A roundup of recent products in the GNSS and inertial positioning industry from the December 2024 issue of GPS World magazine.
Mapping
GPR System
For terrestrial and airborne applications
The Zond Aero 500 NG is a versatile ground penetrating radar (GPR) system designed for both terrestrial and drone-mounted surveys, suitable for applications such as utility scanning, sinkhole detection, glaciology and geological studies. It operates in dual mode, allowing for ground-based and airborne surveys, enhancing data collection flexibility. Key specifications include a center frequency of 500 MHz, an operating bandwidth of 200 MHz – 900 MHz, a sampling rate of 25,600 samples per second and a scan rate of 50 scans per second, with depth penetration up to 4 meters in average soil conditions. The system features advanced electronics for real-time data collection, which can significantly improve the signal-to-noise ratio. It is compatible with DJI Matrice 300/350 UAVs for airborne applications.
SPH Engineering, sphengineering.com
Streamlined Lidar Mapping
YellowScan’s Surveyor Ultra integrated with DeltaQuad Evo
Integrating YellowScan’s Surveyor Ultra with the DeltaQuad Evo platform allows users to collect high-precision, high-density data across 1,200 hectares in a single flight while simultaneously capturing lidar and RGB data.
DeltaQuad Evo’s long-range flight capabilities and efficient vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) design, paired with the Surveyor Ultra’s lidar technology, allow users to streamline their workflows to reduce time spent in the air and on post-processing tasks, making it particularly beneficial for large infrastructure projects, forestry analysis and environmental monitoring. The system can be used for surveying, construction, forestry and environmental research.
DeltaQuad, deltaquad.com
Airborne Mapping System
With a ‘cross-fire’ scan pattern
The VQ-1560 III-S is a dual-channel laser scanning system designed for airborne mapping applications. Its “cross-fire” scan pattern allows for simultaneous forward and backward viewing at the edges of the swath, along with a nadir view in the center. This configuration optimizes point distribution for effective target sampling. With pulse repetition rates reaching up to 4.4 MHz, the VQ-1560 III-S can operate at altitudes of up to 1,600 m above ground level (AGL). At a lower pulse repetition rate of 560 kHz, it can function at altitudes as high as 3,900 m AGL.
The system features inertial measurement unit (IMU) and GNSS integration, with the option to include one or two high-resolution RGB/NIR cameras. It is ideal for professionals in fields such as urban planning, forestry and environmental monitoring.
RIEGL, riegl.com
Coastal Mapping Solution
Features a lidar sensor
This bathymetric lidar system is designed for coastal and inland water mapping. It combines high-resolution topographic and bathymetric capabilities, allowing for seamless data collection across land and sea. It can be used for coastal zone management, environmental monitoring, infrastructure planning and more.
Fathom delivers data quickly by leveraging real-time quality control with Onboard and scalable processing with a CARIS workflow. It also includes a built-in topographic lidar and a multispectral camera for coastal surveys at a coverage of 50 km2/hour.
Teledyne Optech, teledyneoptech.com
Mounting Accessory
Designed for mobile mapping
The Geode Grip is a mounting accessory featuring a specialized bracket. It allows users to securely attach smartphones directly to Juniper’s Geode GNSS receivers, offering an integrated and streamlined data collection solution.
The Geode Grip is a tool designed for professionals in surveying, mapping and geographic information systems (GIS) to enhance mobile data collection. It replaces the traditional survey pole with a handheld setup that aims to improve ergonomics. It is ideal for field projects that require precise location data and mobile data collection, such as environmental research, land surveying, agriculture and infrastructure engineering.
Juniper Systems, junipersys.com
Mobile
New Product Bundle
For high-accuracy GNSS applications
Quectel Wireless Solutions has unveiled a new product bundle designed to facilitate the development of high-accuracy GNSS applications. The bundle includes the LG290P GNSS module, which is a quad-band, multi-constellation device capable of receiving signals from various satellite systems, including GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BDS, QZSS and NavIC. The LG290P is engineered for high precision and supports RTK positioning, allowing for centimeter-level accuracy even in challenging environments. It can be used in diverse applications, such as autonomous vehicles, precision agriculture and surveying.
In addition to the LG290P module, the bundle includes options for either the YEGN103W8A geodetic antenna or the YEGD006U1A patch antenna. Both antennas are designed to operate within the same frequency bands as the GNSS module and are compliant with environmental regulations such as RoHS. This pre-integrated solution simplifies developers’ procurement and integration process by providing a one-stop solution that combines antennas with GNSS modules and RTK correction services.
Quectel Wireless Solutions, quectel.com
Surveying
Lidar Camera Payload
For surveying and mapping applications
The RESEPI Ultra LITE is a lightweight payload combining lidar and camera technology for advanced surveying and mapping applications. The system integrates the XT-32 lidar scanner to offer users advanced data accuracy and point density across various operational modes.
It has a compact design with a 5MP colorization camera, making it ideal for small unmanned aerial systems (SUAS) with strict volume constraints. It can be used for aerial and ground-based applications, including utility mapping, construction volumetrics, precision agriculture, forestry, site surveying and mining. Designed for seamless integration, the system is compatible with a wide range of platforms such as Freefly, WISPR, DJI, Sony and mobile setups. Inertial Labs’ proprietary SnapFit adapters ensure quick and secure mounting to enhance the system’s adaptability.
Inertial Labs, inertiallabs.com
RTK Rover
With tilt compensation
The Leica GS05 is a compact and lightweight GNSS smart antenna designed for surveying tasks, featuring calibration-free tilt compensation. This robust device allows for accurate measurements even when the survey pole is tilted up to 30°, enhancing data collection in challenging environments. Its integration with Leica Geosystems’ portfolio, including Leica Captivate software and total stations, seeks to maximize efficiency. The GS05 can function as both a base and an RTK rover, supporting single base stations and RTK networks such as Leica SmartNet.
Leica Geosystems, leica-geosystems.com
GNSS/INS
For marine surveying applications
Intrepid is a GNSS/INS system integrated with the SeaBat T20-ASV processor and includes a compact IMU and two GNSS antennas, ensuring reliable and precise positioning.
It can automatically stream data to third-party software. This eliminates the need for manual sensor interfacing and reduces downtime. The Intrepid GNSS/INS benefits users in marine surveying applications by providing the precise navigation necessary for operational efficiency. Its intuitive design allows for simple configuration.
Teledyne Marine, teledynemarine.com
OEM
Miniature MEMS Sensor-Based IMU
Can withstand high shock and vibrations
The KERNEL-201 features three-axis MEMS accelerometers and gyroscopes that offer ultra-low noise, high bandwidth and minimal latency. These characteristics make it ideal for applications such as pointing, stabilization and navigation in systems where performance and size are critical. Its volume of 0.38 cubic inches offers a high dynamic range.
Fully calibrated and temperature-compensated, the unit offers consistent, precise measurements even in challenging environments. It features an in-run bias stability of up to 0.7 deg/hr for gyroscopes and 0.005 mg for accelerometers, along with a low angular random walk (ARW) of 0.065°/√hr and velocity random walk (VRW) of 0.015 m/sec/√hr.
The unit is designed to withstand high shock and vibration while maintaining peak performance, making it suitable for a wide range of challenging applications. The KERNEL-201 can be integrated into various high-level systems, such as motion reference units (MRUs), GPS-aided inertial navigation systems (INS) and attitude and heading reference systems (AHRS). It offers continuous built-in testing (BIT), customizable communication protocols and flexible power options.
Inertial Labs, inertiallabs.com
Smart Choke Antenna
Offers comprehensive GNSS signal reception
The VCS6000XF full band smart choke antenna is engineered for CORS applications. It combines Tallysman Verachoke antenna elements with Septentrio’s Mosaic X5 full-band receiver to offer an integrated solution for OEM CORS systems.
The VCS6000XF offers comprehensive GNSS signal reception, including GPS/QZSS L1/L2/L5, GLONASS G1/G2/G3, Galileo E1/E5a/E5b/E6/E5 AltBoc, BeiDou B1/B2/B2a/B3, NavIC L5, SBAS and L-Band correction services.
The antenna features a 0.5 mm phase center variation and utilizes Calian’s eXtended filtering for near-band signal interference mitigation. The integrated Septentrio Mosaic X5 receiver provides capabilities such as anti-jamming, anti-spoofing, scintillation mitigation and receiver integrity by combining the antenna and receiver in the choke ring antenna.
Calian GNSS, calian.com
<p>The post Launchpad: New surveying and mapping products, MEMS sensors and more first appeared on GPS World.</p>