Hemisphere GNSS recently announced its next-generation digital and RF (radio frequency) ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit) platforms, along with the release of three all-new positioning and heading OEM (original equipment manufacturer) boards. These are the first products to incorporate these new technological advancements.
The manufacturer’s Lyra II™ digital ASIC and Aquila™ wideband RF ASIC designs optimize performance and provide the ability to track and process more than 700 channels from all GNSS constellations and signals including GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS, SBAS, and L-Band. Also available are signal support and tracking for AltBOC and BS-ACEBOC, BeiDou Phase 3, L5, and QZSS/LEX CLAS-D and CLAS-E.
The new Lyra and Aquila ASIC technology provide the foundation for a new GNSS receiver chipset architecture, one that reduces the number of board components required significantly. This reduces complexity along with power consumption and improves reliability. This new technology also offers scalable access to every modern GNSS signal available.
This new powerful technology platform also incorporates the manufacturer’s new Cygnus interference mitigation technology with built-in digital filtering capabilities and spectrum analysis. This new technology offers enhanced anti-jamming, interference detection, and mitigation.
“The successful development of these new ASIC platforms is an important milestone on Hemisphere’s technology roadmap. Lyra, Aquila, and Cygnus-based technologies represent a significant investment and addition to our intellectual property portfolio – one that enables us to continue providing best-in-class GNSS performance and allows our customers and OEM partners to take their solutions to an even higher level.” – Farlin Halsey, Hemisphere President, and CEO
Hemisphere also announced that the new Phantom™40, Vega™ 28, and Vega 40 OEM positioning and heading boards will be made available with the new Lyra, Aquila, and Cygnus technologies.
The first Lyra-based offering in a line of all-new, low-power, high-precision OEM boards is the new Phantom™40 positioning board. It is a multi-frequency, multi-GNSS receiver boasting 700 channels, including access to Hemisphere’s Atlas® GNSS global corrections network. Comprised of a 60 mm x 100 mm module with 24-pin and 16-pin headers, the Phantom 40 is a significant upgrade for existing designs using this industry-standard form factor.
Hemisphere calls it the “most robust low-power multi-frequency, multi-GNSS solution.” Tracking more signals for unparalleled positioning performance, this platform featuring the latest technology enables simultaneous tracking of all satellite signals, making it the most robust and reliable solution for machine control. Its power management system efficiently governs the memory, processor and ASIC, making it ideal for multiple integration applications. Users will experience incomparable accuracy and reliability with advanced technology features. Positioning is scalable and field upgradable with all Hemisphere software and service options. Thanks to the industry-standard form factor, migration from other manufacturers’ modules is easy.
The Phantom 40 is the most accurate and reliable OEM module with two advanced technology features; aRTK™ and Tracer™. Hemisphere’s aRTK technology, powered by Atlas, allows the Phantom 40 to operate with RTK accuracies when RTK corrections fail. Tracer utilizes specialized algorithms to sustain positioning in the absence of correction data.
Key features include:
- Multi-Frequency GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo, and QZSS
- Long-range RTK baselines up to 50 km with fast acquisition times
- Compatible with many RTK sources including Hemisphere GNSS’ ROX format, RTCM, CMR, CMR+
- Mechanically and electrically (pin-for-pin) compatible with many other manufacturers’ modules
- Atlas® L-band capable to 4 cm RMS
- Athena™ GNSS engine providing best-in-classs RTK performance
- Serial, USB, Ethernet and CAN connectivity for ease of use and integration
Hemisphere’s all-new line of low-power, high-precision, positioning and heading OEM boards kicks off with the introduction of the multi-frequency, multi-GNSS Vega 40 and Vega 28. These receivers allow access to 1,100 channels, including access to Hemisphere’s Atlas GNSS global corrections network. A 60 mm x 100 mm module with 24-pin and 16-pin headers, the Vega 40 is the ideal upgrade for existing designs using this industry-standard form factor. In a world full of complex dynamic environments, the Vega 40 is one of Hemisphere’s most advanced GNSS heading and positioning boards used in the development of sophisticated machine control and navigation solutions. Utilizing dual antenna ports, the Vega 40 delivers additional capabilities ranging from fast, high-accuracy heading over short baselines, RTK positioning, onboard Atlas L-band and RTK-enabled heave to low-power consumption, and precise timing.
The Vega 28, a 41 mm x 71 mm positioning and heading module represents the smallest GNSS OEM heading module Hemisphere has ever offered to the geospatial market.
With the Vega 28, positioning is scalable and field upgradeable with all Hemisphere software and service options. Utilize the same centimeter-level accuracy in either single frequency mode, or employ the full performance and fast RTK initialization times over long distances with multi-frequency multi-constellation GNSS signals. High-accuracy L-band positioning from meter to sub-decimeter levels available via Atlas correction service.
The key features of the Vega 28 include:
- Extremely accurate heading with long baselines
- Multi-frequency position, dual-frequencyy heading supporting GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo, QZSS, IRNSS, and L-band
- Atlas® L-band capable to 4 cm RMS
- Athena™ GNSS engine providing best-in-classs RTK performance
- Excellent coasting performance
- 5 cm RMS RTK-enabled heave accuracy
- Strong multipath mitigation and interference rejection
- New multi-axis gyro and tilt sensor for reliable coverage during short GNSS outages
Hemisphere has plans to integrate this new technology into additional form factors, and into many of its existing product portfolios. Look for these products to be introduced during the coming months.
