NovAtel to boost sensor fusion for improved positioning with ground-penetrating radar

NovAtel, part of Hexagon, plans to enhance its industry-leading SPAN GNSS+INS solution by integrating ground-penetrating radar sensors. To achieve this, the company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with GPR, Inc. to incorporate its WaveSense ground-penetrating radar technology.

This agreement enables NovAtel to explore the full potential of combining its renowned SPAN system with GPR’s unique subsurface mapping technology. The goal is to deliver a robust positioning solution that ensures consistent, centimetre-level accuracy in GPS-denied or environmentally challenging conditions, such as in autonomy, mining and other mission-critical applications.

Challenging navigation environments

Sandy Kennedy, vice president of innovation at Hexagon’s Autonomy & Positioning division, explained: “NovAtel is committed to delivering high-precision, reliable positioning solutions that meet our customers’ needs – for both accuracy and deployment feasibility. GPR’s innovative solution is a complementary addition to SPAN to meet the rigorous positioning performance requirements for applications ranging from mining to autonomy.”

Historically, SPAN GNSS+INS technology has provided reliable, continuously available position, velocity and attitude (PVA) during short GNSS interruptions, such as from overhead foliage or buildings, by combining GNSS data with inertial measurement unit (IMU) data. Adding WaveSense as another independent input will allow SPAN to provide an accurate PVA solution, even during extended periods without access to GNSS signals due to obstructions, scintillation events or jamming attacks. The combination of SPAN and WaveSense technologies will enhance accuracy and reliability, especially in challenging navigation environments, including those that are GNSS-denied or lack well-defined surface structures or clear visibility.

Moran David, CEO of GPR, Inc., expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: “We are pleased that Hexagon, a world leader in positioning solutions, recognizes the value of GPR’s WaveSense technology in advancing autonomous mobility. This agreement is a strong validation of the market’s need for our combined solutions and a testament to GPR’s unique capability to provide unparalleled reliability in localization, even in the most challenging environments.”