The accuracy estimation of GPS/GNSS antennas calibration of phase centre and its variations

Heading: 
Space Navigation and Communications
1Zhalilo, AA, 2Zhelanov, AA, 3Shelkovenkov, DA, 4Shokalo, VM
1Main Astronomical Observatory of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine; Kharkіv National University of Radio Electronics of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, Kharkiv,Ukraine
2Kharkіv National University of Radio Electronics of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, Kharkiv, Ukraine
3Kharkiv National University of Radio Electronics of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, Kharkiv, Ukraine, Main Astronomical Observatory NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
4Kharkіv National University of Radio Electronics of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, Kharkiv Ukraine
Kosm. nauka tehnol. 2008, 14 ;(4):39-52
https://doi.org/10.15407/knit2008.04.039
Publication Language: Russian
Abstract: 
A relatively simple method for verification of GPS/GNSS antenna phase characteristics in concrete environment of operation is proposed. The method assumes the use of one closely located reference base station with precision coordinates of antenna mean phase centre (MPC) and accurate phase centre variations (PCV) calibration. The method allows us to carry out a quality estimation of antenna phase characteristics and their influence on the accuracy of positioning without use of the expensive specialized equipment. We present the results of verification of the used phase calibrations of antennas GPS-600LB, GPS-702 (NovAtel Inc., Canada) for the station SURE (KhNURE) antenna site. It is obtained an acceptable fit (at a level of 1 to 1.5 mm) of the estimations of MPC displacement with the values of Geo++ GmbH company (Germany) which were obtained using specialized robots. The series of experimental researches which was carried out with the use of GPS/GNSS antennas of a geodetic grade allowed one to estimate the quality of used phase corrections and their influence on the accuracy of horizontal and vertical coordinates, and also to increase the accuracy of the SURE station antenna position. Some methodical recommendations on installation of antenna sites, the monitoring and verification of phase calibrations of GPS/GNSS station antennas for positioning at millimetre accuracy level are given.
Keywords: GPS/GNSS station, phase calibrations, positioning
Full text (PDF)
 
References: 
1. Dyakonov V. P. Matlab 6.5 SP1/7+ Simulink 5/6. Basic Usage, 800 p. (Biblioteka professionala) (Solon Press, Moscow, 2005) [in Russian].
2. Dyakonov V. P. Matlab 6.5 SP1/7+ Simulink 5/6 in mathematics and modeling , 576 p. (Biblioteka professionala) (Solon Press, Moscow, 2005) [in Russian].
3. Zhalilo A. A., Zhelanov A. A., Shelkovenkov D. A., Shokalo V. M. Development of the method for assessing the quality of phase calibrations of GPS antennas of the geodesic class. Preliminary research results. Radiotehnika, 148, 186—198 (2007) [in Russian].
4. Zhdaniuk B. F. Fundamentals of statistical processing of trajectory measurements, 384 p. (Sovetskoe Radio, Moscow, 1978) [in Russian].
5. Zhelanov A. A., Shelkovenkov D. A. Estimation of the quality of phase calibrations of GPS antennas of the geodesic class. In: Modern issues in radio engineering and telecommunications RT-2007: Proc. Intern. scientific and technical conf., Sevastopol, 2007, 134 (SevNTU, Sevastopol, 2007) [in Russian].
6. Kaftan A.V. Influence of phase center variations on field GPS measurements. (Institut fiziki Zemli im. G. A. Gamburceva, RAN, 2002) [in Russian]. Available: http://www.scgis.ru
7. Banyai L. Investigation of GPS antenna mean phase centre offsets using a full roving observation strategy. Geodetic and Geophysical Research Institute Hungarian Academy of Sciences. Journal of Geodesy. (Springer, Berlin; Heidelberg, 2005). Available: http://www.ggki.hu
8. Braun. J, Ruud O., Meertens C. Trimble choke ring antenna mean phase center calibration. University NAVSTAR Consortium, Bourder, CO (August 1996). Available: http://www.unavco.org
9. Cisak J., Sekowski M., Zanimonskiy Y., Zak L. Badanie roznych typow anten stosowanych w pomiarach jako element atestacji GPS. Instytut Geodezji i Kartografii (2003). Available: http://www.igik.edu.pl
10. Cisak J., Zanimonskiy Y. M. Results of the investigations of the GNSS antennae in framework of scargiant project «In-situ GNSS antenna tests and validation of phase center calibration data». Instytut Geodezji i Kartografii, Warsaw, Poland, Institute of Radio Astronomy National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kharkiv, Ukraine. (2003). Available: http://www.igik.edu.pl
11. Kaniuth K., Huber S. An assessment of radome effects on height estimates in the EUREF Network. Eurefsymposium, 97—102 (2002).
12. Kenneth J. Hurst, Yoaz Bar Sever In- situ GPS antenna phase center calibration. (Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, 1998). Available: http://hdl.handle.net/2014/20513
13. Kunysz W. High performance GPS pinwheel antenna. ION NTM 2000 (September 2000). Available: http://www.novatel.com/Documents/Papers
14. Kunysz W. A novel GPS survey antenna. Technical session of ION. (Anaheim, CA January 2000). Available: http://www.novatel.com/Documents/Papers
15. Mader G., Czopek F. Calibrating antenna phase centers. GPS World, 40—46 (May 2002).
16. Mader G., Spring S. GPS antenna calibration at the National Geodetic Survey (2002). Available: http://www.ngs.noaa.gov/ANTCAL
17. Menge F., Seeber G., Volksen C, et al. Results of Absolute Field Calibration of GPS Antenna PCV (1998). Available: http://www.geopp.de/download
18. Menge F., Seeber G., Volksen C., et al. Developments in Absolute Field Calibration of GPS Antennas and Absolute Site Dependent Multipath (1998). Available: http://www.geopp.de
19. Menge F., Schmidz M. AOAD/M_T Choke ring GPS antenna. Absolute phase center variations. Result of field calibrations at IfE and Geo++. (2000). Available: http://www.geopp.de/media/docs/AOA_D/M_T
20. Santerre R., Akrour B. A. Geiger calibrating antenna phase centers. GPS World, 49—53 (Febrary 2005).
21. Schmid R., Mader G., Herring T. From relative to absolute antenna phase center corrections. Institut fur austromische und physikalische Geodasie, tu Munchen, US Depart­ment of Commerce, NOAA, Geoscience Research Division Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Draft of February 2 (2004). Available: http://igscb.jpl.nasa.gov
22. Wubbena G., Schmitz M., Menge F., Boder V., Seeber G. Automated absolute field calibration of GPS antennas in real-time. ION GPS 2000, Salt Lake Sity, UT, 2512—2522 (September 2000).
23. L-band antenna performance improvements. NovAtel Inc. Available: http://www.novatel.com

24. The Block IIA Satellite Calibrating Antenna Phase Centers. NGS, The Boeing Company, GPS World, 40—46 (May, 2002).