GPS World, May 2009

THE BUSINESS MILITARY White Electronic Awarded 86M in Contracts Semiconductor maker White Electronic Designs Corporation Phoenix Arizona has been awarded multiple contracts worth 86 million for its manufacture of products used in multiple GPS platforms The products are used in a variety of military programs ranging from ground and airborne radios to precision guided munitions and missiles said Dan Tarantine executive vice president of sales and marketing When used in radios it allows the command center to verify the exact location of the warfighter and to communicate via secure encryption When used in a precision guided munition or missile the target is set using GPS coordinates allowing the weapon to strike the fixed target with pinpoint accuracy while minimizing collateral damage to structures friendly forces and civilians Unlike many other guidance systems GPS guidance has a distinct advantage for all weather day or night combat operation While in the past we have utilized this technology in larger weapon platforms Tarantine said it is now being implemented in smaller handheld communication devices and munitions approaching 105 millimeters and each device embraces the Navstar security architecture The Navstar GPS design incorporates a security architecture that includes tamper resistant technology selected by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to implement the next generation of security functions for GPS The use of this security architecture significantly enhances the combatant commanders ability to determine precise positioning velocity and time in all environments SURVEY CONSTRUCTION Topcon Provides Receivers for Chinas Earthquake Network Topcon Positioning Systems of Livermore California has been selected to supply GNSS receivers for the Crustal Movement Observation Network of China CMONOC The company will supply 132 campaign mode portable GNSS CORS receivers and GNSS choke ring antennas for CMONOC The CMONOC project was established by the China Earthquake Administration CEA of the Peoples Republic of China to monitor crustal deformation and to predict earthquakes using GNSS technology In the context of the devastating 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake 80 on Richter scale the Chinese government hopes to use the technologies to enhance disaster relief capability CEA is planning to use the equipment to re measure more than 2000 ground monuments throughout China in 2009 By better understanding the Earths natural processes through monitoring and tracking the deformation the devastating effects of earthquakes can hopefully be reduced and avoided The CMONOC project is an exemplary use of GNSS technology in geophysical research said Eduardo Falcon senior vice president and general manager of TPS Emerging Business unit RTK Network Topcon will also supply GNSS receivers and software for Shandong Province Continuously Operating Reference Station Network SDCORS which is designed to provide full coverage of Shandong Province of China with network RTK capability In an effort by the provincial government to improve and modernize its surveying infrastructure 49 Net G3 GNSS CORS receivers and CR G3 GNSS choke ring antennas and TopNet software with 120 connection nodes have been selected for SDCORS through a public tender TELECOMMUNICATIONS Trimble Introduces Tiny GPS Timing Receiver Trimble has introduced a new embedded GPS receiver for timing applications The Trimble Resolution SMT GPS receiver provides advancements in performance ease of integration and software flexibility Trimble said It enables system integrators to add precise GPS to provide location Coordinated Universal Time UTC and synchronization to many products or systems where cost or size had previously been a limitation the company said Precise timing and synchronization efficiently controls the flow of network information data to maximize the use of bandwidth in the wireless infrastructure The Resolution SMT receiver provides a low cost easy to use accurate and reliable GPS timing source for the telecommunications broadcast synchronization power transmission and wireless industries Trimble said The Resolution SMT is in a 19 x 19 x 25 millimeter shielded module packaged in tape and reel for pick and place manufacturing processes It features a reflow solderable edge castellation interface so the module can be incorporated in a product design without costly I O and RF connectors A starter kit is available through Trimbles worldwide Component Technologies sales network GPS World May 2009 www gpsworld com 16