The Challenges of Accurate Positioning in the Gobi Desert
The Gobi Desert, one of the most inhospitable environments on Earth, presents unique challenges for accurate positioning. Its vast expanse, extreme temperatures, and lack of infrastructure make traditional positioning methods unreliable. Over 60% of China’s land area, including significant portions of the Gobi, lacks communication network coverage. This absence of reliable network infrastructure hampers the use of conventional GPS-based systems that depend on ground-based augmentation services. These conditions necessitate an innovative solution that can provide high-precision positioning without relying on existing communication networks.
How SpatiX Xstar Overcomes Harsh Environmental Conditions
SpatiX Xstar service leverages cutting-edge Precise Point Positioning (PPP) technology to deliver real-time, centimeter-level accuracy in the most challenging environments. By utilizing extensively distributed ground monitoring stations, SpatiX Xstar observes and calculates positioning error correction information related to satellites, the ionosphere, and the troposphere. This data is then broadcast to users via geosynchronous orbit communication satellites, ensuring high continuity, stability, and availability.
The dual delivery via L-band satellites and the internet bridges the gap where traditional solutions fall short. This approach enables SpatiX Xstar to provide high-precision positioning even in remote deserts, without the need for ground-based augmentation stations or reliable communication networks. The technology’s ability to achieve convergence to centimeter-level accuracy within minutes, and often in seconds, sets a new standard in the industry.
Applications of SpatiX Xstar in Environmental Conservation Projects
In July 2022, the SpatiX Xstar service was instrumental in carrying out measurement work in the Gansu Qilian Mountain National Nature Reserve. Covering 24,100 square kilometers of forest, grassland, and wetland, the reserve's vast uninhabited areas posed significant challenges for accurate positioning. With the help of the SpatiX RTK Receiver, staff obtained centimeter-level accurate coordinates within minutes, enabling effective survey operations. This data was crucial for the protection and restoration of the ecosystem, significantly improving operational efficiency compared to traditional GPS handheld devices.
Enhancing Infrastructure Development with SpatiX Xstar
The SpatiX Xstar service also plays a vital role in infrastructure projects across the Gobi Desert. A notable example is the construction of the Xinjiang Hotan-Ruoqiang Railway, the world’s first desert railway loop line. Stretching 825 kilometers, with three-quarters of its length passing through deserts and Gobi, this railway required precise positioning data for safe operation and maintenance. During the acceptance phase, builders used SpatiX Xstar to efficiently collect accurate location information of key equipment, such as the main railway line, station yards, and trackside equipment. The service’s ability to provide fast, real-time high-precision positioning significantly improved work efficiency and safety.
SpatiX Xstar’s technology is not limited to land; it extends to marine environments as well. For instance, in June 2022, the service was used for the installation of an offshore wind power station near Pingtan, Fujian. Equipped with SpatiX RTK Receivers, construction ships obtained real-time centimeter-level positioning, preventing them from “losing their way” during operations.
In conclusion, SpatiX Xstar’s innovative approach to high-precision positioning is transforming how environmental and infrastructure projects are executed in the Gobi Desert. By overcoming the limitations of traditional methods and providing reliable, real-time data, SpatiX Xstar ensures that even the most challenging terrains can be navigated with confidence and accuracy.
