Leica Geosystems has introduced a new high-performance marine GPS/DGPS receiver designed to provide optimum accuracy and reliability for demanding shipboard applications. New MX 421, powered by IBM’s silicon germanium integrated circuit technology, is the first new commercial GPS/DGPS product to emerge from a two-year research and development program by Leica and IBM.

The MX 421 consists of the IBM 12-channel GPS receiver and an optional dual-channel DGPS beacon receiver, sealed in a waterproof "smart antenna" unit. The low-profile MX 421 radome can be flush mounted or on a threaded stainless-steel pole. The MX 421 provides position, time and velocity outputs once every second to other shipboard navigation systems, using the industry-standard NMEA 0183 format. When linked with other Leica systems, it provides code and carrier measurements in Leica’s proprietary binary LB2 language for optimum accuracy. The unit can optionally output data five times per second for high-speed applications.

"Field trials have shown that the MX 421 consistently achieves accuracy levels of under three meters in a stand-alone mode, and 0.8 meters when using differential error corrections," said Gunnar Mangs, Leica’s business manager for marine GPS. The MX 421’s optional dual-channel DGPS beacon receiver is designed to meet all requirements for commercial marine applications. The unique H-field beacon antenna ensures best signal reception under difficult conditions.