Researchers behind a pioneering navigation device which can tune
into different satellite networks around the world have scooped an
award for innovation.
The device, known as the Primo, was developed by researchers at
De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) in partnership with
Nottingham Scientific Ltd (NSL).
The team triumphed in the 'Innovation in Development' category
at the Lord Stafford Awards East Midlands, held on Thursday, at
which DMU had four finalists across two categories.
Satellite navigation receivers (commonly known as 'sat navs')
are traditionally reliant upon one network. The Primo is the first
receiver that can gather information from a number of sources,
including the US Global Positioning System (GPS), the European
Galileo system, the Russian Glonass system and similar satellite
systems currently being developed across the world.
As products built using the technology will be more adaptable
than traditional GNSS receivers, they are at less risk of becoming
obsolete due to advances in the satellite systems sector..
The device uses Software Defined Radio (SDR) to decode the
incoming data from the satellite. Traditional GNSS receivers
operate in the same way as analogue radio receivers, tuning into a
specific radio channel. SDR uses software-based algorithms to
enable the device to retune itself to any of the world's different
GNSS systems.
DMU and NSL were awarded £113,000 by the Department of
Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) and East Midlands
Development Agency (emda) to take part in the Knowledge Transfer
Partnership (KTP) which developed the device.
NSL specialises in the commercial exploitation of Global
Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) technology.
Dr Eric Goodyer, who managed the project, runs DMU's Telematics
Teaching Lab which is sponsored by Orange Mobile Communications and
Lincolnshire based Linkwave Ltd.
Dr Goodyer said: "The De Montfort engineering team were really
grateful for the opportunity to help NSL with this exciting new
development.
"We plan to continue with other new developments that will use
'down stream' services such as global navigation and satellite
communications, and look forward to assisting other East Midlands
Businesses to develop new products and services."
DMU was nominated in the Innovation for Sustainability category
for its work on nettle-based upholstery material with Camira
Fabrics.
It also received two other nominations in the Innovation in
Development category for DMU spin out company Fiteris, which has
developed software that automatically inserts metadata into video
footage, and for the 'Topping Chair', an aid for medical
professionals developed by former midwife Cathy Topping with the
help of DMU's ProspectIP.