Clinton Okays More Accurate GPS Service



Clinton Okays More Accurate GPS Service



Washington (AFP) May 1, 2000 - US President Bill Clinton announced steps Monday to boost access to the Global Positioning System that will give drivers, boaters, hikers and emergency teams ten times more precision in navigation.

"This increase in accuracy will allow new GPS applications to emerge and continue to enhance the lives of people around the world," Clinton said in announcing the move.

As of midnight (0500 GMT) Monday, the US government will stop its intentional degradation of the civilian GPS signal, called Selective Availability (SA), which was used to protect military operations.

Clinton said his decision was based on scientific advances that allowed greater civilian access while preserving national security.

The goal is to discontinue SA completely by 2006 while allowing the US military to deny GPS signals regionally based on threat assessments. The security-motivated degradation would not affect civilian or business uses.

Originally developed by the Defense Department, the GPS is the dominant standard satellite navigation system globally and is available free of charge worldwide.

The improved signal will allow drivers more pinpoint accuracy in their car systems, which now give a location of only within 100 meters (yards) and can cause problems on parallel highways where it was difficult to determine which road the vehicle is on.

It will also enhance tracking for hikers on uncharted terrain and give boaters a better view of sandbars and other underwater hazards.

Emergency teams responding to calls on roadways will also be able to determine which side they must respond to, saving critical minutes in life-threatening situations.

Other applications for GPS include mining, telecommunications, rail navigation and oil exploration.

There are more than four million GPS users worldwide, according to the White House, which estimates that the market for GPS application will double in the next three years, from eight billion dollars to over 16 billion dollars.

GPS technology is based on super reliable atomic clocks that cannot be matched by mechanical devices. Innovative engineering allowed the mechanisms, which once had to be housed in huge laboratories, to be packaged in compact devices that could be applied to civilian uses.

The improved GPS signal will also simplify the design of many systems, which will encourage wider use and lower retail costs, according to the White House.

Copyright 1999 AFP. All rights reserved. The material on this page is provided by AFP and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Trimble Brings GPS Precision To Agriculture

Tulare - February 8, 2000 - Farming just got easier with the introduction of a new autopilot system from Trimble that links Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites to farm tractors.

Trimble unveiled today its AgGPS Autopilot— a new system that automatically steers tractors to within inches for row-crop applications. The driver, with hands-free operation, can now concentrate on working the implements for listing, bed preparation, planting and cultivating.

This technology breakthrough translates into increased productivity for the farmer through more efficient utilization of tractors and extended working hours.

The announcement was made at the 2000 California Farm Equipment Show.

"Agriculture is a strategic market focus for the company," said Steven W. Berglund, Trimble's president and CEO. "Today, agriculture costs are determined locally, but pricing is set globally. Innovations like machine control give farmers a competitive advantage to reduce costs in a commodity market.

"The new AgGPS Autopilot system establishes our leadership in the marketplace, and gives the farmer a high tech solution to meet those needs. It is a natural progression from our existing manual guidance product line and allows us to enter the machine control arena," said Berglund.

Trimble's AgGPS Autopilot system easily connects to the tractor's power steering hydraulic system to automatically steer it in straight rows, pass after pass. A field computer inside the cab allows the operator to select field patterns and display operating parameters.

A lightbar is used to guide the tractor on path at the beginning of a row. Once on a row, the driver engages the AgGPS Autopilot system to perform and oversee field operations.

The AgGPS Autopilot saves time and money. It reduces driver fatigue, eliminates guess rows and allows around-the-clock operations. Most importantly, the system increases efficiency to lower the cost per acre.

The consistency of straight rows make subsequent events in the field such as planting cultivating and harvesting more efficient because there is no longer the need to modify the machine set up when rows are unevenly spaced.

At the heart of the system is a high-performance Trimble GPS navigation controller. Attached to the controller is an AgGPS 214 Real-Time Kinematic receiver, in-cab terminal, lightbar and AgGPS 70 Remote Display and Logger. The first generation AgGPS Autopilot system is targeted for high value row crops such as vegetables and cotton.

Trimble's AgGPS Autopilot system was built with safety in mind. At anytime, the driver can disengage the system by simply moving the steering wheel. Other safety features include redundant computers that provide continuous independent checks on system sensors and values, end of row alarms and operator alert alarms.

The AgGPS Autopilot system is expected to be available in the third quarter of 2000 through Trimble's Precision Agricultural Systems group.

• Trimble's Precision Agricultural Systems

GPS To Get Internet Boost

Hsinchu City - January 20, 2000 - Computer Associates International and Taiwan's United Microelectronics have established EverTrac, a U.S.-based Corp. joint venture to develop a next-generation platform for GPS-based eBusiness and management applications. Imran Anwar has been appointed EverTrac's chief executive officer.

The EverTrac joint venture combines CA's expertise in mission-critical business computing with UMC's proficiency in wafer foundry and IC manufacturing services.

The company's resulting GPS platform will empower businesses with the technology needed to develop and deploy highly intelligent "location-aware" eBusiness applications that address a wide array of logistical challenges for which conventional GPS tools have proven insufficient.

Working closely with numerous GPS technology providers and vertical-market solutions experts, EverTrac will design GPS-based devices for eBusiness and consumer markets and deliver related services that enable real-time tracking of mobile resources in the context of their respective mission-critical roles.

For example, EverTrac technology could be used to develop lightweight security equipment that constantly monitors the whereabouts of children.

"We are pleased to join forces with UMC to develop critical technologies that aid businesses in maximizing their operational efficiencies and help consumers improve their safety and overall quality of life," said CA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Charles B. Wang. "Under Imran's direction, EverTrac will play a major role in the delivery of key products and services for today's eBusiness-driven global marketplace."

Anwar has a proven track record of creating successful high-tech firms around the world and managing ground-breaking efforts in start-up environments.

He is best known for his pioneering role in establishing Internet e-mail services throughout Pakistan, as well as introducing eBusiness and Web-related technologies among Pakistani financial service companies, publishing firms and global media companies. Anwar is credited with having helped popularize the international branded credit card industry in that region.

He received a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Engineering and Technology in Lahore, Pakistan, and an MBA from Columbia University in New York.

"Imran brings the ideal combination of innovative thinking, professional management skills, business vision and entrepreneurial zeal that will help EverTrac deliver the hardware, software and services necessary to drive this market," said Robert H.C. Tsao, chairman of UMC.

"With his understanding of business needs, high-technology and global strategy, Imran is very qualified to lead EverTrac in becoming the world's leading provider of complete GPS-based tracking and management systems."

"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead this highly important venture and leverage the respective capabilities and talents of both UMC and CA," said Anwar. "With a virtually unlimited collection of technical resources and superior minds, I am completely confident that EverTrac will become synonymous with superior GPS-based eBusiness solutions."

UMC, a world-leading semiconductor foundry with headquarters in Taiwan's Hsinchu Science Park, has nine wafer fabs (including seven eight-inch fabs) in operation.

• United Microelectronics Corp

• Computer Associates International

V-Track 2000 Is Cost-Effective For Trucks

Torrance - January 20, 2000 - Radio Satellite Integrators, Inc (RSI), a provider of GPS-based vehicle tracking systems, has released the V-Track 2000 for fleet management and Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) systems.

Designed to keep one step ahead of the ever-evolving world of wireless communications, V-Track 2000 has the capability and built-in intelligence to utilize multiple communications mediums for vehicle data reporting, as well as upgrade to additional mediums as they are developed.

This unique ability allows the unit to automatically select the most cost-effective and available means of communication at any given time. The RSI unit can utilize virtually any communications link including: VHF/UHF two-way radio, analog cellular, CDPD, BellSouth Wireless Data, CDMA, and satellite solutions.

"Not only is the V-Track 2000 the most advanced unit on the market today, but it is also the best value," says RSI President Jonathan Michels, "Our unparalleled experience has given us the ability to design and produce this state-of-the-art product. The V-Track 2000 has the power to function as a true mobile server, enhancing communications and logistics for your fleet."

The V-Track 2000 unit is a compact in-vehicle "black box" built with an Intel 386EX-based modem/controller with FLASH memory and battery-backed RAM, an 8-channel all-in-view GPS receiver, 7 serial ports, and one or more internal or external wireless transceivers.

The V-Track 2000 can seamlessly integrate to in-vehicle devices and sensors such as mobile data terminals, lap tops, door sensors, navigation devices, odometers, card swipes, etc.

Headquartered in Torrance, CA, Radio Satellite Integrators, Inc. is a world leader in the design and implementation of tracking systems using GPS, wireless data and GIS.

• Radio Satellite Integrators

Trimble Wins Exclusive Military Surveying Deal

Sunnyvale - November 18, 1999 - Trimble has been awarded an exclusive contract from the U.S. Navy to provide Military Survey GPS Receivers (MSGR). The surveying system will be used by U.S. operational forces in combat support roles and Government approved agencies.

The MSGR is also available to foreign governments via the U.S. Department of Defense's procurement program. The indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract is executable over the next three years. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Trimble will supply a P(Y) code version of its real-time 4000SSi GPS survey receiver, a ruggedized handheld TDC2 data logger, Trimble GPSurvey software, TRIMTALK radios, antennas and system accessories including back packs, transit cases and batteries.

Each system can be deployed as either a precision mobile survey unit or as a reference station to provide Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) data signals to the mobile unit via either Trimble's commercial radio links or via military SINCARS radios. Trimble's MSGR is approved by the Joint Program Office. National Stock Number is NSN# 5825-01-4375888.

The MSGR system is designed to operate in hostile military environments as well as peacetime survey missions. Surveyors can collect data for topographic maps, geodetic control, artillery and boundary surveys. It is also designed for easy deployment, safe storage and accurate survey operations.

• Trimble

• Trimble Military Products

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