Category Archives: GNSS/Location Tech
Smallsat Constellations: Sats that Fly in Formation
New applications for smallsat constellations are growing from autonomous formation flying. Space Flight Laboratory (SFL) of Toronto is on a mission to expand the utility of small satellites in a variety of commercial, government, and research sectors. Among its current focus areas is exploit- ing its successful heritage in autonomous formation flying, a technology that...
Mainstreaming Augmented Reality: No Headset Required, Part 1
Augmented reality technology is rapidly evolving into the mainstream; now you can employ and enjoy AR on your smartphone. Let’s start with Apple’s ARKit, a software developers’ kit (SDK) for augmented reality. Apps developed on this platform will work with all iPhones and iPads that use the A9 or A10 processor and are running iOS...
Sponsored: Champion’s HC2
Sponsored Content A GNSS L1 Base, Rover, and Data Collector The trend in surveying is to have a Total Station/Robot and a GPS on every survey party. This gives maximum flexibility and productivity to a two-man crew. The surveyors at Champion Instruments have produced a product that makes this configuration affordable and convenient. The HC2...
The Modernized NSRS (A Summary)
Editor’s Note (from Scott Martin): When I learned that NGS and Dru Smith (the NSRS modernization manager for the NGS) had requested to respond to my August Field Notes, I was quite intimidated. However, my fears were quickly quelled. Thank you, Dr. Smith! As mentioned below, a more extensive and informative response on the monumental...
Women in Surveying: An Accidental Surveyor Schools the Field
An unconventional geospatial technician oversees pre-construction and construction work for rehabbing a flood-control dam in VA. Pictured above: Evans inspects a recent concrete pour on the dam’s riser tower. “I’ve been on dozens of job sites and a lot of construction projects, and I have rarely worked with another female on site,” says Evans, a civil...
Controlling the Future with Training
To support user training, one company surpasses the usual by extending and supporting information, content, and new skills. Pictured above: Field training can sometimes be the most efficient way of capturing the attention of busy contractors. The surveying and construction industries are dynamic. The way people work today is clearly much different than 50 years ago,...
