Abstract
It is well-known that the phase center of a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) antenna is not a stable point coinciding with a mechanical reference. The phase center position depends on the direction of the received signal, and is antenna-and signaldependent. Phase center corrections (PCC) models of GNSS antennas have been available for several years. The first method to create antenna PCC models was the relative field calibration procedure. Currently only absolute calibration models are generally recommended for use. In this study we investigate the differences between position estimates obtained using individual and type-mean absolute antenna calibrations in order to better understand how receiver antenna calibration models contribute to the Global Positioning System (GPS) positioning error budget. The station positions were estimated with two absolute calibration models: the igs08.atx model, which contains typemean calibration results, and individual antenna calibration models. Continuous GPS observations from selected Polish European Permanent Network (EPN) stations were used for these studies. The position time series were derived from the precise point positioning (PPP) technique using the NAPEOS scientific GNSS software package. The results show that the differences in the calibrations models propagate directly into the position domain, affecting daily as well sub-daily results. In daily solutions, the position offsets, resulting from the use of individual calibrations instead of type-mean igs08.atx calibrations, can reach up to 5 mm in the Up component, while in the horizontal one they generally stay below 1 mm. It was found that increasing the frequency of sub-daily coordinate solutions amplifies the effects of type-mean vs individual PCC-dependent differences, and also gives visible periodic variations in time series of GPS position differences.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Allahverdi-Zadeh A., Asgari J. and Amiri-Simkooe A.R., 2016. Investigation of GPS draconitic year effect on GPS time series of eliminated eclipsing GPS satellite data. J. Geod. Sci., 6, 93–102.
Baire Q., Pottiaux E., Bruyninx C., Defraigne P., Legrand J. and Bergoet N., 2011. Comparison of Receiver Antenna Calibration Models used in the EPN. (http://www.euref.eu/symposia/2011Chisinau/Symposium2011-Chisinau.html).
Baire Q., Bruyninx C., Legrand J., Pottiaux E., Aerts W., Defraigne P., Bergeot N. and Chevalier J.M., 2013. Influence of different GPS receiver antenna calibration models on geodetic positioning. GPS Solut., 18, 1–11.
Boehm J., Heinkelmann R. and Schuh H., 2007 Short note: A global model of pressure and temperature for geodetic applications. J. Geodesy, 81, 679–683, DOI: 0.1007/s00190-007-0135-3.
Bosy J., Oruba A., Graszka W., Leonczyk M. and Ryczywolski M., 2008. ASG-EUPOS densification of EUREF Permanent Network on the territory of Poland. Reports on Geodesy, 2(85), 105–112.
Braun J., Rocken C., Meertens C.M.and Johanson J., 1993. GPS antenna mixing and phase center corrections. Eos Trans. AGU, Fall Meeting Supplement: 197.
Dawidowicz K., 2013. Impact of different GNSS antenna calibration models on height determination in the ASGEUPOS network: a case study. Surv. Rev., 45, 386–394, DOI: 10.1179/1752270613Y.0000000043.
Dawidowicz K., 2014. Phase center variations problem in GPS/GLONASS observations processing. In: D. Cygas and T. Tollazzi (Eds), The 9th International Conference Enviromental Engineering. Vilnius Gediminas Technical University Press Technika, Vilnius, Lithuania, DOI: 10.3846/enviro.2014.202.
Dawidowicz K. and Krzan G., 2014. Accuracy of single receiver static GNSS measurements under conditions of limited satellite availability. Surv. Rev., 46, 278–287, DOI: 10.1179 /1752270613Y.0000000082.
Figurski M., Kaminski P., Kroszczynski K. and Szafranek K., 2009. ASG-EUPOS monitoring with reference to EPN. Artif. Sat., 44, 85–94.
Geiger A., 1998. Modeling of phase center variation and its influence on GPS positioning. In: E. Groten and R. Strauss (Eds), GPS-Techniques Applied to Geodesy and Surveying. Lecture Notes in Earth Sciences, 19, 210–222, Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg, Germany.
Geng J., Teferle F.N., Shi C., Meng X., Dodson A.H. and Liu J., 2009. Ambiguity resolution in precise point positioning with hourly data. GPS Solut., 13, 263–270, DOI: 10.1007/s10291-009-0119-2.
Geng J., Meng X., Teferle F.N. and Dodson A.H., 2010. Performance of precise point positioning with ambiguity resolution for 1-to 4-hour observation periods. Surv. Rev., 42, 155–165.
Görres B., Campbell J., Becker M. and Siemes M., 2006. Absolute calibration of GPS antennas: Laboratory results and comparison with field and robot techniques. GPS Solut., 10, 136–145.
Hatzes A.P., 2016. The radial velocity method for the detection of exoplanets. In: Bozza V., Mancini L. and Sozzetti A. (Eds), Methods of Detecting Exoplanets. Springer International Publishing Switzerland, 3–86, DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-27458-4_1.
Khoda O. and Bruyninx C., 2007. Switching from relative to absolute antenna phase centre variations in a regional network: stability of the coordinate differences. EUREF Symposium, June 4–6, 2007, London, U.K. (http://www.epncb.oma.be/_documentation/papers /eurefsymposium2007/switching_from_relative_to_absolute_APCV_in_a_regional_network_ stability_of_the_coordinate_differences.pdf).
IGSMAIL-6354}. Upcoming switch to IGS08/igs08.atx (https://igscb.jpl.nasa.gov/pipermail/igsmail/2011/006346.html)
King M.A. and Watson C.S., 2010. Long GPS coordinate time series: Multipath and geometry effects. J. Geophys. Res., 115, B04403, DOI: 10.1029/2009JB006543.
Kouba J. and Héroux P., 2001. Precise point positioning using IGS orbit and clock products. GPS Solut., 5, 12–28.
Lyard L., Lefevre L., Letellier T. and Francis O., 2006. Modelling the global ocean tides: insights from FES2004. Ocean Dyn., 56, 394–415.
Mader G.L., 1999. GPS antenna calibration at the National Geodetic Survey. GPS Solut., 3, 50–58.
Rizos Ch., Janssen V., Roberts C. and Grinter T., 2012. Precise point positioning: Is the era of differential GNSS positioning drawing to an end? FIG Working Week 2012, Rome, Italy, May 6–10, 2012 (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/277997482_Precise_Point_Positioning _Is_the_era_of_differential_GNSS_positioning_drawing_to_an_end).
Rothacher M. and Mader G., 1996. Combination of antenna phase center offsets and variation: antenna calibration set IGS_01 (ftp://igscb.jpl.nasa.gov/pub/station/general/igs_01.txt).
Scargle J.D., 1982. Studies in astronomical time series analysis. Astrophys. J., 263, 835–853.
Schmid R. and Rothacher M., 2003. Estimation of elevation–dependent satellite antenna phase center variations of GPS satellites. J. Geodesy, 77, 440–446, DOI: 10.1007/s00190-003-0339-0.
Schmid R., Mader G. and Herring T., 2004. From relative to absolute antenna phase center corrections. In: Meindl M. (Ed.), IGS Workshop & Symposium 2004. Astronomical Institute, University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland (ftp://igscb.jpl.nasa.gov/pub/resource/pubs /04_rtberne/cdrom/Session10/10_0_Mader.pdf).
Schmid R., Steingerberg P. and Rotchacher M., 2005. Benefits from absolute GPS antenna phase center modeling. Advances in GPS Data Processing and Modelling, London, 9–10 November 2015 (www.espace-tum.de/ mediadb/15354/15355/Vortrag_London.pdf).
Schmid R., Steingerberg P., Gendt G., Ge M. and Rotchacher M., 2007. Generation of a consistent absolute phase center corrections model for GPS receiver and satellite antennas. J. Geodesy, 81, 781–798.
Schmitz M., Wübbena G. and Boettcher G., 2002. Tests of phase center variations of various GPS antennas, and some results. GPS Solut., 6, 18–27.
Schön S. and Kersten T., 2014. Comparing antenna phase center corrections: challenges, concepts and perspectives. IGS Analysis Workshop, June 23.-27. 2014, Pasadena, CA (http://www.academia.edu/8806584/Comparing_antenna_phase_center_corrections_challleng es_concepts_and_perspectives).
Schupler B.R. and Clark T.A., 1991. How different antennas affect the GPS observables. GPS World, November/December 1991, 32–36.
Schupler B.R., Allshouse R.L. and Clark T.A., 1994. Signal characteristics of GPS user antennas. Navigation, 41, 277–295.
Sidorov D. and Teferle F.N., 2013. Antenna phase centre calibration effects on position time-series: preliminary results. IAG Scientific Assembly, IAG 150 Years, Potsdam, Germany, September 1–6, 2013 (https://orbilu.uni.lu/bitstream/10993/5512/1/Poster_IAG2013.pdf).
Springer T.A., 2009. NAPEOS -Mathematical Models and Algorithms. Technical Note. DOPSSYS-TN-0100-OPS-GN. European Space Operation Centre, European Space Agency, Darmstadt, Germany (http://hpiers.obspm.fr/combinaison/documentation/articles /NAPEOS_MathModels_Algorithms.pdf).
Townsend R.H.D., 2010. Fast calculation of Lomb-Scargle periodogram using graphics processing units. Astron. J., 191, 247–253.
Tregoning P. and Watson C., 2009. Atmospheric effects and spurious signals in GPS analyses. J. Geophys. Res., 114, B09403, DOI:10.1029/2009JB006344.
Wanninger L., 2009. Correction of apparent position shifts caused by GNSS antenna changes. GPS Solut., 13, 133–139.
Wübbena G., Menge F., Schmitz M., Seeber G. and Völksen C., 1997. A new approach for field calibration of absolute GPS antenna phase center variations. Navigation, 44, 247–255, DOI: 10.1002/j.2161-4296.1997.tb02346.x.
Wübbena G., Schmitz M., Boettcher G. and Schumann C., 2006. Absolute GNSS antenna calibration with a robot: repeatability of phase variations, calibration of GLONASS and determination of carrier-to-noise pattern. The International GNSS Service (IGS): Perspectives and Visions for 2010 and beyond. 8–12 May 2006, Darmstadt, Germany (http://www.geopp.de/media/docs/pdf/gppigs06_pabs_g.pdf).
Zeimetz P. and Kuhlman H., 2008. On the accuracy of absolute GNSS antenna calibration and the conception of a new anechoic chamber. FIG Working Week 2008. Stockholm, Sweden 14–19 June 2008 (www.gkgm.de/app/download/1375983/2008_zeimetz_kuhlmann.pdf).
Zhu S.Y., Massmann F.-H., Yu Y. and Reigber C., 2003. Satellite antenna phase center offsets and scale errors in GPS solutions. J. Geodesy, 76, 668–672.
Zumberge J.F., Heflin M.B., Jefferson D.C., Watkins M.M. and Webb F.H., 1997. Precise Point Positioning for the efficient and robust analysis of GPS data from large networks. J. Geophys. Res., 102, 5005–5017.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Dawidowicz, K. Differences in GPS coordinate time series resulting from the use of individual instead of type-mean antenna phase center calibration model. Stud Geophys Geod 62, 38–56 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11200-016-0630-1
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11200-016-0630-1