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CONSTRUCTION EUROPE
DECEMBER 2013-JANUARY 2014
GPS
>
and another roving around making position
measurements. DGPS is regarded as an
enhanced version of GPS.
So, with the hardware in the skies, there are
plenty of opportunities to use the technology
on the ground.
Trimble recently introduced a site
positioning system designed for owner
operators, small site contractors or
construction companies new to GPS. The
Trimble Site Positioning System Essentials Kit
aims to provide contractors with accuracy in
an affordable and easy-to-use solution.
The Essentials Kit is comprised of the new
Trimble Site Mobile controller, Trimble SCS900
Site Controller software and Trimble SPS985L
GNSS smart antenna for what it claimed was a
complete GPS positioning solution.
Trimble said that using GPS, a grade checker
or site engineer can check a grade, slope or
alignment more accurately and in less time
than with traditional construction survey
methods.
Elwyn McLachlan, business area director
for Trimble Site Positioning Systems, said
“Budget-conscious contractors can realise
a quick return on investment by giving
more personnel on the job site access to
technology, enabling more productive and
efficient field crews.”
Trimble Site Mobile controller, which is
described as slim, lightweight and rugged,
is an all-in-one mobile device designed for
enhanced connectivity in the field.
Trimble said that featuring a large, capacitive
touch screen with “superior sunlight
readability”, an integrated 8 megapixel (MP)
camera and the convenience of a built-in
smartphone, the Site Mobile eliminated
the need to carry multiple devices on the
construction site.
A new, entry-level version of Trimble SCS900
Site Controller Software has been designed to
run on the Site Mobile controller. The software
was said to be simple to use and learn. It is also
is upgradeable to more complex functionality
as a contractor’s needs change.
The SPS985L GNSS Smart Antenna has “the
same tough casing and compact design as
other Trimble GNSS Smart Antennas at an
attractive price point,” said the company. For
accurate construction site measurement, the
SPS985L claimed to provide precision Real
Time Kinetic (RTK) positioning by using GPS
and GLONASS.
The Essentials Kit can be upgraded to take
advantage of Connected Site technology,
including VRS networks, Internet Base Station
Service (IBSS), Trimble Remote Assistant and
wireless data sync.
NEW TECHNOLOGY
Topcon Positioning Group has added
Vanguard technology to its GRS-1 handheld
GNSS receiver and field controller.
Scott Langbein, director of product
marketing, said, “With the addition of
Vanguard technology, the GRS-1 fully
integrated, dual-constellation, network-
enabled receiver and controller optimises
tracking and performance regardless of job
site conditions or location.”
Topcon’s exclusive 226-channel Vanguard
technology with Universal Tracking is said
to allow each individual GNSS channel to be
fully optimised to track any of the available
satellite signals that are supported in today’s
modern GNSS receivers.
The GRS-1 can be used in various
configurations from handheld to network-
enabled RTK measurement, and grade
management.
“The system can be configured to perform at
various levels of accuracy that fit any budget
and application,” said Langbein. Choices
include centimetre level, sub-decimetre and
sub-metre, with accuracy upgrade options
available.
Working with Topcon’s Magnet suite of
software products, “the GRS-1 streamlines
the workflow for surveyors, contractors,
engineers and mapping professionals,” he
said.
PICTURE COURTESY ESA
Leica has a new 3D
machine control system
for wheeled loaders
