SOMAG AG Jena has unveiled its latest innovation in gyro stabilization technology at Intergeo 2024 with the launch of the GSM 5000. As the successor to the widely used GSM 4000, the new model brings significant advancements in precision and stability for airborne data acquisition, addressing the growing demands in fields such as terrain mapping, disaster management, agriculture, forestry, and urban planning.
The GSM 5000 builds on the foundation of its predecessor, improving performance in challenging flight conditions by offering a broader range of motion and enhanced capabilities to counteract aircraft movements and vibrations. One of its key improvements is an expanded stabilization range, providing increased pitch, roll, and yaw control, which results in more stable and accurate data collection.
Complex missions
A notable addition is the 355° absolute drift movement, which allows nearly full rotation along the drift axis. This improvement supports a variety of operational modes, including Step and Stare, Scan, and Pointing Mode, offering flexibility for different data collection tasks. The mount also features a larger internal diameter, allowing it to accommodate more advanced and larger sensor systems, which is crucial for complex missions requiring detailed airborne data.
Communication and connectivity have also been improved. The GSM 5000 introduces Ethernet and RS232-COMBI interfaces, simplifying the connection process and improving data transmission speeds. It also supports SD-card logging for straightforward data recording and transfer, as well as error logging to assist with diagnostics and troubleshooting. The mount’s design has been refined to include an optimized pivot point at the base plate, reducing sensor displacement during rotation and minimizing the risk of collisions. Automated hydraulic working height adjustments, managed through software, remove the need for manual adjustments, enhancing ease of use.
Other design enhancements include the removal of motor cover caps and vertical cable routing, which had previously limited the range of sensor movement. These adjustments ensure maximum flexibility during operations.
Work integration
SOMAG has also ensured backward compatibility with the GSM 4000’s power and interface cables, allowing existing users to transition to the new model without significant changes to their setup. This focus on compatibility ensures that the GSM 5000 can be seamlessly integrated into current workflows, providing users with the benefits of the latest advancements without requiring a complete overhaul of their existing equipment.
With these technical improvements, the GSM 5000 is set to play a key role in supporting a range of critical airborne missions, providing enhanced stability and precision where it is most needed.
Sebastian Schreiber, CTO of SOMAG AG Jena, expressed the company’s pride in showcasing the GSM 5000 live at Intergeo 2024, underscoring the importance of this milestone for their continued innovation in gyro stabilization technology. “This launch underscores our commitment to innovation and our dedication to helping  our customers achieve high-quality data in a sustainable and economical way with our stabilization devices and technologies. The GSM 5000 not only builds on the robust legacy of the GSM 4000, but also introduces a whole range of new features and improvements that set a new industry standard.”
