Septentrio and CORE partner up to develop a GPS/GNSS receiver which will make use of Japan’s Centimeter-Level Augmentation Service (CLAS). CLAS corrections are broadcast directly via QZSS constellation to enable high-accuracy positioning across Japan.

Septentrio, a leader in high-precision GNSS technology, and CORE, a Japanese system integrator with extensive experience in GNSS, are jointly developing a receiver that can use the Centimeter-Level Augmentation Service (CLAS) of Japan’s Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS).

Septentrio’s multi-frequency GPS/GNSS receiver AsteRx4 will be used as a platform for the development of CLAS functionality. Septentrio receivers already track the L6 signal and can use QZSS for increased positioning availability and reliability.

CORE’s know-how will be instrumental for the deployment of CLAS on Septentrio receivers. The two companies are planning to launch their CLAS-enabled receiver in January 2020.

Japan’s CLAS is a self-augmentation GNSS correction service. Without the need for a ground link, it allows real-time kinematic (RTK) centimeter-level positioning all over Japan with convergence times of less than a minute.

It does this by broadcasting GNSS corrections directly via QZSS satellites, also known as Michibiki. These corrections are generated from the dense network of reference stations operated by Japan’s Geospatial Authority.

The two companies have also entered into a distribution contract that allows CORE to sell Septentrio high-precision positioning technology, including CLAS-capable GNSS receivers, in the Japanese market.

The new CLAS-enabled receiver will also incorporate Septentrio’s Advanced Interference Mitigation (AIM+) technology. In busy urban environments electromagnetic waves can interfere with GPS and GNSS signals.

AIM+ offers protection against such interference resulting in faster set-up times and robust continuous operation.

“QZSS Centimeter Level Augmentation Service has been limited to evaluation phase up till now. Realizing CLAS on Septentrio’s multifunctional, high-quality, cost-competitive platform allows our customers to finally use QZSS in their applications,” emphasized Takahiro Yamamoto, Director of GNSS Solution Development Center at CORE Corporation. “Galileo High Accuracy Service (HAS) is expected to start in 2020, so the demand for high accuracy GNSS receivers is also expected to increase. By complementing CORE’s QZSS technology and Septentrio’s Galileo technology, we can provide competitive products to global customers.”

“CLAS is a first-of-its-kind service which will contribute to the proliferation of high accuracy GNSS applications in Japan. Europe is also taking similar initiatives with their Galileo High Accuracy Service (HAS),” commented Neil Vancans, Director of Global Sales at Septentrio. “We are excited to enter into an agreement with CORE to enable the support of CLAS on our receivers. CORE’s expertise allows us to get the best out of CLAS and to follow new developments in QZSS evolution. Moreover, CORE’s expertise in system integration will allow us to tackle new markets in Japan.”