Abstract: Determining positions for a set of points using a GNSS rover unit includes receiving a correction signal from a GNSS base unit. The GNSS base unit is located at a fixed point. The correction signal is used to determine a position of a point of the set of points. The position is stored in memory of the GNSS rover unit as position data. These steps are repeated for each point in the set of points. Raw GNSS data of the GNSS base unit is transmitted to the server system. A corrected position of the GNSS base unit is received from the server system. The position data is translated based on the corrected position of the GNSS base unit to produce adjusted position data.

Abstract: A cigar cooler is disclosed that includes a housing having an upper surface with a pair of open channels each sized to receive a cigar. The housing includes an open central region for receiving a cooling medium such as ice or a frozen gel. During use, the cigar is placed in an open channel between inhalations to reduce the temperature of the cigar.

Abstract: A graphics-aided geodesic device is provided. The device includes an antenna for receiving position data from a plurality of satellites and a receiver coupled to the antenna. The device further includes orientation circuitry for obtaining orientation data. The orientation data represents an orientation of the apparatus with respect to a plane parallel with a horizon. The device further includes positioning circuitry for determining the position of the point of interest based at least on the position data and the orientation data. A function of the graphics-aided geodesic device may be activated in response to a distance sensor detecting that an object is within a threshold distance from the device.

Abstract: A graphics-aided geodesic device is provided. The device may include a display, camera, distance meter, GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System, including GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo) receiver and antenna, and horizon sensors. Data from the camera and horizon sensors may be displayed to assist the user in positioning the device over a point of interest. In one example, the distance meter may be used to determine the position of the point of interest. In another example, images of the point of interest taken from multiple locations may be used to determine the position of the point of interest.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing land surveying using real-time kinematic (RTK) engine verification are provided. In one example, a first set of positions of a GNSS receiver may be determined using each of a plurality of RTK engines. If a number of the plurality of RTK engines that produce a fixed solution is greater than or equal to a threshold value, a position of the GNSS receiver may be determined based on at least a portion of the first set of positions. The determined position may then be stored. This process may be repeated any number of times to produce a desired number of stored positions. In response to the number of stored positions being equal to a minimum value, a final position of the GNSS device may be determined based on the stored positions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for synchronizing a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver with a GNSS signal are provided. In one example, a GNSS receiver may include one or more sets of 20 GNSS channels that are each configured to integrate a received GNSS signal over a 20 millisecond accumulation window to output a navigation message bit. The accumulation windows of the 20 GNSS channels may be delayed relative to other windows of the 20 GNSS channels by 1 millisecond. The GNSS receiver may identify one of the 20 GNSS channels having the correct synchronization with the GNSS signal based on the navigation message bits output by the 20 GNSS channels. The identified GNSS channel having the correct synchronization with the GNSS signal may be used to determine a location of the GNSS receiver.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for generating at least one segment of an offset path for a vehicle based on at least one segment of a base path is provided. The at least one segment of the base path is represented by a stored set of data points. The computer-implemented method includes comparing the at least one segment of the base path to a curvature constraint to determine if the at least one segment of the base path violates the curvature constraint. The curvature constraint is based on a characteristic of the vehicle and a desired offset distance from the at least one segment of the base path. The characteristic reflects the vehicle's ability to traverse at least one segment of a path. The method further includes modifying the at least one segment of the base path to satisfy the curvature constraint, if the at least one segment of the base path violates the curvature constraint.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing aerial photography and/or photogrammetry are provided. In one example, a path to be followed by an aerial vehicle may be generated based on a path traversed by a ground vehicle. The path to be followed by the aerial vehicle may be a path that is vertically and laterally offset from the path traversed by the ground vehicle. The path traversed by the ground vehicle may be transmitted by the ground vehicle to the aerial vehicle. Alternatively, the aerial vehicle may determine the path traversed by the ground vehicle by identifying the ground vehicle within images generated by the aerial vehicle. While the aerial vehicle traverses the path to be followed, the aerial vehicle may generate and store images of the ground or other points of interest. A photogrammetry process may be performed on an object of interest using the images generated by the aerial vehicle.

Abstract: Dynamic inter-channel bias calibration of a navigational receiver is provided. A reference signal is propagated through front-end circuitry of the receiver. A delay caused by the propagation of the reference signal through the front-end circuitry is measured. The inter-channel bias of the navigational receiver is reduced using the measured delay associated with the front-end circuitry of the receiver.

Abstract: A rover processor determines position of a rover based upon the interaction between multiple antennas located at the rover and multiple antennas located at a base. The rover antennas may include a rover master antenna having a phase center located at the centroid of the antennas patterns of at least two auxiliary rover antennas. The rover processor may determine the position of the rover master antenna based upon the relative positions of at least two rover antennas (e.g., the rover master antenna and at least one rover auxiliary antenna, or at least two rover auxiliary antennas) with respect to at least two antennas of a base transceiver.

Abstract: Systems and methods for aggregating interference data and generating visual representations of the interference data are provided. In one example method, interference data may be received from multiple GNSS receivers positioned at various geographical locations. A request for a visual representation of interference at a location may be received. In response to the request, a visual representation of interference at the requested location may be generated based on at least a portion of the received interference data. The visual representation may include a map overlaid with visual indicators of interference indicating a location and magnitude of the interference. The visual representation of interference at the requested location may then be transmitted to a computing device requesting the representation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing automated localization are provided. In one example method, a plurality of coordinates representing positions of a plurality of locations may be received. The plurality of coordinates may be from two or more different coordinate systems. The numerical values of each of the plurality of coordinates may be evaluated to determine the coordinate system to which the coordinate belongs. The coordinates may be grouped into sets of coordinates based on their determined coordinate systems. Coordinates from one coordinate system may be paired with coordinates that represent the same locations from another coordinate system. A shape matching algorithm may be used to determine coordinates from different systems that represent the same locations. A localization process may then be used to convert the coordinates of the first coordinate system into coordinates of the second coordinate system based on the paired coordinates.

Abstract: A low-noise amplifier (LNA) filter for use with global navigation satellite system (GNSS) devices is disclosed. A first LNA stage, which is configured to connect to an antenna configured to receive GNSS signals, includes an LNA. A second LNA stage, which is connected to the output of the first LNA stage, has a surface acoustic wave (SAW) filter and an LNA. A third LNA stage, which is connected to the output of the second LNA stage, also has a SAW filter and an LNA.

Abstract: Systems and methods for surveying using a GNSS device are provided. In one example method, a GNSS device may be used to determine the location of points along a path and to add those points to a set of points representing the path. When adding each point, the device may determine if the point represents a new point or a previously measured point. If the point is a new point, the device may add the point to the set of points. If the point is a previously measured point, the device may display one or more previously measured points to allow the user to select which previously measured point corresponds to the point currently being measured. The user may select a previously measured point and a point may be added to the set of points using the location of the selected previously measured point.

Abstract: The position of a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) surveying receiver is determined based on a plurality of RTK engines. A first RTK engine is implementing using a first set of parameters. A second RTK engine is implemented using a second set of parameter different than the first set. A plurality of GNSS signals are received from multiple satellites. At least one correction signal is received from at least one base receiver. A first position is determined from the first RTK engine based on the GNSS signals and the at least one correction signal. A second position is determined from the first RTK engine based on the GNSS signals and the at least one correction signal. A final position of the GNSS surveying receiver is determined based on the first position or the second position or a combination of both positions.

Abstract: A handheld GNSS device includes a housing, handgrips integral to the housing for enabling a user to hold the device, and a display screen integral with the housing. The device has a GNSS antenna and a communication antenna, both integral with the housing. The GNSS antenna receives position data from GNSS satellites. The communication antenna receives positioning assistance data from a base station. The GNSS antenna has a first antenna pattern, and the communication antenna has a second antenna pattern. The first and second antenna patterns are substantially separated. Coupled to the GNSS antenna, within the housing, is at least one receiver. Further, the device includes, within the housing, orientation circuitry for generating orientation data, imaging circuitry for obtaining image data, and positioning circuitry for determining a position for the point of interest based on the position data, the positioning assistance data, the orientation data, and the image data.

Abstract: A method for mitigating the effects of multipath errors in GNSS devices is provided. Signals from GNSS satellites are received. Image data from an image sensor is received. Orientation data from an orientation sensor is received. The orientation data describes the orientation of the image sensor. Obstruction data is determined based on the image data. The obstruction data includes an obstruction region that indicates the sky in that region is obstructed by a structure. Based on the orientation data, obstruction data, and GNSS satellite location data, the position of GNSS satellites with respect to the obstruction region is determined. The location of the GNSS device is determined based on signals from some of the GNSS satellites and the position of GNSS satellites with respect to the obstruction region.

Abstract: A graphics-aided geodesic device is provided. The device includes an antenna for receiving position data from a plurality of satellites and a receiver coupled to the antenna. The device further includes orientation circuitry for obtaining orientation data. The orientation data represents an orientation of the apparatus with respect to a plane parallel with a horizon. The device further includes positioning circuitry for determining the position of the point of interest based at least on the position data and the orientation data.

Abstract: Low-noise amplifier (LNA) filters and processes for filtering global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signals are disclosed. The LNA filters can be used to down-convert a received GNSS signal to a lower frequency, filter the GNSS signal at the lower frequency, and up-convert the GNSS signal to the original frequency of the GNSS signal. The down-converted frequency can be selected based on a temperature of the GNSS signal to compensate for shifts in the frequency response of the filter due to temperature changes.