DSTU will test high-precision positioning methods together with FSUE "Space Communications"

23/11/2021
On the basis of the Don State Technical University, tests of high-precision positioning methods proposed by the Space Communications enterprise are planned. This became known during the round table "The use of space technologies in the agro- and transport sectors" with the participation of representatives of business and government, held on November 22 at the reference university. It is planned that the first tests of the developments will begin in the spring of 2022 at the DSTU landfill in the village of Rassvet.

In addition to testing, the research group will develop equipment and software solutions for the needs of the agro-industrial complex, transport and logistics together with FSUE "Space Communications". The research teams of the departments "Radio Electronics" and "Organization of transportation and Traffic", as well as the resources of the youth laboratory of unmanned vehicles created at the university will be involved in the work.

Scientists and engineers of the reference university will test in the field the method of accurate positioning without the direct use of information (corrections) from RTK reference stations (Real Time Kinematic - literally "real-time kinematics").

The use of near-real-time corrections for the parameters of satellite orbits and the states of their time scales allows us to obtain centimeter positioning accuracy together with the domestic system of JSC GLONASS (6 cm according to the test results).

- Today we are working on expanding the services provided by Space Communications, and have set a course not only to provide access to satellite resources, but also to develop a new line of value-added products. We see great opportunities in the use of space technologies for the needs of agriculture – high-precision positioning methods will allow for better processing of fields, sowing and harvesting, cargo transportation," said Alexey Volin, General Director of FSUE "Space Communications".

According to Alexey Volin, the planned trilateral cooperation, which will unite the State Enterprise of the CC, DSTU, as well as key producers and consumers of large agricultural machinery, will allow conducting the most effective research in the field of smart agriculture.

- The introduction of modern intelligent systems in the field of agriculture, logistics and transport is an urgent task, - said the rector of DSTU Besarion Meskhi. - DSTU employs highly qualified specialists in the field of radio engineering, intelligent transport systems. In addition, we are creating a new youth laboratory of unmanned transport systems, which will design and test driver assistance systems - search for parking places, recognition of road signs, speed control. It is planned that one of the first stages of our joint work will be the installation of high-precision positioning systems on driver assistance systems developed by DSTU scientists.