Industry :
Still more performances! The last International exhibition for sensors in Nüremberg (Germany), showed Xsens revealing its new Miniature Attitude and Heading Reference System – the MTi. Its internal low-power signal processor provides drift-free 3D orientation as well as calibrated 3D acceleration, 3D rate of turn (rate gyro) and 3D earth-magnetic field data. The MTi is an excellent measurement unit for stabilization and control of cameras, robots, vehicles and other equipment.
The MTi meets the performances of previous versions (low consumption, precision, robustness), and brings with it new and advanced aspects :
- calculates orientation within the unit, no need for a PC or off-set computer centre
- communication possible via different port, digital or analogue (RS232, RS422, USB).
Geographical Information System :
The MobileMapper CE GPS receiver is the latest positioning platform by Thales Navigation. Compact and resistant, it encompasses in one small package, a GPS and a PDA. Not only do you benefit from precise positioning, but you also have access to the different functions offered by the PDA (you client database, diary etc), as well as your preferred software programmes whilst on the road.
The integration of SigmaX (the Nomade G.I.S. software) on the MobileMapper CE allows you to reach a new dimension in the collation of information and the updating of your G.I.S. :
- visualisation of the work zone on a cartographic background;
- input of your points of interest (lines, trajectories, surfaces, implantation, Go To function);
- user control of all the attributes (in the office or on the road);
- compatibility with existing G.I.S. (SHP files, DXF files, etc).
Navigation / Guidance :
The gigantic sections of the A380 Airbus required, at the time of their routing towards Toulouse, very precise GPS systems to reach the final stage, that of the assembly. The ‘above norm' size of the various elements composing the A380 implies a guidance to the centimetre, for the trucks and their invaluable loadings.
The chosen GPS system is a mix of 9 Sagitta GPS receivers (made by Thales Navigation), supplied by Cadden. The Sagitta receivers were initially single frequency, and were modidified by Cadden into dual frequency which allowed the trajectory of the convoy to be secured.
A number of mayors, positioned along the route, were equipped with GPS receivers as reference points, and each heavy load was equipped with a GPS receiver as the mobile units. The functionality also incorporated the DGPS mode, allowing various GPS mobile units to synchronize their data with the differential corrections provided by the fixed units, via radio waves (UHF), and thus to reach, in a few seconds, a centimetric precision.