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GNSS spectrum function and anti-interference technology for K8-series

1.  Anti-interference technology introduction

Low-power anti-interference (LAI) technology is ComNav’s patented advanced technology to counter, narrowband and continuous-wave interference. The SNR can reach 60 dB and the power consumption is only 0.1 W when enabled.

LAI technology can quickly detect and mitigate interference through simple setup to ensure the safety of equipment during operation.

In latest firmware version, K8-series receivers have added advanced interference detection and suppression features, which can detect and suppress radio interference sources. ComNav has also added technology that can output interference source spectrum data, which can be used to detect interference types and possible interference sources.

2.  Spectrum function in MyPort software

Clients can use ComNav MyPort software to detect and mitigate interference.

To do this, open MyPort, select Spectrum in the software, check the scan frequency and scan range, and adjust the scan frequency manually.

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Then select Observation (BD2/BD3) in Setting.

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Users can set the scanning frequency and range in Frequency Spectrum Setting.

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To set anti-interference, users can select the mode as needed.

When CWI Manual is not selected, the frequency, channel and switch are not selectable. When CWI Manual is selected, users can manually configure the frequency, channel and switch.

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3. Example

Here is an example that shows all these steps.

We added 60 dBm interference at 1.57542 GHz (GPS L1) using an RF signal generator as interference.

The device is connected as shown in the figure below. The satellite signal and the interference signal provided by the RF signal generator are sent to the module to be tested by the confluence. The signal-to-noise ratio and positioning status are concerned.

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Note that the default scan number is 200.

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Spectrum diagram when only the GNSS signal is connected.

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Spectrum diagram when adding an interference signal source.

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Spectrum diagram after activating anti-interference.

4. Data analysis

If the user needs data further analyzed, it can be decoded using the Binary_MsgDecode tool. A column of data can be obtained by decoding, and the data can be imported into Excel for plotting. The horizontal coordinate is the scanning frequency, which can be obtained according to the scanning frequency and scanning range of the central point set by the user. The ordinate is the interference intensity, which can be obtained by the formula dBm=20log(A) (A is the scan value).

4.1 Commands introduction

Command format 1:

SCANSPECTRUM <center-freq> <scan-range> <scan-times>

Command format 2:

SCANSPECTRUM <mode>

Descriptions:

This command is used to set spectrum scanning parameters.

Parameter:

center-freq: Set the scanning center frequency, unit: KHz

scan-range: Set the scanning range, unit: KHz

scan-times: Set the number or the scan points

mode: L1/L2/L5, according to the center frequency of L1, L2, L5 frequency points, the scanning range is 8000KHz, 200 points scanning.

Example:

SCANSPECTRUM 1575420 8000 200

Message:

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Message structure

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4.1 Data playback

MyPort software supports data playback function. Users can play back the saved data according to their needs.

To do this, disconnect the connection, select File Process, then click Connect, and the folder will automatically appear; users can choose the appropriate sub-folder from there.

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4.2 Data decode

Open Binary_MsgDecode software, drag the file in, then click Enter and it will auto decode a file named Message2264.log, which the client can use for further analysis.

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EUSPA to hold Galileo HAS Days

Image: ESA

Image: ESA

On June 28-29, the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) will host Galileo High Accuracy Service (HAS) Days for users, industry stakeholders, application developers and international experts to learn more about HAS. This event provides an opportunity for all attendees to discuss and share expectations of Galileo HAS, its challenges, and benefits.

Over two days, participants will learn more about the status of Galileo HAS, including current performance, evolution plans and key user applications. There will also be dedicated user sessions, including live demonstrations allowing participants to experiment the Galileo HAS capabilities.

In addition, participants will visit the European GNSS Service Centre (GSC), the single interface between the Galileo system and the users. The GSC is a center of expertise, knowledge sharing, custom performance assessment, information dissemination and support to the provision of value-added services enabled by the Galileo services.

The GSC hosts the high accuracy data generator, which computes the HAS orbit and clock corrections as well as the signal biases that are broadcast through the Galileo constellation and over the internet.

This first edition of the Galileo HAS Days will be held as a hybrid event, so attendees can join either online or physically at the Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA), in Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid, Spain.

The draft agenda is available here.

Registration for the event is open until June 16 for those willing to attend onsite. Click here for more information.

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New Galileo sensor station operating in South Pacific

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Image: Screenshot of GSS Map from EUSPA

The newest addition to the network of Galileo sensor stations (GSS) is up and running in Wallis and Futuna, a French territory in the South Pacific consisting of three main islands and many tiny islets. It enables increased Galileo coverage in the southern hemisphere.

The European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) reported that the decision for the new station was made in June 2020; however, due to COVID-19, its deployment did not begin until summer 2022. In October 2022, the second mission to Wallis and Futana took place to complete the deployment and connect the station to the ground mission segment network for data collection.

The GSS is a network of antennas deployed at remote locations around the world. They have small, omnidirectional receiving antennas 50 cm high that check the accuracy and signal quality of individual satellites and pinpoint current satellite orbits. Establishing GSS is difficult and requires security accreditation by EUSPA’s Security Accreditation Board.

To make the best use of the Galileo services, users rely on more than just the satellites. Dedicated facilities such as the Galileo control centers, sensors, and uplink stations are important components that make up the Galileo ground segment — which supports the service provision of Europe’s GNSS. The GSS is an important element of Galileo’s ground segment.

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UAVOS, Bayanat partner to supply autonomous helicopters

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Image: UAVOS

UAVOS has been selected by Bayanat, a provider of artificial intelligence-powered geospatial solutions, to deliver its unmanned aircraft system (UAS) for a variety of applications, including aerial photography and perimeter control. The UAS consists of two UVH 25EL unmanned autonomous helicopters powered by electric motors, a ground control station, and various sensor payloads — including a multispectral camera, lidar, and digital and thermal cameras.

The autonomous helicopter’s advanced capabilities of long endurance — up to 1.5-hours — along with its camera capabilities, enable the UVH 25EL to carry out accurate mapping within a radius of 67 km.

The UVH 25EL has a practical load weight of 5 kg. These capabilities enable high performance as well as maximum operational flexibility for applications such as coastal security, search and rescue, and advanced aerial photography missions.

UAVOS also provides full operational support, including training, and a fundamental review of the UAS’s possible uses.

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Airbus tests UAS at sea in full operational configuration

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Image: Airbus

Airbus Helicopters and the French Armament General Directorate (DGA) tested the unmanned aerial system (UAS) VSR700 for the first time in an operational configuration from a ship at sea.

The VSR700 performed 80 fully autonomous take-offs and landings from a civil vessel off the coast of Brittany in the west of France at the beginning of May.

In 2022, the autonomous take-off and landing capabilities of the VSR700 were tested from the same vessel using an optionally piloted vehicle based on a modified Guimbal Cabri G2 equipped with the autonomous take-off and landing (ATOL) system, developed for the VSR700. This time the test campaign took place with the SDAM demonstrator and fully validated the capabilities of the system as part of the Système de Drone Aérien pour la Marine study that was awarded to Airbus Helicopters and Naval Group in 2017.

Autonomous take-off and landing capabilities are a key asset of the VSR700 and are made possible with the use of the Airbus DeckFinder system. This enables autonomous launch and recovery of UAVs with an accuracy of 10cm-20cm during challenging operations in harsh environmental conditions, independently of GNSS/GPS and regardless of degraded visual conditions.

This test campaign follows two series of trials that were conducted with the DGA in late 2022 and early 2023, from the Levant Island test center located in the south of France. During these trials, the SDAM prototype demonstrated its ability to operate in a maritime environment.

The handling qualities of the aircraft were tested as well as the capabilities of the sensors (a maritime surveillance radar, an electro optical sensor, and an AIS receiver) alongside the mission system developed by Naval Group.

The next development steps will see the second VSR700 prototype perform its maiden flight ahead of flight testing onboard a French Navy FREMM during the second semester of this year.

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China completes multiple satellite launches that include replenishing the BeiDou constellation

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Image: Nikada/E+/Getty Images

On May 16, China launched a BeiDou satellite to replenish the constellation, reported Space News. This brings the constellation total to 56 satellites.

This backup satellite was aboard a Long March 3B rocket, which launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China at 10:49 p.m. Eastern Time. The satellite aims to improve BeiDou’s stability, positioning precision and overall health.

In addition to launching the BeiDou satellite, China also launched satellites to study Earth and synthetic aperture radar test satellites (SAR) for disaster prevention.

On May 21, the Macau Science Satellite 1A and 1B launched on a Long March 2C rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at 4 a.m. Eastern Time. This satellite was designed to study the Earth’s magnetic field.

Also, on May 21, aboard the same rocket was the Luojia-2 (01), a Ka-band synthetic aperture radar test satellite for Wuhan University. The Luojia-2 (01) will test signal enhancement and integration of remote sensing imaging, meteorological detection and more.

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation has planned more than 60 launches this year and has already completed 20 thus far.

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Carlson Software releases multi-application tablet and GNSS solution

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Image: Carlson Software

Carlson Software has released the RT5 rugged tablet data collector and the RTk5 GNSS solution, which integrates the form factor of the RT5 with real-time kinematic GNSS performance.

The Carlson RT5 is designed for surveying, stake-outs, construction layout and GIS mapping, and is bundled with Carlson SurvPC — the Windows-based data collection program. The RT5 can run SurvPC with Esri OEM for use in the field.

The Carlson RTk5 adds an advanced GNSS solution to the RT5, enabling accuracy in a compact, light and versatile package. It comes with a custom-built pole and cradle, a survey-grade antenna, and a small portable helix antenna for handheld GNSS use. It is suitable for land surveyors, engineers, GIS professionals, and users in need of advanced GNSS positioning with an RTK rover.

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Frontier Precision announces upgraded UAV platform

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Image: Frontier Precision

Frontier Precision has announced the availability of an upgraded flagship UAV platform, the Matrice 350 RTK.

This UAV platform features a new video transmission system and control experience, an efficient battery system, and more comprehensive safety features. It also offers robust payload and expansion capabilities.

The Matrice 350 RTK has a 55-minute max flight time and an IP55 rating. It features six-directional sensing and positioning, as well as a night-vision FPV camera, and 400 battery cycles.

Click here for more product information.

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Hexagon, Hitachi Zosen partner to provide TerraStar-X Enterprise corrections in Japan

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Image: gremlin/E+/Getty Images

Hexagon’s Autonomy and Positioning division and the Hitachi Zosen Corporation have signed an agreement to bring the TerraStar-X Enterprise correction service to Japan.

Hitachi Zosen manages a network of 1,300 reference stations operated by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan. Nippon GPS Data Service, a subsidiary of Hitachi Zosen, will provide Hexagon with GNSS data from this network.

With access to this data, Hexagon will provide the TerraStar-X Enterprise GNSS correction service, which is suitable for automotive applications. The service is now available for testing in the Tokyo area and will be expanded across Japan.

Hexagon has operational testbeds for TerraStar-X Enterprise in several locations in North America, Europe and China that provide reliable, lane-level accuracy in under a minute. With the addition of a testbed in Japan, vehicle manufacturers and technology providers can use the same design for all their correction service requirements.

By utilizing data created from GSI network observations, Hexagon’s TerraStar-X Enterprise will ensure fast convergence to lane-level accuracy and is available to support large-scale programs with functional safety requirements in Japan.

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A2Z Drone Delivery launches delivery UAV

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Image: A2Z Drone Delivery

A2Z Drone Delivery, developer of commercial UAV delivery solutions, has released its delivery UAV, the RDSX Pelican. The Pelican leverages a hybrid vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) airframe with no control surfaces to combine the reliability and flight stability of a multirotor platform, with the extended range of a fixed-wing craft.

With no ailerons, elevator, or rudder, the Pelican’s durable design eliminates common points of failure and extends operational time between maintenance overhauls. Designed to meet the 55 lb takeoff weight limitation for Federal Aviation Administration Part 107 compliance, the Pelican can carry payloads of 5 kg on missions up to 40 km, roundtrip.

The Pelican can be optimized for extended range operations or to deliver payloads from altitude with the company’s RDS2 UAV delivery winch.

Available in multiple configurations, the RDSX Pelican can be customized for an array of missions. The Pelican enables deliveries from altitude where spinning propellers are kept far from people and property, mitigating consumer privacy concerns of low-flying UAVs while abating intrusive rotor noise.

Alternatively, for missions in which the UAV can safely land at its destination, a simple servo-release mechanism can release payloads and expand the Pelican’s payload capacity.

Beyond logistics use cases such as residential deliveries, the Pelican is suitable for aerial mapping, UAV inspection, forestry services, search and rescue operations, water sample collection, offshore deliveries, mining, and more.