Swift Navigation’s Duro Piksi Multi receiver. Photo: Swift Navigation.

Swift Navigation, ​​a ​​San ​​Francisco-based ​​tech ​​firm that is ​​building centimeter-accurate ​​GPS ​​technology ​​to ​​power ​​a ​​world ​​of ​​autonomous ​​vehicles, ​​ ​​announced ​​the latest ​​firmware ​​upgrade to ​​its ​​flagship ​​product ​​​Piksi Multi Global Navigation Satellite System (​​GNSS) ​​Module. This marks the fourth improvement since Piksi Multi began shipping one year ago, the company stated. ​​The firmware release also enhances Duro, the ruggedized version of the Piksi Multi receiver housed in a military-grade, weatherproof enclosure designed specifically for outdoor deployments.

The ​​upgrade ​​is available ​​at ​​no ​​cost ​​to ​​Piksi ​​Multi ​​and Duro users ​​and ​​provides ​​full ​​support ​​for​​ Russia’s Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), in addition to the American Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite constellation. Access to dual constellations improves availability, reliability and range between GNSS base and rover devices, according to Swift Navigation. This firmware release also adds National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) GGA output capability to existing Networked Transport of Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services (RTCM) via Internet Protocol (NTRIP), enabling Piksi Multi and Duro to position by sending and receiving data from Continuously Operating Reference Station (CORS) base stations over the internet.

“The addition of a second GLONASS satellite constellation enhances reliability and centimeter-accurate positioning in challenging environments, better supporting ground applications in precision agriculture, robotics and autonomous vehicles,” said Swift Navigation Chief technical Officer (CTO) Fergus Noble.