Thales Navigation Provides MicroZ GPS Receivers for Polish Reference Station Network.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 22, 2002

Thales (tal-less) Navigation, a leading global provider of GPS solutions including the Magellan(R) and Ashtech(R) product lines, announced today that it is providing Ashtech MicroZ(TM) CGRS reference stations to Poland for a pilot GPS CORS (continuously operating reference station) network in the Polish province of Silesia. MicroZ CGRS is one of the most powerful permanent GPS reference station available, designed for continuous use and effective collection of high quality data.

The Polish CORS network will provide critical GPS data for geodetic applications to regional users such as geodesists and civil engineers. The reference stations are being developed, installed and managed by INS, a GPS surveying firm based in Krakow, Poland. INS is initially installing six MicroZ CGRS receivers, which it will manage through Ashtech Geodetic Base Station Software (GBSS) and Ashtech Micro-Manager software.

The reference stations will be installed inside local municipal government buildings located in small towns throughout Silesia, placed approximately 80 km apart. The CORS Master Control Center will communicate with the reference stations using TCP/IP protocol, and the data will be processed and distributed to users via the Internet in HTTP, FTP and e-mail formats.

"The MicroZ CGRS was selected for the Polish CORS network because of its ability to communicate via the Internet and provide data in FTP or HTTP file formats, enabling us to efficiently collect and distribute GPS data," said Tadeusz Poplawski, a GPS consultant to INS. "The MicroZ CGRS was also chosen because of its many unique capabilities, including advanced Z-tracking technology for uninterrupted operation; logging GPS data to a co-located PC hard drive; and distributing differential corrections."

"GBSS and Micro-Manager software are a powerful set of tools that make deploying and managing the reference stations simple and effective," Poplawski added.

Micro-Manager software is designed to support the Ashtech MicroZ CGRS reference station, enabling users to inspect receiver health and status; configure receiver parameters; download data files; and upload firmware to the MicroZ. GBSS provides additional features to help users use and share GPS data, including post download commands for the manipulation of data.

"The Ashtech MicroZ CGRS reference station provides a potent combination for any CORS network -- ease of use coupled with one of the most powerful GPS data collection and distribution capabilities available," said Neil Vancans, Thales Navigation's General Manager for the Professional Products Strategic Business Unit. "The MicroZ CGRS's flexible operation, low-maintenance design, and comprehensive management software make it easy for governments and organizations of any size to operate a cost-effective and highly accurate GPS network."

About Thales Navigation

Thales Navigation is one of the world's leading developers and manufacturers of positioning, navigation, and guidance equipment with operations throughout the U.S. and Europe. Thales Navigation markets its Magellan brand GPS solutions in the consumer electronics, recreation, and automotive markets, and its Ashtech GPS and GNSS professional products in the survey, GIS/Mapping, and OEM markets. Through its joint venture with Hertz, Thales Navigation has developed the Hertz NeverLost(R) vehicle navigation system. Thales Navigation's key innovations include the first U.S. commercial hand-held GPS receiver for positioning and navigation, and the first handheld GPS with industry standard Secure Digital Memory Card capabilities.

Thales Navigation, headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., is a subsidiary of Thales, a leading professional electronics company headquartered in Paris, France, with activities in aerospace, defense and information technology and services. For more information, visit www.thalesnavigation.com.

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Note to Editors: Magellan and Ashtech are registered trademarks of Thales Navigation. MicroZ is a trademark of Thales Navigation.