GNSS Opinions Block IIF: Follow-on, or Failure? Published May 27, 2009 By Alan Cameron Join the Discussion A few short weeks ago, the U.S. GPS program had its posterior firmly planted in the catbird seat. Government spokespeople in international fora looked on benignly as European, Chinese, and Russian GNSS programs struggled to resolve their issues and meet their heady challenges. All was well with the world. A new GPS satellite launched, a segment of radio-frequency spectrum secured for a promising new signal, a next-gen satellite shipped to the Cape, and the next-next-gen program nearing successful preliminary design review (since completed). In the blink of an eye, the world is turning. Read more » GNSS Design & Test Newsletter GPS Block IIF satellite
GNSS Parkinson Prescribes Remedy for GAO Report Alarm Published May 26, 2009 By GPS World Staff Join the Discussion Brad Parkinson, the first GPS Program Office director, chief architect and advocate for GPS, submitted written testimony to Congress on mitigation options for possible GPS brownouts. His presentation comes in reference to the recent GAO report highlighting the risk that the GPS constellation may fall below the minimum level of 24 satellites required for full operational capability. In his opening, Parkinson states that GAO correctly points out the possibility that the GPS constellation will be reduced to less than the current number of 30 to 32 satellites. In fact, it is possible that the constellation will be at a level of less than 24 satellites. I would like to focus on the options that would help reduce this risk." Read more » Block IIF satellite Brad Parkinson GPS Block IIF satellite GPS constellation GPS III GPS modernization GPS satellites
GNSS Loran Study Finally Unleashed: Says Keep It, Best Option Published May 12, 2009 By GPS World Staff Join the Discussion Withheld from the public for two years, since its completion in March 2007, the Independent Assessment Team (IAT) report has been let out of detention, just in time to counter recent efforts by the Obama administration, the Department of Homeland Security, and the U.S. Coast Guard to throttle the program. The IAT “unanimously recommends that the U.S. government complete the eLoran upgrade and commit to eLoran as the national backup to GPS for 20 years. The IAT’s conclusion has long been informally known throughout the GPS industry, but the report’s release adds considerable weight, expertise, and specifics to a long, determined campaign to preserve the program. Read more » eLoran
GNSS GPS at Risk: Doomsday 2010 Published May 12, 2009 By GPS World Staff Join the Discussion The United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued on May 7 an alarming report on the future of GPS, characterizing ongoing modernization efforts as shaky. The agency appears to single out the IIF program as the weak link between current stability and ensured future capability, calling into doubt whether the Air Force will be able to acquire new satellites in time to maintain current GPS service without interruption. It asserts the very real possibility that in 2010, as old satellites begin to fail, the overall GPS constellation will fall below the number of satellites required to provide the level of GPS service that the U.S. government commits to." Read more » Block IIF Block IIF satellite GAO GPS Block IIF satellite GPS constellation GPS modernization
Opinions Survey Survey Perspectives: RTK Networks Webinar Q&A Follow-Up Published May 6, 2009 By Eric Gakstatter Join the Discussion Many surveyors I know use RTK for setting boundaries. Some even use single-baseline RTK for this task, which is essentially just a radial survey (no redundancy). I?d say that almost all whom I know that are doing this have used their RTK systems enough to understand the limitations. In fact, I think most have run RTK and total stations side-by-side on jobs to gain confidence and understand RTK in the field. Read more » RTK network webinar
GNSS New GPS Satellite’s Problems Indicated Published May 4, 2009 By GPS World Staff Join the Discussion The U.S. Air Force spoke briefly for the first time in public regarding signal anomalies from the IIR(M)-20 satellite launched in March. Read more » L1 L2 L5
GNSS Gunther Heinrichs Describes the Galileo Test Environment Published April 27, 2009 By GPS World Staff Join the Discussion Gunther Heinrichs, head of business development at IFEN GmbH, describes capabilities and simulation projects taking place in the Galileo Test Environment. Read more » Galileo Test Environment Gunther Heinrichs
Lidar Mapping Opinions Duty, Honor, Country — and GIS Published April 9, 2009 By Art Kalinski Join the Discussion The U.S. Military Academy at West Point was born of unique geography; more than 200 years later, it’s teaching modern mapping methods. By Art Kalinksi, GISP Last week, I had the privilege of meeting with members of the GIS Program of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. The security guards at the gate greet […] Read more » GeoIntelligence Insider GSS
Opinions Survey Survey Perspectives: RTK Networks: The Wild, Wild West Published April 1, 2009 By Eric Gakstatter Join the Discussion What can you say about RTK Networks, except wow! They have popped up everywhere and continue on a path of rapid growth. In the last five years, I'd say it's clear that two GNSS technologies have changed the survey/construction industry more than any others; machine control and RTK networks. Read more » RTK network Survey Scene
Opinions Touched by a Multi-Touch World Published March 10, 2009 By Art Kalinski Join the Discussion 2009 ESRI Federal Users’ Conference – Washington DC By Art Kalinski, GISP The ESRI Federal User Conference, held February 18-20 this year, was a good forum for GIS practitioners and vendors to share new information — and to commiserate. Since the event took place in Washington, D.C., it was no surprise that the economy worked […] Read more » Esri GeoIntelligence Insider GSS