Archives

The Apple iPad Factor

February 2, 2010 - By

Last month, I wrote about the PDA vs. Tablet war. The tablet computer has been around for a long time and struggled to gain widespread acceptance. I also wrote about how 2010 will be a decisive year for the tablet computer. I guess my timing was right: with the introduction of the Apple iPad last week, 2010 sure has started out with... read more

This article is tagged with and posted in GSS Monthly

Innovation: Mobile-phone GPS antennas

February 1, 2010 - By

Can They Be Better?
We examine the antenna designs that provide GPS functionality to mobile phones and why most phones still do not provide GPS operation indoors. We also see what it will take to make them better. read more

This article is tagged with , , and posted in Innovation, OEM

Multi-Sensor, Multi-Network Positioning

February 1, 2010 - By

Currently, no single technology, system, or sensor can provide a positioning solution any time, anywhere. The key is to utilize multiple technologies. We are now exploring a multi-sensor multi-network (MSMN) approach for a seamless indoor-outdoor solution. Its hardware platform is described in the previous article. The digital signal processor (DSP) is embedded in the GPS module. All sensors are integrated to the DSP that hosts core software for real-time sensor data acquisition and real-time processing to estimate user location. A smartphone handset provides wireless network measurements. read more

This article is tagged with , and posted in Mobile, OEM

Going 3D

February 1, 2010 - By

To enrich user experience of location-based services and personal navigation, three-dimensional models such as those used in urban planning are added to a smartphone platform, without the requirement of additional hardware. read more

This article is tagged with , , and posted in Mobile

The System: New Math for GPS

February 1, 2010 - By

The U.S. Air Force GPS Wing and 50th Space Wing have begun repositioning GPS satellites in space to fly what they call the 24+3 or Expandable 24 constellation plan. The initiative will take up to 24 months to fully implement. Benefits to users will be slowly realized during that time, as the number of GPS satellites in view will increase, potentially increasing GPS receiver accuracy. Plus: Penny-Wise, Pound-Foolish U.S. Coast Guard to Pull Loran Plug; Galileo Satellites Awarded to OHB; Compass at Three read more

This article is tagged with , , and posted in GNSS

Expert Advice: Integrity: Lessons from the 2008 Financial Collapse

February 1, 2010 - By

Deterministic risk modeling, the basis of the Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH) at the core of modern quantitative finance, is known to be fundamentally flawed, but its elegance and convenience has blinded researchers to growing evidence of its weaknesses. The near-complete acceptance of the EMH led to models that dramatically accentuate its flaws, which in turn led to absurd but eagerly accepted conclusions for loan-default risk. These models proved dramatically vulnerable to changes in the housing market in 2007–2008 and led directly to the ensuing crash. read more

This article is tagged with , , and posted in From the Magazine, Opinions

Out in Front: Rocky Road to Robustness

February 1, 2010 - By

The system’s command and control operational software update uploaded in late 2009 (see page 10) has started wreaking some havoc with installed military receivers across many fielded platforms, as well as with some civil receivers. Whether major or minor havoc, I don’t pretend to know yet. The concept of selective availability anti-spoofing module (SAASM) figures in it, though now I’m toeing classified turf. read more

This article is tagged with , and posted in From the Magazine, Opinions
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