Latest News
Filed under: Firmware Updates/Info
The latest firmware version 3.80 has been released for the OEMV Series of receivers. This includes all OEMV board level receivers as well as Propak-V3, Flexpak, FlexG2, Smart-V1, and DL-V3 enclosure units.
Those with SPAN capable receivers do NOT need this firmware upgrade. A separate release will be available soon for SPAN related products.
What’s New in 3.800
- Optimizations to AdVance RTK
- IONOCONDITION command added
- Added support for RTCM MAC (Master Auxillary Concept) messages
- RTKNETWORK command added with AUTO setting
- New models for combined L5 and GLONASS
- New OmniSTAR library with support of OmniSTAR HP and GPS+GLONASS for quicker convergence
- ASSIGNALL command is now retained after a power cycle
- EXTERNALCLOCK parameter range has been adjusted for use with high precision clocks
Download the update version from the following location: http://www.novatel.com/Documents/Downloads/updt3800.exe
For help or questions on installing the new firmware, please contact SLAinc.
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Filed under: Products
Waypoint’s Inertial Explorer and GrafNav/GrafNet version 8.30 is now available. For customers with current PCS (Post Contract Support) period. Just contact SLAinc and provide your four digit hardware/license key for upgrade information. This number can be located on your USB or parallel port key.
GrafNav/GrafNet 8.30 New Features
- Simplified processing settings
- More intuitive GUI (Graphical User Interface)
- New version of AdVance™ RTK
- Improved PPP (Precise Point Positioning) filter
- Improved GLONASS processing with multiple receiver types
- Processing profiles have been improved
- Auto enable/disable ionospheric corrections depending on baseline distance
- Warning for users that attempt to use averaged coordinates at base station(s)
- See the version history (pdf) for a full list of improvements and bug fixes
Inertial Explorer 8.30 New Features
- Automated alignment option
- PPP (Precise Point Positioning) now available for use with tightly-coupled processing for users without base station data
- Simplified processing settings
- More intuitive GUI (Graphical User Interface)
- ReadWPG utility reads most of Waypoint’s binary data files
- Improved PPP filter
- Inertial solution automatically loaded upon opening of project
- See the version history (pdf) for a full list of improvements and bug fixes
For upgrade information or help with GrafNav/GrafNet or Inertial Explorer, please contact us.
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Filed under: Products
NovAtel Inc and Waypoint Products Group has announced the End of Life for Waypoint’s parallel port keys. These products include GrafNav/GrafNet, Inertial Explorer, and RTKNav. The software packages will continue to be available with the USB key; however, new purchases and future software updates will not support the parallel port type keys.
Customers are encouraged to migrate to a USB type key through the Waypoint Key Exchange program. Those customers within their software’s PCS (Post Contractual Support) period are eligible for free USB key exchange. This will require the return of the old parallel port key(s).
Contact SLAinc for more information.
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Filed under: General,Products
The latest wireless modem utility for FreeWave Technologies products is now available. You can download it from SLA Inc.
Changes/Improvements
- New radio templating feature
- Improved loading performance
- New and improved interface
- Added support for additional radio models
- Ability to create default radio configurations
- Reversed sort order of folders
- Improved radio tree nodes
- Transmit Power is now available to be changed over the air
- Improvements to the Spectrum Tool
Download the latest Tool Suite here. Should you have any questions, or need assistance, please contact us.
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Filed under: General
The first week of January 2010, we lost a close friend and colleague. Steve Lieber passed away on Jan 5 2010 in his home at the age of 72. Following his wishes, there will be no viewing or memorial service. It was not his desire for anyone to grieve over his death, but to celebrate the memory of his life.
A memorial for Steve Lieber can be found at http://www.slieber.com. There is a guestbook where everyone that knew him can say their farewells and add their own stories.
Obituary
Steven H. Lieber of League City, TX passed away on January 5, 2010 at the age of 72. He was the son of Henry and Geraldine (Frickel) Lieber of Jersey City, NJ. He graduated from Ridgewood High School and served our country in the United State Air Force. He traveled around the world in support of various U.S. Research Programs. Steve spent his career in many related industries including survey, navigation, and GPS systems. In 1987, he founded Steve Lieber & Associates, Inc. where he worked for 20 years. He recently retired which enabled him to spend more time traveling and doing what he loved most, taking pictures. Steve had a passion for nature photography. He treasured his fellow Nikonian friends and the art of photography. Steve was also a huge NASCAR fan and supporter of the Jimmy Johnson Foundation. He will be missed by many friends, family and colleagues. Following Steve’s wishes, there will be no viewing or memorial service. It was not his desire for anyone to grieve over his death, but to celebrate the memory of his life. He is survived by his sisters, Claire MacBride and Maggie Lieber. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.
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Filed under: General,Products
FreeWave Technologies has released the latest version of the Tool Suite, version 2.2. This new version includes support for the FGRplus (diagnostics), HTplus (diagnostics), and 1.3 GHz Series of wireless radios. There are improvements to the configuration and diagnostics sections as well as added functionality.
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Filed under: Firmware Updates/Info
The latest firmware for NovAtel OEMV Series of receivers is version 3.700 and is now available for download. This new firmware adds L5 tracking capability to the OEMV3 receiver (requires L5 capable antenna). There are improvements to RT-2 L1TE (single frequency) and ALIGN along with several other improvements and/or changes.
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Filed under: General
All users of the OmniSTAR VBS, XP, or HP services in the European and African regions should be aware of a frequency/satellite change. Those users currently on the AFSAT satellite (1535.080 MHz) will need to change to the new EUSAT satellite (1537.440 MHz). This should not affect those using the auto-tune setting (requires download of a new almanac).
The new frequency is available now. The old frequency/satellite will be transmitting until the end of November, but due to the location change may offer poor performance. It is highly recommended those using AFSAT change to the new EUSAT as soon as possible. (continue reading this entry…)
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Filed under: Firmware Updates/Info
SPAN-CPT firmware version CPT3.620 has been released for NovAtel’s SPAN-CPT tightly coupled GPS/INS (Inertial Navigation System) receiver. This latest release integrates NovAtel AdVance RTK engine into the robust operating firmware. The OMNISTARAUTO setting for the ASSIGNLBAND command has been added for automatic tuning to the correct OmniSTAR frequency for VBS, XP, and HP services.
AdVance RTK allows for centimeter level positioning for baseline lengths up to 40 kilometers. Reliability levels are configurable and allow you to customize for the best combination of accuracy and speed (depending on operating environment).
SPAN-CPT firmware requires an auth code in order to install/update. Contact SLAinc to request an auth code or to get answers to your questions. If requesting an update, please provide the GNSS receiver’s PSN or enclosure serial number.
The firmware can be downloaded from http://www.novatel.com/support/fwswupdates.htm#span_oemv
*Reminder* You will need to have a current PSC (Post Contractural Support) subscription for each receiver you wish to upgrade.
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Filed under: Firmware Updates/Info
The latest firmware for OEMV SPAN receivers has been released. This latest version SPAN3.620 integrates NovAtel’s AdVance RTK engine into the OEMV Series IMU capable receivers (OEMV-2, OEMV-3, Propak-V3 with SPAN firmware). The AdVance RTK engine delivers fast centimeter position accuracy on baselines up to 40 kilometers. The OMNISTARAUTO setting has also been incorporated to allow auto tuning of the correct OmniSTAR frequency.
All SPAN firmware updates require an auth code in order to update. Contact SLAinc to request an update to SPAN3.620 firmware or if you have any questions. Be sure to include your receivers PSN or enclosure serial number.
SPAN firmware can be downloaded at http://www.novatel.com/support/fwswupdates.htm#span_oemv
*Reminder* You will need to current PSC (Post Contractural Support) subscription for each receiver you wish to upgrade.
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Filed under: General,Products
FreeWave Tool Suite version 2.0.1 is available for download. This new version fixes an issue with the dBm calculation in the previous version. You can get and apply the update through the update button in the software or you can download the latest version here.
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Filed under: General
The 1.00 Beta version of Waypoint Toolbox is available for download. This highly requested software gives you several tools for Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) users. With an easy Graphical User Interface (GUI) you can plan, view data, and use other GPS related utilities.
What’s in the Toolbox?
- Mission Planner
Download GPS and/or GLONASS satellite almanac information. This info allows you to plan your job when more satellites will be in view.
- GPB Data Viewer
View converted NovAtel files and display raw GPS measurements in ASCII format.
- Plot View
Plot view of real-time position, velocity, and altitude data. View plots of gyro and accelerometer measurements. Azimuth and distance measurement tools can be used here also.
- Polar Satellite Observation Viewer
Monitor satellite availability and projected path or view constellation information from almanac or collected data.
- Google Earth Export
Export data to .kml format to view data in Google Earth.
The Waypoint Toolbox can be downloaded at: http://www.novatel.com/products/waypoint_pps.htm#waypoint_software
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Filed under: General,Products
FreeWave’s EZ Config has recently been replaced with the new Tool Suite. FreeWave’s Tool Suite is a Graphical User Interface (GIU) that allows easy configuration, programming, and troubleshooting of your FreeWave wireless radios. This free software utility is a great alternative to using a terminal program such as HyperTerminal for setting up your radios. It allows for quick setup of several telemetry radios either by direct connection or over a radio network.
- Intuitive user interface
- Manage multiple radio networks and multiple frequencies
- Centralized management of diagnostic data
- Manage multiple configurations from a central storage location
- Detailed reporting section
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Filed under: Products
GrafNav/GrafNet™ and Inertial Explorer™ high-precision GNSS software packages have been upgraded to version 8.20. Several improvements and features have been added in this new version such as the new Project Wizard, EGM2008 geoid is now available, and there is improved user/manufacturer files for Windows Vista operation.
A complete list of the new features are shown below. Please note that software upgrades now require a Post Contractural Support (PCS) subscription. See changes-for-waypoint-update-policy for more information. You can contact SLAinc to check on your software PCS status or if you have any questions.
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Filed under: Firmware Updates/Info
Firmware version 3.620 has been released for the OEMV Series of GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite Systems) receivers. Improvements to OmniSTAR tracking for OEMV-1 and enhancements to GL1DE technology are just a couple of items included in the update.
Reminder – All firmware updates now require NovAtel PCS (Post Contractural Support) subscriptions. Contact us to inquire or purchase PCS subscription(s) for your NovAtel GPS receiver(s).
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