IMES White Paper Version 1.0
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IMES White Paper
Version 1.0
By
Naoko Yoshida and Dines Manandhar
GNSS Technologies Inc.
Japan
June 31, 2016
©2016 All Rights Reserved. GNSS Technologies Inc., Japan
Specifications are Subject to Change
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June 31, 2016
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Revision History
Date
Version
2016/6/31 1.0
Revised
Page
Revision Smarmy
Issued By
n/a
First Release
Naoko Yoshida
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Table of Contents
1
Introduction.......................................................................................................................................... 8
2
Problems of Indoor Navigation ......................................................................................................... 9
3
What is IMES? .................................................................................................................................. 10
3.1
Signal Design....................................................................................................................... 11
3.2
IMES Advantages ............................................................................................................... 12
3.3
Comparison between IMES and GPS ............................................................................. 13
3.4
IMES PRN Code ................................................................................................................. 14
3.5
IMES Message Types ........................................................................................................ 16
3.6
IMES Message Structure ................................................................................................... 17
3.6.1
Preamble....................................................................................................................... 17
3.6.2
Message Type ............................................................................................................. 17
3.6.3
CNT Data ...................................................................................................................... 18
3.7
4
5
Combination of IMES Messages ...................................................................................... 19
IMES Transmitter ............................................................................................................................. 20
4.1
IMES Transmitter Chip ....................................................................................................... 20
4.2
IMES Transmitter Module .................................................................................................. 22
4.2.1
IMES Transmitter Finished Product.......................................................................... 22
4.2.2
IMES Transmitter with PoE ........................................................................................ 23
4.3
IMES Transmitter Signal Power ........................................................................................ 23
4.4
IMES Interference Analysis ............................................................................................... 25
IMES / GNSS Receiver Chips ........................................................................................................ 29
5.1
Broadcom ............................................................................................................................. 29
5.2
U-blox .................................................................................................................................... 29
5.2.1
5.3
Smartphones and Tablets.................................................................................................. 32
5.3.1
6
SONY ............................................................................................................................ 31
IMES compatible smartphones in Europe ............................................................... 33
JAXA Guidelines and Regulation................................................................................................... 38
6.1
Roles and Functions of Control and Management ........................................................ 38
6.1.1
Operator ........................................................................................................................ 39
6.1.2
Operation Agency ........................................................................................................ 39
6.1.3
IMES Operation Manager .......................................................................................... 39
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6.1.4
IMES Product Manager .............................................................................................. 39
6.1.5
Sales Operator ............................................................................................................. 39
6.1.6
Manufacturer ................................................................................................................ 40
6.2
Tasks of IMES Transmitter User....................................................................................... 40
6.3
IMES Transmitter Types .................................................................................................... 41
7
IMES V5 Command ......................................................................................................................... 42
8
IMES Control and Management System ...................................................................................... 43
9
Indoor Map Apps .............................................................................................................................. 44
9.1
Characteristics of Indoor Map Tool .................................................................................. 44
9.2
Structure ............................................................................................................................... 44
9.3
Map Generation Step ......................................................................................................... 45
9.3.1
9.4
Indoor Map Example ................................................................................................... 45
Other Indoor Map Providers .............................................................................................. 46
9.4.1
Google Indoor Map ..................................................................................................... 46
9.4.2
Apple ............................................................................................................................. 46
9.4.3
Micello ........................................................................................................................... 46
9.4.4
HERE............................................................................................................................. 46
9.4.5
GNSS Technologies, Inc. ........................................................................................... 47
10 Patents ............................................................................................................................................... 49
10.1
IMES Signal Structure Patent........................................................................................ 49
10.2
IMES Transmitter Patent ................................................................................................ 50
10.3
License Condition for IMES Patents ............................................................................ 51
11 ECC Regulation for Indoor Position .............................................................................................. 52
11.1
ECC Regulation Summary ............................................................................................. 52
11.2
ECC Document References .......................................................................................... 52
11.3
List of EU Countries that Approved ECC Regulation ................................................ 53
11.4
Map of European Countries’ Status on ECC Regulation Guideline ........................ 53
11.5
ECC Locations ................................................................................................................. 54
12 News and Press Releases .............................................................................................................. 55
13 Additional Resources ....................................................................................................................... 55
14 References ........................................................................................................................................ 58
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List of Figures
Figure 1 IMES Introduction ................................................................................................................. 8
Figure 2: Comparison of IMES vs. Wi-Fi based Indoor Position Accuracy ............................... 10
Figure 3: Seamless Navigation based on GPS / IMES ................................................................ 11
Figure 4: Message Type 0 (3 words) .............................................................................................. 18
Figure 5: Message Type 1 (4 words) .............................................................................................. 18
Figure 6: Message Type 3 (1 word) ................................................................................................ 18
Figure 7: Message Type 4 (2 words) .............................................................................................. 18
Figure 8: Combination of Message Type 1 and Type 3 ............................................................... 19
Figure 9: Combination of Message Type 0 and Type 4 ............................................................... 19
Figure 10: Combination of Message Type 4 and Type 1 ............................................................. 19
Figure 11: IMES Transmitter Chip ................................................................................................... 20
Figure 12: IMES Transmitter Chip Circuit Diagram ...................................................................... 21
Figure 13: IMES Transmitter Module .............................................................................................. 22
Figure 14: IMES Transmitter Finished Product (Medical Version) ............................................. 22
Figure 15: PoE Version of IMES ...................................................................................................... 23
Figure 16 Receiver Power and Distance from Users ................................................................... 23
Figure 17: Free Space Propagation Model, Signal Power and Coverage ................................ 24
Figure 18: Direct Signal Power with Wall/Partition Effects .......................................................... 25
Figure 19 Experiment setup for interference study ....................................................................... 26
Figure 20 Test to setup IMES Transmitter for Off limit area ........................................................ 27
Figure 21TTFF at different vertical distance for different ............................................................. 28
Figure 22: Broadcom’s IMES Capable GNSS Receiver Chip ..................................................... 29
Figure 23: u-blox IMES Capable GNSS Receiver Module .......................................................... 30
Figure 24: SONY’s IMES Capable GNSS Receiver LSI .............................................................. 31
Figure 25: GNSS/IMES Compatible Chip, Module and Devices ................................................ 32
Figure 26: Roles and Functions of Control and Management..................................................... 38
Figure 27: Tasks of IMES Transmitter User ................................................................................... 40
Figure 28: IMES V5 Command (評価版) verison 2.4 .................................................................... 42
Figure 29: IMES Control and Management System ..................................................................... 43
Figure 30: Structure of Indoor Map Generation Tool .................................................................... 44
Figure 31; Indoor Map Example....................................................................................................... 45
Figure 32:User interface of IMES Indoor Map Apps .................................................................... 47
Figure 33: Location information shown in IMES Indoor Map Apps. ........................................... 48
Figure 34:World Map of IMES Signal Structure Patent Status ................................................... 49
Figure 35:World Map of IMES Transmitter Patent Status............................................................ 50
Figure 36: European Countries’ Status on Regulation ................................................................. 53
Figure 37: ECC Locations in Europe............................................................................................... 54
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List of Tables
Table 1: IMES Advantages ............................................................................................................... 12
Table 2: Comparison between GPS and IMES ............................................................................. 13
Table 3: List of IMES PRN Codes ................................................................................................... 14
Table 4 Recommended Gold Codes ............................................................................................... 15
Table 5: IMES Message Types ........................................................................................................ 16
Table 6: IMES compatible smartphones in European counties .................................................. 33
Table 7: Summary of IMES Transmitter Types ............................................................................. 41
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List of Acronyms
ARNS
C/No
CDMA
CEPT
CW
DME
EC
ECC
EESS
EIRP
ESA
ETSI
EU
FDMA
GALILEO
GNSS
GPS
ICAO
IMES
ITU-R
JAXA
MSG
NAV
PL
PoE
PRN
QZSS
RLS
RNSS
Rx or RX
SNR
Tx or TX
Aeronautical Radio Navigation Service
Carrier-to-Noise Ratio
Code Division Multiple Access
European Conference of Postal and Telecommunication Administration
Continuous Wave
Distance Measuring Equipment
European Commission
Electronic Communications Committee
Earth Exploration Satellite Service
Equivalent Isotropic Radiated Power
European Space Agency
European Telecommunications Standardisation Institute
European Union
Frequency Division Multiple Access
Global Positioning System of the European Union, a GNSS system
Global Navigation Satellite System operating within the RNSS
Global Positioning System of the United States, a GNSS system
International Civil Aviation Organisation
Indoor Messaging System
International Telecommunications Union – Radio sector
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
Message
Navigation
Pseudolite
Power over Ethernet
Pseudo Random Number
Quasi Zenith Satellite System
Radio Location Service
Radio Navigation Satellite Service
Receiver
Signal-to-Noise Ratio
Transmitter
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Introduction
This document explains all aspects of IMES including signal design, transmitter, hardware,
software, applications, patents, regulations and business models.
Figure 1 IMES Introduction
IMES is a unique solution that provides positon data indoors even in a deep indoor location.
It uses a RF signal similar to the GPS. In order to allow GNSS receiver to receive IMES
without any hardware modification. Any device with a GPS receiver can be used to obtain
positioning information from IMES by implementing only a set of PRN codes specifically
defined for IMES.
Users will be able to get position data from GNSS receiver regardless of whether the user is
outside or inside of the room even in the deep inside as long as the IMES transmitter is
installed. This is the concept of seamless positioning as users do not have to worry about
outside or inside, In order to provide the seamless positioning; GNSS Technologies, Inc. has
invented the IMES together with JAXA.
The development of IMES has solved the problems and shortcomings of indoor positioning
by providing accurate and reliable 3D position data in indoor or deep indoor areas. IMES can
provide 3D position with Floor ID by using a single IMES transmitter.
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Problems of Indoor Navigation
The problem of getting accurate and reliable indoor position has been a major problem so far.
Technical solutions like Pseudolite was proposed but could not be implemented practically
due to its complex structure cost and difficulties in providing required level of accuracy and
reliability in indoor or deep indoor areas.
With Pseudolite, three or more transmitters for 2D positing and four or more transmitters for
3D positioning are required with simulation of GPS signal for the specific time and position,
and its receivers require performing range calculation between a receiver and multiple
transmitters. In addition, multiple transmitters and receiver require synchronization of clocks.
Thus it is complex and costly. And a lot of walls, doors, furniture and other objects with flat
surfaces typically located indoor create multipath. Such multipath causes errors in the
ranging calculation at receiver.
Thus, Pseudolite is not able to satisfy users’ demands for accurate positioning and reliable
accuracy with easy setup process at reasonable costs in indoor areas.
As alternative solutions, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are now being used. These technologies also
have their own limitations in providing accurate and reliable position data.
The position data acquired from Wi-Fi wanders due to various factors like multipath, irregular
signal level degradation, lack of accurate AP database and regular maintenance difficulties
to update the database itself. Moreover, Wi-Fi can provide only 2D position data with an
accuracy level of few meters to few hundreds of meters depending upon area and device
concentration.
Typically, the location information obtained from hotspots is actually the position information
of hotspots itself, it has innate inaccuracy of the distance between those hotspots and
devices, that is approximately 100 meters the Height data can’t be provided using Wi-Fi
based systems. And there is no concept of providing Floor ID.
Bluetooth, on the other hand, can provide receivers with positioning information using RFID
tag based beacon to provide receivers with fingerprint locations. Since database of
fingerprint locations need to be available in receiver, additional applications with dedicated
map to match the fingerprint location are required. Bluetooth supported applications with
indoor maps are not widely available.
However, in the absence of other sensors or devices, we had no choice but to stick to Wi-Fi
and Bluetooth devices although these devices and sensors are not built for positioning
purpose. Then, the most typical problem of indoor navigation in the market now is position
accuracy. Outdoor positioning information provided in mobile phone and smart phone is
based on A-GPS with position accuracy between 5 to 30 meters in general. And as soon as
those devices are moved to a location where GPS and GLONASS signal is not reachable,
the updated positioning information becomes not available.
Some of applications in those devices would use the location information obtained and
saved previously or calculate the updated position with pedestrian dead reckoning (PDR)
when there is no Wi-Fi positioning system (WPS). And the more the devices spend time
indoors, the less the devices maintain position accuracy.
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Even though there are GPS and GLONASS signal available indoor for example nearby
windows, the device would maintain less accuracy than 5 to 30 meters due to multipath
effect. And when WPS is used indoor, since the location obtained from hotspot is actually
the position information of hotspot itself, it has innate inaccuracy of the distance between the
hotspot and devices, which is approximately 100 meters since typical broadcasting range of
802.11b or 802.11g hotspots with the stock antenna is 100 meters.
The following is the test result of comparison among IMES, A-GPS and WPS inside our
office. These devices are put on a meeting table around 10 meters away from windows. A
device with high sensitivity GPS had position error of 100 meters, the device with WPS had
position error of around 50 meters, and the device with IMES had position error of less than
10 meters.
Figure 2: Comparison of IMES vs. Wi-Fi based Indoor Position Accuracy
Due to the high position error, existing technology is not desirable for indoor navigation
especially for guiding emergency exit, shop and shelf locations and other locations where
availability of indoor navigation is important. Figure 2 shows the comparison of indoor
position accuracy between IMES and Wi-Fi.
3
What is IMES?
IMES is a unique solution that provides positon data with floor number at indoor and deep
indoor locations using a radio signal that is similar to the GPS signal. In order to receive
IMES signal, a GPS receiver does not require any hardware modification. Thus any device
with a GPS receiver can be used to obtain positioning information from IMES. The GPS
receiver needs to implement only a set of PRN codes specifically defined for IMES.
IMES can provide 3D position data with Floor ID only with a single transmitter. This is
possible because the receiver does not need to compute distance between the receiver and
the transmitter. Once the receiver demodulates the IMES signal, it captures navigation data
with position data of the transmitter. This position data is given to the user. This makes the
receiver very simple, low power consumption and low cost.
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Signal Design
The signal structure of IMES is designed in a way that any GPS or GNSS receiver can be
used without any hardware modification. Currently, IMES signal is compatible with GPS
L1C/A signal but it can be made also compatible with other signals including Galileo E1. The
reason why signal design is made compatible is to use the existing GPS/GNSS receivers as
it is without hardware modification. Thus any product with a GPS receiver can be used to
acquire IMES signal. The receiver only needs firmware modification. This modification
requires implementation of 10 IMES PRN codes and message decoding logics. This design
allows seamless navigation between indoor and outdoor using GPS and IMES as shown in
Figure 3: Seamless Navigation based on GPS / IMES
Figure 3: Seamless Navigation based on GPS / IMES
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IMES Advantages
A fundamental advantage of IMES is that it can provide 3D position data with Floor ID with
only one IMES transmitter using a standard GPS receiver. Since, IMES transmits the
position data itself embedded in its navigation message, the receiver does not have to
perform any range calculation between a receiver and multiple transmitters unlike it is
required in GPS. Table 1 shows the advantages of IMES with respect to Pseudolite.
Since IMES does not require ranging calculation, both transmitter and receiver do not need
to synchronize clock. And IMES is not affected by multipath effects, which are normally
causing errors in the ranging calculation in GPS/GNSS receiver. The impact of multipath
effects is greater with Pseudolite due to the fact that there are usually a lot of walls, doors,
furniture and other objects with flat surface indoor.
Pseudolite requires three transmitters for 2D positioning and four transmitters for 3D
positioning in order to allow receiver to perform ranging calculation. And the locations of
those transmitters have to be carefully arranged in a way that the receiver can calculate
accurate position with correct ranging calculations between one receiver and multiple
transmitters. Therefore, the location arrangement of transmitters becomes complex.
However, with IMES, only one unit of transmitter is required for both2D and 3D positioning
and locations of transmitters can be flexibly arranged for easier installation plan
While all those differences between IMES and Pseudolite, both are common in using
GPS/GNSS signal and only a change of PRN codes is required for the receiver. The
following Table 1 shows summary of IMES advantages.
Table 1: IMES Advantages
Item
IMES
Pseudolite
Range Measurement
No Ranging
Ranging
Synchronization
Not required
Required
Multipath effect
Nothing
Strong
2D positioning
by 1 unit
by 3 units
3D positioning
by 1 unit
by 4 units
Flexibility of installation
Perfect
Complex
Implementation to GNSS
receiver
PRN code only
PRN code only
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Comparison between IMES and GPS
Basically, there are no differences between GPS and IMES signals. IMES signal is designed
based on GPS L1C/A signal so that the same receiver can receive both GPS and IMES
signals. However, the carrier frequency is offset by +/- 8.2kHz and two types of navigation
data rates (50/250bps) are defined. Please note that IMES can be designed to adopt any
other GNSS signal like Galileo E1 or Beidou signals. The basic concept is to replace the
contents of the navigation message by required position data and IDs. The following Table 2
shows summary of comparison between GPS and IMES.
Table 2: Comparison between GPS and IMES
Item
GPS
IMES
1575.42MHz
1575.42MHz +/- 8.2kHz
1-32
173-182
1.023MHz
1.023MHz
PRN Code
Length
1ms
1ms
Data Rate
50bps
50bps or 250bps
Modulation
BPSK
BPSK
Polarization
RHCP
RHCP
Center
Frequency
PRN ID
PRN Code Chip
Rate
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IMES PRN Code
Pseudo Random Noise Code (PRN Code) is a set of ranging codes comprised of zero (0)
and one (1) used for measuring distances between GNSS satellites and a receiver. PRN
code for GPS satellite is controlled and managed by Global Positioning Systems Directorate,
a US government body of a joint service effort directed by the US Air Force and managed at
the Space and Missile Systems Center, Air Force Space Command, Los Angeles Air Force
Base, Calif. Its former organization of Global Positioning System Wing (GPSW) allocated ten
PRN codes for the use of IMES in Japan. The list of PRN codes is shown in Table 3. Please
refer to http://www.losangeles.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-070530-036.pdf for
further details. The characteristics of the IMES PRN codes are the same as GPS PRN codes.
Please
refer
to
http://gnss.co.jp/wpcontent/uploads/2015/03/p71_Paper_571_Manandhar.pdf for further information about IMES
PRN Code.
Table 3: List of IMES PRN Codes
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Table 4 Recommended Gold Codes
Gold Codes are PRN Codes without any regulations for its usage, which are actually the
codes currently not reserved for GPS. If such Gold Code will be used for any
implementations and installations of IMES in specific country or region, from technical
perspective, certain sets of PRN codes are technically recommended. Out of those 556
balanced PRN codes technically suitable for the IMES, the green highlighted PRN codes
shown in the Table 4. Are recommended.
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IMES Message Types
The following Table 5 describes message ID, frame length and message contents.
Currently, four message types with Message ID #0, #1, #3 and #4 are defined as shown in
Table 5. Message ID #0 is used for 2D position data with Floor ID, Message ID #1 is used
for 3D position data with Floor ID. We propose that at least Message ID #0 would be used as
Global Standard for Position Data.
Message ID #3 and #4 are defined for short ID and medium ID. These IDs can be freely
defined by user for any purpose. For example, it can be a set of predefined categories to link
these IDs to corresponding data in database system for location based services or any other
applications. Medium ID (33bit) can be used for UUID (Universally Unique ID) depending on
the configuration of database system.
Please refer to
http://gnss.co.jp/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/p71_Paper_571_Manandhar.pdf
for further information about IMES Message Types.
Table 5: IMES Message Types
Message
ID
Frame Length
Message Contents
#0
3 Words
2D Position, floor info
#1
4 Words
3D Position, floor info
#2
-
Reserved
#3
1 Word
Short ID
#4
2 Words
Medium ID
#5
-
Reserved
#6
-
Reserved
#7
-
Reserved
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IMES Message Structure
IMES message structure is defined by WORD and FRAME. A WORD is 30bits long and a
FRAME may contain 1, 2, 3, or 4 words depending upon message type. Thus, each IMES
message has a frame of one or multiple words.
The first word in any message contains 8-bit preamble, 3-bit message type and 6-bit parity. If
a message type has multiple words, then the remaining words contain 3-bit CNT data at the
beginning of the word and 6-bit parity at the end.
Brief explanations about Preamble, Message Type and CNT data are as follows. Please
refer to http://gnss.co.jp/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/p71_Paper_571_Manandhar.pdf for
further information about IMES Message Structure.
3.6.1 Preamble
The preamble for IMES is 0x9E and 8-bit long in size. Preamble value can be changed to
0x8B (same as in GPS) if required for test purpose using IMES setup program.
3.6.2 Message Type
IMES message type is 3-bit long. Currently, message types 0, 1, 3 and 4 are defined and
other types are reserved.
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3.6.3 CNT Data
CNT data for Message Type 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 is defined as shown in the following Figure 4,
Figure 5, Figure 6, and Figure 7.
Figure 4: Message Type 0 (3 words)
Figure 5: Message Type 1 (4 words)
Figure 6: Message Type 3 (1 word)
Figure 7: Message Type 4 (2 words)
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Combination of IMES Messages
Any combination of message types can be formed and transmitted as shown in Figure 8,
Figure 9 or Figure 10. For example, Figure 9 shows the combination of message type 0 and
type 4 to transmit 2D position and medium ID. This allows the users to obtain 2D position
immediately and further information from a server based on medium ID. The combination of
messages depends upon the target applications and usage. However, we recommend that
the transmitter would be configured to transmit at least Message Type 0 as a global standard.
Figure 8: Combination of Message Type 1 and Type 3
Figure 9: Combination of Message Type 0 and Type 4
Figure 10: Combination of Message Type 4 and Type 1
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IMES Transmitter
IMES transmitters are available in three different types: (1) IMES Chip, (2) IMES Module and
(3) IMES Transmitter Finished Product. And several different IMES transmitter finished
products are available in the market with a combination of other sensors including Wi-Fi,
Bluetooth and different power supply systems such as PoE. Depending upon installation
areas, surrounding environments and application types, IMES transmitter products can be
customized in many different ways.
4.1
IMES Transmitter Chip
IMES Transmitter Chip is 12mm x 12mm in size, consisting of a dual channel signal
processor. Figure 11 shows the appearance of the IMES Transmitter Chip. It can transmit
two IMES signals synchronized to the same local clock. These two signals can be
independently controlled in terms of PRN code, Carrier Frequency Offset, Navigation data
contents, transmit power and combination of message types. This gives flexibility in setting
and deploying the transmitter in many different environments like office buildings, shopping
complexes, airports, underground railway stations, tunnels and so many other complex
areas.
Figure 11: IMES Transmitter Chip
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Figure 12 shows the circuit diagram of IMES Transmitter Chip. The detail explanations of the
circuit diagram are planned to be documented in the IMES Transmitter Chip Development
Kit.
Figure 12: IMES Transmitter Chip Circuit Diagram
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IMES Transmitter Module
IMES Transmitter module consists of IMES transmitter chip and all other necessary
components to generate IMES signals. It has on-board TCXO, RF ports, on-board IMES
transmitter antenna for channel 1, two RF connectors to connect external antenna. Figure 13
shows the appearance of IMES Transmitter Module.
Figure 13: IMES Transmitter Module
4.2.1 IMES Transmitter Finished Product
Figure 14 shows appearance of IMES transmitter finished product designed for the
installations at hospitals and homes for the inpatient management and homecare systems.
Figure 14: IMES Transmitter Finished Product (Medical Version)
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4.2.2 IMES Transmitter with PoE
Figure 15 shows IMES transmitter finished product with Wi-Fi and PoE based power supply.
This device is specially designed for Push-and-Fit type of installation in Japanese buildings.
The device is fitted in the false ceiling of the room. Since more and more intelligent buildings
are developed with network platform and other intelligent functions already from when the
buildings are constructed, this type of IMES transmitter finished products are developed and
now installed in several new buildings in Japan. The PoE chassis can accommodate not only
IMES but other functions including Wi-Fi hotspot and Bluetooth indoor positioning devices.
Figure 15: PoE Version of IMES
4.3
IMES Transmitter Signal Power
Signal power from the IMES Transmitter can be changed with RF Attenuator Setting of the
IMES V5 Command. Selectable range is from 0 to 60 dB attenuated from -66dBm. Figure 16
shows relationship between the signal power received at user and distance from transmitter
to the user for your reference.
Figure 16 Receiver Power and Distance from Users
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Figure 17 explains Free Space Propagation Model, Signal Power and Coverage for your
reference. The Free Space Propagation Model on the left hand side shows the relationship
between distance from transmitter and propagation loss in dB. The more there is a distance
between transmitter and receiver, the more propagation loss. Its theoretical model of
standard value was proven with actual measurement. The propagation loss is increasing as
the distance from transmitter increases with a curve of 10 x log 10 (d2). And the right chart
showing Signal Power and Coverage is the reference distance and signal power attenuator
based on the model. For a spherical area of 1 m radius, when the signal power is -90dBm,
its power at receiver is minimum -130dBm. When the signal power is -76dBm, the signal
power at receiver by the distance from the transmitter is as it is shown in the chart. This
model is also proven with the actual measurement as shown in the chart below although
there are a lot of fluctuations due to multipath.
* Y is a distance from a glass window in the measurement environment shown in the
photograph. X is a distance from a point directly under the transmitter. The height of ceiling
is 2.5 m and receiver is positioned 1 m above the floor. The transmitter is positioned 1 m
away from the glass window.
Figure 17: Free Space Propagation Model, Signal Power and Coverage
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Figure 18 explains Direct Signal Power with Wall/Partition Effects for your reference.
Figure 18: Direct Signal Power with Wall/Partition Effects
4.4
IMES Interference Analysis
It is of utmost important to analyze the impact of the IMES signal on existing GPS signals.
Since IMES compatible receivers are supposed to work at the same signal level as GPS
receivers, there must not be any interference from IMES signal. The expected signal at the
receiver will vary from -126dBm to -130dBm which are similar to GPS signal at the receiver.
However, IMES transmitters are ground-based transmitters that may be located indoors or
outdoors locations where users cannot obtain enough accuracy heavy multipath
circumstance like sidewalk in the urban canyon. In such case, it is necessary to transmit the
signal at the transmitter at much higher power level so that the signal at the receiver will
be between -126dBm to -130dBm at a distance of about five meters from the transmitter
antenna. The power level at the transmitter decides the IMES coverage zone. The larger
the coverage zone is, the higher transmission power is required
However, the maximum power is limited by regulation for license free signals. In Japan this
limits the signal level at 35microVolt/m at 3m distance. The signal level regulation varies by
countries and regions. This means that the transmit power you need to use for the IMES (e.g.
-70dBm) is lower than the allowed value. Therefore, an experiment in typical Japanese
building was conducted for the interference of the IMES signal on GPS signal.
The experiment setup is shown in Figure 19.The typical building materials and size are
different by countries and regions. Thus this is only a reference data. IMES transmitter is set
outdoors on a pole with adjustable antenna height. The transmitter antenna is a standard
GPS passive patch antenna. The height of the transmitter antenna can be varied from few
tens of centimeters to four meters. Data are logged by changing the vertical distance
between the IMES transmitter antenna and GPS receiver antenna at every 20cm interval
from 20cm to 320cm. These data are logged for three different transmission power settings
at -64dBm, -70dBm and -76dBm.
©2016 All Rights Reserved. GNSS Technologies Inc., Japan
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Figure 19 Experiment setup for interference study
Two GPS receivers are set vertically beneath the IMES transmitter antenna. One of the
receivers is software GPS receiver and another is a commercial GPS receiver (Rx1). One
more commercial GPS receiver (Rx2) is set at 30m away from the IMES transmitter antenna
(as reference for GPS signal) so that the IMES signal will not have impact on this receiver.
Receiver Rx1 and Rx2 are of the same type and have the same configurations. Since the
distance between Rx1 and Rx2, we can observe the same GPS satellites during the
experiment period.
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Figure 20 Test to setup IMES Transmitter for Off limit area
Figure 20 shows the results for C/No with respect to vertical distance for visible GPS
satellites including the IMES and vertical separation threshold distances where the first fix
observed. These graphs show the minimum distance required for a GPS receiver to provide
a fix. The graphs on top, middle and bottom of Figure 8 shows the results for 64dBm, 70dBm and -76dBm respectively.
At -64dBm, the GPS receiver provides first fix when the vertical separation between the
IMES and GPS antenna is 240cm. This means IMES has impact on GPS signal when the
GPS receiver is very near to the IMES transmitter antenna. Thus, for the GPS receiver to
work properly at least a separation of 240cm is necessary. This distance is 100cm for 70dBm transmitter power. Thus, at least 100cm of separation is necessary for a GPS
receiver to work properly. At -76dBm, the GPS receiver provides first fix when the vertical
separation is 60cm.
©2016 All Rights Reserved. GNSS Technologies Inc., Japan
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Figure 21TTFF at different vertical distance for different
Figure 21 shows TTFF at different vertical distance for - 64dBm, -70dBm and -76dBm cases.
Figure 20 shows the minimum distance for the first fix which is called threshold value.
However, this first TTFF is much longer than normal GPS operation TTFF. As seen in Figure
21 the first TTFF is two to four time higher than normal TTFF. There seems to be some
strong IMES signal’s impact on acquisition process for GPS receiver. Thus, it is necessary to
consider the distance for normal TTFF when an appropriate separation threshold distances
is investigated
as a range there is no harmful impact on live GPS signals. Hence, we conclude that at least
160cm shall be the separation threshold distances between the IMES transmitter and GPS
receiver antenna to avoid possible interference from the IMES transmitter to GPS receiver.
This distance is for -70dBm transmitter power level.
However, if the transmitter power is higher, e.g. -64dBm, then the separation shall be at
least 300cm as results from experiment currently. Vertical threshold distances for the TTFF
could be found even if a GPS receiver is used beneath the IMES transmitter, i.e. it could be
a worst case. Actual transmit powers of IMES shall be set based on the antenna location so
that the distance between the IMES transmitter’s antenna and the edge of zone, which
outside GPS receiver exist potentially, is maintained less than above threshold distances
and the user received power of the IMES is between -110dBm to -130dBm.
©2016 All Rights Reserved. GNSS Technologies Inc., Japan
Specifications are Subject to Change
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5
June 31, 2016
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IMES / GNSS Receiver Chips
IMES / GNSS Receiver Chips are manufactured and marketed for mobile phone,
smartphone, and other mobile devices by several major chip manufactures as GNSS
receiver single function chips and combo chips with GNSS receiver and other functions
including Wi-Fi and other RF communication capabilities. Currently IMES /GNSS Receiver
Chips are manufactured and marketed by Broadcom, U-blox and Sony. Several other major
chip manufactures are in the process of product development, including Taiwanese and
Chinese chip manufacturers supplying GNSS chips to major mobile device OEMs.
5.1
Broadcom
Broadcom GNSS chips BCM4752 and BCM 4753 are IMES compatible. These GNSS chips
are capable of receiving GPS, GLONASS, QZSS (including IMES) and SBAS signals.
Figure 22 shows appearance of Broadcom’s IMES Capable GNSS Receiver Chip. Please
refer
to
Broadcom’s
website,
https://www.broadcom.com/products/wirelessconnectivity/gps/bcm4752, for further information.
Figure 22: Broadcom’s IMES Capable GNSS Receiver Chip
All the smartphones using Broadcom GNSS chips are capable of receiving IMES signal. For
example, Samsung Galaxy S4, Galaxy Note 4, Covia Fleaz+f4, and HTC Nexus 9 / Google
Nexus 9 are the models supporting IMES in Japan.
5.2
U-blox
U-blox’s series 8T GNSS receiver modules are IMES compatible. It can track all 10 channels
of IMES signals with auto-detection of navigation message rate between 50bps and 250bps.
U-blox outputs the navigation messag sentence. Currently, NEO/LEA-M8T based modules
are capable of acquiring IMES signals.
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June 31, 2016
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Figure 23 shows appearance of U-blox’s IMES Capable GNSS Receiver Chip.
Figure 23: u-blox IMES Capable GNSS Receiver Module
Please refer to U-blox’s website, https://www.ublox.com/sites/default/files/products/documents/NEO-LEAM8T_ProductSummary_%28UBX-14038543%29.pdf and https://www.ublox.com/en/product/neolea-m8t, for further information. U-blox evaluation kits are also
available. Please refer to https://www.u-blox.com/en/product/evk-m8.
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5.2.1 SONY
SONY has produced two types of GNSS receiver LSI “CXD5600GF” and “CXD5601GG” one
type of GNSS Receiver Module “CXD5430”. All these chips and module are capable of
receiving GPS, GLONASS, QZSS and IMES signals. Figure 24 shows appearance of Sony’s
IMES Capable GNSS Receiver Chip.
Figure 24: SONY’s IMES Capable GNSS Receiver LSI
Please refer to http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press/201302/13-022E/index.html for
further information.
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5.3
June 31, 2016
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Smartphones and Tablets
Off-the-shelf smartphones and tablets with IMES capable GNSS chip are already available
in the market. Some of the brand names are Galaxy S4, Galaxy Note 4, Nexus 9 from HTC
and Google, Covia Fleax+f4, Toshiba tablet, Panasonic Tough Book etc. Please see Figure
25 for some pictures of the devices.
Figure 25: GNSS/IMES Compatible Chip, Module and Devices
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5.3.1 IMES compatible smartphones in Europe
Table 6 describes IMES compatible smartphones currently available by service providers by
countries in Europe. Due to the dynamic characteristics of the smartphones market, IMES
compatible smartphones’ availabilities may rapidly change time to time. We are currently in
discussions with global GNSS chip manufactures to expand the number of products
supporting IMES.
Please note that availability of the local smartphone models using the Broadcom chips need
to be verified with actual products. GNSS Chips used in the listed models may vary by the
areas and regions where they are sold and/or by the generations or versions of the product.
This information is not publicly announced by smartphone OEM and/or chip manufacturers.
GNSS Chip information is solely based on third party research results published in websites,
including https://www.ifixit.com/, http://www.techinsights.com/, and some other resources.
GNSS Technologies, Inc. is neither liable for the information nor responsible for the
compatibility with IMES..
Table 6: IMES compatible smartphones in European counties
Manufacturer
Country
Samsung
Model
Galaxy S6
Galaxy S6
edge
Galaxy S6
edge+
Galaxy A3
Galaxy A5
GNSS Chip
Broadcom
BCM4773
Broadcom
BCM4773
Broadcom
BCM4773
Broadcom
BCM4511
Broadcom
BCM4753IA1
IMES
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
Service
Provider
IMES Capability
Vodafone
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
T-Mobile
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
Telefonica (O2)
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
Orange
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
Vodafone
yes
yes
Telefonica (O2)
yes
yes
yes
yes
Orange (EE)
yes
yes
yes
yes
3
yes
yes
yes
yes
Germany
yes
UK
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Manufacturer
Country
France
Italy
Spain
Andorra
Austria
Samsung
Model
Galaxy S6
Galaxy S6
edge
Galaxy S6
edge+
Galaxy A3
Galaxy A5
GNSS Chip
Broadcom
BCM4773
Broadcom
BCM4773
Broadcom
BCM4773
Broadcom
BCM4511
Broadcom
BCM4753IA1
Service
Provider
IMES Capability
Orange
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
SFR
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
Bouygues
Telefonica
yes
yes
yes
yes
Free
yes
yes
yes
Vodafone
yes
yes
yes
Telefonica
(WIND)
yes
yes
yes
yes
Orange
yes
yes
yes
yes
3
yes
yes
yes
yes
TIM
yes
yes
yes
Yes
yes
yes
yes
Vodafone
yes
yes
Telefonica
(Movistar)
yes
yes
yes
yes
Orange
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
Telia Sonera
(Yoigo)
Andorra
Telecom
Telecom
Austria (A1)
yes
yes
yes
SIMM free
SIMM free
SIMM free
yes
yes
yes
T-Mobile
yes
yes
yes
3
yes
yes
yes
SIMM free
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Specifications are Subject to Change
yes
SIMM free
yes
yes
IMES White Paper Version 1.0
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Page 35 / 59
Manufacturer
Country
Samsung
Model
Galaxy S6
Galaxy S6
edge
Galaxy S6
edge+
Galaxy A3
Galaxy A5
GNSS Chip
Broadcom
BCM4773
Broadcom
BCM4773
Broadcom
BCM4773
Broadcom
BCM4511
Broadcom
BCM4753IA1
Service
Provider
IMES Capability
TDC
yes
yes
yes
yes
Telenor
yes
yes
yes
Telia
yes
yes
yes
yes
3
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
Denmark
Telia (EMT)
Estonia
Liechtenstein
Luxembourg
Elisa
yes
Tele2
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
Yes
yes
yes
yes
Swisscom
(Schweiz) AG
yes
yes
yes
yes
Yes
POST
yes
yes
yes
yes
Yes
Tango
yes
yes
Orange
yes
yes
Telenor
yes
yes
yes
Telekom
yes
yes
yes
yes
Yes
Telecom
Liechtenstein
AG
Salt
(Liechtenstein)
AG
yes
Yes
Montenegro
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Manufacturer
Country
Samsung
Model
Galaxy S6
Galaxy S6
edge
Galaxy S6
edge+
Galaxy A3
Galaxy A5
GNSS Chip
Broadcom
BCM4773
Broadcom
BCM4773
Broadcom
BCM4773
Broadcom
BCM4511
Broadcom
BCM4753IA1
Service
Provider
IMES Capability
Telenor
yes
yes
yes
yes
NetCom
yes
yes
yes
yes
KPN
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
Vodafone
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
T-Mobile
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
Telia
yes
yes
yes
yes
Tele2
yes
yes
yes
yes
Telenor
yes
yes
yes
yes
3
yes
yes
yes
Norway
Netherlands
Sweden
mts
Serbia
Slovenia
Switzerland
yes
yes
yes
Telenor
yes
yes
yes
vip
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
Orange
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
Telekom
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
O2
yes
yes
yes
yes
Swisscom
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
Sunrise
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
Salt
yes
yes
yes
©2016 All Rights Reserved. GNSS Technologies Inc., Japan
Specifications are Subject to Change
yes
IMES White Paper Version 1.0
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June 31, 2016
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Manufacturer
Country
Finland
Samsung
Model
Galaxy S6
Galaxy S6
edge
Galaxy S6
edge+
Galaxy A3
Galaxy A5
GNSS Chip
Broadcom
BCM4773
Broadcom
BCM4773
Broadcom
BCM4773
Broadcom
BCM4511
Broadcom
BCM4753IA1
Service
Provider
IMES Capability
Sonera
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
Elisa
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
DNA
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
Omnitel
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
BITĖ
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
Tele2
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
Teledema
yes
yes
yes
yes
Lithuania
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JAXA Guidelines and Regulation
JAXA published IMES transmitter Control and Management Procedure Document (http://qzvision.jaxa.jp/USE/is-qzss/DOCS/IMES_TX_MngGuideline_A.pdf; Japanese Only) for the
purpose of appropriate control and management of IMES transmitters to avoid IMES
transmitters from affecting GNSS services sharing the same frequency with IMES. The
objectives of this procedure are to prevent IMES transmitters from inappropriate usages
other than its original application and interference caused by duplication of PRN codes
installed in between IMES transmitters controlled and managed by two different operators.
6.1
Roles and Functions of Control and Management
There are six different types of entities: Operator, Operation Agency, IMES Operation
Manage, IMES Product Manager, Sales Operator and Manufacturer, which are involved with
control and management of IMES transmitters. The summary of roles and functions is shown
in the Figure 26.
Figure 26: Roles and Functions of Control and Management
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6.1.1 Operator
Operator is an entity with the ownership of operations using IMES Transmitters at operator’s
specific site. Operator outsources installation, management and control of IMES
Transmitters to Operation Agency. Operator manages and controls its own site and
outsources its tasks to Operation Agency. When these functions and roles are not
outsourced, the operator needs to assume the tasks involved at operation agency. Operator
creates layout chart to specify the locations of IMES transmitters.
6.1.2 Operation Agency
Operation Agency is an entity assumes roles and functions of operator as agency through
providing outsourcing service to Operator. Tasks assumed by operation agency are
management and control of IMES transmitters for its whole life cycle from installation to
disposal, periodical check for location, signal power and frequency, and installation, change
and disposal. Operation Agency also takes care of application to IMES Operation Manager
and Sales Operator for the usage of IMES transmitters, and tasks involved with
Management DB.
6.1.3 IMES Operation Manager
Sales Operation Manager is an entity assumes roles and functions of management and
control of IMES Transmitters. JAXA assumes those roles and functions for the time being.
IMES Operation Manager has a central database for the management and control of IMES
transmitters called IMES Product Management DB
6.1.4 IMES Product Manager
IMES Product Manager is an entity assumes roles and functions of approval on IMES
Transmitters. JAXA assumes those roles and functions for the time being. IMES Product
Manager has a central database called IMES Operation Management DB for the
management and control of IMES Transmitters Finished Products.
6.1.5 Sales Operator
Sales Operators is an entity assumes roles and functions of marketing IMES Transmitters
under sufficient management and supervision from IMES Operation Manager and IMES
Product Manage. Sales Operator is also responsible for Type-C Transmitter until installation
at Operator. For the detail of Type-C Transmitter, please refer to 6.3
Transmitter Types.
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6.1.6 Manufacturer
Manufacturer is an entity assumes roles and functions of manufacturing IMES or
subcontracted manufacturing IMES Transmitters by Sales Operator. Manufacturer is also
responsible for Type-C Transmitter until transfer to Sales Operator. For the detail of Type-C
Transmitter, please refer to 6.3. Transmitter Types.
6.2
Tasks of IMES Transmitter User
IMES Transmitter User is Operator and/or Operation Agency. The tasks are started from the
status of “Procurement” of IMES Transmitter from Manufacturer and Sales Operator. And
then IMES Transmitters are installed at site to provide positioning services. IMES
Transmitter User always checks whether those IMES Transmitters are in the status of “InService” or “Out-of-Service” time to time based on its status changed through its suspension
and resumption. IMES Transmitter User also checks change status of the IMES Transmitter
in terms of location information of transmitter message, transmitted power and PRN number.
IMES Transmitters would be also stored for later installation after procurement or retirement
from installed locations being the status of “In-Storage”. IMES transmitters located at site
and/or in storage would be disposed time to time being the status of “Disposal”. IMES User
needs to conduct those tasks and also grasp the status of each and every IMES
Transmitters. Summary of those tasks of IMES Transmitter User are shown Figure 27.
Figure 27: Tasks of IMES Transmitter User
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IMES Transmitter Types
There are three different types of IMES Transmitters of Type-A, Type-B and Type-C. Those
three different types are categorized mainly by whether or not those IMES Transmitters have
activation function and/or deactivation function. The summary of those three types of IMES
Transmitters is shown in Table 7.
Table 7: Summary of IMES Transmitter Types
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IMES V5 Command
The IMES V5 Command is used to operate the IMES Transmitter. This software needs to be
installed in Windows PC. The version of IMES V5 Command included in the IMES Free Trial
Kit is “IMES V5 Command (評価版) version 2.4”. This version of software is used to
configure the IMES Transmitter through USB connection. The user interface of IMES V5
Command (評価版) version 2.4 is shown in Figure 28.
Figure 28: IMES V5 Command (評価版) verison 2.4
It can set up various settings of each and every IMES Transmitter finished products by
selecting serial numbers corresponding to individual products. It can also show the current
status of the products in the status indicator section.
If the IMES Transmitter is configured in the way that settings can be stored in text file
(SN.TXT as Setup File, the file located within the same folder of the software becomes able
to store information set through the user interface by serial number of IMES Transmitter
finished products. The IMES Transmitter included in the IMES Free Trial Kit is not configured
for this function. If you require to use this setting, please consult with GNSS Technologies,
Inc.
The settings configured through the user interface and saved in SN.TXT file are Offset
frequency, PRNID, Accuracy Index, Preamble, Location Parameter including latitude,
longitude, attitude, short ID, Medium ID, Floor ID, Configuration, RF attenuator, and
Message Sequence. Since the latest IMES Transmitter finished product has two channels.
1CH and 2CH can be separately configured to save its setting in SN.TXT file.
©2016 All Rights Reserved. GNSS Technologies Inc., Japan
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IMES Control and Management System
Figure 29 explains system framework of IMES Control and Management System. The
system is comprised of five databases of Administrative DB, IMES Unit DB, History DB and
Relational DB of IMES DB and CAD DB. Administrative DB stores and updates data of
responsible party, registration, building and owners information. IMES Unit DB stores and
updates data of IMES-ID, Position Data, PRN, Place Information, Floor Number, RF
Attenuator Level, Doppler Offset, Manufacture and Data of Installation. And History DB
stores and updates data of Data, Time, Building, Floor, Administration, Installation and
Maintenance. System provides user interface to input data in three DBs of Administrative DB.
IMES Unit DB and History DB and those data stored in three DBs updates two relational
DBs of IMES DB and CAD DB real time to allow users to output reports for control and
management on demand.
Figure 29: IMES Control and Management System
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9
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Indoor Map Apps
We have developed a tool to create Indoor Map Apps using various data formats. The
supported data formats are SVG, GIF, PNG, JPEG, TIFF, GML, GeoJSON, Shape and
some others. This tool can be used with both raster and vector maps, and/or scanned paper
maps. In the case of maps that do not have reference coordinates, two control points can be
used to register the map to world coordinate system. These two control points may be
measured using a GPS or taken from other existing sources.
9.1
Characteristics of Indoor Map Tool





9.2
Web-Based Application
Support to Multiple popular data formats; SVG, GIF, PING, TIFF, GML,
GeoJSON, Shape etc.
Support for Geo-fencing.
Support for Walking space network.
API of various forms are offered, for example: Web-API, Android SDK, iOS SDK,
etc
Structure
Site
Building
Building
API
Floor
Floor
Anchor
Points
Network
Floor
Area
POI
Figure 30: Structure of Indoor Map Generation Tool
©2016 All Rights Reserved. GNSS Technologies Inc., Japan
Specifications are Subject to Change
Applications
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9.3
June 31, 2016
Page 45 / 59
Map Generation Step
Maps for IMES Indoor Map Apps can be generated with the following steps:








Create Site
Create Building
Create Floor
Register Anchor Point
Register Area Segmentations
Register Network Data
Register POIs
Use Data Via API
9.3.1 Indoor Map Example
Figure 31 shows an example of user interface development menu of IMES Indoor Map Apps
generation tool:
Figure 31; Indoor Map Example
©2016 All Rights Reserved. GNSS Technologies Inc., Japan
Specifications are Subject to Change
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9.4
June 31, 2016
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Other Indoor Map Providers
9.4.1 Google Indoor Map
Google Indoor Map is an indoor map service to give users ability to explore and navigate
themselves within facilities including shopping malls, airports, stations, universities,
museums, and other public spaces. Facility owners can create their own indoor maps in
accordance with Google Indoor Map specification in order to provide Google Map users with
their facilities’ indoor maps as extensions to Google Map. Since the indoor location
information made available with IMES is fully integrated as a location manager of Android as
a part of GPS positioning function, positioning information obtained from IMES receives by
Android smartphones are reflected to Google Indoor Map without any additional Apps or
setting since as far as Google Map Apps is installed. Location Service API is installed in
Android smartphone when Google Map Apps is installed. Please refer to
https://www.google.com/intl/en/maps/about/partners/indoormaps/ for further information
about Google Indoor Map.
9.4.2 Apple
iOS 9 Apple Maps, a standard Apps of iPhone, support indoor map and public transit
navigations. It is currently based on Location Services of iOS 9 based on GPS, Wi-Fi and
iBeacon, Apple’s Bluetooth based positioning. Since iPhone 6, 6S, and 6 plus and all iPad
hardware do not support IMES, indoor maps of iOS 9 Apple Maps are not used with IMES.
Moreover, only a few indoor locations are supported by iOS 9 Apple Maps. Unlike Google
Indoor Map, Apple themselves are adding maps of indoor locations and there is no control
from facility owners to add indoor maps. However, facility owners are able to provide their
own iOS Apps with indoor map using API provided by Apple for developers. Please refer to
https://developer.apple.com/maps/ for further information about how to develop own iOS
Apps with indoor map support.
9.4.3 Micello
Micello is a digital map company dedicated to indoor maps on iOS and Android. The
company develops their own indoor maps and platform for their partner’s Apps as APIs and
SDKs to provide their partner’s Apps with functionality of indoor maps. Please refer to
https://www.micello.com/products/overview for further information about their services.
9.4.4 HERE
HERE is digital map company mainly for outdoor maps and navigation on browsers and their
own Apps on Android and iOS. These indoor maps are based on Micello’s own platform.
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9.4.5 GNSS Technologies, Inc.
GNSS Technologies, Inc. has own indoor map application platform called IMES Indoor Map
Apps. The IMES Indoor Map Apps is combination of map application development platform
to easily create indoor map based on either vector format (eg. SVG file) or raster format (eg.
png, jpg, tiff, bmp file) and mobile phone application platform (currently based on Google
Play Developer API only).
The map application development platform can create indoor map from supported files
based on interior construction drawings. By designating two locations in the map with known
coordinates, it can automatically assign coordinate information across all areas on the map.
In addition, it can set both area groups for geo-fencing and routings for navigation.
The mobile application can use the area groups to allow users to access certain functionality
of application only when the users are located in certain position in pre-configured area
groups. It can also use the routings to allow users to set the current position and destination
to display the shortest route in the map to navigate the users.
Figure 32 shows user interface of IMES Indoor Map Apps and Figure 33 shows location
information displayed on IMES Indoor Map Apps.
Figure 32:User interface of IMES Indoor Map Apps
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Figure 33: Location information shown in IMES Indoor Map Apps.
The current position information in the mobile application can be developed in several
different ways. It can be developed in the way that it obtains location information from
Android OS or it obtains information output data directly from GNSS receiver or even it
obtains information from any other data sources.
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10 Patents
GNSS Technologies, Inc. filed patent applications globally for the technology of IMES signal
structure and IMES transmitter.
10.1 IMES Signal Structure Patent
IMES signal structure patent is registered by European Patent Office with publication
number of EP 2233943 A1 20100929 [2010-39]. Figure 34 shows a world map of the
counties with IMES signal structure patents in the status of registered and applied.
Patented
Filed
Figure 34:World Map of IMES Signal Structure Patent Status
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10.2 IMES Transmitter Patent
IMES Transmitter patent is registered by European Patent Office with publication number of
EP 2211195 A1 20100728 [2010-30]. Figure 35 shows a world map of the counties with
IMES transmitter patents in the status of registered and applied.
Patented
Filed
Figure 35:World Map of IMES Transmitter Patent Status
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10.3 License Condition for IMES Patents
On the condition that the IMES FREE TRIAL KIT AGREEMENT as shown in Exhibit B is
signed by participants of the IMES Free Trial Program, we will grant a non-exclusive license
on the patent right to the participating party solely for the use of IMES Free Trial Kit. When
participating party and any other third party use IMES Free Trial Kit, participating party is
required to provide us with a list with the following information:
1.
Installed locations and number of units of IMES Transmitters according to the format
shown in APPENDIX A of the IMES FREE TRIAL KIT AGREEMENT.
2.
Responsible party’s name, address, telephone number, contact person and her or his
email address, who takes care of management of IMES Transmitters
In addition, participating party is required to obtain appropriate PRN Codes assigned by US
government for the use of IMES in the Country. GTI shall provide Participating Party with
references to obtain PRN Codes and change PRN Codes setting in the IMES transmitter,
IMES transmitter PCBA and/or IMES chip.
Currently Ten (10) sets of PRN codes L1 C/A PRN codes from 173 to 182 as listed in the
GPS IS document had been assigned by US government for the indoor positioning
application only in Japan.
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11 ECC Regulation for Indoor Position
11.1 ECC Regulation Summary
Pseudolite (Pseudo satellites, PL) are ground based radio transmitters that transmit an
“RNSS”-like navigation signal that can be received and processed by standard radio
navigation receivers compatible to the signals published in the Signal-in¬Space Interface
Control Documents (SIS-ICD [1]) of the GPS and Galileo systems. They are intended to
complement systems in the Radio Navigation Satellite Service (RNSS) by transmitting on the
same frequencies in the bands 1164-1215 MHz, 1215-1300 MHz, and 1559-1610 MHz.
Since other radio services could also be affected by an uncontrolled use of PL, CEPT
conducted sharing studies between PL and other systems on the frequency bands. The
purpose of this Report is to describe guidelines for a regulatory framework under which PL
could be operated in CEPT countries. The focus of the report is on PL implemented in indoor
environments. CEPT acknowledges that there is planned usage of PL applications for
outside environments. A separate CEPT Report on those applications may be developed in
the future. Therefore, CEPT recommends in the meantime that outdoor use of PL should not
be authorized.
The main conclusions and recommendations are:
 It is recommended that; indoor GNSS PL should be authorized in the band
1559-1610 MHz;
 It is recommended that PL be operated through individual authorization in
particular so as to ensure that in areas where case by case studies are
necessary (i.e., airport areas), no PL should be installed before the completion
of those studies;
 Individual authorization should only authorize PL with dedicated codes. PL with
non-dedicated codes should only be authorized, if necessary, in case of
temporary experimentation and on a national basis. In terms of this report, PRN
codes associated with satellite transmissions are termed “Non-Dedicated PL
codes”. PRN codes that are specifically associated with pseudolite
transmissions are termed “Dedicated PL codes”；
 Knowledge of the location of GNSS pseudolite installations through licensing is
recommended. CEPT administrations should not allow the installation of GNSS
pseudolite in mobile vehicles;
 Any authorization or licenses for GNSS pseudolite installations could include
guidance for reduction and reasonable checking of the potential to cause
interference;
Military or other government authorities as well as meteorological services may require
specific site limitations.
11.2 ECC Document References
http://www.erodocdb.dk/docs/doc98/official/pdf/ECCRep168.pdf
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11.3 List of EU Countries that Approved ECC Regulation
Andorra, Austria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland, and UK
11.4 Map of European Countries’ Status on ECC Regulation Guideline
Figure 32 shows regional map of Europe with counties that agreed (blue), disagreed (green)
or under consideration (pink) on the regulation based on ECC Regulation Guideline
Iceland
Finland
Sweden
Norway
Estoni
a
Latvia
Ireland
Denmark
De\
Lithuania
The
Netherlands
UK
Belgium
Poland
Germany
ルクセンブルク
Czech
France
Switzerla
nd
Austria
Slovenia
Portugal
Spain
Croatia
Hungary
Romania
Herzegovin
セルビア
a
Bulgaria
Italy
Albani
a
Greek
Figure 36: European Countries’ Status on Regulation
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11.5 ECC Locations
Figure 37 shows locations of regulators supporting ECC.
Figure 37: ECC Locations in Europe
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12 News and Press Releases
[1] http://www.gpsbusinessnews.com/Demonstration-of-Broadcom-GPS-Chipset-withIMES-Indoor-Loc-Beacon_a4119.html
[2] http://www.nikkeibp.co.jp/article/news/20130222/341197/?rt=nocnt
13 Additional Resources
The following additional resources are included in [Additional Resources] folder.
Title
Publish
Author
Development of global scale
2013.01 Hideyuki Torimoto,
Source
URL
GNSS
http://gnss.co.jp/wp-
application services. IMES: The
GNSS Technologies
Technologies,
content/uploads/2015/12/Torimoto_IM
invention originates from Japan
Inc., Japan
Inc. Resource
ES_InventionFromJapan.pdf
Library
IMES Nation-wide Health-Care
Network
2013.01 GNSS Technologies
Inc., Japan
GNSS
http://gnss.co.jp/wp-
Technologies,
content/uploads/2016/03/iMES_Medic
Inc. Resource
al.pdf
Library
IMES Total Solution Tools
2013.01 GGNSS
GNSS
http://gnss.co.jp/wp-
Technologies Inc.,
Technologies,
content/uploads/2016/03/iMES_Soluti
Japan
Inc. Resource
on.pdf
Library
Experiment Results of Seamless
2012.09 Dinesh Manandhar,
Navigation using IMES for
Hideyuki Torimoto,
Hospital Resource Management
GNSS Technologies
ION 2012 in
http://gnss.co.jp/wp-
Nashville
content/uploads/2015/11/Manandhar_
Session_F2_ION2012.pdf
Inc., Japan,
Masakazu Aihara,
Jichi Medical
University
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Title
Publish
Author
Development of IMES
2011.09 Dinesh Manandhar,
Installation, Setup and
Hideyuki Torimoto,
Management System
GNSS Technologies
Source
URL
ION 2011 in
http://gnss.co.jp/wp-
Portland
content/uploads/2016/03/p73_Session
_F2_Manandhar.pdf
Inc., Japan
Development of IMES Chip
2011.09 Dinesh Manandhar,
Hideyuki Torimoto,
ION 2011 in
http://gnss.co.jp/wp-
Portland
content/uploads/2015/03/p72_Session
GNSS Technologies
_F6_Manandhar.pdf
Inc., Japan
Development of IMES Chip
(Presentation)
2011.09 Dinesh Manandhar,
Hideyuki Torimoto,
ION 2011 in
http://gnss.co.jp/wp-
Portland
content/uploads/2016/03/IMES_Chip_
GNSS Technologies
Final.pdf
Inc., Japan
IMES Introduction (Presentation)
2011.09 Dinesh Manandhar,
Hideyuki Torimoto,
ION 2011 in
http://gnss.co.jp/wp-
Portland
content/uploads/2016/03/IMES_Intro_
GNSS Technologies
2011.pdf
Inc., Japan
IMES Total Solution (Poster)
2011.09 Dinesh Manandhar,
Hideyuki Torimoto,
ION 2011 in
http://gnss.co.jp/wp-
Portland
content/uploads/2016/03/IMES-Total-
GNSS Technologies
Solution.pdf
Inc., Japan
IMES Newspaper Advertisement
2011.09 GNSS Technologies
Inc., Japan
ION 2011 in
http://gnss.co.jp/wp-
Portland
content/uploads/2016/03/IMES_Chip.p
df
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Title
Publish
Author
IMES Consortium (Posters)
2011.06 IMES Consortium
Source
URL
IMES Consortium
http://gnss.co.jp/wpcontent/uploads/2016/03/IMESConsortium-Posters.pdf
Opening Up Indoors, Japan’s
Indoor Messaging System: IMES
2011.05 Dinesh Manandhar,
Hideyuki Torimoto,
GNSS Technologies
GPS World May,
http://gnss.co.jp/wp-
2011 Issue
content/uploads/2015/11/IMES_GPS_
World_Paper.pdf
Inc., Japan
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14 References
[1] Quasi-Zenith Satellite System Navigation Service: Interface Specification for QZSS (ISQZSS), Tokyo, Japan, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Version 1.5, March
27, 2013. http://qz-vision.jaxa.jp/USE/is-qzss/DOCS/IS-QZSS_15_E.pdf
[2] D. Manandhar, H. Torimoto, “Opening Up Indoors: Japan’s Indoor Messaging System:
IMES,” GPS World, Vol. 22, No. 5, May 2011, pp. 38-46.
http://editiondigital.net/publication/index.php?p=38andpp=1andver=htmlandi=124656and
zoom=0
[3] Manandhar, D., H. Torimoto, Opening Up Indoors: Japan’s Indoor Messaging System:
IMES, GPS World, May 2011 Issue,
http://www.gpsworld.com/wireless/indoorpositioning/opening-up-indoors-11603
[4] C/A code assignment table web site
http://www.losangeles.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=8618
[5] Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, QZSS IS http://qzss.jaxa.jp/is-qzss/index_e.html
[6] GPS ICD 200D is now IS-GPS-200E,
http://www.losangeles.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-100813-045.pdf
[7] and the Galileo ICD is http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/satnav/galileo/files/galileoos-sis-icd-issue1-revision1_en.pdf
[8] ECC Report 128: “Technical and operational provisions required for the use of GNSS
pseudolite”
[9] ECC Report 145: “Regulatory Framework for Global Navigation satellite system (GNSS)
repeaters”
[10]
ETSI TS 136 171 V9.1.0 (2010-07): “Requirements for Support of Assisted Global
Navigation Satellite System (A-GNSS) (3GPP TS 36.171 version 9.1.0 Release 9)
©2016 All Rights Reserved. GNSS Technologies Inc., Japan
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Contact Information
Naoko Yoshida
E-mail: yoshida@gnss.co.jp
GNSS Technologies Inc.
4th Floor Matsuki Bldg.
6-12-5 Shinjuku, Shinjku-ku
Tokyo 160-0022
Tel: +81-3-5312-4600
Fax: +81-3-5312-4605
Web: http://gnss.co.jp
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