Precision guidance systems with sub-meter to centimeter accuracy are no longer considered new technology on farms.  These systems have been widely adopted to help growers control application, minimize drift during tillage, planting, and harvesting and increase efficiency to reduce labor and other costs.

All precision guidance systems rely on GPS/GNSS technology to determine the position of the equipment in the field. The precision of the guidance system you need depends heavily on the accuracy requirements of your specific application. NovAtel’s TerraStar Correction Services provide the accuracy and reliability you need for any of these applications.

TerraStar-L is a subscription-based correction service that delivers GNSS correction data via satellites to users of precise navigation systems. TerraStar-L is our broad accuracy 50 centimeters (or 20 inches) 95% service that also provides 15 centimeter (or 6 inch) 95% pass-to-pass making it ideal for use in spraying, fertilizing and variable-rate applications. TerraStar-L has fast initialization letting growers get to work as quickly as possible.

TerraStar-L subscriptions offer increased benefits compared to the publicly available systems like WAAS and EGNOS. While WAAS and EGNOS solutions can provide accuracy ranging from 1-10 meters (3 to 30 feet), there is the potential for position jumps of several meters. TerraStar-L uses Precise Point Positioning (PPP) technology to help remove position errors and jumps without the need and cost of a base station.  

TerraStar-L also gives increased reliability over WAAS services. TerraStar-L corrections are generated using a global network of reference stations and are delivered to your receiver via satellite.  

TerraStar Correction Service maintains its own worldwide network of reference stations and transmits 24/7/365 all-weather correction data over seven satellites, making it possible for your GNSS receiver to see two or three satellite beams from almost anywhere on Earth for optimum global coverage. TerraStar provides reliable positioning even in difficult environments and fast re-initialization in challenging conditions. Growers spend less time waiting for their guidance system to regain full accuracy and can complete jobs faster.

TerraStar-L is supported on all NovAtel’s OEM7, OEM628, and SMART6-L products. Subscriptions can be purchased for various durations and locations.

Contact NovAtel or your precision agricultural equipment supplier to find the TerraStar service and subscription that best fits your application needs.

Visit us at Agritechnica in Hall 15 Booth F22 or on www.novatel.com/agriculture. This is part three of a four-part sponsored content series from NovAtel leading up to Agritechnica 2017 in Hannover, Germany.