NavCom Technology - Contract Engineering

Contract engineering services, providing unique solutions

With an extensive line of high-performance GPS receivers, data communications systems, and robotic machine controls, NavCom Technology has been delivering groundbreaking Contract Engineering and custom solutions for its clients since 1992.

How We Work

NavCom specialists work with the client through all phases of a project, from initial project brainstorming to final acceptance and testing. Each project is assigned a program manager to provide formal communication between the client and our development team, ensuring close communication and regular progress updates. We strive to ensure that there are no conflicts of interest in the contracts we accept, and we do not compete with our clients in their markets.

Our work-flow structure consists of:

Project Brainstorming
Program Management
Project Planning
System Engineering
I/P Management
Ongoing Technical Support

Projects of Note

NavCom has completed several highly successful projects for Fortune 500 companies and US Government agencies, and has also served as a sub-contractor to US Government Prime Contractors. We provide a turnkey service with professional program management to ensure targeted schedules and cost performance goals are met. Our laboratories are equipped with the latest specialized facilities and the highest quality test equipment.

For a brief description of some noteworthy projects, click the links below:

POWERGPS™ Survey Receiver

An internationally recognized Japanese survey instrument company contracted NavCom to develop a state-of-the-art GPS receiver for use in a new line of GPS survey receivers. For this project, NavCom developed the most accurate dual-frequency GPS receiver on the market at the time. Since then the receivers have been in production in Japan.

The StarFire™ Network

Deere and Company challenged NavCom with developing a proprietary, cost-efficient GPS correction network capable of providing greater accuracy than those available on the market and with the ability to provide extended global coverage. In response, NavCom implemented a fully redundant, worldwide, dual-frequency GPS reference network and devised new processing algorithms to allow for optimal compression of GPS correction data, in order to reduce satellite bandwidth needs and operating costs. Launched globally in 1999, the StarFire™ Network is a subscription service using the GPS satellite system, L-band communication satellites, and a global network of reference stations to deliver real-time high precision positioning.

UPS Aviation Receiver

UPS Aviation Technologies (now Garmin) contracted NavCom to develop a GPS/WAAS Engine for use in certain FAA-certified aviation products. NavCom was responsible for system engineering, digital, RF, and ASIC design and software. Specialized interference-rejection techniques were employed in both the ASIC and RF front end to meet the FAA’s stringent requirements. Special test equipment was built by NavCom to verify compliance with the interference and environmental requirements. The design met all high-level requirements for FAA certification defined by RTCA/DO-229B, and in 2002 the receiver became the first FAA-certified GPS/WAAS receiver on the market.

NASA/JPL Real Time Gypsy S/W Integration

As the next stage in extending StarFire™ capability, NavCom came to an agreement with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory for the use of their Real Time Gypsy software and global dual-frequency reference network. Under this agreement, NavCom combined the data from the StarFire™ and JPL reference networks into a single satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS), yielding unprecedented decimeter positioning accuracy and providing the first truly global correction service. The system continues to be managed by NavCom with correction data disseminated to all users through the StarFire™ Network.

NAVOCEANO’s Integrated RTK-SBAS

Under the GSA ANSWER Program, the U. S. Navy’s Naval Oceanographic Office contracted NavCom to develop a compact, single-unit positioning system capable of providing seamless high-accuracy navigation in real time for both inshore and offshore hydrographic vessels. To accomplish this, NavCom integrated its RTK and SBAS systems to produce a single instrument global RTK-StarFire™ system, delivering centimeter positioning inshore using RTK with seamless transition to decimeter accuracy offshore. The success of the project has led to further development projects for NAVOCEANO, such as GPS integration with water level monitoring buoys to provide superior positioning and real-time Solid Earth Tide Corrections.

GPS Reference Data Archives

Originating from the StarFire™ Network, data archives of the global GPS constellation performance have been acquired over the years since the launch of StarFire™ in 1999. This data is made available on a contractual basis in support of post mission analysis projects and projects requiring real-time analysis of GPS receiver performance.

Advanced Autonomous Vehicle

Employing proprietary positioning systems and robotic technologies, a prototype of a fully autonomous vehicle has been successfully designed for a major client. Under contract, NavCom developed all electronic systems on the machine including the navigation system, obstacle detection and avoidance system, wireless handheld controller and communications, the on-board processor, and machine control algorithms.

Specialized Military Projects

UAS, UGV, UXO Mitigation, IED Detection, Autonomous De-mining Systems.

To see how our engineering expertise can contribute to your business, complete our Sales Inquiry Form.

Download Center


	Contract Engineering Datasheet

	White Papers

	Case Studies