Trimble VRS technology for National GPS Infrastructure Network

Sunnyvale, USA, 20 December 2006 - Trimble has announced that it has supplied its VRS (Virtual Reference Station) software to establish a national GPS infrastructure network in the south of Poland.

The VRS network provides a geospatial infrastructure for surveying, engineering and GIS professionals. The VRS network enables high accuracy Real Time Kinematic (RTK) GPS positioning without the need of separate base stations or software, significantly increasing efficiency and productivity.

The network is the first of its kind in Poland and supplies centimeter-level RTK GPS data for a variety of positioning applications including geodetic and cadastral surveying, road and bridge construction, and archeological excavation site location and documentation. There are also plans to use the network for managing and dispatching emergency medical and rescue teams in Krakw to improve efficiency and response times.

The VRS network, known as Malopolski System Pozycjonowania Precyzyjnego, is operated by the BGUM, the survey office of the local government. Built with Trimble GPSNet and RTKNet software, the network covers the southern part of Poland, called Malopolska. In addition to improving the accuracy of results, the network is expected to enable fast measurements within 2-5 seconds. The use of the network will be free of charge for surveyors in the next three years.

"The VRS network provides a highly reliable, cost-effective means for surveyors and other professionals to work faster and achieve more accurate GPS positioning results," said Maciej Antosiewicz, Chief of the Survey Office at the Malopolska Regional Office of the Polish Government.

"The Malopolska network is expected to provide vast opportunities for the positioning industry that could bring significant business benefits. The VRS network is the first part of the planned nation-wide GPS network, known as ASG (Aktywna Siec Geodezyjna or Network for Online Positioning User Service), which will be a GPS CORS (Continuously Operating Reference Station) network covering the entire country of Poland."

The network also makes it easier to combine GPS technology with traditional optical surveying methods because the results are available in real-time. In addition, simultaneous use of GPS and optical equipment does not require complex preparations and data exchange.

Source : http://www.trimble.com