“Michibiki” ― a Japan’s unique satellite positioning system
Quasi-zenith satellites are satellites in a quasi-zenith orbit, and of which the Japanese satellite positioning systems mainly consist. These satellite technologies are applied to car navigations systems.
Satellite positioning systems mostly rely on the American GPS technologies. However, should these systems fail there would be serious impacts on the economy. Thus, Japan had to launch its own positioning satellites so that satellite positioning could continue in such a scenario. The first of these was launched in FY 2010, while the last is slated for launch in 2018 which will bring the total to 4 devices.
A model illustrating the concept of quasi-zenith orbit satellites
The booth introducing “Michibiki” with a title “The challenge to the skies”
Mr. Yasuhiro Takeda, project general manager of the company’s Corporate Planning Office PR/IR Group Public Relations Group, commented saying “we intend to thoroughly explain our technologies to exhibition visitors, and keep coming back to getting visitors understanding, which is why we have rethought our exhibition style and the resources we should invest in it. To that end, it seems that show visitors and our explanation staff are exchanging conversations enthusiastically.”
More accurate car navigation ― accurate to 10 cm
Quasi-zenith satellites can be used to strengthen satellite positioning and position reinforcement services, and raise accuracy compared to conventional car navigation.
Currently, GPS is said to be accurate to 10m, although by 2018, this will be reduced to 10 cm with low-noise receivers, more satellites, and solutions to the problem of ionospheric delay, the main cause of inaccuracies.
Users can display their location on a smartphone or a tablet via Bluetooth from the QZ1 receiver.
This system enables a range of services, including messaging about disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis, terrorism information or evacuation advisories sent via the quasi-zenith satellite, and services that enable users to send information about the state of their own safety to the satellite to send emails to close relatives etc. via a control station.
QZ1 Specifications
- Booth No.
- 3L123
- Related links
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Exhibit Information
NEC Corporation : http://jpn.nec.com
