Microsoft's Windows CE operating system and InHand's low-power hardware/software reference platform technology have been licensed by Raytheon's Precision Guidance Systems (PGS) Division for use in a new handheld GPS receiver being developed for the US Army, according to an announcement this week from InHand Electronics (Rockville, MD). The Army's "Defense Advanced GPS Receiver" (DAGR) is the replacement for PLGR ("Precision Lightweight GPS Receiver"), and is expected to become the positioning device of choice for next-generation US and allied soldiers, the company said.

An enlarged photo of the Raytheon DAGR is available here.

"In addition to incorporating Raytheon's advanced anti-jamming technology, Raytheon's DAGR adds Intel's StrongARM/XScale microprocessor and Microsoft's Windows CE operating system, thus offering advanced computing capabilities on top of basic navigation functions," commented Mike Fleenor, director of business development for Raytheon's PGS Division. "InHand's low-power technology helped us meet our aggressive performance and battery life goals," Fleenor added.

What's a DAGR?

From the U.S. Army's description . . .

The Defense Advanced Global Positioning System (GPS) Receiver (DAGR) program will provide authorized DoD, Federal Civilian and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) users of GPS User Equipment (UE) a lightweight (less than 2 pounds), hand-held, dual frequency (L1/L2), Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) based, Precise Positioning Service (PPS) receiver. The DAGR will have a ten-year service life. The DAGR will be an easy to use, highly reliable, multiple-use device that can accommodate, with minimal training, a wide range of user skill levels. The DAGR will replace the Precision Lightweight GPS Receiver (PLGR) and be interoperable with PLGR integrated platforms (adapters permissible). Fielding is anticipated to begin in 4QFY04 at a target unit price of $2,000 or less (including a five-year warranty). Similar to the PLGR, the DAGR will be maintained by the developer with field service limited to battery change out and self-test.

DAGR provides real-time position, velocity, navigation, and timing (PVNT) information in a standalone receiver configuration. The DAGR program will take advantage of the availability of a broad industry product line of hand-held GPS receivers and the results of GPS program sponsored Program Research & Development Announcement (PRDA) contracts for advanced security devices. The program maximizes flexibility in ordering of products to accommodate a broad customer base with diverse funding and ordering requirements. This will allow DoD, Federal Civilian agencies (approximately 10) and Allied countries (approximately 31) to order and receive identical products at DoD quantity pricing with value added functionality and performance characteristics.

The primary operational mission of the DAGR is to provide Precise Positioning Service support to missions that involve land-based war fighting operations and operations other than war. These include ground personnel, indirect fire weapon systems, and armored vehicles. The DAGR can also be used as a secondary or supplemental aid to aviation-based missions, which involve operations in low-dynamic aircraft, such as helicopters, and as an aid to navigation in water-borne operations, such as for combat swimmers, submarines, and watercraft.

• XScale-based reference platform extends power management
  
• Maximizing battery life in next-gen handhelds