Sunnyvale, Calif., Sept. 7, 2006 — Trimble (NASDAQ:TRMB) announced today it has supplied Global Positioning System (GPS) reference stations and VRSTM (Virtual Reference Station) software to establish a national GPS infrastructure network in Singapore. Covering the entire island-nation, the network provides a geospatial infrastructure for surveying, engineering and Geographic Information System (GIS) professionals. The VRS network enables geospatial professionals to take advantage of highly accurate Real Time Kinematic (RTK) GPS positioning without the need of separate base stations or software, significantly increasing efficiency and productivity.
The network supplies RTK GPS (centimeter-level) data for a variety of positioning applications including surveying, urban planning, construction, environmental monitoring, resource and territory management, disaster prevention and relief, scientific research, transportation management, and telecommunications and electricity distribution mapping.
The Singapore VRS network, known as SiReNT (Singapore Satellite Positioning Reference Network), is operated by the Singapore Land Authority (SLA), the national organization for cadastre in Singapore. Built with five Trimble NetRS® reference stations, Trimble GPSNetTM and RTKNetTM software, the network covers the entire country of approximately 700 square kilometers (approximately 270 square miles). The SLA intends to offer a variety of subscription levels to the VRS network to meet the needs of geospatial professionals throughout Singapore.
“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 Victor Khoo, Manager of the Survey Services, SLA. “The SiReNT network will provide vast opportunities for the positioning industry throughout Singapore that could provide significant business benefits.”
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.
The Singapore VRS network follows more than 80 Trimble infrastructure installations networks throughout the world including: China, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, U.S. including Alaska, Canada, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Belgium, France, Spain, Italy, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Poland, Slovenia, Australia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Korea, and Japan. For a partial reference list of Trimble VRS installations visit: http://www.trimble.com/vrsinstallations.shtml.
About the Singapore Land Authority (SLA)
The SLA is responsible for the management and maintenance of the national land survey system in Singapore. This facilitates the defining of boundaries or legal limits of properties. Towards this end, SLA provides a range of survey services including the setting up and maintenance of the Integrated Survey Network (ISN) and Precise Leveling Benchmarks (PLBM); the allocation of Lot Numbers; the inspection and approval of cadastral surveys, as well as survey plans, maps and records. SLA introduced the SVY21 system which is based on the coordinated cadastre concept, a new method of recording land information, which allows for more accurate and consistent cadastral surveys.
More information on the SLA can be found at http://www.sla.gov.sg
About Trimble VRS Technology
Trimble VRS technology uses the RTK solutions from Trimble RTKNet software and provides high-accuracy, RTK GPS positioning for wider areas. The VRS network is available at any time without setting up a base station and provides common control anywhere in the network.
Because Trimble RTKNet software is able to process the entire network simultaneously, Trimble VRS networks offer greater quality control and higher data accuracy at longer distances. In the field, the farther users get from a reference station using conventional RTK, the more susceptible they become to reduced accuracy and performance due to systematic errors such as ionospheric and tropospheric effects. In a Trimble VRS network, RTKNet software provides a fully modeled solution that factor in potential systematic errors. Users connect into the system using a wireless connection; the software acknowledges the users’ field positions and allows them to operate as though there is a reference station—a virtual reference station—right next to their rover. As a result, the PPM error is eliminated or significantly reduced, allowing surveyors to achieve RTK precision over much greater distances with fewer reference stations. Users can also retrieve stored GPS and modeled data from the control center via the Internet for post-processing.
About Trimble’s Engineering and Construction Business
Trimble, a world leader in GPS, construction lasers, robotic total stations and machine control solutions, is creating a broad range of innovative solutions that change the way construction work is done. The Engineering and Construction business of Trimble is focusing on the development of technology and solutions in the core areas of surveying, construction and infrastructure. From concept to completion, Trimble’s integrated systems streamline jobs and improve productivity.
About Trimble
Trimble is a leading innovator of Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. In addition to providing advanced GPS components, Trimble augments GPS with other positioning technologies as well as wireless communications and software to create complete customer solutions. Trimble’s worldwide presence and unique capabilities position the Company for growth in emerging applications including surveying, agriculture, machine guidance, fleet and asset management, wireless platforms, and telecommunications infrastructure. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif., Trimble has more than 2,400 employees in more than 18 countries worldwide.
For more information visit: www.trimble.com