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What's
Out There
Construction software
DSNP has developed CENTAUR construction site management
software, which comprises three modules. The Project module enables data
capture of a project's geometry, including centre lines, long sections,
and cross sections. The Walker module enables surveying, staking, positioning
of explosives, and volume computation. The Driver module uses GPS positioning
to guide earth-moving equipment. DSNP, Carquefou, France.
Galileo brochure
Galileo Industries, the consortium acting as prime contractor
for the Galileo satellite system, has published a brochure that outlines
the plans for the system. It describes the timeline for Galileo's development,
the proposed architecture of the system, and how public and private entities
will interact to finance and operate the system. Galileo Industries,
Europe.
Java-based telematics software
SmartMove has released the Open Telematics Framework
(OTF), a suite of Java-based software for telematics service providers,
service aggregators, and consumers. The Development Kit lets service providers
register and operate their services. The Communication Control Centre
(CCC) module provides management functionality to the service aggregator,
functions as a database, and stores vehicle and subscription profile data.
The SmartMove Platform is the Java-based computing platform installed
in the consumer's vehicle. It contains a chipset, software components,
and a virtual machine. Linked to the vehicle bus, it interfaces through
the driver via voice activation, hardware buttons, or a screen display.
The system is designed to accommodate new technologies that develop, such
as broadband, wireless, and broadcast. SmartMove, Leuven, Belgium.
Marine navigation device
MAN Technologie AG and SAM Electronics have developed
the Satlog DEBEG 4124 marine navigation device. Based on MAN's NR-N100
GPS/GLONASS marine navigator, the product is the first satellite device
that the German navigation authority, Bundesamt für Seeschiffahrt
und Hydrographie (BSH), has approved as a speed log system for speed-over-ground
measurements. MAN Technologie AG, Munich, Germany.
Automobile navigation system
Divitech has introduced Route Planner, an in-car navigation
system. The system keeps track of the vehicle's position even when the
GPS signal is blocked. It automatically reprograms the route when the
driver departs from the previously computed path. Automatic sensor calibration
and a second-vehicle installation kit simplify moving the device between
vehicles. A fleet management version allows two-way text messaging between
the vehicle and the control room. The device accepts 12 volt and 24 volt
power so that it can be installed on cars, trucks, and buses. Divitech
S.p.A., Leinì, Italy.
Location-based services
IVU Traffic Technologies has introduced the Mobile Mobility
System, which enables service providers to offer location-based services
to their customers over currently available WAP-capable mobile phones.
The user's position can be determined by means of the company's SIM card
in a mobile phone without the need for a separate GPS receiver. IVU
Traffic Technologies AG, Berlin, Germany.
Fleet management software
Trimble has introduced FleetVision base station software
for mobile positioning and communications management. Designed for use
with the company's mobile positioning hardware, the software can act as
a communications platform for Windows application developers and system
integrators or as a stand-alone fleet management package for users. It
supports automatic vehicle location and data communication management
over a variety of communications networks. Features include user-definable
event configuration and reporting, an alarm display with audible notification,
download and storage of logged vehicle data, and simultaneous real-time
and replay map displays with position tracing features. Trimble Navigation
Europe Limited, Hook, Hampshire, UK.
German traffic information
Trafficmaster Communications has implemented its digital
traffic information network in Germany. The company's fixed sensors and
floating cars are delivering data that drivers can access using the company's
in-car products and mobile phone services. The company, which already
offers service in the United Kingdom, plans to expand the service to France
and Italy in 2001. Trafficmaster Communications, Milton Keynes,
UK.
GPS software development kit
FastraX has introduced iSuite, a software development
environment for application-specific customisation of the company's iTrax
receivers. The development package includes an optimising C compiler,
symbolic assembler, archiver, linker, loader, profiler, and simulator
running in Unix or Windows; the iSuite software; sample C code for application-specific
tailoring; and documentation. FastraX, Helsinki, Finland.
Defense and aerospace electronics
A brochure from Thomson-CSF Racal summarises the company's
capabilities in the areas of defense, aerospace, and information technology.
The company manufactures electronic products for defense and can act as
prime contractor for large projects. It supplies air traffic control systems,
avionics, and training and simulation devices to the aerospace industry.
Its IT and telecommunications products include call centre equipment,
retail point of sale technology, and fleet management technology. Thomson-CSF
Racal, London,UK.
Vehicle locator
RoyalTek has introduced the Car Locator, an intelligent
locator system integrated with a mobile telephone and a 12-channel GPS
receiver. Using the GSM system's Short Messaging Service (SMS), the system
logs a car's position once every 20 seconds. It is designed for fleet
management, railway, marine, and vehicle security applications. RoyalTek,
Tao Yuan City, Taiwan.
Bluetooth host protocol stack
Parthus has developed the Bluestream Host Protocol Stack,
which enables Bluetooth adopters to develop embedded and non-embedded
applications. Implemented in ANSI C and designed using object-oriented
techniques, the stack has modular and easily extensible architecture.
Initially intended for the ARM platform, the implementation can be modified
for use on other 16- and 32-bit processors. To minimise code size and
RAM requirement, the stack can be configured to include only the functionality
required for an application. Parthus Technologies plc., Dublin,
Ireland.
Handheld GPS compass
A handheld GPS compass from NavSymm allows a user to
obtain location and bearing information while stationary. Incorporating
an eight-channel GPS receiver and an electronic compass, it can calculate
the coordinates of a target from range and bearing information. The unit
can accept input from a radio receiving DGPS corrections and can output
data to a plotter. It can store as many as 1,000 waypoints. When a waypoint
is called up, the display shows the bearing and distance to it. The compass
can be used without the GPS receiver to save battery power. The device
stores 100 internal datums, allowing use worldwide. The housing is waterproof
and the unit floats. NavSymm Positioning Systems, Westgate, Northampton,
UK.
GPS antenna
Emtac has introduced the GPA-07 series of antennas. Available
in four low-profile magnet-mounted styles, the antennas offer antenna
gain of 3.0 dBi and an axial ratio of 3.0 dBi. Low-noise amplifier gain
is 28 dB with a noise figure of 1.6 dB. Input voltage is 5 +/-0.5 volts,
and power consumption is 20 milliamps. SMA, SMB, and MCX output connectors
are available. A two- or three-meter cable is included. Emtac Technology
Corp., Hsinchu, Taiwan.
Receiver/antenna for embedded applications
KiRyung Electronics has developed the KGP9800M integrated
GPS receiver engine and antenna for embedded applications. Based on a
Mitel chipset, the receiver module uses 12 channels of C/A code on the
L1 band. The module has a full-duplex RS-232 port, accepts differential
RTCM SC-104 data, and supports the NMEA 0183 protocol. A version with
dead reckoning capability for continuous positioning in the absence of
a GPS signal is available. KiRyung Electronics, Seoul, Korea.
Precise time and frequency supply
Navicom has introduced the Timorbit PSL precise time
and frequency supply. The device incorporates an 8-channel GPS receiver
and outputs the GPS time signal every second or every other second via
a quad RS-232 interface at speeds as great as 38,400 bps. With the GPS
signal locked, the device is accurate to within 100 nanoseconds (rms)
of UTC with SA on. In the absence of a GPS signal, the device keeps time
to within ±7 microseconds per day. The unit measures 215 3 88 3 298
mm, and 24- and 48-volt dc versions are available. Navicom Co., Ltd.,
Seoul, Korea.
Space Imaging Europe offers Carterra 1-meter imagery
from its IKONOS satellite. The products range from Carterra Geo, with
± 50-meter accuracy, to Carterra Precision Plus, with ±2-meter
accuracy. The images can be supplied on CD-ROM, Exabyte tape, or DAT in
various file formats and in various projections. Four-meter multispectral
images and digital terrain and elevation models are also available. Space
Imaging Europe, Athens, Greece.
Total station
 Leica
Geosystems has introduced the TPS100 series of total stations designed
for construction surveying. The user positions the instrument using the
laser plummet, levels it with the electronic level, and measures the distance
and bearing to the target with a single keypress. Features that accelerate
and simplify measurement include a 90° beep, endless drives, and
a 303 telescope. The instrument is powered by AA cells or a rechargeable
camcorder battery. The TC model requires reflectors; the TCR model does
not. Leica Geosystems AG, Heerbrugg, Switzerland.
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