German Truck-Toll
Plan Moves Ahead
ETC.de, a consortium comprised of DaimlerChrysler, Deutsche Telekom and French toll-road operator Cofiroute, will offer the service, scheduled to begin next year. Daimler-Chrysler and Deutsche Telekom each own 45 percent of the winning group
and Cofiroute has 10 percent.
The rival AGES group, made up of Vodafone Group, Royal Dutch/Shell, and German gas station company Aral, lost out when the German government awarded the 12-year contract in June. In its appeal, AGES claimed that the winning bid did not fulfil minimum requirements and that the government had not treated it fairly in evaluating the proposals.
The system, mandated for use by trucks of more than 12 tons, is expected to generate some $3.4 billion per year (based on a fee of about 24 cents per mile), which will be used for improvements to the German transportation system.
Once a Toll Collectequipped vehicle begins to move, the GPS receiver automatically identifies the road on which the vehicle is travelling. As soon as the truck enters a toll road, the onboard unit uses the trucks data (number of axles and emissions class) and the number of kilometres driven to calculate the tolls. A wireless communications link transmits the distances travelled by vehicles to the Toll Collect Centre. The centre then arranges payment of the toll with the shipping company.
Since the system functions completely automatically, the driver can concentrate fully on the road, says Michael Rummel, managing director of mobility management at DaimlerChrysler Services. The positioning function of the navigation system is so precise that the unit can accurately and easily determine whether a truck is on a toll highway or a parallel toll-free road.
Last year, Switzerland introduced a road tolling that also used GPS. Developed by Fela Management AG for the Swiss customs office, it only uses GPS to validate mileage data from vehicles odometer and to provide a backup if other on-board sensors fail. The Fela TRIPON unit incorporates a u-blox GPS receiver and dedicated short range communication (DSRC) for transmitting data at border crossings.
Alcatel Adds GPS to GSM
Alcatel and SnapTrack, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Qualcomm Inc., have announced an agreement to incorporate SnapTracks SnapSmart Assisted Global Positioning System (A-GPS) wireless location server software into Alcatels Intelligent Networks products for location-enabling GSM networks.
The technology will enable wireless carriers to provide automatic location of emergency callers (E112 and E911 capability) and enable their customers to offer expanded fee-based commercial location-based services (LBS). The A-GPS system will also be marketed to service bureaus hosting location-based services for carriers and large enterprises hosting their own LBS servers.
The companies will work together to integrate SnapTracks SnapSmart A-GPS location server software into Alcatels A-GPS Positioning Server for second-generation (2G) GSM networks, with a clear migration path to Serving Mobile Location Centres (SMLCs) for third-generation (3G) systems. Alcatels A-GPS Positioning Server product, when deployed with Alcatels existing Gateway Mobile Location Centre (GMLC) and with A-GPS-enabled handsets, such as those using QUALCOMMs MGP6200 multimode A-GPS companion chip, will enable end-to-end LBS functionality.
The partnership with SnapTrack completes Alcatels LBS offerings. Designed as a forward-compatible solution for 2G and 3G networks, Alcatels GMLC location server supports different positioning technologies: network centric Cell-ID technology with a precision between 500 meters and 2 kilometres; terminal-centric SIM-Toolkit technology, which is based on enhanced signal strength reach; and high-accuracy A-GPS-based positioning technology.
Alcatel has offered location technology since 1997, according to Bill Dyer, product manager for the companys Intelligent Network application software division, but the higher accuracy achievable with GPS will support a host of new applications.
When we deployed LBS technology in Europe initially, the biggest use was the find the nearest service type of applications banks, restaurants, and such, says Dyer. Location-specific traffic alerts to road congestion and buddy finder applications that employed short message service (SMS) communications have also been popular. We see an increased interest in routing directions that are now possible because of the enhanced accuracy of A-GPS and on-line gaming that adds real-world geographic location to games played in a virtual space.
BNSC Funds Galileo Work
In addition to Galileo development funds from European Union and European Space Agency sponsors, national agencies also are investing in the effort. Six of the 18 projects approved in the third round of the British National Space Centres Programme are related to Galileo. Launched in 2000 with a £9 million budget, S@TCOM funds projects and studies to explore opportunities in the satellite communications and navigation industry. Proposals funded in the latest round include:
Receiver for High Integrity Navigation Operations (RHINO), led by Raytheon Systems Ltd with participation from Roke Manor and Helios Technology. This project aims to develop a prototype GPS/Galileo satellite navigation receiver for applications such as safety-of-life services requiring high level of receiver integrity.
Development of a global, real-time, high accuracy GNSS orbit determination system led by Thales Research Ltd with participation from Thales Tracs Ltd. The project aims
to develop a commercial global differential GPS service capable of providing decimetre-level positioning accuracy with high reliability and lower operational cost than current systems.
Investigation of intellectual property (IP) concepts and their application to the mass market (urban and indoor) sectors led by Astrium UK Ltd with participation from Roke Manor Research Ltd and Leeds University, building on earlier S@TCOM-funded work.
It aims to study antenna concepts for an integrated Galileo/GSM/3G terminal and investigate IP concepts associated with the Galileo receiver and signal optimisation.
Applied Navigation and GIS in Emergency and Long Term Operational Scenarios (ANGELOS 1) led by Nottingham Scientific Ltd with participation from Aid for Aid. This feasibility study aims to explore how satellite-based technology, including Earth observation mapping information, can be applied in disaster relief management to meet the needs of charity organisations operating in the field.
The Future Real Time Location and Navigation study (FURLONG) led by Science Systems Ltd with the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, the University of Nottinghams Institute of Engineering Surveying and Space Geodesy, and the Environment Agency. This study will simulate the signals of future satellite positioning systems (Galileo and modernised GPS) to determine the precision and reliability for real time positioning service. FURLONG will investigate the feasibility of location-based service market to centimetric accuracy, including applications in transport, logistics, and environment.
A feasibility study to develop a commercially available physical channel modelling tool to exploit the Galileo mass market led by Roke Manor Research Ltd, building on work by Astrium, Roke Manor, and Leeds University under an earlier S@TCOM study.
INSTANT Project for Safety-Critical Applications
The INSTANT pilot project, funded under the 5th Framework Programme for Research and Development, consists of a consortium of Greek, Italian, and English companies. The project implements demonstration activities using the EGNOS System Testbed, integrated with communication technologies such as GPRS and Wireless LAN, and platforms (for example, Pocket PC, PDA) in the context of safety-critical applications on land and sea.
Demonstration activities include a trial in Athens for the 2004 Olympic Games in maritime and confined water environment; a trial in Rome with local fire brigades during emergencies; a trial in Athens on land for lone worker protection, tracking of goods, and other safety-related applications.
The consortium is coordinated by the Italian company NEXT and involves three Greek companies KTI as system developer and Karakitsos Securities and Vernicos Yachts as users a UK company, Terrafix, as map data provider, and an Italian company as the system integrator. The team collaborates with the Italian Ministry of the Interior, with technical follow-up of the pilot project provided by the Galileo Interim Support Structure (GISS).
Project status will be presented at the NavSat 2002 conference in Nice and the Second Annual European Energy and Transport conference in Barcelona. Technical follow-up is assured by the Galileo Interim Support Structure (GISS). Contact INSTANT co-ordinator, M. Corini (+39.06.43233204) for further information.
Calls for Conference Papers
The Seventh International Global Navigation Satellite Systems conference (GNSS 2003), also known as the European Navigation Conference, has issued a call for papers to be presented April 2225, 2003, in Graz, Austria.
Topics include GNSS, Galileo, GPS, Glonass, and other
navigation systems such as Loran-C, GSM/ UMTS positioning, and autonomous navigation. The deadline for abstract submission is November 30, 2002, by e-mail to office
com or an online form available at Web site www.gnss2003.
com. An industry exhibition will run in parallel with conference sessions.
The International Space University (ISU) is inviting abstracts of papers proposed for presentation at its 8th ISU Annual International Symposium, Satellite Navigation Systems: Policy, Commercial, and Technical Interaction, to be held in Strasbourg, France, 2628 May, 2003. Deadline for receiving abstracts of up to 600 words is December 13.
The three-day event will feature keynote addresses
followed by technical sessions on the following subjects: Perspectives on Current Policy for Satellite Navigation Systems; Future Systems: Upgrades, Changes, and New Approaches; Interoperability and Compatibility among Existing and Future Systems; Civil Applications, Human Security, and Commercial Promise; New Possibilities for Users of all Types Policy Considerations.
For more details, contact International Symposium, Strasbourg Central Campus, Parc dInnovation, 67400 Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France; fax 33 (0)3-8865-5447;
e-mail symposium@ isu.isunet.edu<.a>, or see the conference Web site at symposium@ isu.isunet.edu.
Childrens Whereabouts Tracked
A new venture in the UK will offer a product and service to track children using a GPS device that can be partly disguised as a badge.
The Kidcontact product is due to be released by the end of the year. A button worn on the outside of clothing connects with a Trimble Lassen GPS receiver module integrated with a transponder, carried in a pocket or elsewhere. The child can push the button, sending a text message with latitude and longitude to the parents WAP-enabled mobile phone. This is then forwarded to the Kidcontact call-centre where it is translated into a street-map and either posted on an Internet site or sent back to the mobile phone.
The process reportedly takes two to three minutes and is accurate to within 20 yards of the wearers position. Parents can also use the device to check on their childs whereabouts. A similar product in a wristwatch form factor is being marketed in the United States by Wherify Wireless.
Authorities point out that knowing where a child is does not mean the child is safe, as children are more likely to be harmed by someone they know, while abductions by strangers are relatively rare.
Spirent Delivers Mobile Tester
Spirent Communications of Paignton, Devon, United Kingdom, announced shipment of an integrated device for analysis of code division multiple access (CDMA) mobile device performance, including the automatic location identification performance necessary for E211 services. A new option on the companys C2K-ATS platform for testing 2G and 3G CDMA mobile devices adds the GSS5060 GPS location simulator and a TAS3710 position determination entity (PDE). The new device can simplify testing and shorten time-to-market for handset models that will enable locating mobile users who have made an emergency call for assistance.
Parthus with QinetiQ
QinetiQ, the publicprivate partnership set up by the UK Ministry of Defense to handle the non-nuclear portion of its Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA), has signed a licensing agreement with Parthus Technologies of Dublin, Ireland, to deploy the companys NavStream 3000 GPS location platform in defence, telematics, transportation, security/authentication and other areas. Parthus states its NavStream 3000 provides precise location in indoor locations and high velocity situations. QinetiQ will integrate the platform with other advanced technologies to which it has intellectual property rights, and then market the devices to commercial customers as well as supplying the British defense agency.
Thales in Polish Network
Thales Navigation will provide its MicroZ CGRS reference stations to Poland for a pilot GPS continuously operating reference station (CORS) network in the province of Silesia. The network will provide GPS data for geodetic applications to regional users such as geodesists and civil engineers.
INS, a Krakow-based surveying firm, will first install six MicroZ CGRS receivers and manage them through Thales geodetic base station and Micromanager software. The hardware will communicate via the Internet, providing data in FTP and HTTP file formats; it can also distribute differential corrections.
SAM Receiver, Integrated Antenna
Thalwil, Switzerland-based u-blox has launched SAM, a GPS smart antenna module with integrated antenna, designed to speed up customer design cycles. A complete GPS receiver with an integrated ceramic patch antenna, SAM is based on the companys TIM macro-component. Operating at a nominal voltage of 3.3 volts, it consumes less than 0.5 watts at a 1 Hz position update rate. Low power modes allow for a power consumption reduction. A free firmware upgrade using internal flash memory to store up to 100,000 positions adds datalogging functionality.
British GPS Archive in Nottingham
The UK Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) has announced development of a new facility at the Institute of Engineering Surveying and Space Geodesy at the University of Nottingham. The British Isles GPS archive Facility (BIGF) will provide a central long-term repository of GPS data recorded by continuously operating GPS receivers at stations throughout the British Isles. The BIGF will provide the data to scientific researchers in the UK and elsewhere. The archive currently holds data from a network of 50 stations. For more information, see Web site www.nottingham.ac.uk/ iessg/bigf.
Laser Scanning Taught in Newcastle
Leica Geosystems has based a Cyrax 2500 laser scanner and associated software in the School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences at the University of Newcastle, UK, for teaching, research, and professional training to the geomatics industry. Undergraduate and postgraduate modules will cover laser scanning theory, scanned data processing, and practical sessions with the scanner. Professional training will expand these activities to meet growing demand for 3D laser scanning in geomatics.
People
Matti Raty has joined FastraX Oy of Vantaa, Finland as the companys chief executive officer. The companys previous CEO, Kim Kaisti, now becomes vice president of business development. Raty has executive experience with Xerox Corporation and most recently with Ericsson Ab, as director of its Mobile Internet Solutions unit in Finland. FastraX recently announced that it will supply its iTrax02 GPS receiver for the Benefon NT product line of location-enabled mobile phones.
Javad Navigation Systems, with offices in Saratoga, California, and Moscow, Russia, has appointed Tom Hunter as vice president of sales, Ken Jackson as vice president of engineering, and Sila Novitisky as general manager. Hunter most recently worked with Thales Navigation and earlier with Ashtech and Magellan; Jackson with Microsoft Corporation, Ashtech, and Magellan; and Novitisky with the Thales Navigation, Ashtech, and the Russian Institute of Space Device Electronics, responsible for the development of overall GLONASS system electronics.
