Frequently Asked Questions

Find an answer on most common asked questions. In case you still do not find the required answer to your question, the Septentrio Support Team will help you further. Submit a request for support.

Septentrio Products Questions

1. What does SSN mean?
2. Where does ‘Septentrio’ stand for?
3. Where can I buy SSN products?
4. What should i do if I have a technical question?
5. How can I become a distributor?
6. Who uses Septentrio receivers?
7. Can I integrate my own application with SSN products?
8. Why should I choose SSN products?
9. Do SSN receivers work in space?
10. Does SSN offer Post-processing tools?
11. What is SBF data?
12. Can I lease a receiver?
13. How can I Post-process SBF data?
14. Am I entitled to support?
15. Who are SSN Partners?
16. Are certifiable receivers available from SSN?
17. What signals can I track with SSN receivers?
18. Can I have demo data?
19. What is the PolaRx?
20. What is the PolaRx2?
21. What is RxControl?
22. What is RxMobile?
23. Do Septentrio receivers provide multi-path mitigation?
24. Does Septentrio provide GNSS/INS solutions?
25. What is a permission file?
26. How are SSN receivers compatible with other GPS receivers?
27. Where can I get more documentation about SSN products?
28. Where can I find accessories for the SSN products?

GPS Questions

1. What is GNSS?
2. What is GPS?
3. What is SBAS?
4. What is RTK?
5. What is CMR?
6. What is DGPS?
7. What is NMEA data?
8. Does SSN develop attitude receivers?
9. Which coordinate systems are used in SSN receivers?

Galileo Questions

1. What is Galileo?
2. What role does SSN have in the Galileo project?
3. Can I buy a Galileo receiver from SSN?

Septentrio Products Questions

• What does SSN mean?
SSN stands for Septentrio Satellite Navigation.

• Where does ‘Septentrio’ stand for?
Septentrio is the Latin word for North as used on historic maps. Originally it was the name for the wind blowing from the North, the direction of the seven stars in the Big Dipper, the constellation which points to Polaris or the Northern Star, and thus by extension a navigation term to indicate the direction North. Hence also the compass integrated in the logo of Septentrio.

• Where can I buy SSN products?
If you want to purchase a SSN product, please contact sales@septentrio.com.

• What should I do if I have a technical question?
In case you need support on a technical question, please use the support request form on the Support section of the website.

• How can I become a distributor?
In case you want to become a reseller/distributor, please contact sales@septentrio.com.

• Who uses Septentrio receivers?
Septentrio receivers are used in a variety of industrial and professional positioning, timing and navigation applications requiring high precision or integrity. Septentrio provides both OEM receivers for integration in customer products, and fully packaged receivers, which can be used as a self-sufficient GNSS receiver. Our users include system integrators in navigation, survey, timing, machine control, and science as well as end-users in the survey, photogrammetry, earth research, GNSS research, GNSS reference networks and continuously operating reference stations, precise timing, and many others.

• Can I integrate my own application with SSN products?
Septentrio products are available as OEM cards for direct integration in user products. Communication with and control of our receivers is easy using a fully documented, extensive and intuitive ASCII command set and binary output format (SBF, Septentrio Binary Format). Septentrio receivers also output industry standard NMEA and RTCM data formats.
To facilitate the work of system integrators, Septentrio provides a very intuitive user interface (RxControl) , and a set of tools and source codes for decoding SBF. Our support group also provides extensive support to users and system integrators working with Septentrio receivers.

• Why should I choose SSN products?
Septentrio receivers excel in their high quality, low noise data, and high sensitivity and very stable tracking performance. State of the art tracking and positioning algorithms, including the LAMBDA RTK technique, on-board attitude calculations and a flexible and robust Kalman filter design, and an innovative and patent pending multi-path mitigation technique APME (A Posteriori Multi-path Estimator), work together to get the maximum of performance out of your PolaRx receiver.
The PolaRx2 platform of receivers is a versatile family of receivers. PolaRx2 receivers provide a rigorous implementation of the DO-229 standard for SBAS (Satellite Based Augmentation Systems, such as WAAS, EGNOS and MSAS). A single-board multi-antenna variant offers affordable heading and attitude capabilities. A special timing receiver offers the unique 1-PPS in synchronization feature used by most timing laboratories in the world for precise time and frequency transfer. A host of other special features, a precisely documented control language and output format and an intuitive graphical user interface further facilitates the use of Septentrio receivers in all kinds of user applications.
This performance and versatility is coupled with a responsive support team, working closely with our customers to ensure that our receivers bring maximal benefits to our users in their applications.
Finally, Septentrio receivers offer this world-class performance at competitive costs to the user, making them a receiver of choice for all kinds of user applications requiring high performance and quality at the most economical conditions.

• Do SSN receivers work in space?
Septentrio receivers have not been designed taking in-orbit applications into account. However, research with Septentrio COTS (Commercial Of The Shelf) receivers has shown that they are nevertheless sufficiently robust to be used in certain space missions. Septentrio is currently participating in a number of research and development projects to further validate the use of our receivers for certain space missions, and optimize their performance for such environments.

• Does SSN offer Post-processing tools?
The Septentrio binary format is supported by several software companies, which offer post-processing packages for surveying, mapping, hydrography and other applications. Please check out the ‘Post-processing’ page on the website.

• What is SBF data?
SBF stands for the Septentrio Binary Format and is a data format used by Septentrio receivers. It arranges the data in so-called SBF blocks, identified by block Ids. The benefit of SBF is compactness: large quantity of information with a high level of detail can be transmitted over a low-bandwidth serial connection. This format should be your first choice if you wish to receive detailed information from the PolaRx.

Can I lease a receiver?
Septentrio receivers can be purchased via Septentrio or any of our partners. Septentrio does not lease or rent receivers directly, but some of our partners may. Please contact them directly for more information.

• How can I Post-process SBF data?
Septentrio Binary Format data (SBF) can be post-processed by a variety of commercial packages. See also the Post-processing section of our website. Also our standard software package includes a number of conversion tools to facilitate transfer of data to a variety of data formats. Source code examples are provided to enable the user to adapt these tools to his special needs.

• Am I entitled to support?
Telephone and email support, as well as software updates, are standard included in the purchase of Septentrio receivers. See also the Support section of our website.

• Who are SSN Partners?
Septentrio works with various distributors and system integrators in different countries. Septentrio welcomes enquiries from companies interested in distributing or integrating Septentrio receivers. Please contact sales for more information.

• Are certifiable receivers available from SSN?
Standard Septentrio PolaRx receivers are not yet DO-178B certified. However, Septentrio is working on a certifiable version of its receivers. Contact sales for more information.

• What signals can I track with SSN receivers?
Septentrio PolaRx2 receivers are civil GNSS receivers capable of tracking GPS L1 CA, L1 and L2 P(Y) and L1 SBAS (EGNOS, WAAS, MSAS) signals. Septentrio also offers an extension platform to PolaRx2 capable of tracking civil L2 GPS signals (L2C). Moreover, Septentrio has developed a GPS L5 and Galileo platform, capable of tracking Galileo L1, E5a, E5b, E5 AltBOC, E6 and GPS L5 signals. Please contact sales for more information.

• Can I have demo data?
Septentrio can provide sample data on request. Please contact sales for more information.

• What is the PolaRx?
PolaRx is a family of GPS/SBAS receivers built on Septentrio's advanced dual-frequency GNSS RF and Baseband chipset. The family consists of various products for different applications. Please refer to the Products section on our website.
The name PolaRx originates from a combination of the Latin word ‘Polaris’ (Pola) and receiver (Rx). Polaris is the Latin word for the North or Pole Star, used for navigation.

• What is the PolaRx2?
The PolaRx2 is a versatile 48-channel dual-frequency GNSS receiver for precise positioning and timing applications. The receiver supports reception of the L1 and L2 signals from up to 16 GPS satellites. The PolaRx2 can be ordered as a standard Euro-card-size board or enclosed in a rugged housing. When ordered in enclosure, the receiver comes with 220V power adapter, null modem cable and GP-Bus cable. An optional extension board for PC cards can be used for Compact Flash Disk memory expansion or for Ethernet access.

• What is RxControl?
RxControl is an intuitive, Java-based graphical user interface to configure all types of the PolaRx2 receivers. With RxControl you can monitor the activity of the receiver and log/post data both on site and remotely. It includes advanced features such as visualization of the SBAS ionospheric model and integrity information. RxControl is delivered with every purchased receiver.
Results can be output via both industry-standard NMEA-0183 messages and a compact binary format. A complete detailed manual always accompanies receiver deliveries.

• What is RxMobile?
RxMobile is an intuitive, portable GUI field controller for the PolaRx2 receiver from Septentrio. It allows controlling the receiver, monitor the navigation solution and access its functions in the field with the same intuitive look and feel as RxControl. The RxMobile software is sold on either an HP iPAQ platform or a rugged waterproof Recon platform.

• Do Septentrio receivers provide multi-path mitigation?
Septentrio receivers incorporate the patent pending code multi-path mitigation technique called APME (A Posteriori Multi-path Estimator). APME focuses primarily on short-delay multi-path, which is the most common multi-path type in practical circumstances. This is an important difference with other state-of-the-art multi-path mitigation techniques such as strobe correlator, which primarily suppress medium and long-delay multi-path. The result of the specific focus on short-delay multi-path is an improvement of up to 50% in multi-path reduction in practical circumstances. Moreover, APME is a bias-free multi-path mitigation technique, contrary to most other techniques, which introduce a satellite-dependent error in the code pseudo-range, which can cause extra measurement errors, notably in network applications.

• Does Septentrio provide GNSS/INS solutions?
Septentrio is investigating and developing the integration of the PolaRx with Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) that contain gyroscopes and accelerometers. The aim of the integrated system is to increase the availability of position and velocity information during periods of GPS outage (ex. In tunnels), to increase integrity of the position solution by filtering outliers, and to increase the resolution (50Hz). Please contact sales for more information.

• What is a permission file?
A permission file is a special file that enables the optional features of a Septentrio receiver.
As explained in chapter 2 of the manual, some PolaRx2 features are optional: DGPS and RTK mode, event tracking, multi-antenna mode, etc. A permission file enables the optional features on a particular receiver, known by its serial number. Usually, one permission file is written for all the receivers of a customer. The GetPermittedOptions command lists the options permitted on a particular receiver.
The permission file does not depend on a particular PolaRx2 firmware version. It is written in the PolaRx permanent memory as a SUF (Septentrio Upgrade Format) file, following the Upgrade procedure described in chapter 10 "Upgrading the receiver" of the RxControl manual. Please contact Septentrio's sales department if you need new permissions.
Because all Septentrio's receivers are delivered with a permission file, PolaRx2 users usually don't have to change or rewrite permission files, except if they ask for additional permissions after the delivery of their receiver(s). In order to enable the PolaRx2 users to re-program their receivers as they were initially, all receivers are delivered with an accompanying Customer-Specific CD-ROM containing the PolaRxPermission.suf permission file, together with a ReadMe.txt that lists the receivers and describes the enabled options.

• How are SSN receivers compatible with other GPS receivers?
Septentrio receivers can interface with existing GPS receivers and applications via the standard formats RINEX, RTCM, CMR and NMEA. Septentrio OEM cards provide a standard interface back-plane connector, which is maximally compatible with other high-end GPS receivers.

• Where can I get more documentation about SSN products?
Please visit the ‘Products’ and ‘Applications’ section on the website or send an inquiry to info@septentrio.com.

• Where can I find accessories for the SSN products?
Please visit the ‘Accessory Product range’ section on our website.

GPS Questions

• What is GNSS?
GNSS, Global Navigation Satellite System, is a constellation of satellites, transmitting signals used for several types of navigation and positioning applications, anywhere on the surface of the earth. There are currently two Global Navigation Satellite System in operation: the U.S. Global Positioning System (GPS) and the Russian Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS). A third system is being developed in Europe, named GALILEO, to specifically provide higher standards of integrity and reliability, required to ensure the safety of lives during different types of transport, without the use of any additional augmentations systems. All three systems will be interoperable.

• What is GPS?
Global Positioning System (also NAVSTAR GPS) is a satellite navigation system owned by the Department of Defence of the United Sates of America and designed to provide instantaneous position, velocity and time information almost anywhere on the globe at any time, and in any weather. NAVSTAR GPS stands for the NAVigation Satellite Timing And Ranging Global Positioning System.

• What is SBAS?
A Space-Based Augmentation System is a regional augmentation system for GPS and/or GLONASS. An SBAS system is based on a networked ground segment and navigation payloads on-board of geostationary satellites whose main purpose is to provide higher position accuracies, better availability and continuity of service and integrity messages to the users of space based navigation systems. Currently existing SBASs are based on DO229 data exchange standard.

• What is RTK?
GPS Real-Time Kinematic is a high-precision surveying method. RTK is based on differential carrier-phase prunning with either float or integer phase ambiguities. RTK requires a real-time data link to transmit correction data from the base station to the rover.

• What is CMR?
The Compact Measurement Record format contains packet framing and message types for raw L1 and L2 carrier phase and pseudorange data, plus reference station location and desription messages.

• What is DGPS?
Differential GPS can be used when you have two receivers not too far from each other. The errors due to the satellite clock, the satellite orbit, the ionosphere, the troposphere and SA affect both receivers in the same way and with the same magnitude. If we know the exact location of one receiver, we could use that information to calculate errors in the measurement and then report these errors (or correction values) to the other receiver, so that it can compensate for them.

• What is NMEA data?
The National Marine Electronics Association has developed a standard to permit ready and satisfactory data communication between electronic marine instruments, navigation equipment and communications equipment when interconnected via an appropriate interface. The standard implemented by the PolaRx receiver is the NMEA 0183, version 2.30.

• Does SSN develop attitude receivers?
Septentrio's PolaRx2@ multi-antenna receiver is a single-board receiver that can be connected to up to 3 antennas: 1 dual-frequency antennas and 2 single-frequency antennas. The combination of measurements from the three antennas placed on a rigid vehicle allows the receiver to calculate besides position, velocity also the attitude of the vehicle. The attitude is expressed in Euler angles (heading, pitch, roll), which are the angles between the vehicle platform and the local-level navigation frame (ENU).

• Which coordinate systems are used in SSN receivers?
Septentrio receivers output data wit respect to the GPS standard WGS84 reference system.

Galileo Questions

• What is Galileo?
Galileo is the European GNSS system. It is scheduled to be fully operational in 2008. In its full constellation, Galileo will exist of 30 satellites, continuously transmitting high-frequency radio signals, containing time and distance data to be tracked by a Galileo receiver anywhere on the globe.

• What role does SSN have in the Galileo project?
Septentrio has developed and delivered to ESA the first receivers capable of tracking all Galileo signals. These receivers are used in the Galileo project to test the payload design for the 2 Galileo System Test Bed satellites to be launched end 2005, the first 2 satellites to transmit Galileo signals. Septentrio is also contracted by ESA to develop the Test User Receivers, Galileo receivers to test the different user applications during the development phase of the Galileo System.

• Can I buy a Galileo receiver from SSN?
Galileo receivers are available from Septentrio. Please contact sales for more information.