How To Invest in Latest GPS Signal Technology

allaboutprecision

Guest
Posted by Kurt ? June 10th, 2010

With the rapidly changing GPS/GNSS satellite technology, it?s smart to do your homework and understand the facts to find what best suits your farm (see the links below). Auburn University?s Daniel Mullenix, a research biosystems engineer, offered his advice recently on www.alabamaprecisionagonline.com.

When considering purchasing GPS/GNSS technology for your ag operation, it?s best to do your homework. As with most technology, Precision Ag technology is rapidly evolving and changing to better suit the needs of producers and allow them to become more efficient and better stewards of the environment.

The ?buzz? words and hot topics of a few years ago may now have been replaced with ?later and greater? gadgets. This is the case with GPS/GNSS technology. Recently, new signals have been established such as L2C and L5, which increase reliability of navigation and guidance operations. Likewise, manufacturers of guidance and navigational devices are now producing units capable of utilizing other countries satellite systems in conjunction with GPS. For example, several manufacturers make guidance receivers that are GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) capable; meaning they can utilize US GPS satellites as well as others (e.g. Russia?s GLONASS satellite system, etc).

This technology holds great advantages in that a GNSS receiver can utilize almost twice the number of satellites a GPS-only receiver is able to use. Additionally, cellular modems can now be used to obtain base station data via CORS (Continuously Operating Reference Stations) or RTN (Real-Time Networks); increasing a producer?s distance from a base station from line-of-sight to over 25 miles when using RTK.

More satellite availability, new GPS signals, and cellular technology potentially means:
less time for an RTK fix
not having to wait for satellites to come into view
not losing an RTK fix when against a tree line or other obstructions
not having down time during hours of the day when GPS satellite geometry is poor
increased distances from a base station
no need for a personal base station
greater mobility and efficiency

More at http://precisionpays.com/2010/06/how-to-invest-in-latest-gps-signal-technology/
 
 
Top