GPS World, September 2018

WIRELESS TIMING MOBILE RAIL MARINE DEFENSE OEM 2018 FLEETS STATE OF THE HIGH GNSS INDUSTRY P RECISION MAPPING FINANCIAL DEFENSE MOBILE RAIL MARINE DEFENSE OEM AVIATION GAMES PRECISION MAPPING FINANCIAL DEFENSE SIMULATION DEFENSE OTHER SECURITY FREIGHT WIRELESS TIMING UAV SMARTPHONES SURVEY FITNESS FLEETS HIGH P SECURITY FREIGHT WIRELESS TIMING MOBILE RAIL SURVEY FITNESS FLEETS HIGH PRECISION MAPPING TIM BURCH CONTRIBUTING EDITOR SURVEY GPS WORLD S tate of the GNSS Industry respondents who identified themselves as from the survey sector constituted 30 of the total corresponding to the percentage of the magazines readership Higher Accuracy Regarding the most promising technology to get the increased accuracy that surveying continues to demand the outright choice was dual frequency dual or multiconstellation GNSS with real time kinematic coming in second Surprisingly the newest technology to be introduced to GNSS receivers inertial correction lagged at just over 5 Inertial correction devices which contain gyroscope and accelerometer technology are now being installed in surveygrade receivers to increase accuracy and productivity Its a gamechanger in GNSS data collection for surveyors so I am surprised by the survey results These sensors work in conjunction with the receiver to more accurately collect positional information in relation to the point being acquired While RTK positions are normally collected at 1 20 Hz the inertial device works in tandem to further refine a more accurate location As this technology becomes more publicized in phones and other devices the surveying community will begin to take notice Drones Concerning the role that drones UAVs will play in the next three years by a slim margin 47 to 42 respondents state that up to 20 of their work will be completed by UAVs vs those who feel less than 10 of their work will be done by a drone Only13 answered that UAVs will take over most of their work and displace surveyors in the field for specific survey tasks I see UAVs becoming a standard equipment much like the EDM total station and GNSS receivers as it is clearly a unique tool for not just collecting visual images but as a remote sensing device While it wont replace workers in the field it will allow crews to become more efficient tech savvy and valuable for human only types of data collection Business A whopping 85 of the survey sector found this market either very healthy with strong growth 37 or relatively healthy with moderate growth 48 This compares with total of 79 across all GNSS industry sectors So were on top That is we are doing comparatively well amid the rest of the GNSS industry which itself is in very good shape indeed Poll results reflect the positive nature of the surveying profession in relation to technology specifically GNSS and the utilization of UAVs in our every day work Previously introduction of new technology has been historically unreliable less than user friendly and expensive The trend with newer technologies however has been quite the opposite with shorter easier learning curves and lower cost of entry These factors have led more surveyors to upgrade their equipment implementing newer technologies and thus creating more efficiency in the profession TIM BURCH is a professional land surveyor and secretary Board of Directors National Society of Professional Surveyors 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 46 Dualfrequency or Multi GNSS 6 7 GNSS inertial 4 3 GNSS laser GNSS other 24 Real time Kinematic RTK 10 Precise Point positioning PPP Other 60 50 40 30 20 10 34 GPS WORLD WWW GPSWORLD COM SEPTEMBER 2018 0 Less than 10 of field work Up to 20 Up to 50 Up to 80 42 47 9 2 Survey Sector Favors Multi GNSS HEALTH COMPARES FAVORABLY WITH REST OF INDUSTRY OBSTACLES REGULATION PERSONNEL OPPORTUNITY TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION What is the most promising and practical way to gain the increased accuracy that survey and other high precision applications continue to demand What role will drones UAVs play during the next three years in the survey sector