Flepos 3.0的演变

A continuously operating reference station (CORS) provides GNSS data to support very accurate 3D positioning and additional geophysical applications. Flemish Positioning Services (FLEPOS) is the real-time global navigation satellite system (GNSS) CORS network for the Flanders region in northern Belgium. This article outlines the evolution of the next generation of the real-time network, FLEPOS 3.0.

Flepos是弗兰德斯公共行政组织信息的Informatie Vlaanderen的一部分。Flypos的第一个版本成立于2002年。由于Trimble Network Operations团队的支持，2002年至2018年间，通过版本2.0进入当前的Flepos 3.0 RTK实时网络（RTN）。

FLEPOS 1.0 and 2.0

从2002年的初始Flepos 1.0系统到2018年的Flepos 2.0结束，用户大幅增加及其对高质量数据的需求。还有广泛的技术改进。FLEPOS 1.0在2002年运营，配备拨号访问，专为50-500个用户设计。用户支持可在上午9点至下午5点提供。硬件是多方制造的。

The next generation, FLEPOS 2.0, built on FLEPOS 1.0 and was operational from 2010 to 2017. It was designed for 500-3,500 users and, while still using dial-up access, it supported GLONASS using multi-party receivers. From a maintenance perspective, it was designed to minimize on-site interventions and was equipped with seven servers, a web interface and a remote power switch. User support was still only available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., even though customers were increasingly active outside of those ‘office hours’.

Flepos 3.0服务

必须提供3.0的FLEPOS 3.0提供100％的佛兰德斯覆盖，其中包括两个用户区（陆地和水）。可靠的，不间断的覆盖范围至关重要的佛兰德斯的主要行业，包括在水中的调查，农业和建筑以及水文调查，疏浚和海上陆上用户在水中。FLEPOS 3.0还必须能够支持3,500名注册用户，包括同时拥有超过800用户的峰值。此外，FLEPOS需要一个可靠和一致的服务来外包信息技术操作任务。这导致转移到Trimble基于云的服务。转向卓越的云的服务是逃避逃避的优先事项，以避免重复过去的服务中断问题，导致所有服务器的强迫停机，几天的非服务以及多个员工加班时间。

现在不仅有更多的用户(包括a more than 5,000% increase in simultaneous users over the past ten years), but those users are also more diverse and applying data in innovative ways. As the scale of the data’s impact has broadened, the user tolerance for outages has drastically decreased because data use affects public safety more than ever before. For example, Flanders’ river pilots use RTK for guiding massive container ships into the Port of Antwerp’s locks.

FLEPOS 3.0 Technology

目前的版本FlePOS 3.0是在2018年在项目合作伙伴的15个月设计和构建过程之后提供的：Flypos，Trimble和Local Trimble经销商Allterra Belux。利益攸关方在设计过程中参与其中，这需要战略规划，深入研究，基于经验的建议以及所有项目合作伙伴之间的强有力的合作。该项目团队考虑了当地地理，土地所有权，气候，数据通信和供电资源。系统由六个服务器简化，包括两个RTN服务器，通过Internet协议（NTRIP）服务器，一个SQL Server和一个测试服务器，两个网络传输。网络具有永久归档接收器收集的数据的能力。

The size of the network was increased due to the need to support Galileo and BeiDou satellite systems, as well as to accommodate the increase in users and data applications. The network now has a total of 45 CORS consisting of 33 FLEPOS-installed GNSS reference receivers and 12 receivers from surrounding networks. Because of the Sparse GNSS app in the Trimble Pivot Platform, only a subset of the reference stations need to be equipped with Galileo and BeiDou for FLEPOS customers to obtain corrections that include all the constellations. This made it possible to reduce the amount of new hardware without compromising on data quality and allowed customers to upgrade their rovers over time. Approximately 50% of the CORS are now equipped with GPS/GLONASS receivers and 50% are GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/BeiDou receivers.

标准化

In FLEPOS 1.0 and 2.0, the network was a combination of different hardware and software brands, and this worked fine early on, before user demands and system complexities increased. However, as more GNSS constellations and signals were added, it became apparent that some features of hardware and software products only worked in a single-manufacturer product environment, meaning they could no longer be used by FLEPOS.

Furthermore, by the time FLEPOS 3.0 was designed, the existing GNSS hardware was eight years old, which for GNSS receivers can be considered outdated. FLEPOS therefore faced a very real risk of hardware failure, which meant decreased user productivity, an unhappy customer base and increased operational costs. As a result, in FLEPOS 3.0 all system software and nearly all hardware is now standardized using Trimble RTN solutions with Ethernet ports and a web interface. This standardization has helped to ensure high compatibility, enabling easy integration between the field and office for operator control of the network.

FLEPOS 3.0 Operational changes

Due to higher usage activity outside of office hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.), FLEPOS engaged a 24/7 Trimble Network Management support team to keep a constant eye on the performance of the FLEPOS service. That team provided expertise and support ranging from early planning and consultation to complete operational and maintenance responsibility for FLEPOS 3.0. In instances of service interruption, Trimble and AllTerra BeLux respond on behalf of FLEPOS to provide reliable and trusted support to users. Thanks to the backup support of Trimble Network Management, FLEPOS network operations staff can take time off without needing to be on call. The team members now work far fewer overtime hours and FLEPOS has improved its culture and its employees’ health by allowing them to achieve a better work/life balance.

In FLEPOS 3.0, downtime has been eliminated thanks to full migration to the cloud and the addition of backup servers. The risk of failure has been reduced by performing network configuration tests on a dedicated server and correcting issues before bringing changes into production, leading to higher overall service satisfaction. FLEPOS has also achieved maintenance update operational efficiencies, since these updates can be completed during standard business hours versus after-hours (i.e. overtime hours) once field users have left for the day. Overall, operating efficiencies have increased, operating costs have decreased, employees and customers are happier and FLEPOS is enjoying a steady return on investment.

Conclusion

区域性FLEPOS网络ca的结果reful planning, team collaboration, cultivating strong business relationships and simply knowing what was necessary to keep customers working well into the future. The network meets current and future needs for the organization and its users, yields a satisfied customer base and offers a better work/life balance for employees. FLEPOS 3.0 provides 100% coverage of Flanders 24/7 and all year round, while outsourcing the service to Trimble Network Operations and operational support to AllTerra BeLux. The system also eliminates the risk of downtime by providing dedicated servers for testing and system upgrades. Now, after a year of FLEPOS 3.0 operations, the team can reflect upon several advantages to the system upgrade, including increased operating efficiencies and decreased operating costs. The Trimble Network Management team and local dealer provide extremely valuable support in terms of their knowledge and expertise.

Further Reading

Trimble real-time networks

绒布区域范围的网络系统