Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) recently announced the development of a software-based
technology supporting Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) that will use a
variety of existing and planned satellite-based systems.
Trimble's future-ready GNSS technology will accommodate signals broadcast by
GPS as well as signals broadcast by Galileo and the GLONASS satellite systems.
This flexibility results from the implementation of the satellite receiver
functionality using a commercially available, general purpose Digital Signal
Processor (DSP) in lieu of a conventional ASIC custom-made for positioning
applications.
Trimble is currently shipping two products that utilize general purpose DSP
GNSS technology-the Resolution-T™ timing receiver and the Mini-T™
Thunderbolt™ GPS disciplined clock. These products will be upgradeable in the
field to Galileo L1 compatibility when the code structure becomes available.
Both timing receivers were implemented to test the technical feasibility and the
cost effectiveness of the flexible DSP approach.
The DSP architecture allows for future compatibility with satellite signals
which were not fully defined when the hardware platforms were introduced. For
example, the Galileo signal structure that has not yet been published can be
supported by a software upgrade. In addition, signals other than Galileo will be
addressed in future Trimble GNSS technology by using a flexible RF front-end. At
the implementation of the Galileo system, the technology will allow for faster
processors and a higher degree of performance than is available today.