On the right track: GNSS/INS technology
TREALIS is a specialist in track geometry measurement and rail defect detection. They rely on our Apogee Navsight INS + GNSS technology to deliver centimeter-level localization accuracy, producing inspection data transmitted directly to the French national rail network operator.
They praised this solution for three key aspects: the evident quality and robustness of the hardware, excellent and reactive customer support, and a competitive price point that reflects outstanding value for precision-grade instrumentation.
“For the moment, we have total satisfaction about our GNSS solution installed. We also appreciate the reliability of SBG products.” | TREALIS Engineering Team.
Getting to know TREALIS
TREALIS, formerly known as Eurailscout France, is a company specialized in track geometry measurement and rail defect detection. The company operates its own dedicated inspection trains across France, onboard which the full measurement and detection workflow takes place.
The resulting inspection data is then transmitted to SNCF Réseau — the national French railway company and owner of the entire French rail network — as the final deliverable.
Ensuring the integrity of that data starts with knowing exactly where every detected anomaly is located.
A 10 cm challenge aboard an inspection train
For effective measurement and defect detection, TREALIS’s onboard inspection systems require highly precise location data.
Ultrasonic (US) defects demand localization accuracy down to 10 cm, a constraint that rules out standard consumer-grade GNSS receivers and pushes the requirement toward professional, high-integrity positioning solutions.
TREALIS currently operates Apogee Navsight units from SBG Systems fitted aboard their inspection trains.
The integration challenge was threefold: the Apogee Navsight units needed to work in concert with an odometry system and TREALIS’s proprietary LocNG positioning system, with all three required to match and remain as accurate as possible at all times.
Why SBG Systems?
The search for a GNSS/INS solution meeting these performance requirements led TREALIS to look for manufacturers with proven track records in demanding, mission-critical environments.
It was precisely this criterion, experience working with highly demanding organizations, including the military, that brought SBG Systems to TREALIS’s attention.
The combination of defence-grade reliability and commercial availability made the Apogee Navsight a natural fit for an onboard rail inspection environment.
The Apogee Navsight in action
TREALIS integrates the SBG Systems Apogee Navsight as the core GNSS/INS positioning layer aboard its inspection trains, fusing its output with odometry and the LocNG system to produce the most accurate possible position reference for every measurement and defect detection event.
In their most recent collaboration, the US15 GNSS deployment for a Nordco ultrasound carriage, TREALIS has already noticed a relevant improvement in the accuracy of defect detection, even as the new carriage is still undergoing testing.
The three positioning systems must consistently agree, and the Apogee Navsight has proven reliable enough to serve as the backbone of this multi-sensor fusion architecture.
Integration & support: a 5 star experience
From the very first technical exchanges, TREALIS found the engagement with SBG Systems to be characterized by good technical dialogue and strong client relations. During the integration phase aboard the inspection trains, every support request was handled with fast response times and technically relevant answers, earning a perfect 5 star support rating from TREALIS.
When specific questions arose during deployment, SBG’s team consistently provided quick and accurate assistance — a level of responsiveness that TREALIS highlights as one of the defining qualities of the partnership.
Measurable benefits & outlook
As TREALIS continues to expand its inspection capabilities with the new Nordco ultrasound carriage, the Apogee Navsight remains at the heart of its onboard positioning architecture, a foundation built for the precision that rail safety demands.
In a nutshell, they highlighted three standout reasons they trust us:
- Product quality — Consistent, high-integrity GNSS/INS hardware that meets the stringent demands of professional rail inspection
- Customer service — Reactive, knowledgeable support available whenever needed
- Value for money — A competitive price point that is especially compelling given the performance level delivered
The partnership with SBG Systems proves that centimeter-level GNSS/INS accuracy is not just a technical specification, but a direct contributor to safer railways for millions of passengers across France.
For inspection companies where every centimeter counts, choosing the right positioning technology is not an option, but a responsibility.
Apogee-Navsight
The Apogee Navsight is a high-performance GNSS/INS (Global Navigation Satellite System / Inertial Navigation System) solution designed for applications demanding centimeter-level positioning accuracy in challenging, real-world operating conditions.
Built on defence-grade technology, it delivers the robustness and reliability required by mission-critical platforms such as rail inspection vehicles, survey systems, and industrial mapping applications.
Key features include tightly coupled GNSS/INS fusion for continuous and accurate positioning, exceptional resistance to GNSS outages through inertial coasting, and seamless integration with third-party systems such as odometry and proprietary positioning software.”
