GPS World, August 2012

THE BUSINESS CONSUMER OEM Features Added to EGNOS Software Developers Kit GNSS smartphone application developers can benefit from a range of new features from Version 2 of the European Commissions free EGNOS Software Development Kit SDK reports the European GNSS Agency GSA The SDK helps developers implement EGNOS corrections coming from the signal in space or the Internet and make use of EGNOS advantages when using locationenabled applications Android Blackberry iPhone Windows Phone 7 EGNOS SDK is fully useable for Android Blackberry and Windows Phone 7 operating systems It has been developed in both Java and C the latter allowing quick ports to Linux The EGNOS SDK is a European Commission project that aims to foster the use of EGNOS in location based services applications for smartphones It has been designed to allow application developers to take advantage of the benefits of EGNOS and to use these in software they develop for mobile devices The EGNOS SDK is the only toolkit in an open source library that implements integrity and EGNOS corrections for a more accurate position than GPS alone can provide The new EGNOS SDK features are Tracking Feature Allows application developers to choose different options to display their GPS and or EGNOS and or R D position over the smartphones map Skyplot View Enables to display the position of the overhead EGNOS and GPS satellites with a time span of 12h or 12h This feature shows information about the number of EGNOS satellites available the number of GPS satellites used for the computation of the R D EGNOS and GPS positions and the number of satellites not used Advanced Skyplot View Provides an augmented reality showing a live video streaming of the sky and can identify EGNOS and GPS satellites in real time R D Position Type Menu Displays six features proposing innovative ways of computing a position by deviating from the EGNOS standard EGNOS DO 229D to get even greater accuracy Users can define different levels of integrity to be displayed Horizontal Protection Level HPL aviation maritime or 85 percent Since its initial release in November 2011 the EGNOS SDK is providing a useful tool to application developers who need the additional accuracy provided by EGNOS accessible in smartphone applications according to customers The EGNOS SDK v 2 can be downloaded for free on the EGNOS Portal MACHINE CONTROL Hemisphere GPS Awarded Machine Control Patents Hemisphere GPS has expanded its intellectual property portfolio with newly awarded patents These patents represent the latest advancements in adaptive machine control and GNSS solutions the company said The Adaptive Machine Control System and Method patent describes the sophisticated adaptive control methods used to guide vehicles and provide accurate and efficient coverage The system is comprised of a machine controller GNSS guidance system and software and is most commonly used in precision farming From preplanned guidance patterns the system provides the ideal pattern adjustments for guidance and automated steering taking into account a variety of conditions and user inputs including path boundary or terrain irregularities and minimum turning radius In addition the system provides optimal automated turns and spray nozzle control As a result farmers complete their fieldwork with greater accuracy and efficiency as well as improve their yields and reduce their input expenses The patent supports current products and new developments within Hemisphere GPS precision farming product line including Outback Guidance branded products Hemisphere GPS was awarded seven other patents in 2012 that include advanced GNSS solutions for antenna design an application specific integrated circuit ASIC multiple antenna control system tracking of fixed and slow moving structures augmentation of differential corrections antenna alignment and monitoring system and vehicle guidance control Hemisphere GPS has generated more than 75 pending and issued patents according to Mike Whitehead chief scientist at Hemisphere GPS GPS World August 2012 www gpsworld com 28