Precise Positioning for Unmanned Vehicles: GPS & GNSS Receivers, Antennas & Inertial Systems
Hexagon | NovAtel is a global technology leader, pioneering end-to-end solutions for assured positioning in land, marine and aerial unmanned systems. For NovAtel, positioning is only assured when it is precise, accurate, reliable, available and authentic.
With the dramatic rise in demand for positioning and location-based services across every business landscape, our solutions are empowering intelligent positioning ecosystems in vital industries that depend on our ability to tackle the most complex challenges in the most demanding of environments.
Our products are used in a wide variety of unmanned systems applications, from military and security, to UAV and ground vehicle navigation. High-profile successes for the technology include the first-ever unmanned airborne refueling test, DARPA’s first unmanned ground vehicle race and fleets of autonomous robots supporting precision agriculture.
Read case studies on NovAtel’s technology in action >
High-precision, multi-frequency GNSS receivers with advanced interference detection and mitigation features provide enhanced positioning reliability, accuracy and availability for unmanned applications. Each receiver includes L-Band and SPAN® GNSS+INS technology.
The OEM7700 multi-frequency GNSS receiver delivers robust positioning, simplifies integration and offers maximum connectivity in a small package.
The OEM7720 dual-antenna input, multi-frequency GNSS receiver offers precise positioning plus SPAN functionality for space constrained unmanned applications.
The OEM719 multi-frequency GNSS receiver delivers precise positioning while retaining backwards compatibility with NovAtel’s popular OEM615™ and OEM617™ form factors.
The OEM7600 is a compact, multi-frequency GNSS receiver that delivers robust positioning for space constrained applications.
Learn more: OEM7 GNSS Receivers
The MarinePak7 is our marine-certified multi-frequency GNSS receiver built for scalability as your application demands grow. When combined with an IMU, the MarinePak7 provides attitude and heave measurements for a robust, reliable and assured position at sea.
Learn more: GNSS enclosures
NovAtel’s SPAN technology deeply couples our OEM precision GNSS receivers with robust Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) to provide reliable and continuously available position, velocity, heading and attitude – even through short periods of time when satellite signals are blocked or unavailable.
SPAN technology deeply couples NovAtel’s GNSS receiver technology with an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU). We support a variety of IMUs from leading manufacturers to provide our customers the opportunity to select an IMU that delivers the accuracy or price point their unmanned application requires.
The ISA-100C is a high-performance tactical grade IMU featuring NovAtel’s GNSS+INS SPAN technology to deliver 3D position, velocity and attitude solutions.
The KVH1750 offers tactical grade performance in a compact and rugged package.
The LN200 is a tactical grade, low noise IMU, containing closed-loop fiber optic gyros and solid-state silicon accelerometers. The IMU combines with NovAtel’s GNSS+INS SPAN technology to provide a 3D position, velocity, heading and attitude solution.
The HG1700 AG58 contains Honeywell’s HG1700, a tactical grade IMU containing Ring Laser Gyros (RLG) and Servo accelerometers. The UIMU-HG provides the IMU data to a SPAN enabled GNSS/INS using a custom NovAtel interface. The unit offers Gyro performance of 1 degree/hour.
Using the same technology as the H58 (above), the HG1700 AG62 offers gyro performance of 5 degrees per hour.
Learn more: IMUs
We manufacture integrated GNSS+INS systems, deeply coupling both technologies together in one space-saving unit for optimal performance.
The PwrPak7-E1 is an OEM7 enclosure that supports NovAtel’s leading SPAN GNSS+INS technology.
The PwrPak7D-E1 is a dual-antenna enclosure that supports NovAtel’s leading SPAN GNSS+INS technology.
The PwrPak7-E2 is an advanced OEM receiver that provides an all-constellation, multi-frequency positioning solution.
The PwrPak7D-E2 is an advanced OEM7 dual antenna enclosure with SPAN GNSS+INS technology that provides improved performance and a higher data rate.
The CPT7 is an ultra-compact, lightweight, dual-antenna enclosure that delivers 3D position, velocity, heading and attitude.
The CPT7700 is an ultra-compact, lightweight, single-antenna enclosure with SPAN GNSS+INS technology delivering 3D positioning and velocity. The internal OEM7700 receiver offers simultaneous tracking of multi-GNSS signals across all frequencies.
Learn more: Combined GNSS-INS systems
The VEXXIS series of GNSS antennas feature a multi-point feeding network using patented phase-reversal technology, which provides symmetric radiation patterns across all frequencies. This technology translates into excellent multipath rejection, a very small phase center variation and better carrier phase measurements at the receiver.
The VEXXIS GNSS-800 series antenna offers cutting-edge technology with superior tracking performance and a rugged, ultra-durable watertight enclosure.
The VEXXIS GNSS-500 series antennas include a single and dual-frequency antenna that receives GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and BeiDou signals with L-Band support.
Learn more: VEXXIS series GNSS antennas
GPS-700 series provides the performance of a choke-ring antenna in a smaller form factor. Offering high-phase centre stability and low-phase centre offset, they are ideal for survey, ground mapping, agriculture, construction and mining, as well as temporary and permanent reference station applications.
NovAtel’s GPS-700 series antennas have a sleek, compact form factor that are recognized for their superior multipath rejection and highly stable phase centre. With our patented Pinwheel® technology, these rugged OEM GNSS antennas provide choke-ring performance in a more compact and lightweight form.
Learn more: High-precision GNSS & GPS antennas
GAJT Anti-Jam Technology nullifies jamming devices that try to block GPS satellite signals. Battlefield-tested and easily installed into existing vehicle navigation systems, the GAJT ensures that your unmanned and autonomous vehicles are always able to access their positional measurement capabilities for reliable and assured position, navigation and timing (PNT).
The GAJT-710ML is the first single-unit GPS anti-jam antenna appropriate for use with military land vehicles (including UGVs), networks and timing infrastructure.
The GAJT-710MS is a small form factor single-enclosure GPS Anti-Jam Technology (GAJT) antenna for marine applications, including Unmanned Sea Vehicles (USVs).
The GAJT-AE-N provides GPS Anti-Jam Technology (GAJT) antenna electronics alongside CRPAs for size and weight constrained applications, including smaller UAV platforms and ground robotics/UGVs.
The GAJT-410ML is a low size, weight and power (SWaP) GPS Anti-Jam Technology (GAJT) antenna for space-constrained military land applications, networks and timing infrastructure.
The GAJT-410MS is a low size, weight and power (SWaP) GAJT built with a marine-hardened enclosure enabling assured PNT for continuous operations, cybersecurity and safe navigation at sea.
The GAJT-310 is our most SWaP-friendly anti-jam antenna, available in an integrated enclosure or as a federated solution with a separate anti-jam receiver board and CRPA.
Learn more: GAJT Anti-Jam Antennas
Our fixed reference antennas are optimized for the positioning accuracy and availability requirements of reference station applications. Each antenna contains a choke-ring to reduce the strength of undesired reflected signals from multipath that degrades position and timing accuracy.
The GNSS-750 is a wideband choke-ring GNSS antenna with 3D low profile design that optimizes low-elevation signal tracking. Ideal for reference stations, geological monitoring and other fixed location applications.
Learn more: Fixed Reference GNSS Antennas
NovAtel SMART antennas are high-precision products that include a board-level GNSS receiver and GNSS antenna integrated into one compact enclosure for space-constrained applications.
The SMART7 range of multi-frequency SMART antennas combines a NovAtel’s OEM7 receiver and precision antenna in a durable and waterproof enclosure – making it ideal for precision agriculture, UAV and robotic applications.
NovAtel’s SMART2 is a dual-frequency SMART antenna with scalable positioning accuracy up to centimetre-level with TerraStar-C PRO PPP correction services. Optional features include Bluetooth and Terrain Compensation.
Learn more: SMART GNSS Antennas
GRIT (GNSS Resilience and Integrity Technology) is a comprehensive suite of optional firmware features that enables users to protect position, navigation and timing (PNT) measurements from interference, jamming and spoofing.
These situation awareness and interference mitigation tools can be deployed for a wide variety of applications and environments to provide robust protection for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) and other robotic platforms.
GRIT’s capabilities for PNT resiliency and integrity include:
GRIT is available as a firmware upgrade for all NovAtel OEM7 receivers, and can be easily installed without the need for specific export licensing.
Learn more: GRIT – GNSS Resilience and Integrity Technology
For applications requiring highly accurate post-mission position, velocity or attitude, Waypoint post-processing software is an ideal solution.
Post-processing maximizes the accuracy of the solution by processing previously stored GNSS and INS data forward and reverse in time then combining the results. The position, velocity and attitude solution can be smoothed and output at the required data rate and in the coordinate frame required. This process also provides the ability to assess the solution reliability and accuracy.
Learn more: Waypoint Software
NovAtel’s GNSS receivers handle corrections from a variety of sources to augment your GNSS accuracy and reliability, including RTK, PPP, SBAS and DGPS. TerraStar® PPP correction services from NovAtel provide a complete solution for OEM7 users looking for accurate positioning. Corrections range from 2.5 cm to 50 cm accuracy for land and airborne applications, providing a stand-alone PPP solution, or as a backup to your RTK configuration.
With multiple positioning solutions, you can choose the corrections method that best meets the requirements and performance objectives of your application. Explore the services below.
Unmanned and remotely operated vehicles, including ground-based and airborne, rely on precise GNSS position to optimise navigation and control critical operations such as take-off, landing and manoeuvring in challenging conditions. With precise point positioning (PPP) corrections, TerraStar-C PRO puts the control back in your hands, ensuring centimetre-level accuracy, 99.999% correction uptime and availability, seamless global coverage, and convergence in as fast as three minutes. Revolutionised by NovAtel’s advanced RTK From the Sky technology, TerraStar-C PRO provides the same excellent reliability at faster speeds than ever before.
TerraStar corrections are scalable and efficient, providing a single simple solution for fleets or multiple project areas. Backed by a stable and highly redundant global system, corrections are secure and reliable, with Internet or satellite delivery options for ultimate convenience. TerraStar Correction Services ensure that the absolute position on OEM7 receivers is reliable and highly accurate for your operational success.
Learn More: TerraStar-C PRO
Powered by TerraStar PPP technology, NovAtel’s RTK ASSIST services deliver correction data obtained through our global reference station network to provide a consistent and reliable solution to users around the globe. RTK ASSIST services act as a lifeline to preserve the availability of a centimetre-level position so that you can continue working through any RTK correction outages.
With two solutions, RTK ASSIST and RTK ASSIST PRO, you can choose the right corrections augmentation service to best suit your application needs.
Learn More: RTK ASSIST
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