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Global Positioning System (GPS) : A Operators Guide To Use GPS Effectively As A Survey Tool

The document provides an overview of how GPS works for survey applications. It discusses the three segments that comprise the GPS configuration - the space segment of satellites orbiting Earth, the control segment of stations that control the satellites, and the user segment of GPS receivers. It describes how GPS determines position via satellite ranging and discusses error sources like ionospheric delays. It also explains different GPS measuring techniques like static and RTK surveys and factors that influence RTK position fixes like satellite availability and radio signal range.

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Theyen Naidoo
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59 views25 pages

Global Positioning System (GPS) : A Operators Guide To Use GPS Effectively As A Survey Tool

The document provides an overview of how GPS works for survey applications. It discusses the three segments that comprise the GPS configuration - the space segment of satellites orbiting Earth, the control segment of stations that control the satellites, and the user segment of GPS receivers. It describes how GPS determines position via satellite ranging and discusses error sources like ionospheric delays. It also explains different GPS measuring techniques like static and RTK surveys and factors that influence RTK position fixes like satellite availability and radio signal range.

Uploaded by

Theyen Naidoo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Global Positioning System

(GPS)
A Operators guide to use GPS
effectively as a survey tool.
What is GPS?
• The total GPS configuration is comprised
of three distinct segments:
– The Space Segment - Satellites orbiting the
earth.
– The Control Segment - Stations positioned on
the earth’s equator to control the satellites.
– The User Segment – Anybody that receives
and uses the GPS signal.
The Space Segment
• The Space Segment is
designed to consist of
satellites orbiting the
earth at approximately
20200km every 12 hours.
• Each GPS satellite has
several very accurate
atomic clocks on board.
The clocks operate at a
fundamental frequency of
10.23MHz. This is used
to generate the signals
that are broadcast from
the satellite.
The Space Segment
• The satellites broadcast
two carrier waves
constantly.
– The L1 carrier then has two
codes modulated upon it.
The C/A Code or
Coarse/Acquisition Code is
modulated and the P-code
or Precision Code.
– The L2 carrier has just one
code modulated upon it.
The L2 P-code.
Control Segment
• The Control Segment consists of one
master control station, 5 monitor
stations and 4 ground antennas
distributed amongst 5 locations
roughly on the earth's equator.

• The Control Segment tracks the GPS


satellites, updates their orbiting
position and calibrates and
synchronizes their clocks.

• A further important function is to


determine the orbit of each satellite
and predict it’s path for the following
24 hours. This information is uploaded
to each satellite and subsequently
broadcast from it. This enables the
GPS receiver to know where each
satellite can be expected to be found.
User Segment
The User Segment comprises of anyone using a GPS
receiver to receive the GPS signal and determine their
position and/or time. Typical applications within the user
segment are land navigation for hikers, vehicle location,
surveying, marine navigation, aerial navigation, machine
control etc.
User Segment
User Segment
How Does GPS Work?
• There are several different methods for obtaining a
position using GPS. The method used depends on the
accuracy required by the user and the type of GPS
receiver available. Broadly speaking, the techniques can
be broken down into three basic classes:
– Autonomous Navigation using a single stand-alone receiver.
Used by hikers, ships that are far out at sea.
– Differentially corrected positioning. More commonly known as
DGPS. Used for inshore marine navigation, GIS data acquisition,
precision farming etc.
– Differential Phase position. Gives an accuracy of 0.5-20mm.
Used for many surveying tasks, machine control etc.
Satellite Navigation
• Satellite ranging
– All GPS positions are
based on measuring the
distance from the satellites
to the GPS receiver on the
earth. This distance to
each satellite can be
determined by the GPS
receiver. The basic idea is
that of trilateration, which
many surveyors use in their
daily work.
Error Sources
• Ionospheric and atmospheric delays:
– As the satellite signal passes through the ionosphere, it can be
slowed down.
– The ionosphere does not introduce a constant delay on the
signal. There are several factors that influence the amount of
delay caused by the ionosphere.
Error Sources
• Multipath Errors
– The satellite signal does not travel directly to
the antenna but hits the nearby object first
and is reflected into the antenna creating a
false measurement.
Error Sources
• Dilution of Precision
The Dilution of Precision (DOP) is a measure of the strength of satellite geometry and
is related to the spacing and position of the satellites in the sky. The DOP can
magnify the effect of satellite ranging errors.
– VDOP - Vertical Dilution of Precision. Gives accuracy degradation in vertical direction.
– HDOP - Horizontal Dilution of Precision. Gives accuracy degradation in horizontal direction.
– PDOP - Positional Dilution of Precision. Gives accuracy degradation in 3D position.
– GDOP - Geometric Dilution of Precision. Gives accuracy degradation in 3D position and
time.
Error Sources (Cont)
Error Sources
Error Sources
GPS Measuring Techniques
• Static - Used for long lines, geodetic networks,
tectonic plate studies etc. Offers high accuracy
over long distances but is comparatively slow.
• RTK - Real Time Kinematic uses a real time
data link to transmit satellite data from the
Reference to the Rover. This enables
coordinates to be calculated and displayed in
real time, as the survey is being carried out.
The Essentials for RTK
• Satellite availability:
– No less than 4 satellites is necessary.
– Available satellites should be well spread.
– 10° Cutoff Mask to eliminate signal deflection and refraction.
• Communications:
– A real time signal from the Reference to the Rover
– Reference and Rover on the same data frequency
• Coordinate Systems:
– Consist of a Transformation, Datum (Ellipsoid) and Projection.
• Transformations is used to establish, GPS (WGS84 based) parameters, to
transform from WGS 84 to different Datum's, as well as referencing GPS
more accurately to survey service.
• The main datum's in South Africa is , Cape Datum (Modified Clarke 1880)
and Hartebeeshoek 94 (WGS 84).
• The most popular projection used in South Africa is the Transverse Mercator
with a two degree band and the uneven Longitudes as the central meridian.
What influence RTK GPS position
fixes?
• Satellite Availability
– Obstructions such as buildings, dense bush or
trees wit a high water content.
– Bad spread of Satellite over the four
quadrants
What influence RTK GPS position
fixes?
• Radio Signal Availability
– Signal Range can be influenced by earth
topography.
– Signal can also be influence by stronger radio
on same frequencies.
What influence RTK GPS position
fixes?

– Cell phone or internet connection availability


– Baseline length
– Base station maintenance
Thank You

Please feel free to contact


Coenie van den Bergh
082 619 4118
Readings from electronic and
printed handouts
GPS BASICS (LEICA)
• Pages 4 – 25
• Pages 38 - 62

COURSE NOTES:
• Chapter 6
Source

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