Leading GNSS offshore positioning specialist Veripos in Aberdeen, UK reports an extension to its widely-used Apex service with introduction of Apex 5 which is said to be capable of securing observations from no less than four other satellite constellations in addition to GPS. They are Galileo (EU), Glonass (Russia), BeiDou (China) and QZSS (Japan).
Using Precise Point Positioning (PPP) techniques for correction or modelling of all GNSS error sources, the new multi-constellation service with access to increased civilian signals via interoperable networks is claimed to ensure improved levels of observation and redundancy. Other quoted advantages include improved satellite count and position availability, particularly in masked and scintillated environments.
Operations are based on Veripos’s own orbit and clock determination system (OCDS) which derives real-time corrections for all available satellite constellations using advanced proprietary algorithms. The OCDS in turn uses data from the company’s own global network of reference stations with multiple and redundant systems supported by dedicated network control centres in Aberdeen and Singapore. A complementary software development is Quantum, a new all-purpose suite of visualisation modules designed to meet a variety of specific operational tasks such as those necessary for hydrographic and seismic surveying as well as dynamic positioning.
By David Goodfellow
