Posting Final Brand Name Justification.pdf

V220T.12 (01/19)

Procurement Request No. V3452339

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY

VOLPE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS CENTER (VOLPE CENTER)

INSERT OFFICE OF THE TECHNICAL INITIATOR OF THE PR

BRAND NAME SAP JUSTIFICATION

A. Description of Supplies/Services.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Volpe National Transportation System Center (Volpe) is developing field test ranges to characterize the capabilities and limitations of various positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) technologies that could serve as Complementary PNT (CPNT) technologies to the Global Positioning System (GPS).

Volpe is therefore seeking the procurement of some specialized components made by Septentrio for the government’s mobile truth system to be used as part of testing for CPNT systems. The PolaRxTR has been selected for use by the U.S.

official timekeepers including the U.S. Naval Observatory (USNO) and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The Volpe Center is currently seeking to procure two Septrentrio PolaRx5TR and two Choke rings.

B. Market Research.

As the specialized components for the Defense Regional Clock (DRC) system require unique system configurations and strict testing and calibration protocols set by USNO. The feedback from USNO highlighted several critical points:

Compatibility: The USNO indicated that other items are currently not approved for integration with the DRC system. Other vendors have not undergone the certification and testing processes required to meet DRC’s strict standards.

Configuration Standards: The DRC operates under a defined configuration, with highly regulated controls in place to ensure all components meet exacting performance standards. Any change to this configuration, including the introduction of new hardware or adjustments to the existing setup, could compromise system integrity and operational reliability.

Testing and Calibration Requirements: The DRC’s test procedures, software, and calibration methods have been specifically tailored for components sourced from the authorized brand, Septentrio. Integrating a new product would necessitate comprehensive redesign and recalibration of these processes, representing a significant investment of time and resources.

C. Supporting Rationale.

(2) Brand Name: A specific brand that is available from multiple vendors.

The selection of a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver for a truth system in Complementary Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (CPNT) testing requires a device that delivers high accuracy, reliability, and multi-functionality in both positioning and timing domains. The Septentrio PolaRx5TR stands out as the only receiver capable of meeting these stringent requirements, making it the only choice for CPNT testing environment.

The PolaRx5TR is explicitly designed for ultra-precise time and frequency transfer applications. Its robust set of features ensures high-fidelity timing and positioning, which are critical for a reliable truth system in CPNT testing.

Timing Accuracy: The PolaRx5TR incorporates a PPS (Pulse Per Second) input delay calibration circuit that guarantees precision to within 20 picoseconds, eliminating inaccuracies introduced by internal delays.

Furthermore, its 1 PPS output maintains an accuracy of ±5 nanoseconds (ns) to Coordinate Universal Time (UTC), ensuring precise time synchronization.

Multi-Frequency, Multi-Constellation Support: With 544 hardware channels, the receiver simultaneously tracks all available signals from GPS (L1/L2/L5), GLONASS (L1/L2/L3), Galileo (E1/E5a/E5b), BeiDou (B1/B2), and NAVIC. This ensures continuous, high-integrity data collection, even in challenging environments.

Phase and Code Measurement Precision: The receiver boasts carrier phase measurement precision of <5 picoseconds and code measurement precision of <0.5 nanoseconds (ns), ensuring exceptional data fidelity for both positioning and timing applications.

Positioning Accuracy: The PolaRx5TR supports absolute positioning accuracy at a centimeter level, with real-time kinematic (RTK) capabilities providing horizontal positioning accuracy of 1 cm + 1 ppm and vertical accuracy of 2 cm + 1 ppm.

Velocity Accuracy: The receiver delivers velocity accuracy of 0.03 m/s, crucial for applications requiring precise movement tracking.

A key factor in selecting the PolaRx5TR is its sophisticated software suite, which provides powerful tools for monitoring and controlling the device remotely. The Web UI offers an intuitive interface for adjusting receiver settings, viewing real-time data, and managing logs, accessible via Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB, and serial ports. Additionally, advanced data logging capabilities with support for formats such as RINEX, BINEX, and Common GNSS Generic Time Transfer Standard (CGGTTS) V2E ensure compatibility with a variety of analytical workflows. These features streamline integration into existing systems and enhance operational efficiency.

The PolaRx5TR is recognized as the gold standard for GNSS time transfer and is widely adopted by premier scientific and defense institutions, including:

United States Naval Observatory (USNO)

Naval Research Laboratory (NRL)

National Geodetic Survey (NGS)

These institutions rely on PolaRx5TR for precise GNSS-based time transfer, demonstrating its unmatched reliability and accuracy.

At the Volpe Center, accurate timing truth is essential for CPNT technology testing. PolaRx5TR’s industry-leading precision in time transfer will provide an immediate, robust solution. Additionally, unlike many other GNSS timing receivers, the PolaRx5TR is fully capable of serving as a high-accuracy positioning truth source. This makes it uniquely suited for CPNT testing and other emerging applications in our PNT lab, offering flexibility beyond just timing verification.

Given the stringent requirements for both timing and positioning truth data, the PolaRx5TR is the only GNSS receiver available that meets our needs. Alternative receivers may provide high-precision timing but lack the necessary positioning accuracy. Conversely, some high-end positioning receivers do not meet the rigorous timing requirements needed for CPNT applications. The PolaRx5TR uniquely bridges this gap, ensuring uncompromised performance in both domains.

The Septentrio PolaRx5TR is the definitive and exclusive choice for our truth system in CPNT testing. Its high precision in both timing and positioning, advanced software suited for monitoring and control, widespread adoption by leading scientific institutions, and immediate applicability for Volpe’s CPNT testing make it the only receiver that meets all our requirements.

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