Galileo satellites intensify competition on the market of navigation
Two satellites of the European Galileo global navigation satellite system have successfully passed flight tests. Full satellite group will consist of 30 devices, and there are plans of its expansion after 2015. Apparently, the competition between the navigation systems of different countries is growing.

China Plans Dual Launches of Compass-BeiDou MEOs
News sources indicate that the first Beidou-2 dual launch will take place in April or possibly May. A Long March 3B rocket will carry two middle Earth orbiting (MEO) satellites (M3 and M4) into orbit.

Topcon introduces SGISfarm data management software for professional farmers
SGISfarm is designed to be an easy-to-use information management system software that includes all of the mapping and drawing tools customers expect for displaying and working with their data.

Hemisphere GPS and Carlson Software Establish Strategic Alliance
This alliance will provide a roadmap for new, integrated solutions for land survey, mapping, construction, mining and other key machine control markets. Hemisphere GPS said. Carlson Software is a developer of field and office-based land development software.

Insurance Telematics Subs to Grow from 1.85M in 2010 to 89M in 2017
The number of global insurance telematics users will grow at a CAGR of 90% from 1.85 million in 2010 to 89 million in 2017, according to a new forecast from ABI Research.

Topcon OS Total Station Series
A new Topcon reflectorless total station series includes multiple major technological innovations, including on-board MAGNET Field application software. Other new technologies of the new OS series include LongLink, a long-distance wireless communications system and TSshield, an advanced telematics-based communications module designed to protect the owner's investment.

New Version of NovAtel Connect™ Now Available
NovAtel Connect™ is a windows-based GUI that provides easy access your receiver’s many features without the need to use a terminal emulator or to write special software. NovAtel Connect lets you communicate and configure your receiver via serial port, USB or Ethernet connection using a PC running either the Windows XP or Windows 7 operating system.

u-blox achieves sub-meter GPS accuracy with PPP, Precise Point Positioning
The NEO-6P addresses the need for high-accuracy positioning used in surveying, mapping, marine, and slow-moving recreational applications. The solution provides high accuracy positioning at a fraction of the cost of other high precision solutions. Our PPP solution is compact, stand-alone, and uses a single frequency GPS receiver.

E1 and E5 Galileo IOV Signals: Report from U. Calgary
This article gives a brief overview of the acquisition and tracking of Galileo IOV signals received from the GSAT0101 satellite on the morning of December 15. Researchers in the PLAN Group successfully recorded E1 and E5 data using a single dual-channel front-end and subsequently acquired and tracked E1 B/C, E5a and E5b signals using the PLAN Group GSNRx software GNSS receiver.

Spirent Launches Data Sets of World City Environments to Facilitate GPS and GLONASS Receiver Testing
Spirent Communications today announced the launch of a data set subscription service for its GSS6400 GNSS Record and Playback test System. The data sets comprise live GNSS (GPS, GLONASS and QZSS) environmental capture data set samples, recorded at major locations worldwide, in challenging urban and suburban conditions.

TeleNav Unveils Browser-based HTML5 Navigation
Mobile navigation software provider TeleNav on Wednesday announced the upcoming availability of its service on browser via an HTML5 implementation. The promise of TeleNav is that developers will only have to add a one line of code to their website or application to enable a full turn by turn navigation experience.

GNSS 2012 Call For Papers
Abstract submissions are now being accepted for the Institute of Navigation's (ION) GNSS 2012, the 25th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division. The conference will take place 17th to 21st September 2012 with tutorials on 17th and 18th September at the Nashville Convention Center, Nashville, USA.

Lockheed Delivers GPS III Pathfinder Spacecraft
Formally known as the GPS III Non-Flight Satellite Testbed (GNST), the pathfinder spacecraft will now undergo final assembly, integration, and test activities in a new facility designed to maximize efficiencies and reduce costs of satellite production.

Trimble Launches New Mobile Applications for Outdoor Enthusiasts
Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) today released a suite of apps for outdoor enthusiasts to plan trips and navigate the outdoors. The first app, Trimble Outdoors MyTopo Maps, is a mapping and trip planning app for the Apple iPad to organize outdoor adventures. The second app, Trimble Outdoors Navigator, is an in-the-field GPS navigation and mapping app for iPhone and Android devices to use on trails and in remote backcountry areas.

Trimble Offers Custom Topographic, Aerial and Hybrid Map Prints
Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) today introduced a new large-format, map-printing service for the construction, surveying, agriculture, and field research trades. The new service is available through MyTopo, a Trimble company, at www.MyTopo.com.

FY2011 2Q Financial Results
Net sales dipped slightly YoY. Although sales volumes rose briskly in the US (Positioning Business) and Europe (Eye Care Business), consolidated net sales were down because of weakness in markets related to the Finetech Business and the influence of the strong yen. Operating income expanded significantly YoY, reflecting the reduction in fixed costs as a result of business structural reforms and a reduction in cost of goods sold. The ordinary loss was improved YoY, shrinking under the impact of the exchange rate. The interim period net loss increased YoY as the result of a loss on valuation of investment securities.

TomTom Launches the PRO 7150 TRUCK for Automatic Truck Routing and Nav
TomTom Business Solutions, the division dedicated to commercial fleets, today unveiled the TomTom PRO 7150 TRUCK. Designed to provide truck drivers and fleet managers with automated routing that takes into account vehicle profiles and road attributes and restrictions, the PRO 7150 saves time and money by ensuring that each trip is optimized and takes advantage of TomTom’s extensive map and traffic data.

Garmin Fit Smartphone App Launched
Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd., today announced Garmin Fit for iPhone and Android — its first fitness app that lets users track metrics such as speed, pace, distance, time, calories and with the help of Garmin accessories displays heart rate and cadence. Garmin Fit also maps and automatically uploads workouts to Garmin Connect. Garmin also introduces its ANT+ adapter for iPhone, allowing users to use their Garmin ANT+ accessories with their iPhones.

New Version of Trimble Field Link Software Incorporates Dynamic Joystick Feature to Increase Control of Construction Layout Tasks for the Mechanical, Engineering, Plumbing and Structures Trades
Trimble (NASDAQ:TRMB) introduced today a new version of its field software suite designed to simplify routine construction layout tasks while increasing overall productivity and accuracy—Trimble® Field Link 1.1 for MEP and Structures trades. The new version features a drag and point feature known as "Dynamic Joystick" that provides the user with fluid control over Trimble Robotic Total Stations via on-screen gestures directly on the solution's Trimble Tablet.

Leica Geosystems Mining partners with Locata for a World First
Leica Geosystems Mining has announced an exclusive industry partnership with Locata Corporation Pty Ltd to provide the mining industry with the world’s only high precision radio positioning system that is not reliant on GPS.

One Soyuz launcher, two Galileo satellites, three successes for Europe
The first pair of satellites for Europe's Galileo global navigation satellite system has been lofted into orbit by the first Russian Soyuz vehicle ever launched from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana in a milestone mission.

Spectra Precision Launches ProMark 800 GNSS Receiver, Survey Pro 5.0 Field Software
The new Spectra Precision ProMark 800 receiver, using Z-BLADE multi-constellation GNSS processing technology, tracks a wide range of available satellite signals including GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo as well as WAAS, EGNOS, and MSAS satellite-based augmentation systems (SBAS). This universal GNSS receiver can be operated as a base, rover, or network rover for real-timekinematic (RTK) or static field applications.

Altus Positioning Systems Debuts Versatile GNSS Receiver
The 136-channel receiver is designed to use all GPS, GLONASS, and GALILEO frequencies. Integrated wireless options include Bluetooth for easy configuration, plus a GSM or CDMA cellular modem and UHF radio modem for transmission and reception of RTK corrections. It also works with WAAS, EGNOS, and other satellite-based augmentation systems.

Russia sets priorities for federal space program
"By 2015, we are planning to increase the number of Earth observation satellites [in orbit] from five to 20, operational Glonass navigation satellites from 24 to 30, communications and Cospas-Sarsat satellites from 26 to 48," Roscosmos head Vladimir Popovkin told Russian lawmakers on Friday.

World's Fastest 2D Laser Measurement System
The Z+F Profiler 9000 is based on the Imager 5010 and is the fastest 2D profiling laser measurement system in the world. With its scan rate of >1 million points per second and maximum scan speed of 200 profiles/sec, very short distances between profiles can be achieved even at high speeds. At the highest point density, even the smallest objects can be registered and processed by the software.

Topcon announces establishment of the new sale company -- Topcon Sokkia Positioning Japan (TPJ)
Topcon Corporation announces the establishment of a new sales company, Topcon Sokkia Positioning Japan (TPJ), by integrating the sale functions of Topcon Sales Corporation and Sokkia Co., Ltd. TPJ started business operations Oct. 1, 2011

Galileo IOV Satellites Fueled for Launch
The two Galileo In-Orbit Validation satellites reached Europe’s Spaceport in September. Galileo’s second flight model, FM2, touched down on September 7 on an Antonov-124, and the Galileo Protoflight Model followed it seven days later on an Ilyushin 76. Both satellites are now fueled and ready to be mated this week onto the dispenser that will hold them in place during launch before deploying them into their final 23 222 km orbit.

Trimble Introduces Trident Analyst Software with Native 64-bit Support for Terrestrial Mobile Mapping
Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) introduced today a new version of its terrestrial mobile mapping office software—Trimble® Trident Analyst 4.7. The software is designed to effectively manage and interpret high-resolution digital images and large point clouds, and automatically extract features from Trimble's MX Mobile Mapping and Survey systems. These capabilities allow land mobile data to be transformed into geospatial intelligence.

GNSS Reference Network for Kosovo with latest Leica Geosystems Technology
Leica Geosystems and the Kosovo Cadastral Agency (KCA) signed a contract for the supply and installation of eight reference stations for the establishment of a Continuous Operating Reference Network in Kosovo (KOPOS) after Leica Geosystems AG won the International Competitive Bidding (ICB) procedure financed by the World Bank.

JAVAD GNSS Announces Partnership with LightSquared
JAVAD GNSS is promoting its latest receiver, the TRIUMPH-LS (LightSquared). "TRIUMPH-LS can benefit from LightSquared communication channels for receiving RTK corrections," JAVAD GNSS said. "LightSquared communication channels are much faster and less expensive than conventional channels for RTK correction transmissions."

NovAtel Announces GPStation-6 GNSS Ionospheric Scintillation and TEC Monitor Receiver
The GPStation-6 receiver integrates NovAtel’s OEM628 measurement engine with a high-quality low phase-noise oven-controlled crystal oscillator (OCXO). It provides high-quality signal tracking, ionospheric scintillation, and TEC measurements for all current and upcoming GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and Compass satellite signals.

Versatile GNSS Receiver
Altus Positioning Systems debuts its APS-U GNSS receiver at the Intergeo 2011 conference and trade fair show in Nuremberg, Germany. The APS-U provides multi-frequency capability together with GNSS heading, L-Band positioning and wireless communications, all within a rugged housing that meets military environmental specifications.

Trimble Releases New Version of its Field Inspector Solution for Utility Asset Maintenance and Inspection
Trimble (NASDAQ:TRMB) announced today the release of its Trimble® Field Inspector version 2.1. The new version is compatible with a variety of Trimble handheld computers and is designed for automating utility infrastructure and smart grid asset maintenance and inspection.

Leica XPro 5.2 Provides More Information in a Multi-dimensional Info Cloud
Leica Geosystems, leading manufacturer of airborne sensors, announces major enhancements to its superior line sensor workflow Leica XPro. The new version XPro v5.2 provides improved DSM extraction. Imagery can now be classified using NDVI and output as additional information in multi-dimensional Info Clouds.

Russia set to launch Glonass-M satellite on Oct. 1
A Russian Soyuz-2.1B carrier rocket has been scheduled to lift off on October 1 to put another Glonass-M navigation satellite into orbit, a Space Forces spokesman said.

Sokkia Releases NET-AX Series of Automated Total Stations For 3D Monitoring
Sokkia has released the NET-AX series of automated total stations in North and South America. The series includes NET05AX for 0.5” angle accuracy and NET1AX for 1” angle accuracy. “The new series offers the highest level of precision and automation capabilities, satisfying increasing demands for higher accuracy, higher speed, and higher work efficiency in structural and large-scale 3D monitoring applications,” said Brice Walker, vice president of sales for the Survey Business Unit.

Pairing SPAN™ GNSS/INS Technology with MEMS Sensors Solves Many Integrator Problems
NovAtel Inc. today announced the addition of four Micro Electromechanical Systems (MEMS) Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) to its SPAN™ line of GNSS/INS products: the HG1900 and HG1930 IMUs from Honeywell International Inc. and the LandMark™ 20 and LandMark™ 40 IMUs from Gladiator Technologies Inc.

Trimble Introduces High-Accuracy Assisted Steering System for Agriculture Market
Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) introduced today its new high-accuracy assisted steering system, available at an affordable price. The Trimble® EZ-Pilot™ system turns the steering wheel with its integrated electric motor drive using Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) guidance from the CFX-750™ display or the FmX® integrated display.

Trimble Introduces Complete Drainage Solution for Agricultural Water Management
Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) introduced today its new drainage solution for agricultural water management. The Trimble® WM-Drain™ solution is designed to assist farmers or contractors throughout the entire drainage workflow, including the survey, analysis, design, installation and mapping steps.

GNSS Support for Christchurch Earthquake Relief
Christchurch, New Zealand, has recently suffered not one but two major earthquakes, in September 2010 and February 2011, which created devastation in the city centre and eastern suburbs. Even today, some five months later, a significant area of the inner city is still inaccessible. The CHC X91 GNSS receiver deployed by a Paterson Pitts Group survey team on two key projects has contributed to enabling decisions about how the planned reconstruction of Christchurch should proceed.

Trimble Expands Harvest Solution to Include Yield Monitoring and Row Guidance
Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) introduced today yield monitoring and row guidance capabilities providing farmers with an integrated solution to meet their harvesting needs. Expanding on Trimble's Connected Farm™ solutions, which wirelessly sync precision farming data, these new capabilities help farmers record and analyze crop yield and moisture performance in the field, as well as accurately steer combines along rows.

Trimble CCSFlex — Affordable Compaction Mapping System
Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) introduced today the Trimble® CCSFlex™ Compaction Control System for soil and asphalt compactors. The CCSFlex is designed to offer both asphalt and earthmoving contractors an easy-to-use and affordable system for pass count mapping.

Progress's misfortune doesn't change Russia's space plans
Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has already ordered a tougher control over producing space devices and parts for them. Until all space devices which Russia already possesses or which are now under construction are fully and thoroughly checked, Russia will not perform any space launches. First of all, this conserns the spaceship "Soyuz", which will put into orbit a GLONASS satellite in early September. ("GLONASS" is a satellite navigation system, the Russian analogue of the GPS.)

Cardinal Mobile Joins Trimble's Team of Mobile Computing Solutions Distributors
"We are excited to have Cardinal Mobile as a distribution partner for our mobile computing product line. Cardinal's excellence in fulfillment, customer care and service offerings will be an asset for our solutions providers in the public safety space," said Robert Davis, director of sales for Trimble's Mobile Computing Solutions Division.

3D MSI Wins Leica Geosystems’ Prestigious HDS Innovation Award
Leica Geosystems Ltd is pleased to announce 3D Mine Surveying International Limited (3D MSI) won the 2011 Leica Geosystems HDS (High Definition SurveyingTM) Innovation Award at its UK HDS User Symposium last month at Coombe Abbey. 3D MSI won the award via a public vote at the user event against tough competition from a shortlist of 6 companies including: ArcHeritage, Babcock International Group, James Brennan Associates, The Downland Partnership, Guy Rennie and PSN (Production Services Network).

ABI Research: Trimble, PeopleNet, Masternaut, and Cybit Push Telematics Industry Toward Consolidation
With Trimble’s acquisition of PeopleNet and Masternaut and Cybit combining forces, the fragmented commercial telematics industry, which consists of hundreds of locally active players, is consolidating to become more globally minded, reports ABI Research. These changes will allow the fleet management industry to grow towards yearly global revenues of $6.43 billion by 2016, the market analysis company predicts.

Topcon’s FC-236 Expands Boundaries for Controllers
Handheld field controller technology has been expanded with the introduction of Topcon Positioning Systems’ FC-236, a rugged receiver and controller with added memory and fast network connectivity, Topcon announced.

Space Applications Centre of India Selects IFEN’s GNSS Simulator for IRNSS Development and Testing
The Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS) payload system engineering group of the Space Applications Centre (SAC) in Ahmedabad, India, has selected IFEN’s multi‐constellation and multi‐frequency GNSS RF simulator NavX‐NCS Professional as the new reference simulator for its IRNSS development and testing. The simulator will be used for research and development and testing activities in the frame of the ongoing Indian IRNSS program.

Russian Ministry Wants Commercial Transports, Hazardous Loads Equipped with GLONASS
Russian news agency PRIME is reporting that Russia’s Transportation Ministry has suggested equipping all commercial auto transport carrying more than eight passengers or heavy loads with receivers supporting the country’s GLONASS. The information came from a draft government ruling published on the Economic Development Ministry’s website.