Introduction To Global Positioning Systems (GPS)
Introduction To Global Positioning Systems (GPS)
A s s u m e a tim in g e r ro r o f 1 m ic r o s e c o n d
miles
speed of light in a vacuum - 186, 000
sec
miles sec 5280ft
186, 000 0.186miles 982ft.
sec 1, 000, 000 mile
Differential GPS (DGPS)
• Used to correct for errors
• Uses a ground station at a known location
• Ground station measures error of GPS
signal
• Error transmitted to DGPS unit and position
is corrected.
Differential GPS (DGPS)
DGPS Signals
• US Coast Guard
– Near navigable waters
– Free
• Subscription Services
– FM (line of sight)
– Satellite
• Most of the Valley gets Coast Guard signal
1 Meter Correction sources -
Coast Guard
http://www.ngs.noaa.gov
/CORS/Cors_coverage.ht
ml
True Range vs.
Pseudorange
• Errors in range (distance) result in position
errors.
– Satellite Clock Error
– Signal Transmission Error
– Error in receiver clock
• Carrier-phase tracking
– Used for very precise location
– $$$
Improving Accuracy -
Corrections
• Real time vs. Post Process corrections
• Real Time - Know your location in real time -
radio link needed
• Post process - Process the data in the office
to find real location
Accuracy
• GPS with Selective Availability on: 50 m
• GPS with SA off: 25 m
• DGPS 1-3 m to 1-2 cm
• Better accuracy is achieved by sampling
more points (statistical)
Improving Accuracy -
Corrections
• Two receivers required - error about the
same at each
• Put a receiver over a known location
• The difference between know location and
measured location is the error
• Apply this error correction to the moving
receiver to improve accuracy
Code phase vs. Carrier
phase
• The accuracy of the measurement is related
to the length of wavelength used.
• Code phase - 300 meter wavelength
• Carrier phase - 0.19 meters
Code Phase
Vs. Carrier Phase
• Advantages of Code • Advantages of carrier
Phase phase over code
Over Carrier Phase phase
– Since the pseudo – The accuracy possibly
random code has a increases from 1 meter
known pattern it is to 1 cm.
quicker to obtain a
position.
– It is less susceptible to
interference such as
trees.
GPS Output
• Commonly Latitude and Longitude
• Latitude
– North/South position
• Longitude
– East/West Position
• Given in decimal degrees. Ex.
-119.727289 36.822758
West Lon. North Lat.
Using GPS Data
• GPS Unit stores data then download to
computer
• GPS Unit has direct interface to computer
• GPS Unit is interfaced to:
– Yield monitor
– Variable rate applicator
– Navigation guidance (parallel swathing)
1 cm - base station on site