Apr 21 2010
A new range of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers was recently announced by Trimble during the largest exposition on construction equipment, the Bauma 2010.
To be used for machine control and construction site positioning applications, these receivers are able to track positioning signal information emanating from the GLONASS and GPS satellite constellations. This GNSS range is combined with the Trimble Connected Site solutions related to the construction field, and provides unmatched productivity, performance, and flexibility even under challenging construction scenarios.
The Trimble MS992 GNSS Smart Antenna was developed for machine control applications, while the SPS882 GNSS Smart Receiver and the Trimble SPS852 GNSS Modular Receiver are for site positioning applications. A broad range of satellite signals like the GLONASS L1/L2, GPS L2C and L5 signals are supported by the new construction receivers. Trimble will go firm on its plan to deliver Galileo-compatible products to customers before the Galileo system is made available. To support this plan, the MS992, SPS852, and the SPS882 are able to track the GIOVE-A and GIOVE-B test satellites of Galileo for testing and signal evaluation purposes.
Currently the MS992 GNSS Smart Antenna and the SPS882 GNSS Smart Antenna are available, while the SPS852 receiver is likely to be provided during 2010 second quarter through the global Heavy and Highway Construction Distribution Channel of Trimble.
The Trimble R-Track technology’s latest enhancements are incorporated in the Trimble receiver range for providing dependable, accurate positioning functioning even under challenging scenarios of GNSS-enabled construction like restricted view of the sky or near tree cover. The marginal or intermittent RTK correction signals are compensated for by the Trimble R-Track system with signal prediction capabilities, resulting in extended precision functioning even after interruption of communications. This enhanced technology also provides novel correction compression techniques for optimizing the communications bandwidth. The RTK correction data related to all signals and satellites are transmitted with CMRx to the earthmoving machine from the base or base to the rover, enabling the Trimble GNSS receivers to offer dependable positioning performance.
The Trimble RTK engine, with state-of-the-art-electronics incorporated in its newest version, provides a minimum of 25% enhancement in relation to the vertical precision performance in the construction GNSS range. The construction GNSS portfolio features the novel Trimble Maxwell 6 chip, thereby establishing a new industry standard that has additional GNSS channels and memory as well as the capability for tracking and provision of a maximum of 44 satellites.
Both the machine control and site positioning GNSS receivers provide excellent jobsite flexibility and can be configured for meeting the requirements of every single marine construction, highway or heavy construction contractor. A contractor has the option of buying a rover receiver for site positioning with lower precision feature for the site supervisor or the site inspection application that uses the receiver and then upgrade to increased precision, additional constellations or rover and base station capability as needed for accurate applications like as-built and grade checking measurements.
The machine control receiver also has options for upgrading. For example, a contractor can buy the GPS-only receiver for machine control receiver that can be subsequently upgraded to complete GNSS capability as demanded by applications and the jobsite.