message delay.

To avoid the infl uence of irrelevant factor, the parallel tests are carried out at the same time, and utilizing the same type of receivers, sharing a common GPS antenna and keeping all the same confi gurations except the transmission methods. Therefore differences between the benchmark and the other three solutions are only caused by the transmission variation. Also, although the Figure 4 Distribution of the message delay solutions are made in the RTK mode, all the tests are carried out as static, to avoid Message Delay (sec) Message the unnecessary kinematic disturbance. Average Std. Loss Benchmark 0 0.03 0% GPRS 0.44 0.24 1.1% Data Analysis Long Distance 0.43 0.34 12.4% GPRS +Long Distance 0.85 0.45 20.6% Figure 3 illustrates a comparison between Table 2 Statistics of the message delay and loss the benchmark solution and the solution via the GPRS combined with the long <0.5cm 0.5~1 cm >1 cm Std. (cm) distance Internet link, in a 10-second- Benchmark 89.43% 10.55% 0.03% 0.16 long timeslot. The comparison is made GPRS 80.93% 18.60% 0.47% 0.18 in terms of the latency, the horizontal error and the vertical error respectively. Long Distance 70.53% 27.13% 2.35% 0.24 GPRS + Long Distance 68.09% 29.30% 2.60% 0.25 Because the receiver makes the solutions at Table 3 Statistic of the horizontal error 20 Hz, the latency will gradually increase by 0.05 second at each logging point <1 cm 1~2 cm >2 cm Std. (cm) over the time axis, until a new correction Benchmark 97.01% 2.98% 0.01% 0.45 message is received, which brings the GPRS 87.70% 11.90% 0.40% 0.64 latency value back to zero. Therefore the Long Distance 83.84% 15.50% 0.66% 0.69 height of the triangle shape in the latency fi gure can show the receiving time interval GPRS +Long Distance 82.11% 16.81% 1.09% 0.73 Table 4 Statistic of the vertical error 16 | Coordinates February 2009 With a tradition of innovation, NavCom continues to leave its footprint on the evolving GNSS industry. Propelled by our award-winning engineering team, our industry leading technology includes the StarFire™ network – the world’s first global satellite-based augmentation system (GSBAS) – RTK Extend™ and Ultra RTK™. This unique expertise along with NavCom’s precise positioning products allows our partners to create innovative GNSS solutions. As John Deere’s technology steward, NavCom continues to introduce groundbreaking solutions, enabling our business partners to take on larger projects, improve their efficiency – and make their own history. NavCom – Here today, here tomorrow. To learn more, call us at +1-310-381-2000.

www.navcomtech.com Coordinates February 2009 | 17 between two consecutive messages. In the With increasing message delay and loss, [3] Namie H., NishiKawa K., Sasano benchmark solution it can be seen that, the receiver may not have the latest RTK K., Fan C. and Yasuda A., 2008, due to the ideal transmission environment, corrections on time and only can ‘predict’ Development of Network-Based the messages are received at a nearly the present correction from the past RTK RTK-GPS Positioning System constant one-second-interval; while in the data [12]. The time-sensitive error will Using FKP via a TV Broadcast combined link solution, the messages are increase and the positioning solution in Japan, IEEE Transactions on received at varying intervals, which can will drift away from the true coordinates. Broadcasting, 54(1), pp. 106-111 show that the condition of the transmission In Figure 3, it can clearly be seen that, route was unstable. It can be seen from during the message-lost period, both the [4] Marel H., 1998, Virtual GPS the latter solution that there is a triangle horizontal error and the vertical error Reference Stations in the Netherlands, with a two-second height. This shows are increased and a ‘degradation peak’ is ION GPS’98 Proceedings, pp. 49-58 a message loss in its scheduled time. formed. The statistics of the horizontal error and the vertical error are shown [5] Kumar M. D., Homer J., Kubik Because of the delay, the same message in Table 3 and Table 4 respectively. It K. and Higgins M., 2005, may arrive at different times in two links. can be seen that both the GPRS link and Effi cient RTK Positioning by Accordingly, in the latency chart of Figure the long distance Internet link introduce Integrating Virtual Reference 3, the channel delay results in a separation some ‘degradation peaks’ and degrade the Stations with WCDMA Network, between the two different colour triangles. positioning solution precision eventually. Journal of Global Positioning Considering the zero transmission delay Again, the long distance Internet link Systems, 4(1-2), pp. 48-55 in the ideal benchmark solution, this shows a larger infl uence than the GPRS separation can determine the message link. Comparing to the benchmark [6] Retscher G. , 2002, Accuracy transmission delay in the combined solution, the precision of the combined Performance of Virtual Reference link solution, as marked in the fi gure. link solution is degraded by 60%. Station (VRS) networks, Journal of Global Positioning Statistics of both the message delay and Conclusion Systems, 1(1), pp. 40-47 loss in different solutions are shown in Table 2. It can be seen that the average This paper presents a study to investigate [7] Fotopoulos G. and Cannon M. delay of the GPRS and the long distance the quality of the NRTK data transmission E., 2001, An Overview of Multi- Internet link are at the same level, and the methods. The two transmission Reference Station Methods for average delay of the combined link is close variations, message delay and loss, Cm-Level Positioning, GPS to a second (0.85 sec). Both the standard were both observed whilst the GPRS Solutions, 4(3), pp. 1-10 deviation of the message delay and the link and the long distance Internet link message loss percentage show the stability were used. The combination of the two [8] Radio Technical Commission of the transmission, where the GPRS link links was shown to have a 0.85 second for Maritime Services, 2003, is relatively more stable than the long average delay and 20% message loss. Networked Transport of RTCM distance Internet link, and the combined It is demonstrated that these variations via Internet Protocol Version 1.0, link is the worst. Comparing to the GPRS might introduce 60% degradation in the RTCM paper 167-203/SC104-315 link, the long distance Internet link suffered precision of the positioning solution much more message loss, and 20% of the in a static test. When designing a RTK [9] Cruddace P., Wilson I., Greaves messages were lost in the combining link. network in a large-area, this transmission M., Euler H-J., Keenan R. and infl uence should be considered, and as a Wuebbena G., 2002, The Long Figure 4 shows the distribution of the compensation, a more frequent message Road to Establishing a National message delay, for the three transmission sending scheme could be considered. Network RTK Solution, 22th scenarios. The long distance Internet FIG International Congress link shows a greater spread in the delay than the GPRS link, due to its larger References [10] Meng X., Dodson A., Moore T. number of packet switchings during the and Roberts G., 2007, Ubiquitous transmission. There is no delay higher [1] iSuppli report, 2007, Portable Positioning, GPS World, June than two seconds in these two links, Navigation Devices Growth because if a message arrives later than [11] National Marine Electronics the following message, it will simply be [2] Meng X., Yang L., Aponte J., Hill Association, 1998, NMEA 0183 rejected by the receiver and will be treated C., Moore T. and Dodson A., 2008, Standard for Interfacing Marine as a message loss. The combined link Development of Satellite Based Electronic Devices Version 2.30 does have a small percentage of message Positioning and Navigation Facilities delays higher than two seconds, because for Precise ITS Applications, the 11th [12] Leica Geosystems, 2007, GPS the following message may also not arrive International IEEE Conference on 1200 Technical Reference on time due to its rigorous environment. Intelligent Transportation Systems Manual Version 1.1

18 | Coordinates February 2009 February 2009 | 19 20 | February 2009 February 2009 | 21 22 | February 2009 February 2009 | 23 24 | February 2009 February 2009 | 25 26 | February 2009 GPS Accuracy performance of hand-held GPS

A comparative study

atellite positioning is the term used computation. Secondly, and perhaps Abdullah S Alsalman Sto describe the determination of most importantly, the traditional College of Engineering, the absolute and relative coordinates of requirements of intervisibility between King Saud University, points on (or above) the Earth’s land or survey stations are not relevant. All that Riyadh, Saudi Arabia sea surface by processing measurements is required is that the stations should to, and/or form, artifi cial Earth Satellites. have a line of sight (in the appropriate In this context, absolute coordinates part of the electromagnetic spectrum) Abdullah E Ali refer to the position of a point in a to the satellite(s) being observed. These College of Engineering, King specifi ed coordinate system, whereas two advantages mean that all-purpose Saud University, Riyadh, relative coordinates refer to the position control points can usually be placed Saudi Arabia of one point with respect to another directly where they are needed, and are [email protected] (again in a specifi ed coordinate system). the essential reasons for the revolutionary Relative positions are generally more effect that satellite positioning is having useful in surveying and can usually on many branches of surveying. be more accurately determined.

The fi rst applications of the technique GPS measurement were made in the early 1960s, but at that time the lengthy observing periods The satellite based positioning had been (weeks or months at a station) and rather performed with TRANSIT system before low accuracy (standard errors of several the GPS was developed. This earlier meters) mean that it was only really useful system had two major shortcomings: for global geodesy. Important results the large time gaps in coverage and were, however, obtained, especially in relatively low navigational accuracy. the connection of various national and GPS was developed to replace the continental terrestrial networks and in TRANSIT system in order to overcome the determination of the overall position, these drawbacks (Hofmann-Wellenhof scale and orientation of national coordinate et al., 1992). Today, GPS provides systems. Nowadays, relative positions continuous 24 hours a day and 365 can, in certain favorable circumstances, be days a year 3-dimentional positioning determined from satellite measurements being it real-time or post-processing with standard errors of a few millimeters at any location all over the world. within a few minutes. Clearly this makes satellite positioning a powerful tool for a GPS is based on pseudorange wide variety of engineering applications. measurement. Pseudorange is a distance between the satellite and the receiver. Moreover, satellite positioning has Any person anywhere on the earth could two very important advantages over its determine his own three-dimensional traditional terrestrial counterpart. Firstly, positioning expressed in ellipsoidal as in the case of inertial surveying, the latitude, longitude and height (or derived positions are genuinely three- cartesian coordinates). This procedure dimensional. This is in direct contrast is accomplished by the simple resection to traditional techniques where plan process using the distance measured and height control have invariably been to satellites. The receiver clock is not treated separately, both from a point synchronized with the satellite clock. of view of station siting (plan control This synchronization is the reason for points are normally on hilltops whereas the term pseudorange (Seeber, 1993). height control points are usually located Hence, at least four satellites have to be along roads and railway lines) and from observed at the same time to determine a point of view of measurement and the three-dimensional position (Figure 1)

Fig. 1. Single Point Positioning. Coordinates February 2009 | 27 The pseudorange is measured via is typically, much technical jargon. manufacture GPS receivers. Some of code and/or carrier phase. Meter level Esoteric phrases like double difference, these have been designed purely for the accuracy can be performed by the carrier phase, pseudorange, cycleslip and military user whilst others are for civilian code ranges whereas millimeter level integer ambiguity are part of the GPS use, some are just for navigating whilst accuracy by the carrier phases (Leick, user’s day-to-day vocabulary. There are others can be used for precise geodetic 1995). Inherent GPS error sources are different processing techniques which measurement. This paper is concerned summarize in Table 1 (Holloway, 1997). are also part of the GPS story. Terms with the fi rst type. After the removal of like static, kinematic, pseudokinematic, selective availability by the U.S.A army semikinematic and fi ducial GPS can, in May 2000, the positional accuracy of Geodetic GPS receivers at times, be confusing even to the most these hand-held single-point navigator- experienced GPS user. Inevitably, a type devices is improved from about In this respect, one notices that there large number of companies currently ±1000m to perhaps better than ±20m. This happening also boosted the use of this type of receivers to an ever-expanding Error Source Stand-alone (hand-held) GPS (m) DGPS (m) types of application from reconnaissance Satellite Clocks 3.0 0.0 surveys through hydrography to the more Orbit Errors 2.7 0.0 challenging tasks of troops deployment. Ionosphere 8.2 0.4 Troposphere 1.8 0.2 Receiver Noise 0.3 0.3 Aim of the test Multipath 0.6 0.6 User Equivalent Range Error ±9.4 ±0.9 Hand-held GPS receivers are now Table 1: Inherent GPS Error Sources and their Magnitudes quite ubiquitous. They come from a number of manufacturers worldwide Claimed Positional Receiver Type Origin No. of channels Weight in a variety of designs, capabilities and Accuracy potential applications. Their use has Garmin 12 USA ± 25m 12 9.5 ounce been widespread since the shutting off of Garmin 48 USA ±15m 12 9.5 ounce Garmin GPS III USA ±10m 12 9.9 ounce selective availability (SA) by the U.S.A PARM-406 Russia ±5m 24 (GLONASS+ GPS) 420gm army in 2005. A quick glance at the PARM-406N Russia ±5m 24 (GLONASS+ GPS) 310gm Internet will show you a mind-boggling Garmin 12xL USA ±15m 12 10 ounce range of hand-held GPS receivers from Table (2): Some Main Characteristics of the Test Instruments vendors in Asia, Europe, Russia, U.S.A and Canada. A GPS user therefore will, understandably, wonder which GPS Receiver Type σx(m) σy (m) σp (m) σh(m) receiver will be commensurate with his Garmin 12 ±10.0 ±10.6 ±14.6 ±14.2 kind of work. Receiver characteristics Garmin 48 ±9.1 ±9.4 ±13.1 ±13.1 such as cost, user-friendliness, light Garmin GPS III plus ±6.6 ±7.3 ±9.8 ±12.8 PARM-406 ±4.2 ±4.5 ±6.2 ±9.9 weight, ease of use are important. PARM-406N ±4.4 ±4.1 ±6.0 ±9.0 Garmin 12xL ±9.7 ±9.3 ±13.4 ±15.4 However, level of positional accuracy Table (3): Results of the Test achievable is the most important characteristic of any surveying system. This paper, therefore, reports the results of a modest experiment concerned assessing the accuracy of a selected number of hand-held navigator-type GPS receivers with different designs and capabilities, the aim being to give an insight into the expected accuracy ranges attainable in surveys carried out with such receivers and to explore possible application areas of such accuracy ranges. It is to be made clear from the outset, however, that it is not the intention of the present author to rate any of these instruments. Rather, the aim is not test their individual positional abilities in a limited and

Fig 2: Accuracy Diagrams of Test 28 | Coordinates February 2009 SURVEYING Geomatics in Pakistan

GIS culture is spreading. Everyone talks about it and wants to acquire it but majority are unaware that for quality GIS basic requirement is quality geomatics data

A W Mir eomatics is the art and science of planning well organized cities like Professional Engineer & Gmeasurements on the surface of Ghandara (Sind), and Harapa (Punjab) in Chartered Land Surveyor earth including what is below the earth and Pakistan and similar ones in India, South Chief Executive Geomatics in the oceans. This is the simplest form America, (Maya civilization for one). and Engineering Services of definition; more exact and elaborate All of this was not possible without the (Pvt.) Limited, Lahore definition has been produced by FIG¹. knowledge of surveying profession. [email protected] In other simple words Geomatics is the new terminology for the centuries old The British introduced the modern profession of Surveying and Mapping. surveying technology and practices to the There is far more demand interlinked with Indian sub-continent when they wanted other allied professions and disciplines to consolidate their grip on the territory from the surveying profession and as for collection of land revenue and for such need for new name / definition. military purposes. The Surveying and The developed nations plus others mapping data was classified information have adopted the change and now train and only very trusted Indians were trained in this profession. British established very large triangulation and leveling networks which were a great scientific achievement of the time. We do salute them as well as the Indians (of undivided India) who carried out major share of the field survey work when traveling was on foot or horse back through malaria and other deceases infected Jungles / swamps etc. Those brave men produced mapping through pain staking process of Plane Tabling in some of the most difficult terrain in the world. We are using that triangulation data more than a century later although it is high time to critically review and update it. But once again limited financial resources hinder our desire to their engineers and technicians to be achieve the goal in the near future. geomaticians whereas we are very reluctant to change on our own. We are Geomatics is basic to all civil engineering waiting for someone to give us a push in projects and quality of survey data has the direction of change. One institution direct bearing on the design and quantities on writer’s suggestion have adopted the of the project. Our country constructed name geomatics in their courses of study very large water related works in the e.g. Government College. University sixties as a part of the Indus Basin Water and University of Engineering & Treaty. We know that for all major projects Technology (UET) Lahore do tell their at the time both the foreign consultants engineers what geomatics stands for. and the contractors brought in their own expatriate Chief Surveyor for the projects In the recorded history early Egyptians and in some cases even senior surveyors practiced the profession of surveying were also expatriates. The reason being we (modern day geomatics) for cadastral and were not producing senior level surveyors construction works. Other civilizations at any of our technical institutes. We have built massive structures and were producing at best technician level

30 | February 2009 personnel. Khewra Mining School and activity in cadastre. An important in geomatics. In this age of internet we Rasul Technical College were the only government activity for all nation states only need to key in the word geomatics two instituions which imparted surveying is building and maintaining a land and see for ourselves the places and the training in the form of survey diploma administration system (LAS) with the countries offering degree courses in this courses. No effort was ever made to primary objective of supporting an efficient technology. Pakistani technical universities upgrade them to graduate level in the form and effective land market. This usually are lagging behind others in this discipline. of B.Sc. Engineering in Surveying like includes cadastral surveys to identify it was done in Europe, North America and subdivide land, land registry systems In the private sector surveying companies, and elsewhere in the world including in to support simple land trading (buying, and there are plenty here, are run by Iran and India. The only change that has selling, mortgaging and leasing land) and technicians in general with the exception come about is that Polytechnics all over land information systems (LIS) to facilitate of a couple headed by civil engineers and the country now undertake generally access to the relevant information, there is only one which is in the hands one year surveying diploma course. The increasingly through an Internet of a professional survey engineer. This standard of students output by these enabled e-government environment². situation is the direct result of the absence institutions is not as good as one would of any licensing system for surveyors or desire. They learn very elementary theory In Pakistan unfortunately cadastre is in surveying companies. Any one who can of surveying at Polytechnics and then get the hands of poorly qualified revenue run line leveling and operate a total station, on job training once they are in service department’s famous or should we say and has resources to buy a total station; with Public or Private sector. The root infamous personnel called Patwaris. Their sets up his surveying company. The price cause of poor standard is the shortage performance in land related surveying competition between a technician run of trained and experienced teaching work is full of opportunities for cheats to survey company and that of an engineer staff and absence of modern surveying flourish unchecked and innocent citizens / professional survey engineer goes in instruments to train the students on. to suffer. Computerization of land record is favor of the former. The public sector in progress at district level and one would departments, major source of surveying University of Engineering and Technology hope that Patwari culture may end soon. contracts and even bulk of the private (UET) Lahore, the prime engineering sector companies go for the cheapest university of the country does teach civil, In our country courts are loaded with quotation with complete disregard for mining and architectural engineering land related civil cases and other disputes quality of end product. The amazing undergraduates surveying during their including very many murder cases thing is that it will be a multibillion dollar degree programme and include a 10 day stemming from land disputes. Geomatics project and the owner would be trying to or two weeks field camp to carry out field can be instrumental to put an end to make savings and compromise quality of surveying activities in the hills around all this. No LAS or LIS can function survey data on which the project design Abbottabad but nothing further at post without credible basic land related data and earth work quantities are to be based. graduate level. They could have taken and only geomatics will provide this. It is lead in introducing degree programme a very important technology of this age There is a need for controlling authority in geomatics. This did not happen. and we have neglected it for too long. through an act of parliament on the same lines as Pakistan Engineering Council. This stems from short sightedness of GIS culture is also spreading like wild In the last parliament we had a surveyor our education policy makers. Part of fire everyone talks about it and wants turned politician as deputy speaker and the blame for this neglect also falls to acquire it but majority are unaware he could have done something on these on Survey of Pakistan (SOP) who did that for quality GIS basic requirement lines. As a politician his priorities were little towards the development of the is quality geomatics data. Quality different and the opportunity is lost until profession. This department continues geomatics data will be produced by another surveyor gets into the parliament. to live in cloud of secrecy inherited non other than qualified and trained We can only hope that it happens soon. from the British Policy of 18th and 19th surveyors (geomaticians). Our institutions century. The British gradually slackened and universities which are to say the and eventually abandoned the policy of least poorly staffed and inadequately References: secrecy about survey data in their own equipped for this purpose. It may take country but we continue to live with it a while for the situation to improve for 1. FIG – Federation Internationale even in this age of satellite imagery and the simple reason shortage of resources des Geometres (International GPS when nothing is hidden or secret from and lack of determination to excel. Federation of Surveyors). rest of the world. SOP does have their own training institute but the quality of As we look further deep down we notice 2. Using Cadastres to Support teaching at an institute is directly related that fewer of our young persons go for Sustainable Development - Professor Ian to the teaching faculty of the institute. this profession when they go abroad WILLIAMSON, Centre for Spatial Data at undergraduate level and in our own Infrastructures and Land Administration, Geomatics is also very basic and important country no university offers degree course The University of Melbourne, Australia

February 2009 | 31 NEWS REMOTE SENSING

MapMart unveils one-stop portal scheduled to be in orbit for 5 years and Pirates seen from Space preliminary data is expected to be ready IntraSearch Inc. unveiled a new interface soon. UN climate offi cials are hoping ImageSat International, Israel utilised on its MapMart online mapping portal to work out a new emission treaty by EROS B satellite to receive a series of where satellite imagery customers can December 2009, but this satellite should images with spatial resolution of up to search, preview and order high-resolution help to monitor gases before and after any 0.7m featuring the area offshore Somalia data from DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, SPOT treaty is signed. www.jaxa.jp/index_e.html where vessels seized by pirates are and KOMPSAT. www.mapmart.com

Japanese group asks Google to stop China to grant remote sensing map service satellite to Indonesia A group of Japanese lawyers and The Chinese government will grant professors has asked Google Inc to stop Indonesia a remote sensing satellite providing detailed street-level images of to help monitor and provide early Japanese cities on the Internet, saying detections on events taking place they violated privacy rights. Google’s in the sea. www.antara.co.id Street View offers ground-level, 360- degree views of streets in 12 Japanese cities and is also offered for some QCoherent releases free LiDAR viewer 50 cities in the US and certain areas clearly seen. It provided ScanEx RDC in Europe. Privacy concerns about with satellite images showing villages QCoherent Software, announced the this service have grown in Japanese and bases of pirates on the coast of release of its free LiDAR viewer, LP media ofl ate. Similar concerns have Somalia, moorings of their speedboats Viewer. www.QCoherent.com. been raised in other parts of the world, and motorboats. http://www.scanex.com/ including the US and Europe. Reuters

Singapore Ground Station as GeoEye- from all Charter members, providing 1 satellite imagery regional affi liate 3DVU announces Web-to-Mobile 3D emergency and rescue services with aerial photo navigation the accurate and up-to-date information GeoEye, Inc. has signed a multi-year on the impacted area. www.cnes.fr agreement with the National University 3DVU, announced Way2Go, an of Singapore to allow the Centre for online web-based navigation planner Remote Imaging, Sensing and Processing combined with free mobile viewer South African space agency to be (CRISP) to collect and sell Earth of 3D aerial photography with real established this year imagery and related products from its landscape elevation. It will be available GeoEye-1 satellite. www.geoeye.com soon for over 200m mobile users with South Africa shall have its own space Symbian S60 devices providing geo- agency later this year. According to the coverage of the entire USA, UK and Department of Science and Technology, NOAA names fi rst woman to direct major Western Europe. www.3dvu.com the agency would promote the peaceful National Geodetic Survey use of outer space, foster research in astronomy, earth observation, Juliana P. Blackwell has been named the CNES relies on ERDAS Enterprise communications, navigation and space new director of NOAA’s Offi ce of National Solutions physics, foster international cooperation Geodetic Survey where she will oversee in space-related activities, and advance NOAA’s responsibilities for the nation’s Recently, CNES presented the catalog scientifi c, engineering, and technological spatial reference system. www.noaa.gov for the International Charter’s imagery competencies through human capital resources powered by ERDAS’ development. http://www.dst.gov.za/ enterprise solutions. The International New Japanese satellite to monitor Charter gathers ten space agencies from global warming all over the world, including USGS Beijing Earth Observation to (USA), ESA (Europe), JAXA (Japan), distribute RapidEye products The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency CNSA (China) and ISRO (India). confi rmed that the Greenhouse Gases RapidEye, announced that Beijing Earth Observing Satellite “IBUKI” (GOSAT) In case of natural or man-made Observation, Inc. (BEO), a subsidiary is now ready for the initial functional disaster, a unifi ed system enables of Eastdawn Group. Inc., will be their verifi cation operation. The satellite is acquisition of space data resources Chinese distributor. www.rapideye.de

32 | Coordinates February 2009 Coordinates February 2009 | 33 NEWS GPS

Russia will carry out 39 launches in Bundaberg GIS with 2009 Russia is planning to establish a world record, effectuating a total of 39 space centimeter accuracy launches in 2009, despite of the current global fi nancial crisis, according to the Russian Space Agency. he Bundaberg Regional Council, partnership with Geoscience Australia, Tlocated in Bundaberg, Australia, the government entity that manages is updating its GIS as accurately as the Australia Regional GPS Network Oft delayed IR-20 launch scheduled possible. The area governed by the and oversees the country’s spatial data for March’09 council comprises approximately 90,000 infrastructure, to establish a permanent residents and more than $1.5 billion base station at the Bundaberg airport. The GPS satellite carrying the fi rst payload Australian dollar worth of assets. to transmit the L5 signal is scheduled for Now, using the new system, fi eld launch in March. The delay has begun to The council is in the process of collecting workers are able to collect data about concern the GNSS community, because spatially accurate data on hundreds of the council’s assets using the survey unless a U.S. satellite begins broadcasting thousands of critical assets both above equipment in the fi eld and the NetR5 on the L5 frequency (1176.45 MHz) by and R8 reference receivers to produce August 26, the U.S. government may Real Time Kinematic (RTK) corrections lose its International Telecommunications with centimeter accuracy. The S6 Total Union allocation for that frequency. Plans Station is operated with a TSC2 running for the modernized GPS fl eet, including Survey Controller software. The Council’s GPS III, call for the use of L5 as a third asset section uses TerraSync™ software civilian signal, namely for safety-of- with the R8 receiver to capture fi eld life applications. Spacefl ightnow.com asset locations while the remaining TSC2 handheld is normally running SiRF partners with M/A-COM Survey Controller software with the Technology Solutions R8 receiver for RTK GPS surveying. SiRF Technology Holdings, Inc. has partnered with M/A-COM Technology Solutions, Inc. to help create the networked GPS module that provides ground and underground using a system location information to vehicle-based comprising of Trimble equipment like communications and entertainment the Trimble® NetR5™ multi-channel, systems. SiRF also introduced multi-frequency GNSS receiver which the GSC3e/LPa single-chip GPS it uses as a permanent base station; receiver, which is the fi rst SiRFstarIII three Trimble R8 receivers (one as a architecture product. www.sirf.com. mobile base); a Trimble S6 robotic/ refl ectorless total station for integrated GPS and conventional surveying; three China to have global satellite Trimble TSC2™ rugged handheld navigation system by 2015 computers; and three Trimark 3 radios. China plans to complete its independent “It’s great that we’ve been able to fi nd GNSS by launching about 30 more orbiters one vendor that can provide everything The NetR5 base station also sends before 2015. It plans to send 10 navigation we need for capturing data, from continuous, real-time data to Geoscience satellites into the space in 2009 and 2010, survey to mapping to GIS and machine Australia for inclusion in the Australian said Zhang Xiaojin, director of astronautics control without having to rely on third Regional GPS network (ARGN). This department with China Aerospace Science party hardware or software suppliers,” assists in scientifi c research pertaining and Technology Corporation. China said Steve Bowden, GIS coordinator to crustal dynamics and continental has sent 5 positioning orbiters into the at Bundaberg Regional Council. drift, meteorology, improved orbits space. The current Beidou system only The Council began by establishing for GPS satellites, and more. provides regional navigation service a fi rst-of-its-kind local government within China’s territory. Since Beidou’s

34 | Coordinates February 2009 fi fth orbiter launched in April 2007, China has started to upgrade the navigation Galileo update system to the second generation, code named COMPASS. www.chinaview.cn

IFEN to upgrade Galileo Positive signals for Galileo 2G satellite system on horizon open air test bed signals The in-orbit validation programme for China will launch more navigation The German Aerospace Center has Galileo, Europe’s global satellite navigation satellites next year to develop the second- contracted with IFEN GmbH for the system, is celebrating three years since the generation Beidou satellite navigation signal upgrade of the Galileo Test and fi rst signal was broadcast by the GIOVE- system. According to China National Development Environment (GATE), A satellite. The programme has been Administration of Global Navigation per the latest versions of the European gathering momentum since the launch of Satellite System, it aims to complete Space Agency’s Galileo Signal-in-Space the GIOVE-A satellite and its success in the second-generation Beidou system Interface Control Document (ICD) securing the critical Galileo frequency fi ling by 2011,. There are currently 5 Beidou and the GNSS Supervisory Authority with the International Telecommunications satellites in space. Xinhua News Agency Public Galileo Open Service ICD. After Union (ITU) before the fi ling expired in completion of the signal upgrade at the June 2006.Originally designed for a 27 end of 2009, the GATE test infrastructure month mission, the satellite has already Chinese version of “Google Earth” will be capable of transmitting the new been operating for more than 3 years. CBOC signal structure on the Galileo E1 The State Bureau of Surveying and frequency band and a broader bandwidth The launch of the SSTL-built GIOVE-A Mapping launched a programme to of 92.07 MHz on the E5 frequency band, satellite on 28th December 2005, gave a real set up a service platform on national according to IFEN. www.ifen.com boost to the Galileo programme. Just two geographic information for the general weeks after launch on 12th January 2006, the public. The move marks fundamental satellite transmitted Galileo signals from space changes in China’s traditional services LMU Computer Scientists for the fi rst time and over the subsequent three to supply basic geographic information. involved in Galileo months secured the required ITU frequency Upon completion, the programme will research: Project launched fi ling. GIOVE-A has enabled Europe to provide comprehensive online geographic for indoor navigation acquire and maintain the Galileo frequency information services similar to “Google fi ling. Over the last two years GIOVE-A has Earth” and “Google Maps” to all The Federal Ministry of Education and achieved greater than 99.8% availability and types of institutions and to the general Research recently approved the two-year in April 2008 ESA declared GIOVE-A “a full public. http://english.people.com.cn project “Indoor”, which will run until mission success”. In 2008 GIOVE-A was the end of 2010. In this project, Ludwig- joined by the EADS Astrium-built GIOVE-B Maximilians-Universität (LMU), Munich satellite - the fi rst to carry an onboard passive GNSS Providers Working Group to computer scientists shall be developing hydrogen maser clock, which promises to discuss compatibility, interoperability positioning and navigation technologies be the most stable and accurate clock ever to be used in the fi eld of traffi c logistics fl own in space. SSTL staff assisted ESA with The International Committee on GNSS and for emergency services. What they the in-orbit testing of GIOVE-B using the (ICG) working group on compatibility and are focusing on in particular is indoor same test facilities as had been developed for interoperability shall meet soon in Munich, positioning and navigation. The aim GIOVE-A. Recently, a team led by Bremen Germany. The discussions will focus on of the “Indoor” project is to improve based OHB-System AG, which includes SSTL compatibility and interoperability issues certain algorithms that will increase the as a core team member, has been shortlisted and system/service characteristics, such as energy and cost effi ciency of location- as a possible supplier for the provision of current and planned signals, system time based service applications. www.en.uni- fully operational Galileo satellites to be and geodetic reference frame standards, muenchen.de/about_lmu/index.html launched before 2013. www.giove.esa.int performance standards and actual system performance, service provision policies, and deployment and operation timetables.

The result of deliberations will be used to guide the ongoing work of the ICG to encourage compatibility and interoperability among all current and future GNSS providers. www.oosa. unvienna.org/oosa/en/SAP/gnss/icg.html

Coordinates February 2009 | 35 NEWS LBS NEWS GIS

MetaCarta’s LBS for 2012 Olympics Satellite helps make transportation of Bhubaneswar to have GIS-based dangerous waste safer holdings’ assessment MetaCarta, Inc., and the British Transport Police (BTP) shall provide location A new tracking system is making use of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation based situational awareness for the 2012 satellite navigation data to ensure safe (BMC), Orissa, India is putting in place Olympics. BTP will use MetaCarta roads in Europe. Developed by an Italian a GIS-based system which will create geographic search and referencing company, Allix in the Italian Lombardy maps for the individual properties in the solutions to geo-enable and consolidate region, the system monitors daily the Capital. www.orissa.gov.in/ourbmc/ information from multiple data sources displacement of 200 containers carrying by geographic location and display it industrial waste on 100 trucks. The in MapView, BTP’s intranet map-based system has been developed which uses Mumbai to detect underground water visualisation tool. www.metacarta.com location data from GNSS to accurately leakages track all movements of the industrial waste throughout its journey. www.esa. The fi rst pilot project by Brihan Mumbai Telesoft launches LBS in India int/esaCP/SEMUS6VPXPF_index_0.html Mahanagarpalika (BMC), the city’s civic body, to detect underground leakages in Telesoft Technologies has released pipelines will begin soon using GIS along HINTON Locator passive monitoring GPS-Enabled carbon application with sound sensors and ground penetration probe in India. Connecting to the cellular radars. http://timesofi ndia.indiatimes.com radio access network the HINTON Clear Standards has announced the Locator is a passive monitoring probe availability of “Carbon Tracker,” a GPS- that can be connected to any mobile enabled carbon footprint application for Lucknow to m lable online network. www.telesoft-technologies.com/ the iPhone. Available for free download at the iPhone App Store, the initial version The Lucknow Development Authority enables users to easily calculate the (LDA), Uttar Pradesh, India has launched Zoodango tries ‘intelligent location’ carbon footprint from daily commuting, a portal that will enable an allottee to get for hyperlocal services vacations, or business trips. www. the details of any property in Lucknow. clearstandards.com/carbontracker All one needs is to type the property Zoodango.com, a map-based online number and the computer would fl ash service, has launched a hyperlocal service the name of the owner, property’s that uses computer intelligence and geo- TeleNav Shotgun(TM) GPS navigation registry number and the number of search to help consumers fi nd restaurants device automates mileage tracking installments paid. www.ldalucknow.com and businesses. The main differentiator between Zoodango’s search and other TeleNav, Inc has added new features to search sites is that while the other sites do TeleNav Shotgun, a two-way, Internet- IISc takes a shot at urban planning searches based on a keyword, Zoodango connected GPS PND developed for relies on geo-searches. www.zoodango.com business travellers. It can be used to Indian Institute of Science (IISc), track miles driven, saving valuable time Bangalore in collaboration with the and resources that anyone may have government, inaugurated a Centre for Alternative Positioning Technologies otherwise spent compiling expense Infrastructure, Sustainable Transportation will provide 25% of solutions by 2014 reports. www.telenav.com/shotgun and Urban Planning, recently. It will help in conducting basic and applied Many next-generation LBS applications research in infrastructure, transportation such as social networking, local Nokia and Securitas bring location- systems and urban planning. The centre search, advertising, and geo-tagging security services to the S60 masses will set up laboratory in GIS, remote are expected to be used in urban and sensing, GPS and disaster mitigation. indoor environments where GPS either Nokia and Securitas collaboration will http://timesofi ndia.indiatimes.com underperforms in terms of fi x times or bring mobile services for personal accuracy, or fails altogether. So, alternative security and safety to Nokia’s positioning technologies such as Wi-Fi S60 platform. The service bundle, MWH releases GIS-centric decision and Cell-ID will become increasingly Securitas Safe-2-Go, consists of support software important. A-GPS, Wi-Fi and Cell-ID four components: Assist (security will be the winning combination offering alert), Find (locate person), Zone MWH Soft, has released CapPlan accuracy, availability, interoperability (SMS boundary alerts) and Friends for InfoWater, a GIS-centric and short fi x times at low cost. It will (general friend locator). Safe-2- decision support software for water represent 25% of all positioning solutions Go will launch in Sweden in the infrastructure management and risk by 2014. www.abiresearch.com first half of 2009. www.nokia.com assessment. www.mwhsoft.com

36 | Coordinates February 2009 Coordinates February 2009 | 37 NEWS INDUSTRY

Satellite-based sprinkler system Spectra Precision introduces EPOCH Business Intelligence Engine, which is 35 RTK GNSS System designed to process user actions in order to Faced with historic droughts, the derive their intent, which is matched with governments of Georgia, California EPOCH 35 GNSS system by Spectra relevant map content. www.navdog.com and Idaho are turning to GIS maps and Precision uses GPS and Glonass satellite-based computerised sprinklers technology for cadastral, topographic, for drought recovery and to prepare control, stakeout and other precision Envitia releases MapRite Capture for a future of less water. The sprinkler survey applications. It includes a base, Tool 1.1 has a satellite that tracks weather rover, fi eld software, data collector, patterns and automatically adjusts water and radio. The rover features integrated Envitia, has released MapRite Capture schedules based on an environment’s Bluetooth capability, an internal Tool version 1.1, which enhances its needs. www.governmentnews.com.au radio modem and battery. The system automated facility for the generation operates with TDS Survey Pro™ of Basic Land and Property Unit fi eld software in the US and Spectra boundaries, with a built-in feature SuperGIS Server 1.0 beta version Precision Field Surveyor outside the to maintain the dataset as additional states. www.spectraprecision.com/ Change Only Update map data is SuperGeo is going to release the beta applied. It automatically generates version of SuperGIS Server 1.0 for open the polygon extents with associated testing. The end users only need to install Trimble introduces Nomad 800X Topographic Identifi ers and associated desktop or mobile application software series handhelds and Trimble Access confi dence levels. www.envitia.com and use internet to connect SuperGIS Server to acquire data and functions Trimble introduced the AT&T Inc. - from the server. www.supergeotek.com enabled Nomad 800X Series computers. It Blaupunkt sold to Aurelius includes three new models of its outdoor rugged handheld computer that offer Munich-based AURELIUS acquired the New version of GeoConcept Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) business from the Car Multimedia Division functionality and integrated quad-band of Robert Bosch GmbH, better known The new version of GIS software from GSM cellular data transmission, digital under the brand name ‘Blaupunkt’. www. MapMechanics, GeoConcept 6.5, is photography and bar-code scanning in aureliusinvest.de/adhoc_westfalia_en.html claimed to be signifi cantly faster than one device. location. www.trimble.com. before and is easier to use. It brings improvements in both thematic analysis Trimble Access software is a new fi eld Autodesk offers three new Mac and map displays, and is fully compliant and offi ce solution for surveyors that creative software tools with Microsoft’s .NET programming is claimed to expedite data collection, environment. www.mapmechanics.com/ processing, analysis, and project Autodesk, introduced three new creative information delivery. www.trimble.com software tools for the Mac platform; Toxik, a procedural compositing tool; Mudbox, OGC server for climate change studies designed for digital sculpting and texture Tridex launches 3D laser scanning painting; and ImageModeler, image- The Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC), services in India based modeling and photogrammetry Australian Bureau of Meteorology software. www.autodesk.in (BOM) and the Open Source Geospatial Tridex Solutions has launched 3D Foundation (OSGeo) have announced that scanning solutions in India. It involves a Climate Change Integration Plugfest capturing of real world data, modeling AAMHatch deploys satellite tracker (CCIP) server would be launched at the and visualisation through use of laser FOSS4G conference, 20-23 October scanning survey technology. The company AAMHatch has adopted a new system 2009. www.opengeospatial.org has setup data processing center in STPI to allow its land and air operations to area, Gurgaon. http://tridexsolutions.com communicate in times of emergency, SPOT – Satellite Personal Tracker. The ArcGIS API for Silverlight SPOT system has the advantage by being NavDog launches intelligent map able to transmit together the fi eld teams The beta release of the ArcGIS API for search exact GPS location with a pre-programmed Microsoft (MS) Silverlight will allow safety message, through the GlobalStar application developers to integrate NavDog.com launched a new map search satellite network to multiple contacts ArcGIS Server and Microsoft Virtual technology that uses intelligence to refi ne (i.e. Offi ce Coordinator, Safety Manager, Earth services and capabilities in a content and search results in real time. It Client Representative and the emergency Silverlight application. www.esri.com is based on NavDog’s new Geographic services). www.aamhatch.com.au

38 | Coordinates February 2009 Coordinates February 2009 | 39 Hugel and Tele Atlas partner on acquisition includes proprietary, patent- as well as for other military and civilian Middle Eastern GPS device pending technologies that provide secure, applications. www.rockwellcollins.com. global tracking of mobile assets and at- Hügel GmbH and Tele Atlas, have risk personnel. spatialnetworks.com launched a Point2Point personal Allianz Insurance plc selects Cadcorp navigation device for the Middle SIS software Eastern consumer market. Arabic and Manava Bharati India International English voice prompts help motorists School wins Future Cities India 2020 Allianz Insurance plc has placed a maintain focus while driving, and Student Design Competition contract for the supply of a number of support information is offered in licences of Cadcorp SIS Map Modeller multiple languages. www.teleatlas.com The Ministry of Science & Technology, desktop GIS software, together with Government of India, and Bentley associated training and consultancy Systems, announced that the project services. The software will be used as MiTAC acquires Magellan GPS designed by students of Manava Bharati part of an accumulation management and Consumer Products Division India International School, Panchsheel reporting application designed to carry won top honors in the 2008-2009 Future out a set of spatial queries on Allianz Magellan Navigation, Inc., has entered Cities India 2020 competition. This year’s insured locations. www.cadcorp.com into a defi nitive agreement to sell the challenge centered on Indian Railway’s Magellan consumer products division plans to refurbish the country’s aging to MiTAC International Corp. of XACT Technology selects GPS receiver Taiwan. www.magellangps.com technology from u-blox

u-blox, will supply XACT Technology Navteq expands global business LLC with GPS receiver modules arrangement with Microsoft for its new line of portable personal tracking devices called XACT|TRAX. Microsoft now can access all 74 It provides users with up-to-the-minute countries in the Navteq map database. information on the location of loved The agreement with Navteq gives the ones, pets, vehicles and other assets company right to use Navteq content, wherever they may be. www.u-blox.com including Extended Listings, Navteq railway stations into world-class facilities. Discover Cities, Navteq Transport, Student teams submitted conceptual and Navteq Voice. Microsoft will use designs for the rehabilitation of the New PCI Geomatics signs distribution Navteq data in its Internet and mapping Delhi railway station. The winners were agreement with Chinese Company software solutions. www.navteq.com awarded scholarships and trophies, and the teachers and technical professionals PCI Geomatics has signed a $4 million who served as counselors and mentors dollar technology agreement with a AgTerra launches new pesticide also received awards and recognition. Chinese company. Working closely with application tracking product Members of the winning team included PCI Geomatics Beijing, this Chinese Harkeerat Singh, Sambit Ghosh, Ujjawal company will assist in developing and AgTerra Technologies, Inc. of Sheridan, Gupta and Shwetank Chaudhry. Second expanding the PCI Geomatics brand Wyoming, has released SprayLogger place honors went to Amity International, within China. www.pcigeomatics.com. product, a GPS-based system that Gurgaon. www.futurecitiesindia2020.co.in. automatically records information during a pesticide application. It automatically Hemisphere GPS awarded new patents tracks geographic locations of pesticide AeroVironment selects Rockwell applications, work order parameters, Collins navigation system Hemisphere GPS has been awarded environmental conditions, amount of two new patents; the Satellite Based chemical used and more. www.agterra.com The Rockwell Collins Athena 411 Inertial Vehicle Guidance Control in Straight and Navigation, Global Positioning, Air Data, Contour Modes patent is for a method Attitude, Heading, Reference System and system in which an agricultural Spatial Networks announces (INS/GPS/ADAHRS) has been selected by vehicle is steered using GPS data. The acquisition of TrekServ, LLC AeroVironment for their Global Observer, Soil Cultivation Implement Control a liquid hydrogen-powered Unmanned Apparatus and Method patent enables the Spatial Networks has acquired Tampa- Aircraft System (UAS) that will fl y at an position of a towed agricultural implement based TrekServ, LLC, a privately held altitude of 65,000 feet for up to seven days, to be controlled and maintained using global tracking technology fi rm. It for the U.S. Special Operations Command GPS data. www.hemispheregps.com.

40 | Coordinates February 2009 Leica XPro v4.0 provides ground Nav N Go presents mapping solutions topographic maps, extensive outdoor processing workfl ow for Chile, India and China trail networks, land management maps, and extensive points of interest for The Leica XPro, developed jointly Nav N Go, has added map data outdoor recreation. www.accuterra.com by Leica Geosystems and North West solutions for two additional Asian Geomatics Ltd., Canada, provides countries - India and China, and ground processing workfl ow from one additional South American TomTom unveils web-enabled GO 740 data download to image generation country –Chile. www.navngo.com LIVE navigation device www.leica-geosystems.com TomTom, has introduced GO 740 Satellite fi rm’s acquisition boosts LIVE. The new in-vehicle navigator NovAtel Inc. appoints Michael Ritter competitiveness features a built-in GPRS-based data as new President and CEO link, allowing it to recommend the Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. quickest route to a destination, based NovAtel Inc., announced that Michael formally became a subsidiary of Astrium on constantly updated traffi c reports. Ritter has been named as the company’s Satellites, a division of European It also comes equipped for Google new President and CEO. www.hexagon.se aerospace conglomerate EADS. www. searches on the go. www.tomtom.com astrium.eads.net/en/homepage

Contex receives BERTL’s Best Award Topcon, AeroTech sign OEM agreement for 2008 Lowrance devices to be loaded with AccuTerra maps Topcon Positioning Systems has signed an Contex announced today that BERTL agreement with AeroTech Sales LLC., of has awarded the Contex SD4400 series A new line of handheld GPS devices Fountain Valley, California, to represent scanners the 2008 BERTL’s Best from Lowrance will ship pre-loaded the OEM market for TPS’ mobile control Award for best value for price in a wide with Intermap’s AccuTerra GPS starter products. www.topconpositioning.com format scanner. www.contex.com. maps. It will include high-resolution 42 | Coordinates February 2009 February 2009 | 43 44 | Coordinates February 2009