Frontier Geomatics - NovAtel SPAN

Frontier Geomatics Inc. is a full-service NovAtel SPAN representative for airborne and mobile mapping. SPAN is a positioning and attitude measurement system consisting of a GNSS receiver and an inertial measurement unit (IMU).

Unlike other technologies SPAN’s principle is very straight-forward: you connect an IMU to a NovAtel GNSS receiver. This tight hardware integration not only results in a much lower system price, but also brings important benefits with it. Only NovAtel's SPAN has this deep integration of IMU and GPS hardware that no other manufacturer can offer or attempts to compensate by software.

A GPS/IMU system does not have to be exclusive for scientists any more and is simple to operate. After all, it is just an aiding sub-system for your overall mapping projects.

Crucial Benefits

Shorten your turns

There is no more need for the pilot to keep the banking angles low for any airborne survey. With NovAtel’s deeply integrated GPS/IMU technology there are practically no limits to the turns you can fly and still maintain perfect positioning and attitude accuracy on every flight line.

Save time and fuel and forget about exceeding bank angles for good!

Because the SPAN’s GPS receiver also runs the IMU algorithms at the same time as tracking GPS/GLONASS, it receives phase updates from the IMU whenever a satellite is blocked or lost. As soon as it comes back into view the receiver locks on to it almost instantly, assuring that you record all data available.

Other system vendors attempt to compensate this lack of hardware integration by tightly-coupled software alone. The effectiveness of this software-only method is limited. NovAtel’s Inertial Explorer deploys these algorithms as a standard too.

Rather than just theoretical simulations we have actual flight data from our customers banking over 70° on a regular basis.

On-Site Support

Frontier Geomatics not only resells and supports NovAtel SPAN systems, but if needed, will also be on-site for the installation, integration with other sensors and operational training. With our many years experience we assist you in adapting GPS/IMU technology for your application, no matter what airborne sensor you have and what environment you use it in.

Boresighting the IMU to the sensor is critically important and we will guide you to set-up the calibration site and have an efficient work-flow for this task. Location and number of ground control points as well as flight strip pattern depends on the sensor(s) and specific mapping application. We will aim to fly the boresight while we are on-site. We will then run your imagery through Aerial Triangulation, compute the boresight angles and leave you with a Boresight Certificate.

Epson G320N

The EG320N is a Micro Electromechanical System (MEMS) IMU from Epson. It features low noise gyros and accelerometers in a small, lightweight enclosure. The EG320N enables precision measurements for applications that require low cost, high performance and rugged durability in a very small form factor. When integrated with NovAtel’s SPAN technology, this IMU is ideal for size constrained applications that require accurate 3D position, velocity and attitude (roll, pitch and azimuth) data.

The EG320N IMU can be purchased in an enclosure as a PwrPak7-E1 or as an OEM component for integrators.

Epson G370N

The EG370N is a Micro Electromechanical System (MEMS) IMU from Epson. It features low noise gyros and accelerometers in a small, lightweight enclosure. The EG370N enables high data rate, precision measurements for applications that require low cost, high performance and rugged durability in a very small form factor. When integrated with SPAN technology by NovAtel, this IMU is ideal for size constrained applications that require accurate 3D position, velocity and attitude (roll, pitch and azimuth) data.

The EG370N IMU can be purchased in an enclosure as a PwrPak7-E2 or as an OEM component for integrators.

IMU-KVH1750

The IMU-KVH1750 is designed to be paired with NovAtel’s OEM7® line of receivers. Commercially exportable, it is comprised of Fiber Optic Gyros (FOG) and Micro Electromechanical Systems (MEMS) accelerometers. FOGs offer exceptionally long life and stable performance compared to similar gyro technologies.

The IMU-KVH1750 offers tactical grade performance in a compact and rugged package with minimal power consumption. Paired with NovAtel’s OEM7 receiver, the IMU-KVH1750 offers a fully integrated, tightly coupled GNSS and IMU system that delivers a continuous position, velocity and attitude solution.

LN200

The LN200 is a high-performance 200Hz inertial measurement unit and ideally suited for direct stereo-mapping either from high-altitude or for large scale maps. Its applications also include high-altitude LiDAR and photogrammetry with large-format cameras.

*falls under the US State Department Export Regulations

Litef µIMU

The Northrop Grumman µIMU is manufactured in Germany by its subsidiary Litef GmbH. Small size, low weight and power consumption makes the µIMU ideal for heading reference, flight control and stabilization applications.

The IMU-µIMU is available as a complete assembly in an environmentally sealed enclosure. The µIMU is also available as a stand alone OEM product that can be easily paired with a SPAN enabled GNSS receiver.

ISA-100C

The Northrop Grumman ISA-100C is manufactured in Germany by its subsidiary Litef GmbH. It is built with fiber optic gyros and fully temperature compensated Micro Electromechanical Systems (MEMS) accelerometers. The ISA-100C operates at 10-34 VDC and offers extremely high performance and precise accuracy. It is commercially exportable and an ideal sensor for high-end photogrammetric and mobile mapping applications (e.g. tunnels).

OEM7

Leveraging six previous generations of precise positioning know-how, the OEM7 incorporates innovative capabilities and features to enhance positioning reliability, accuracy and availability.

Cornerstones of the OEM7 family include advanced interference detection and mitigation, with L-Band and SPAN GNSS+INS functionality on every receiver.

It is ideal for low payload UAV and robotics applications.

PwrPak7

Based on NovAtel's OEM7 receiver technology the PwrPak7 is capable of tracking all present and upcoming Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) constellations and satellite signals.

It offers built-in Wi-Fi, on board NTRIP client and server support and 16 GB of internal storage. Enhanced connection options include serial, USB, CAN and Ethernet.

PwrPak7

Based on NovAtel's OEM7 receiver technology the PwrPak7D is capable of tracking all present and upcoming Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) constellations and satellite signals.

Multi-frequency, dual antenna input allows the PwrPak7D to harness the power of RTK and ALIGN functionality. This makes the PwrPak7D ideal for ground, marine, rail or aircraft based systems, providing industry-leading GNSS multi-constellation heading and position data in static and dynamic environments.

SPAN-CPT7

The SPAN CPT7 is a compact, single enclosure GNSS+INS receiver, powered by world class OEM7 technology by Hexagon | NovAtel. Capable of delivering up to centimeter-level accuracy, customers can choose from a variety of positioning modes to ensure they have the optimal level of accuracy for their application.

The SPAN CPT7 contains a high performing and highly reliable Honeywell HG4930 Micro Electromechanical System (MEMS) IMU to deliver leading-edge SPAN technology by NovAtel in an integrated, single enclosure solution. It provides tactical grade performance for unmanned vehicles, mobile mapping and other commercial and/or military guidance applications. The SPAN CPT7 is a small, lightweight and low-power solution with multiple communication interfaces for easy integration on multiple platforms.

SPAN-PwrPak7-E1

The PwrPak7-E1 contains an Epson G320N MEMS IMU to deliver world class SPAN technology in an integrated, single box solution. This product is commercially exportable and provides an excellent price/performance/size GNSS+INS solution.

Capable of tracking all present and upcoming GNSS constellations and satellite signals, the PwrPak7-E1 is a robust, high-precision receiver that is software upgradeable in the field to provide the custom performance required for your application demands. The PwrPak7-E1 has a powerful OEM7 GNSS engine, integrated MEMS IMU, built in WiFi, onboard NTRIP client and server support, and 16 GB of internal storage. It also has enhanced connection options including serial, USB, CAN and Ethernet.

The SPAN-PwrPak7-E1 is also available in a dual-antenna configuration.

SPAN-PwrPak7-E2

The PwrPak7D-E2 contains an Epson G370N MEMS IMU to deliver world class SPAN technology by Hexagon | NovAtel in an integrated, single box solution. Built on top of the reputable PwrPak7 family, with a higher performance Epson IMU, it provides seamless positioning, quick alignment and excellent performance. This product is commercially exportable and provides an excellent midrange price/performance/size GNSS+INS solution.

Capable of tracking all present and upcoming GNSS constellations and satellite signals, the PwrPak7D-E2 is a robust, high-precision receiver that is software upgradeable in the field to provide the custom performance required for your application demands. The PwrPak7D-E2 has a powerful OEM7 GNSS engine, integrated MEMS IMU, built in WiFi, onboard NTRIP client and server support, and 16 GB of internal storage.

The SPAN-PwrPak7-E2 is also available in a dual-antenna configuration.

Processing Software

Inertial Explorer

Recorded IMU and GPS data can be post-processed for increased accuracy. It has a single user interface for GNSS and IMU data processing. Inertial Explorer is an extension of the popular GrafNav software and includes RTS Smoother for tightly-coupled forward, reverse, multi-pass and combined processing.

Besides many error models for popular IMUs the user can introduce his/her own IMU error model as well. That way data from other GPS/IMU systems can also be processed with the same efficiency and accuracy. You can process all your NovAtel and many non-NovAtel GNSS/IMU systems with one software and we can show how to set this up.

GPS/IMU data quality-control is done through a familiar Combined Separation plot comparing the forward and reverse processing solutions. For a more scientific investigation gyro and accelerometer error plots can be inspected

Download Inertial Explorer brochure

Crucial Benefits

Shorten your turns

On-Site Support