Sapcorda Expands Safety-Critical GNSS Augmentation Services for Automotive with powerful L-band Satellite Links

 

BERLIN, Germany — October 14, 2020 — Sapcorda Services GmbH today announced that testing of its first global navigation satellite system (GNSS) augmentation services for L-band signal is underway in North America and Europe, laying the foundation for its December 1, 2020 launch of the strongest, most reliable GNSS augmentation signal for safety-critical navigation in autonomous vehicles and machinery.

Available in areas without GSM coverage or mobile internet signal, the new Sapcorda L-band beam solutions from two geostationary satellites provide PPP-RTK data-feed redundancy in real-time by swapping to a second data feed when internet connectivity is not available. This automated swapping significantly improves reliability for life-critical applications such as autonomous cars.

“To use GNSS in mass-market safety-critical applications, manufacturers need GNSS augmentation services that provide correction data with safety-critical positioning,” said Botho zu Eulenburg, CEO, Sapcorda. “By expanding our SAPA services with industry-leading L-band transmission, we enable a high-power correction data stream for homogeneous performance and end-to-end data security with continental coverage in the United States and Europe – thus improving accuracy, reducing convergence time, and enabling the use of lower-cost receivers and antennae.”

The Sapcorda L-band signal will be transmitted in the open SPARTN format, that has been specifically developed for IP-based and geostationary satellite distributions. It will be invaluable for safety-critical applications in automotive (such as V2X and autonomous driving, AD/ADAS) and maritime, as well as a wide variety of uses across sectors such as industrial, robotics and drones.

The L-band Satellite beam coverage will be available on December 1, 2020. Sapcorda’s safe and precise augmentation (SAPA) service will broadcast SAPA Basic and SAPA Premium correction data streams. These data streams feature:

• 99.9% service availability with fast convergence and an accuracy less than 10 cm, delivering the precision required for safety- and life-critical applications
• Redundancy through dual data streams when internet connectivity isn’t available, ensuring uninterrupted broadcast streaming
• Demodulation by any L-band demodulator on the market today, simplifying hardware design and reducing bill of materials
• Availability of service coverage areas in North America and Europe, allowing manufacturers to use a single GNSS augmentation services’ solution for major global regions
• Distributed in the same open format as IP-delivery channels (SPARTN)

Sapcorda’s SAPA services are supported by experienced engineering teams dedicated to systems integrators and enterprise business customers.

Availability
Sapcorda’s Basic and Premium SAPA services for L-band signal operation begins in both regions on December 1, 2020. For more information, visit https://www.sapcorda.com/sapa-services or email: sales@sapcorda.com

Disclaimer: In March 2021 u-blox a global leader in wireless and positioning technologies acquired full ownership of Sapcorda Services GmbH.

About u‑blox

u‑blox (SIX:UBXN) is a global technology leader in positioning and wireless communication in automotive, industrial, and consumer markets. Their smart and reliable solutions, services and products let people, vehicles, and machines determine their precise position and communicate wirelessly over cellular and short range networks. With a broad portfolio of chips, modules, and secure data services and connectivity, u‑blox is uniquely positioned to empower its customers to develop innovative and reliable solutions for the Internet of Things, quickly and cost‑effectively. With headquarters in Thalwil, Switzerland, the company is globally present with offices in Europe, Asia, and the USA. (www.u‑blox.com)

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