| Vol. 4, No. 2 | Summer 2009 |
| Partnerships expand global markets | |
Topcon Positioning Systems (TPS) announced its remote asset management solution, Topcon Tierra ™, has been selected by AGCO Corporation, a worldwide manufacturer and distributor of agricultural equipment, as its sole global advanced telematics provider. AGCO will market the technology under the AGCONNECT ™brand name. The multi-year agreement covers all AGCO equipment lines and is an expansion of a strategic partnership between AGCO and TPS which provides high-performing machine control, machine management and precision farming technology products and services to the global agricultural machinery market. Tierra is the web portal through which all AGCONNECT ™ information will flow in a timely, easy-to-learn, easier-to-understand and reliable format. TPS formed its Telematics Business Unit in 2008 and unveiled Topcon Tierra, the most comprehensive mobile asset management system in the marketplace. "The expansion of the relationship between AGCO and TPS will greatly benefit both companies, their customers and potential customers," said Ray O'Connor, TPS president and CEO. "Using products resulting from the AGCO and TPS partnership, farmers will have access to the leading technology." The value of partnerships cannot be underestimated," O'Connor said. "The agreements between Topcon and AGCO will have far-reaching effects on the way farming is done throughout the world.” |
In 2008, the OEM arrangement with AGCO and Topcon Sauer-Danfoss (TSD) for the Auto-Guide2 System was announced. In February of this year, Topcon announced the partnership with AGCO for machine guidance, management and precision farming products and services for AGCO’s global ag machinery market. “AGCO is an important company in the agriculture business with a strong presence worldwide” O’Connor said. “As TPS’ businesses expand in the key areas of telematics, agriculture and other emerging markets, more and more OEM partnerships will develop. Consumers will have the added advantage of positioning technologies in the equipment they purchase and use.
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| Topcon receivers track new L5 signal GR-3, NET-G3 receive new GPS satellite signal |
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Topcon Positioning Systems (TPS) engineers have successfully tracked the new L5 signal transmitted from a U.S.-based GPS satellite. More than four years ago, Topcon announced it had receivers capable of tracking L5 signals. Topcon’s current GR-3 and NET-G3 receivers are L5-capable.
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The satellite began broadcasting the new signal April 10 and Topcon engineers successfully tracked the signal a few days later. The Air Force testing of the L5 signal is presently from one GPS satellite. Ivan Di Federico, TPS senior vice president, engineering, said, “It is expected to be several years before the L5 signal is operational. Topcon’s receivers are ready to utilize the new signal once it is operating and when there are enough satellites transmitting the signals to improve positional quality.” Topcon receivers can also receive GPS/GLONASS L1/L2 as well as GPS L5. In an official announcement, the U.S. Air Force has cautioned the L5 signal is still under development and that quality and accessibility of the signal is not guaranteed. Di Federico said, “Tracking the L5 signal is a testament to the hard work, expertise and dedication of Topcon’s corps of engineers. Starting more than four years ago, our engineers made sure that when the L5 signal became active, our receivers could track it.” He said the L5 signal was received at the Topcon Technology Center in Moscow. The satellite signal was tracked over a three-hour period at the highest satellite elevation. He said the signal was received with the energy potential of 55 dBHz. Topcon engineers have been closely monitoring the progress of the new satellite from its launch, Di Federico said. “Any time new signals are available for use, it benefits our customers who depend on precise positioning information in the fields of surveying, civil engineering, construction, GIS, telematics and agriculture. “The more signals a receiver can pick up, the better the accuracy a customer can get on every job.” He said, “While tracking the signal confirms Topcon equipment’s ability to use the L5 signal when it is ready, we will continue to monitor the improvements to the GPS constellation and implement any adjustments needed to the firmware as additional new signals come online.” |
