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From miniature GPS receivers which integrate into the new generation of smart phones to complete systems which can track aircraft, Roke offers world class expertise in positioning, tracking and timing technologies.
We have invested and grown our technical team over the last decade and have a good international representation in location and tracking techniques.
| Multilateration |
Multilateration involves fixing an object's position by reference to the difference in time of arrival of a signal at a collection of sensors. For example, our Vigilance receiver for aircraft tracking which is supported by simulation tools for ease of planning and deployment. Downloads
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| Satellite Navigation |
Roke has experience and capabilities in the development of equipment with integrated GNSS functionality:
- GNSS system simulation
- Signal Propagation studies
- Signal Processing
- Antenna design
- Receiver design
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| Location Aware Systems |
Location Aware Systems and Location Based Services (LBS) encompass a wide range of technologies in a broad range of applications from the professional to personal domains. Roke has capabilities in a wide range of enabling technologies for positioning and navigation together with communications and networks:
- GNSS
- Search and Rescue
- Mobile location technologies
- RFID
- Zigbee
- Direction Finding
- eLoran
- Inertial navigation (INS)
- Acoustic Location
Increasingly positioning and navigation are not used in stand alone applications but in hybrid systems that use Sensor and Data Fusion to enable an optimal solution based on an understanding of the capabilities of the various technologies. |
| Network time transfer |
Roke developed a caesium atomic clock based time transfer system for a multilateration system on which our network time transfer technology is built. Sub-nanosecond time synchronisation across a wide area system is achieved using GPS common view time transfer techniques with lower cost rubidium frequency standards. Use of other methods of disseminating time, or low cost oven controlled crystals is possible.
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| Ultra Wideband |
UWB has a broad potential applicability in short range radar, ranging, positioning, image processing, and communications. Roke has been active in the field of impulse radar since 1972 and is currently active in current UWB research.
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Roke can provide both product solutions and consultancy for your positioning, tracking and timing requirements: including analysis and system design, module and algorithm design.
Personal Locator Beacon
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| Customer |
Signature Industries (SI)
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| Challenge |
Looking to build on their excellent reputation in the search & rescue beacon market, Signature Industries were looking for a development partner to deliver the next generation Personal Locator Beacon (PLB).
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| Approach |
Initially we were asked to quote for the electronics development of the new PLB but after a few meetings SI were convinced that we were capable of developing the entire product. We undertook the entire product development which included concept, development, electronics, mechanics, software and development testing. Production Automated Test Equipment (ATE) was also developed for SI at their request. |
| Benefits |
The resulting Personal Locator Beacon not only ensured that Signature Industries secured their lead customers, but also set new standards at a global level for functionality and performance versus weight. The PLB ensured that Signature Industries remain in a dominant market position. |
Control of Autonomous Ground Vehicles |
| Customer |
Siemens Automation & Drives |
| Challenge |
The movement of Autonomous Ground Vehicles (AGVs) in a factory controlled by fixed ground sensors that locate and correct the position of the AGVs. This method, although highly accurate, requires a costly and inflexible network of ground sensors to be installed.
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| Approach |
Roke performed an initial study to find suitable location technologies, the outcome of which identified Ultra Wideband (UWB) as having the potential to meet the control requirements of AGVs. Using performance trials in factory environments at Siemens A&D and Rolls Royce, a number of UWB supplier technologies were tested. The results were then analysed by our UWB and location system technical teams to see which solution offered the best performance for our customer.
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| Benefits |
The work undertaken by Roke:
- Offered Siemens A&D key information about the achievable performance of radio based location for their specialist application.
- Provided specialist understanding of the technology and in-depth evaluation to look at all the options quickly.
- Enabled Siemens A&D to decide whether to provide radio based location for the factory automation market.
- Offered technical consultancy to support Siemens A&D in their decision making process.
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