Is Trimble being limited by a fixation on GPS technology rather than applications for which GPS can be used? I'm just opening this topic up for discussion, not because I distrust GPS (I am employed in the field) but because the Carin/tank story illustrated that GPS was only part of the solution. In fact, the Army likes it because it will work without GPS for extended periods.
For example, perhaps the Carin system would be even better if a unified Kalman filter, accepting GPS inputs, inertial nav inputs and apriori map info were used to determine position and velocity, rather than separate systems combined later.
Or, if a cell phone has GPS in it, can the GPS time be used to acquire the signals more rapidly?
In general, from the various patent apps and many products, it appears that Trimble engineers know how to apply GPS and how to help their customers use GPS.
Are the engineers organized along product lines (e.g., handheld receivers, chipsets, timing receivers), or application lines (communication, surveying, car navigation etc.)?
Petz |
