scholarly journals GNSS-R with Low-Cost Receivers for Retrieval of Antenna Height from Snow Surfaces Using Single-Frequency Observations

Sensors ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (24) ◽  
pp. 5536 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Rover ◽  
Alfonso Vitti

Snowpack is an important fresh water storage; the retrieval of snow water equivalents from satellite data permits to estimate potentially available water amounts which is an essential parameter in water management plans running in several application fields (e.g., basic needs, hydroelectric, agriculture, hazard and risk monitoring, climate change studies). The possibility to assess snowpack height from Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) observations by means of the GNSS reflectometry technique (GNSS-R) has been shown by several studies. However, in general, studies are being conducted using observations collected by continuously operating reference stations (CORS) built for geodetic purposes and equipped with geodetic-grade instruments. Moreover, CORS are located on sites selected according to criteria different from those more suitable for snowpack studies. In this work, beside an overview of key elements of GNSS reflectometry, single-frequency GNSS observations collected by u-blox M8T GNSS receivers and patch antennas from u-blox and Tallysman have been considered for the determination of antenna height from the snowpack surface on a selected test site. Results demonstrate the feasibility of GNSS-R even with non-geodetic-grade instruments, opening the way towards diffuse GNSS-R targeted applications.

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro Veras Guimarães ◽  
Fabrice Ardhuin ◽  
Peter Sutherland ◽  
Mickael Accensi ◽  
Michel Hamon ◽  
...  

Abstract. Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and modern motion-sensor packages allow the measurement of ocean surface waves with low-cost drifters. Drifting along or across current gradients provides unique measurements of wave-current interactions. In this study, we investigate the response of several combinations of GNSS receiver, motion-sensor package and hull design in order to define a prototype surface kinematic buoy (SKIB) that is particularly optimized for measuring wave-current interactions, including relatively short wave components (relative frequency around 1 Hz) that are important for air-sea interactions and remote sensing applications. The comparison with existing Datawell Directional Waverider and SWIFT buoys, as well as stereo-video imagery demonstrates the accuracy of SKIB. The use of low-cost accelerometers and a spherical ribbed and skirted hull design provide acceptable heave spectra, while velocity estimates from GNSS receivers yield a mean direction and directional spread. Using a low-power acquisition board allows autonomous deployments over several months with data transmitted by satellite. The capability to measure current-induced wave variations is illustrated with data acquired in a macro-tidal coastal environment.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 353-365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter J. Cobb ◽  
Tiffany Earley-Spadoni ◽  
Philip Dames

AbstractThe methodical recording and representation of spatial data are central to archaeological fieldwork and research. Until recently, centimeter-level precise geolocation equipment was the exclusive domain of researchers who could afford setups costing tens of thousands of dollars. However, high-quality measurements are being made more accessible by rapidly evolving technologies. These new tools, when used together with mobile technology for efficiently recording field data, open up the possibility of capturing the precise location of every find during an archaeological surface survey. An important step in reaching the desired outcome—centimeter-level recording for all—is experimentation with a variety of emerging low-cost setups. Accordingly, we tested the Reach and Reach RS, differential global navigation satellite systems (dGNSS) equipment produced by the company Emlid, during a surface survey in Armenia in June 2018. Our field application demonstrates that the use of dGNSS is already possible and that the described advances in precision enable improved recording and representation of spatial data.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhilu Wu ◽  
Yanxiong Liu ◽  
Yang Liu ◽  
Jungang Wang ◽  
Xiufeng He ◽  
...  

Abstract. The calibration microwave radiometer (CMR) onboard Haiyang-2A satellite provides wet tropospheric delays correction for altimetry data, which can also contribute to the understanding of climate system and weather processes. Ground-based Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) provide precise PWV with high temporal resolution and could be used for calibration and monitoring of the CMR data, and shipborne GNSS provides accurate PWV over open oceans, which can be directly compared with uncontaminated CMR data. In this study, the HY-2A CMR water vapor product is validated using ground-based GNSS observations of 100 IGS stations along the coastline and 56-day shipborne GNSS observations over the Indian Ocean. The processing strategy for GNSS data and CMR data is discussed in detail. Special efforts were made to the quality control and reconstruction of contaminated CMR data. The validation result shows that HY-2A CMR PWV agrees well with ground-based GNSS PWV with 2.67 mm in RMS within 100 km. Geographically, the RMS is 1.12 mm in the polar region and 2.78 mm elsewhere. The PWV agreement between HY-2A and shipborne GNSS shows a significant correlation with the distance between the ship and the satellite footprint, with an RMS of 1.57 mm for the distance threshold of 100 km. Ground-based GNSS and shipborne GNSS agree with HY-2A CMR well with no obvious system error.


2018 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-72
Author(s):  
Grzegorz Czopik ◽  
Tomasz Kraszewski

The GNSS (GNSS — Global Navigation Satellite Systems) receivers can be utilized to obtain accurate time markers. The preliminary results of the cheap GNSS receivers’ tests are presented in the paper. The one receiver’s price (including antenna) does not exceed 30 $. The studies on the use of receivers in the time synchronization systems were executed. Three identical models of receiver modules were used. The 1PPS (1PPS — 1 Pulse Per Second) signals available on the receiver’s output were used. The 1PPS’s main time characteristics were described. Delay times between different receivers 1PPS signals were measured. Measurements were taken using 1 GHz oscilloscope and precise time/frequency counter T3200U. Keywords: time synchronization, 1PPS, GNSS, GPS time


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shady Zahran ◽  
Adel Moussa ◽  
Naser El-Sheimy

The last decade has witnessed a wide spread of small drones in many civil and military applications. With the massive advancement in the manufacture of small and lightweight Inertial Navigation System (INS), navigation in challenging environments became feasible. Navigation of these small drones mainly depends on the integration of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and INS. However, the navigation performance of these small drones deteriorates quickly when the GNSS signals are lost, due to accumulated errors of the low-cost INS that is typically used in these drones. During GNSS signal outages, another aiding sensor is required to bound the drift exhibited by the INS. Before adding any additional sensor on-board the drones, there are some limitations that must be taken into considerations. These limitations include limited availability of power, space, weight, and size. This paper presents a novel unconventional method, to enhance the navigation of autonomous drones in GNSS denied environment, through a new utilization of hall effect sensor to act as flying odometer “Air-Odo” and vehicle dynamic model (VDM) for heading estimation. The proposed approach enhances the navigational solution by estimating the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) velocity, and heading and fusing these measurements in the Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) of the integrated system.


2015 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 745-764 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincenzo Capuano ◽  
Francesco Basile ◽  
Cyril Botteron ◽  
Pierre- André Farine

Numerous applications, not only Earth-based, but also space-based, have strengthened the interest of the international scientific community in using Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSSs) as navigation systems for space missions that require good accuracy and low operating costs. Indeed, already successfully used in Low Earth Orbits (LEOs), GNSS-based navigation systems can maximise the autonomy of a spacecraft while reducing the burden and the costs of ground operations. That is why GNSS is also attractive for applications in higher Earth orbits up to the Moon, such as in Moon Transfer Orbits (MTOs). However, the higher the altitude the receiver is above the GNSS constellations, the poorer and the weaker are the relative geometry and the received signal powers, respectively, leading to a significant navigation accuracy reduction. In order to improve the achievable GNSS performance in MTOs, we consider in this paper an adaptive orbital filter that fuses the GNSS observations with an orbital forces model. Simulation results show a navigation accuracy significantly higher than that attainable individually by a standalone GNSS receiver or by means of a pure orbital propagation.


2001 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
S. J. Leighton ◽  
A. E. McGregor ◽  
D. Lowe ◽  
A. Wolfe ◽  
A. A. Macaulay

This, and the following three papers, were first presented at GNSS 2000, the Third European Symposium on Global Navigation Satellite Systems held in Edinburgh, Scotland from 1st to 4th May 2000.GNSS, or more specifically, Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS), guidance provides the prospect of a low-cost means for aircraft to become equipped to fly area navigation (RNAV) operations. The implementation of such RNAV operations within UK airspace offers potential benefits to both the airline operators and the Air Traffic Service Providers (ATSPs).


2010 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 77-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Terradellas ◽  
B. Téllez

Abstract. Convective rainfall is often focalized in areas of moisture convergence. A close relationship between precipitation and fast variations of vertically-integrated water vapour (IWV) has been found in numerous cases. Therefore, continuous monitoring of atmospheric humidity and its spatial distribution is crucial to the operational forecaster for a proper nowcasting of heavy rainfall events. The microwave signals continuously broadcasted by the Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) satellites are influenced by the water vapour as they travel through the atmosphere. Estimates of IWV retrieved from ground-based GNSS observations may, then, constitute a source of information on the horizontal distribution and the time evolution of atmospheric humidity. At the Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET), a near-real-time map of IWV estimates retrieved from ground GNSS measurements in the Iberian Peninsula and West Mediterranean region is operationally built and presented to the forecaster. The maps are generated every 15 minutes following a one-dimensional variational assimilation scheme with the previous map as the background state. A case study is presented in order to illustrate some strengths and weaknesses of the product, to assess the potential benefit of using GNSS products in nowcasting and to define the steps to be done in order to make use of the full potential of the method.


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