GPS Status

GLONASS Status

Galileo Status

Satellite Launch Schedule

The Global Positioning System

As an agency, how can you best manage your road signs?  GEO-Jobe incorporates a turn key solution for agencies to effectively manage their sign “retro-reflectivity” program.  We can customize a geodatabase to properly inventory your signs by including useful management attributes in the database such as:  maintenance records, location, incident reports, installation dates, type, retroreflectivity, environmental conditions, etc.

Want to learn more about the retroreflectivity standards?  Click Here

Trimble recently announced the new software releases of TerraSync, GPScorrect (w/ArcPad), Pathfinder Office, and GPS Analyst increase your accuracy regardless of the model year of your Trimble unit (Geo3 and forward).

GeoXH, ProXH, ProXRT receivers: these receivers will now be 10cm (4 inch) more often and in more places. It will now be easier to achieve 10cm in canopy, you can achieve it faster (eg: if it took 60-90 seconds before, it will now be 20 seconds), and with longer baselines. A rover unit could not be 200km from a dual-freq base and still achieve 10cm. The ProXRT can now post-process GLONASS as well.

GeoXT, ProXT: this product, when using these new versions of TerraSync has been re-spec’d to 50cm (20 inch) rather than just “sub-meter”. Results will now be smoother as well.

Juno: this receiver has also been re-classified to a 1-3m receiver from a 3-5m receiver. The increased post-processing ability will take this Sirf receiver reliably to 1-3m, and in practical terms closer to 1m. Increased yield and smoother accuracy in canopy are a big benefit for the Juno. Note that this applies to the Juno SB, SC, and ST.

We will host this webinar twice, please register for the date and time that best fits your schedule below.

Date: Thursday, February 11, 2010
Time: 3:00 pm
Register here - Click Here

Date: Monday, February 22, 2010
Time: 3:00 pm
Register here – Click here

Bobby Sullins from West Wilson Utility District asked us to help them utilize the device with their real-time Trimble GPS equipment.  It required a unique configuration setup to work properly.  The result was a 4in (with mapping grade equipment) to 1cm (with survey grade equipment) accuracy utilizing multiple real-time GPS devices at the same time.  Imagine having up to five data collectors in the field loading data to one source without individual connection problems and multiple cell phone payments.

In conjunction with Verizon’s state government rep, Ken Malone, GEO-Jobe is currently implementing the MiFi into their data collection efforts and can help you configure your device to your data collection equipment! Connect the MiFi to your GeoXH, utilizing real time correction from state reference stations, the GEO-Jobe base station, or your own base station, while transferring information from multiple devices simultaneously, and achieving amazing results.

Verizon is offering monthly broadband data plans for the MiFi at $39.99-$59.99 a month (not bad for an uncomplicated multi-user tethering device in an easy to use package).

Your current phone plan (voiceplan, data plan, and tetherable phone option plan) you use for RTK probably cost you more!  For more information about the device or how to configure it to your GPS equipment please contact us.  Interested parties within the middle Tennessee area can also email ken.malone@verizonwireless.com.

We know what you’re thinking, “Wow!  That’s almost as good as free gift wrapping!”  (Don’t forget about Valentine’s Day fellas).  The extended support hours enables our customers to work more efficiently, giving them more time in the evening to “shop” for their significant other (or in our case, our mothers!) for this upcoming Valentines Day!..

Starting February 4th, Drew Griswold will be available for calls before 8 a.m.  His direct line is (615) 724-5984.  You can also reach him from our main office line at (615) 883-0085 ext. 7804.

The following chart compares the accuracies of the old (red) and new (green) postprocessing engine for the GeoXT handheld with the internal antenna from 26 points from Trimble’s Test Site 2 (suburban) environment.  The base station is within 10 km.

The following chart compares the accuracies of the old (red) and new (green) postprocessing engine for the Juno SB handheld with the internal antenna from 26 points from Trimble’s Test Site 2 (suburban) environment.  The base station is within 10 km.

According to Trimble’s latest “White Paper” article titled, “Trimble Mapping & GIS Products:  New Postprocessing Enginge,” the “new settings ensure optimal postprocessed accuracy due to the engine’s ability to select and use the GPS satellite measurements.”  Simply put, a new and improved GPS satellite selection application will allow you to produce better results by connecting to more satellites.

Position yield potential is also greatly increased around environments such as Trimble’s Test Site 2 (typical) and Test Site 3 (extreme) where obstacles could effect postprocessed data accuracy.  According to Trimble, yield in a suburban (Test Site 2) area can increase by 20% and over 40% in a forested environment (Test Site 3).

Before Trimble released the test results for their new postprocessing engine, they allowed us to see their three “test sites.”  Trimble uses three, very different, testing sites to research receivers under two extreme environments and one “typical” environment.   Each test site contains 26 carefully planned survey locati0ns offering different test and research results within each test area.

Test Site One is an ideal open environment with zero obsticles.  The GPS antennas are mounted on stationary survey pillars.  The test lab shows how performance is improved without other variables to consider.  Because of its ideal environment, most receivers greatly exceed their specifications.

Test Site Two is a suburban industrial area down a two way street surrounded with one to two story buildings, parking, and street signage.  Mature trees are scattered across one side of the street and are sparsely planted on the other.  The 26 test locations are actual utility and city asset features including; telecom cable boxes, electrical transformers, fire hydrants, street lights, boundary begs, etc.  Trimble uses Test Site Two to validate GPS receiver specifications because it most closely resembles the working environment of a “typical” user.

Test Site Three is a heavily forested environment with densely planted forestry.  Trimble tests the performance and yield results of some of the most demanding conditions around.  The tree canopy hardly allows sunlight to pass to the forest floor.  Tests are conducted along the forest roads to provide “truth points.”  Testing is also conducted within the forest to measure yield and accuracy.

• Improved memory management which enables more memory to be available for use by applications.
• Explorer browser enhancements in site rendering quality improvements, customization, and viewing usability.
• Supports the Microsoft Office 2007 file format through the Microsoft office Mobile Program and includes improvements in Excel, Powerpoint, and OneNote.

The process of upgrading the Windows Mobile 6.1 Operating System requires a full reprogramming of the flash memory on the GeoExplorer 2008 handheld.  All data and application programs will be erased, and must be reinstalled after the operating system has been upgrading.  So make sure you back up any files that you will need before you start the upgrade process.

 See the full release notes here.

Download the Windows Mobile 6.1 Operating System here.