Ramakrishna Electro Component Pvt Ltd Group (REC), an India-based semiconductor distribution company, on Friday launched a Vehicle Tracking System (VTS), the first of its kind module that will primarily use an Indian satellite for navigation.
The company’s UTRAQ brand which is manufactured by Shanghai Mobiletek is an endeavour to provide an alternative to the Indian customers from the currently used GPS application that is working on US Satellites.
“It will be changing the way of conventional tracking that is done in the past. Major change we are anticipating is that the VTS industry will be changing their designs as in the coming year it will be mandatory from the government to use Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) device,” Shivang Luthra, Managing Director, REC said at a press conference.
Two UTRAQ models L100 and L110 were launched and according to the company officials, they are planning to start mass production of the products soon in India under ‘Make In India’ programme.
“The cheapest available module costs $14 a unit. Our module without antenna will cost in single digit and one with antennas at a conservative estimate will cost in double digits but less than imported modules,” Luthra said.
Things you must know
IRNSS will provide two types of navigation services: A standard positioning services available to all users and encrypted, restricted services (RS) provided only to authorised user.
NavlC sustem is said to have its origin in Kargil War of 1991 when the US government rejected Indian Army’s request for GPS data for the region. The kargil experience is said to have made the nation realise the importance of Desi GPS system.
Can be used for military and marine services.
It is compatible with Russia’s GLONASS system.
UTRAQ supports NMEA message protocol for IRNSS to communicate the location and timing information to the world.
It will come to end users in the form of GPS tracking devices in cars, watches and more and will help travellers and hikers get more accurate and detailed location of feed.
