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The Impact of GPS Antenna Phase Center Offset and Variation On The Positioning Accuracy

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The impact of GPS antenna phase center offset and variation on the
positioning accuracy

Article  in  Bollettino di Geodesia et Scienze Affini · March 2000

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The Impact of GPS Antenna Phase Center Offset and

Variation on the Positioning Accuracy

Chun-Sung Chen1 Yi-Jau Chen2 Ta-Kang Yeh3

ABSTRACT

The point measured in GPS surveying is assumed to be the phase


center of the GPS receiver’s antenna. However, the phase center is not a
physical center. Moreover, the phase center is not a fixed point all the
time. The offset and variation of a GPS receiver’s antenna can be
determined using anechoic chamber measurements or using GPS
observational data.

In this paper, GPS observational data are applied to determine the


offsets and variations of the GPS receivers’ antennas of the Trimble,
Leica and Ashtech GPS receivers. For the same type antennas, the
maximum horizontal component error of the phase center is about 1.4mm,
and the vertical component error is about 2.6mm. For the different type
antennas, such as “Trimble to Ashtech”, the maximum horizontal
component error is about 4.3mm, and the maximum vertical component
error is about 33.5mm. As for “Trimble to Leica”, the maximum
horizontal component error is about 5.2mm, and the maximum vertical
component error is about 55mm.

1
Prof., Department of Civil Engineering, National Chiao Tung University, Taiwan, R.O.C.
2
Graduated student, Department of Civil Engineering, National Chiao Tung University, Taiwan,
R.O.C.
3
Ph.D. student, Department of Civil Engineering, National Chiao Tung University, Taiwan, R.O.C.

1
In this paper, the coordinates with and without phase center
corrections are also compared. From the results, it is obvious that to
calibrate the GPS receiver’s antenna and to correct the phase center error
is necessary when executing a GPS surveying.

Key word : Phase Center Correction, Positioning Accuracy

1. Introduction
The GPS positioning accuracy can be influenced by the offset and
variation of the GPS antenna phase center, especially, when the GPS
observations are executed with different type GPS receivers or antennas.
Currently, there are two methods to correct the errors derived from GPS
phase center variation. One of the corrected method is “anechoic chamber
measurement”, the other method is to correct the phase center variation
by processing GPS measuring data. The “anechoic chamber
measurement” method can only determine one antenna’s phase center in a
time. In addition, this method has to execute in a lab with special
equipment. Therefore, this method is not popular. Consequently, using
GPS data of different type antennas to determine the variation of the GPS
antenna phase center is an economical and practical method.
In this paper, different type GPS receiver antennas are applied to
take the GPS observational data. The offsets and variations derived from
the GPS antenna phase center are determined using GPS data processing.

2. The Character of the GPS Antenna’s Phase Center


The position of the GPS antenna which receive the satellite signal is

2
called phase center. In fact, the physical center and the phase center of the
different type antennas applied in GPS measurement are not indentical. In
addition, the phase center will variate according to the direction of the
signal source.
The phase character of the GPS antenna is dependent with the
vertical angle (elevation) and the azimuth of the signal source. For the
same antenna, the phase center of the L1 and L2 signal are independent.
The phase centers of the different type antennas are not identical.
However, the phase center of the same type antennas will be almost the
same.
The antenna phase center variation can be classified in two
directions:
(1) The difference between the mean phase center and the physical
center is called phase center offset.
(2) The difference between the instant phase center and the mean phase
center is called phase center variation.
Fig. 1 shows the relations of the physical center, the mean phase
center and the instant phase center.

3. The Influence Derived from Phase Center Variation


According to Rothacher (Rothacher et al., 1995), the positioning
accuracy of GPS data is absolutely determined by phase center correction
is done or not. Especially, when different type antennas are applied in
long base line measurement.
The elevation-dependent phase center variation has two items’
influence to GPS data:
3
(1) The elevation error may be 10cm large when using different type
antennas to execute GPS measurement. This influence will be
produced in short baseline as well as in long baseline.
(2) If the common type antennas are applied, a 0.01599ppm scale error
may be produced when the elevation-dependent phase center
corrections are not done.

Phase Center Variation


Instant Phase Center

Mean Phase Center

Physical Center
Phase Center Offset

Fig. 1 Relation of Antenna Physical Center, Mean Phase Center


and Instant Phase Center

4. Test and Data Processing


In this section, the steps of the test, the steps of the data processing
and the model applied in the data processing in this paper are introduced
briefly and to the point. To understand the test and data processing
procedures easily, the procedures are present item by item.
4
4.1 The Steps of the Test
The steps of the test in this paper are briefly present as follows:
(1) Choosing a suitable test area and setting up a phase center measuring
net. When setting up this net, all stations have to execute forcing
centering. Besides, all stations have to be chosen at the sites without
interference and multipath influence.
(2) Setting up GPS receives’ antennas on the points whose coordinates
are given. Executing GPS surveying continously 24 hours a day for
many days. During the observation, the antennas of the stations are
exchanged one another. Besides, the azimuth of the antennas are also
changed. The azimuth of the antennas are setting on 0°, 90°, 180° and
270°.
(3) Processing GPS measuring data, and discussing the errors when
phase center corrections are not done.
(4) When processing the GPS measuring data, a phase center correcting
model is also considered.
(5) Analysing the error derived from phase center offset and variation
when different type antennas are applied.

4.2 The Steps of Data Processing


The data processing steps of the GPS surveying in this paper are as
follows:
(1) First, exchanging the GPS measuring raw data to the receiver
independent exchange format (RINEX). Then, exchanging the data to
the format applied in Bernese software.
(2) Reading the satellite watch information from IGS precise ephemeris
5
for the post data processing.
(3) Exchanging the precise ephemeris to tabular orbit. Then, combining
the tabular orbit to Bernese software format orbit for post data
processing.
(4) Excuting code check, deleting the mistake measurements.

(5) Using the orbit data of the precise ephemeris such as (SIO、IGS) to

single point positioning, calculating the coordinates of the stations


and the watch corrections of the receiver.
(6) Combining a single difference phase measurement, i.e., using the
shortest basement and the maximum measurements rules to combine
the linear independent single difference measurements of the all
stations.
(7) Using the results of the triple difference, the L1 and L2 of two
stations to detect and compensate cycle slip.
(8) Using this measurement to combine a double difference phase
measurement to estimates the parameters.
(9) Fixed the coordinates by precise measuring and using the phase
center offset of the reference antenna published by IGS to solve the
mean phase center offset of every antenna.
(10) Inserting the mean phase center offsets of the antennas, and using the
phase center variation published by IGS to calculate the phase center
variation of the antennas.

4.3 The Model Applied in the Data Processing


The applied model in the data processing in this paper are as follows:

6
(1) Base measurements: The measurements whose vertical angle is larger
than 20 degree to avoid the influence produced in the low vertical
angle.
(2) Orbit: Using IGS precise ephemeris whose accuracy is about 20cm.
Therefore, all the orbital parameters can be regarded as given.
(3) Tropospheric delay correction: Using saastamoinen correction model
and meteorological data on the mean sea level to determine the initial
correction value of the tropospheric delay of the surveying points.
(4) Fixed station: Using the coordinates of the point A as reference and to
measure the other points.
(5) Polar motion correction: Using the value published by IERS
(International Earth Rotation Service) Bulletin B to correct the
difference between UTC and UT1, correcting the coordinates from
instantaneous polar coordinates system to J2000 coordinates system
for orbit calculation and coordinates transformation.
(6) The gravitational potential model: Using GEM-T3 (Goddard Earth

Model T3)(8×8)for orbit calculation and coordinates transformation.

5. Results
In this paper, five different type antennas are applied. A Trimble “TR
GEOD L1/L2 GP” S/N, 0220049315 antenna is applied as the reference
antenna. The phase center offset and variation of this antenna is obtained
from IGS. When executing data processing, a Bernese 4.0 software is
applied. All the antennas phase center offsets and variations are
calculated.
Figure 2 to Figure 4 show the phase center calibration values of the
7
different types antennas applied in this study. The calibration values are
compared with the values announced by IGS and NGS.
Figure 5 to Figure 8 show the phase center variations of the Trimble,
Ashtech and Lecia receivers’ antennas determined using linear function
and spherical harmonic function. Besides, the variations of the different
types antennas are also compared with the values announced by IGS and
NGS.

2
L1 OFFSET --N (mm)

-1

-2

-3

-4
4

2
L2 OFFSET --N (mm)

-1

-2

-3

-4
IG

NG

TR

TR

TR

NG

AS

IG

NG

AS

AS

IG

LE

LE
S-

S-

S-

I.

I.
M

H.

H.

H.
S-

S-

S
AS

#5

#4
.

.
TR

LE
AS
AS

70

70

70
TR

#8

#4

#2

72

46
H.

I.
M

07

07

08
H.
H.
M

47

68

23

3
70
.

70
70

00

18

45
.

07

07
07

18

18
00

Fig. 2 The calibration values of the phase center compared


with the values announced by IGS & NGS(N-direction)

8
4

L1 OFFSET --E (mm)


1

-1

-2

-3

-4
4

2
L2 OFFSET --E (mm)

-1

-2

-3

-4
IG

NG

TR

TR

TR

NG

AS

IG

NG

AS

AS

IG

LE

LE
S-

S-

S-

I.

I.
M

H.

H.

H.
S-

S-

S
AS

#5

#4
.

.
TR

70

LE
AS
AS

70

70
TR

#8

#4

#2

72

46
H.
07

I.
M

07

08
H.
H.
47

68

23
M

3
70
.

00

70
70

18

45
.

07

07
07

18

18
00

Fig. 3 The calibration values of the phase center compared


with the values announced by IGS & NGS(E-direction)

1 4 0

1 2 0
L1 OFFSET --U (mm)

1 0 0

8 0

6 0

4 0

2 0

0
1 4 0

1 2 0
L2 OFFSET --U (mm)

1 0 0

8 0

6 0

4 0

2 0

0
IG

NG

TR

TR

TR

NG

AS

IG

NG

AS

AS

IG

LE

LE
S-

S-

S-

I.

I.
M

H.

H.

H.
S-

S-

S
AS

#5

#4
.

.
TR

LE
AS
AS

70

70

70
TR

#8

#4

#2

72

46
H.

I.
M

07

07

08
H.
H.
47

68

23
M

3
70
.

70
70

00

18

45
.

07

07
07

18

18
00

Fig. 4 The calibration values of the phase center compared


with the values announced by IGS & NGS(U-direction)

9
30

25

L1 phase center variations(mm)


20

15

10

-5
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70
30

25
L2 phase center variations(mm)

20

15

10
IG S TR M .
5 NGS TRM .
0 T R M . #8476P
T R M . #8476H
-5
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70
A zim uth(degree)

Fig. 5 The phase center variations of the Trimble TR GEOD L1/L2 GP


determined using linear function(P) & spherical harmonic function(H)
compared with the values announced by IGS & NGS

30

25
L1 phase center variations(mm)

20

15

10

-5
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70
20

15
L2 phase center variations(mm)

10

-5 IG S A S H .7 00 7 18
N G S A S H .7 0 07 18
-1 0 A S H .7 00 7 18 P
A S H .70 0 71 8H
-1 5
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70
A zim u th (d e g re e )

Fig. 6 The phase center variations of the Ashtech 700718 determined


using linear function(P) & spherical harmonic function(H)
compared with the values announced by IGS & NGS

10
30

25

L1 phase center variations(mm)


20

15

10

-5
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70
20

15
L2 phase center variations(mm)

10

-5
NG S ASH.700700
-10 ASH. 700700P
ASH. 700700H
-15
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70
Azimuth(degree)

Fig. 7 The phase center variations of the Ashtech 700700 determined


using linear function(P) & spherical harmonic function(H)
compared with the values announced by IGS & NGS

30

25
L1 phase center variations(mm)

20

15

10

-5
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70
20

15
L2 phase center variations(mm)

10

-5 IG S L E I.
LE I. #57 27P
-10
L E I. #572 7H
-15
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70
Azimuth(degree)

Fig. 8 The phase center variations of the Leica SR399 INTERNAL


determined using linear function(P) & spherical harmonic function(H)
compared with the values announced by IGS & NGS

11
Table 1 to Table 3 show the error of the coordinates between the
same type antennas and between the different type antennas.
From Table 1, the maximum error of the same type antennas in
horizontal component is 1.4mm, while in elevation is 2.6mm without
executing phase center variation corrections. When the phase center
variation corrections are executed, the error will be reduced to 0.3mm for
the horizontal component and 2.4mm for the elevation.
From Table 2, the maximum error of the different type antennas
(Trimble-Ashtech) in horizontal component is 4.3mm, while in elevation
is 33.5mm (Ashtech 700700) without executing phase center variation
corrections. When the phase center variation corrections are executed, the
error will be reduced to 11.3mm for the elevation.
Similarly, from Table 3, the maximum error of the different type
antennas (Trimble-Leica) in elevation will be reduced from 55mm
(without executing phase center variation corrections) to 2.8mm (with
phase center variation corrections executed).
Figure 9 to Figure 17 show the standard errors of the coordinates
before and after antennas’ phase center corrections. In these figures, the
phase center offsets and variations announced by IGS and NGS are also
presented for comparison.

12
Table 1 The coordinates' root mean square of the same type antenna
before and after phase center correction

Signal Frequency L1 L2 L1 L2
Component N E U N E U N E U N E U
With or Without Without Phase Center Correction With Phase Center Offset Correction
Phase Center Correction RMS(mm) RMS(mm)
TRM. #9315 0.1 0.1 2.2 0.1 0.1 2.2 0.1 0.1 2.2 0.1 0.1 2.2
TRM. #4689 0.6 0.2 2.4 0.3 0.3 2.5 0.3 0.2 1.8 0.3 0.3 2.3
TRM. #2231 0.5 0.4 2.3 1.4 0.8 2.6 0.3 0 2 0.3 0.2 2.3
TRM. #8476 0.2 0.3 2.3 0.3 0.3 2.6 0.2 0.3 1.9 0.3 0.2 2.4
With or Without With Phase Center Variation Correction With Phase Center Variation
Phase Center Correction (Linear Function) Correction(Spherical harmonic Function)
RMS(mm) RMS(mm)
TRM. #9315 0 0 2.3 0.1 0.1 2.2 0.1 0.1 2.2 0.1 0.1 2.2
TRM. #4689 0.2 0.3 2.2 0.3 0.2 2.2 0.6 0.2 2.4 0.3 0.3 2.5
TRM. #2231 0.1 0 2.3 0.3 0 2.2 0.5 0.4 2.3 1.4 0.8 2.6
TRM. #8476 0.3 0.3 2.3 0.3 0.2 2.4 0.2 0.3 2.3 0.3 0.3 2.6

Table 2 The coordinates' root mean square of the different type antennas
before and after phase center correction(Trimble-Ashtech)

Signal Frequency L1 L2 L1 L2
Component N E U N E U N E U N E U
With or Without Without Phase Center Correction With Phase Center Offset Correction
Phase Center Correction RMS(mm) RMS(mm)
TRM. #9315 0 0 1.8 0 0 1.8 0 0 1.8 0 0 1.8
TRM. #4689 0.7 0.8 1.6 0.7 0.5 1.2 2.8 3 1 2.9 3.1 1
Ash. 700718 3.5 3.2 9.9 3.4 4.2 16.4 2.8 4.5 6.3 3.5 4.7 11.3
Ash. 700845 3.3 2.6 16 3.5 4.3 9.7 2.5 4.1 1.1 4.1 4.6 8.3
Ash. 700700 3.8 3.3 33.5 3 3.2 20.2 2.3 5.8 6.2 3.7 4.2 8.1
With or Without With Phase Center Variation Correction With Phase Center Variation
Phase Center Correction (Linear Function) Correction(Spherical harmonic Function)
RMS(mm) RMS(mm)
TRM. #9315 0 0 1.8 0 0 1.8 0 0 1.8 0 0 1.8
TRM. #4689 2.8 2.9 1.1 2.9 3.1 1 2.8 3 1.3 3 3.2 1.1
Ash. 700718 2.5 4.4 5.8 4 4.9 4.8 2.6 4.4 5.6 4 4.9 4.8
Ash. 700845 2.3 4 1.8 4.6 4.8 2 2.2 4 3.3 4.5 4.7 1.9
Ash. 700700 1.6 5.7 5.6 3.6 4.2 7.4 1.6 5.7 5.5 3.6 4.3 7.5

13
Table 3 The coordinates' root mean square of the different type antennas
before and after phase center correction(Trimble-Leica)

Signal Frequency L1 L2 L1 L2
Component N E U N E U N E U N E U
With or Without Without Phase Center Correction With Phase Center Offset Correction
Phase Center Correction RMS(mm) RMS(mm)
TRM. #9315 -0 -0 2.4 -0 -0 2.4 -0.2 -0.2 2.4 -0.2 -0.2 2.4
TRM. #4689 0.7 0.4 2.5 0.9 1.3 2.4 0.7 0.3 2.4 0.6 1.2 2.2
LEI. #5727 1.1 2.6 52 0.6 2.1 42 0.8 0.3 1.5 0.7 0.7 2.8
LEI. #4463 0.9 2.5 50 2.6 5.2 55 0.6 0.5 1.2 1.0 0.7 2.8
With or Without With Phase Center Variation Correction With Phase Center Variation
Phase Center Correction (Linear Function) Correction(Spherical harmonic Function)
RMS(mm) RMS(mm)
TRM. #9315 0.1 0.1 2.2 0.1 0.1 2.2 0.1 0.1 2.2 0.1 0.1 2.2
TRM. #4689 0.8 0.4 2.2 0.7 1 2.1 0.8 0.4 2.3 0.7 1 2.3
LEI. #5727 0.8 0.4 2.2 0.7 0.4 1.8 0.8 0.4 2.4 0.7 0.4 2
LEI. #4463 0.6 0.5 2.2 1 0.7 3.3 0.6 0.5 2.4 1 0.7 3.2

14
1.6
Without phase center correction
With phase center offset correction
1.4 With phase center offset correction(IGS)
With phase center offset correction(NGS)
With phase center variation correction(P)
1.2
L1 coordinates RMS(mm)

With phase center variation correction(H)


With phase center variation correction(IGS)
With phase center variation correction(NGS)
1.0

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0.0
#9315 #4689 #2231 #8476
1.6
Without phase center correction
With phase center offset correction
1.4
With phase center offset correction(IGS)
With phase center offset correction(NGS)
With phase center variation correction(P)
1.2 With phase center variation correction(H)
L2 coordinates RMS(mm)

With phase center variation correction(IGS)


With phase center variation correction(NGS)
1.0

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0.0
#9315 #4689 #2231 #8476

Fig. 9 The standard errors of the coordinates with and without


phase center corrections of the same type (Trimble)
GPS receiver’s antenna — N direction
15
1.6
Without phase center correction
With phase center offset correction
1.4
With phase center offset correction(IGS)
With phase center offset correction(NGS)
With phase center variation correction(P)
1.2
With phase center variation correction(H)
L1 coordinates RMS(mm)

With phase center variation correction(IGS)


With phase center variation correction(NGS)
1.0

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0.0
#9315 #4689 #2231 #8476
1.6
Without phase center correction
With phase center offset correction
1.4
With phase center offset correction(IGS)
With phase center offset correction(NGS)
With phase center variation correction(P)
1.2 With phase center variation correction(H)
L2 coordinates RMS(mm)

With phase center variation correction(IGS)


With phase center variation correction(NGS)
1.0

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0.0
#9315 #4689 #2231 #8476

Fig. 10 The standard errors of the coordinates with and without


phase center corrections of the same type (Trimble)
GPS receiver’s antenna — E direction

16
5
Without phase center correction
With phase center offset correction
With phase center offset correction(IGS)
4 With phase center offset correction(NGS)
With phase center variation correction(P)
With phase center variation correction(H)
L1 coordinates RMS(mm)

With phase center variation correction(IGS)


With phase center variation correction(NGS)
3

0
#9315 #4689 #2231 #8476
5
Without phase center correction
With phase center offset correction
With phase center offset correction(IGS)
With phase center offset correction(NGS)
4
With phase center variation correction(P)
With phase center variation correction(H)
L2 coordinates RMS(mm)

With phase center variation correction(IGS)


With phase center variation correction(NGS)
3

0
#9315 #4689 #2231 #8476

Fig. 11 The standard errors of the coordinates with and without


phase center corrections of the same type (Trimble)
GPS receiver’s antenna — U direction
17
8
Without phase center correction
With phase center offset correction
7 With phase center offset correction(IGS)
With phase center offset correction(NGS)
With phase center variation correction(P)
6 With phase center variation correction(H)
With phase center variation correction(IGS)
L1 coordinates RMS(mm)

With phase center variation correction(NGS)


5

0
TRM. #9315 TRM. #4689 ASH. 700718 ASH. 700845 ASH. 700700
8
Without phase center correction
With phase center offset correction
7
With phase center offset correction(IGS)
With phase center offset correction(NGS)
With phase center variation correction(P)
6 With phase center variation correction(H)
With phase center variation correction(IGS)
L2 coordinates RMS(mm)

With phase center variation correction(NGS)


5

0
TRM. #9315 TRM. #4689 ASH. 700718 ASH. 700845 ASH. 700700

Fig. 12 The standard errors of the coordinates with and without


phase center corrections of the two types (Trimble-Ashtech)
GPS receiver’s antenna — N direction
18
10
Without phase center correction
9 With phase center offset correction
With phase center offset correction(IGS)
With phase center offset correction(NGS)
8
With phase center variation correction(P)
With phase center variation correction(H)
7
L1 coordinates RMS(mm)

With phase center variation correction(IGS)


With phase center variation correction(NGS)
6

0
TRM. #9315 TRM. #4689 ASH. 700718 ASH. 700845 ASH. 700700
10
Without phase center correction
9 With phase center offset correction
With phase center offset correction(IGS)
8 With phase center offset correction(NGS)
With phase center variation correction(P)
With phase center variation correction(H)
7
L2 coordinates RMS(mm)

With phase center variation correction(IGS)


With phase center variation correction(NGS)
6

0
TRM. #9315 TRM. #4689 ASH. 700718 ASH. 700845 ASH. 700700

Fig. 13 The standard errors of the coordinates with and without


phase center corrections of the two types (Trimble-Ashtech)
GPS receiver’s antenna — E direction
19
35
Without phase center correction
With phase center offset correction
30 With phase center offset correction(IGS)
With phase center offset correction(NGS)
With phase center variation correction(P)
With phase center variation correction(H)
25
With phase center variation correction(IGS)
L1 coordinates RMS(mm)

With phase center variation correction(NGS)

20

15

10

0
TRM. #9315 TRM. #4689 ASH. 700718 ASH. 700845 ASH. 700700
35
Without phase center correction
With phase center offset correction
30 With phase center offset correction(IGS)
With phase center offset correction(NGS)
With phase center variation correction(P)
With phase center variation correction(H)
25
L2 coordinates RMS(mm)

With phase center variation correction(IGS)


With phase center variation correction(NGS)

20

15

10

0
TRM. #9315 TRM. #4689 ASH. 700718 ASH. 700845 ASH. 700700

Fig. 14 The standard errors of the coordinates with and without


phase center corrections of the two types (Trimble-Ashtech)
GPS receiver’s antenna — U direction
20
3.0
Without phase center offset correction
With phase center offset correction
With phase center offset correction(IGS)
2.5 With phase center variation correction(P)
With phase center variation correction(H)
With phase center variation correction(IGS)
L1 coordinates RMS(mm)

2.0

1.5

1.0

0.5

0.0
TRM. #9315 TRM. #4689 LEI. #5727 LEI. #4463
3.0
Without phase center offset correction
With phase center offset correction
With phase center offset correction(IGS)
2.5 With phase center variation correction(P)
With phase center variation correction(H)
With phase center variation correction(IGS)
L2 coordinates RMS(mm)

2.0

1.5

1.0

0.5

0.0
TRM. #9315 TRM. #4689 LEI. #5727 LEI. #4463

Fig. 15 The standard errors of the coordinates with and without


phase center corrections of the two types (Trimble-Leica)
GPS receiver’s antenna — N direction
21
6
Without phase center offset correction
With phase center offset correction
With phase center offset correction(IGS)
5 With phase center variation correction(P)
With phase center variation correction(H)
With phase center variation correction(IGS)
L1 coordinates RMS(mm)

0
TRM. #9315 TRM. #4689 LEI. #5727 LEI. #4463
6
Without phase center offset correction
With phase center offset correction
With phase center offset correction(IGS)
5 With phase center variation correction(P)
With phase center variation correction(H)
With phase center variation correction(IGS)
L2 coordinates RMS(mm)

0
TRM. #9315 TRM. #4689 LEI. #5727 LEI. #4463

Fig. 16 The standard errors of the coordinates with and without


phase center corrections of the two types (Trimble-Leica)
GPS receiver’s antenna — E direction
22
60
Without phase center offset correction
With phase center offset correction
With phase center offset correction(IGS)
50 With phase center variation correction(P)
With phase center variation correction(H)
With phase center variation correction(IGS)
L1 coordinates RMS(mm)

40

30

20

10

0
TRM. #9315 TRM. #4689 LEI. #5727 LEI. #4463
60
Without phase center offset correction
With phase center offset correction
With phase center offset correction(IGS)
50 With phase center variation correction(P)
With phase center variation correction(H)
With phase center variation correction(IGS)
L2 coordinates RMS(mm)

40

30

20

10

0
TRM. #9315 TRM. #4689 LEI. #5727 LEI. #4463

Fig. 17 The standard errors of the coordinates with and without


phase center corrections of the two types (Trimble-Leica)
GPS receiver’s antenna — U direction
23
6. Conclusion
In this paper, GPS measuring data are applied to determine antenna’s
phase center, the coordinates’ components are corrected using phase
center offsets and variations calculated, the important conclusions of this
paper are list as follow:
(1) The antenna phase center offsets and variations influence the
coordinates accuracy determined using GPS data obviously.
Therefore, antenna phase center correction has to be executed in high
accuracy GPS measurement, especial, when using different type
antennas.
(2) It is feasible using Bernese 4.0 software to process GPS measuring
data and to execute antenna phase center correction. However, the
‘anechoic chamber measurement’ method is useful for checking the
results calculated by using the GPS measuring data.
(3) From Table 1 to Table 3, executing phase center corrections can
promote the precision of the coordinates. However, it is not obvious
difference of the results by using linear function or spherical
harmonic function to execute phase center variation correction.
(4) From Figure 9 to Figure 17, using the offsets and variations of the
GPS antennas’ phase center determined in this paper to correct the
coordinates can obtain better results than using the offsets and
variations announced by IGS and NGS.
(5) It is necessary to set up a GPS antenna phase center calibration net
and to determine a reliable model for antenna phase center correction.

24
7. References
Chen C. S., and Y. J. Chen, 1999.A study on the Calibration and
Correction of the GPS Antenna Phase Center, Journal of Surveying
Engineering, Chinese Society of Surveying Engineering, Vol. 41, No.
3, pp. 1-26.
Gurtner, W., G. Beutler, and M. Roathacher, 1989. Combination of GPS
Observation Made with Different Receiver Types, Proceedings of
the 5th International Geodetic Symposium on Satellite Positioning,
Las Cruces, New Mexico, March 13-17, Vol.1, pp.362~374.
Gurtner, W., and R. Liu, 1995. The Central Bureau Information System,
in IGS 1994 Annual Report, edited by R. Liu J. F. Zumberge and R.E.
Neilan, pp.43~57, IGS Central Bureau, Jet Propulsion Laboratory,
Pasadena, California U.S.A.
Imakiire, T., et al., 1997. Results of Phase Characteristics Measurements
of GPS Receivers Antennas(2), Journal of the Geodetic Socity of
Japan, Vol. 43, No. 2, pp.79-90.
Rothacher, M., et al., 1995. Determination of Antenna Phase Center
Variations Using GPS Data, in IGS Workshop Proceedings on
Speical Topics and New Directions, edited by G. Gendt and G. Dick,
pp.77~92, GeoForschungs Zentrum, Potsdam, Germany.
Rothacher, M., et al., 1996. Azimuth-and Elevation-Dependent Phase
Center Corrections for Geodetic GPS Antennas Estimated from GPS
Calibration Campaigns, in IAG Symposium No.115, edited by W.
Torge, pp.335~339, Springer-Verlag.
Schaer, S., et al., 1995. Global and Regional Ionosphere Models Using
the GPS Double Difference Phase Observable, in IGS Workshop
25
Proceedings on Special Topics and New Directions, edited by G.
Gendt and G. Dick, pp.77~92, Geo-Forschungs Zentrum, Potsdam,
Germany.
Schupler, B.R., and T.A. Clark, 1991. How Different Antennas Affect the
GPS-Observable, GPS World, Nov./Dec. 1991, pp.32~36.
Schupler, B.R., R.L. Allshouse, and T.A. Clark, 1994. Signal
Characteriatics of GPS User Antennas, Journal of The Institute of
Navigation, Vol. 41, No.3, pp.277~295.

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