Differential GPS

(A method of processing
the GPS Data)

Ashutosh Bhardwaj
(ashutosh@iirs.gov.in)
IIRS
http://www.aero.org/education/primers/gps/index.html
DGPS: What it serves?

High Accuracy
Steps for Data Preparation & Integration
• Geocoding: assigning geographic coord. to points
– Perhaps the most basic form of spatial data entry
• data media conversion : scanning/digitizing
• data format conversion-raster & vector
• data reduction
• Topology, error detection and topological editing
• rectification and registration (one on top of the other)
– overlaying sheets and referencing to the real world
• edge matching & image adjustment (side by side)
– linking & balancing adjacent sheets
• interpolation
• GIS Application
 How Well Does It Work?
Navigation Accuracy Comparisons

DGPS gives cm level accuracy

GPS- 15m

LORAN C- 180m

Transit- 200m

TACAN- 400m

Inertial- 1km

Omega- 2km
 DGPS
¾ Method of removing errors that affect GPS
measurements
¾ Uses a GPS receiver at a fixed, surveyed
location i.e. base station, to measure error in
pseudo range signals from satellites
¾ Base station receives the same GPS signals as
the roving receiver and instead of using
timing signal to calculate its position, it uses
its known position to calculate timing.
¾ Pseudorange error for each satellite is
subtracted from rover before calculating
position during: a) post processing of data or
b) real time i.e. kinematic mode.
 DGPS
¾ Signal time at reference location is compared
to time at remote location
¾ Time difference represents error in satellite’s
signal; clock bias
Differential GPS Correction

Real - Time
Differential GPS Correction

Post - Processed
Differential GPS
Example: Field Work- Static

R1 R2

R1/3

Base

R2/4
 The Technique
Differential Correction

• In the post processing, some of the errors between the

base station and rover data can be recognized, & corrected.

• Requires post-processing of field data.

(1) download the rover data

(2) download the base station data

(3) use software to make the corrections

• Remove or reduce all errors except multipath.

 Differential Correction Signal

• Uses standardized output: RTCM-104

• Binary code, not directly readable
• Receivers often provide RTCM104 on a RS-
232 serial output port
 Sources of error
1. [Selective availability]

2. Clock errors

3. Ephemeris errors

4. Atmospheric delays

5. Multipath effects

6. Receiver errors
 GPS Errors Diff. Corrected
Atmospheric partial

Clock and Ephemeris yes

Multipath no

Receiver noise no
 Typical error “budget” (m)*
Standard Differential
Source: GPS GPS
Satellite clocks 1.5 ~0
Ephemeris errors 2.5 ~0
Ionosphere delays 5.0 0.4
Troposphere delays 0.5 0.2
Multi-path 0.6 0.6
(reflections)
Receiver errors 0.3 0.3
Typical totals 10 – 15 1-2
Differential GPS Explained. J. Hurn. Trimble Navigation
 GPS Data Post Processing
Software
• Commercial Software
– SKIPRO from LEICA
– GPSURVEY from TRIMBLE
– GPSS from ASHTECH
– SPECTRUM SURVEY from SOKKIA
 Post Processing Software
• Scientific Post Processing
– BERNESE from University of Berne,
Switzerland
– GAMIT from MIT, USA
– GIPSY from Jet Propulsion Laboratory, USA
– DIPOP from University of Brunswick, Canada
– GEONAP from University of Hannover,
Germany
Use of GPS/DGPS Precision farming

Power Grid
Interfaces Personal Navigation
Surveying &
Mapping
Trucking &
Shipping
Aviation

Railroads Communications
Recreation

Fishing &
Boating
Off shore
Drilling
 GPS Opportunities in India

• Indian GPS market can be broadly divided in following

segments
• National Survey Agencies(NRSA, SOI,Mil.
Survey,NHO,)
• Land Records (Kerala,TN,J&K, Rajasthan,Gujrat, etc.)
• Oil and Energy( OIL, ONGC, BPCL, HPCL)
• Power(NHPC Assam, Himachal, J&K,Arunachal,
Kaveri Basin)
• Defense
• Scientific Institution(IIGM,CMMAC,CESS,WIHG, NGRI,
SAC,GSI)
 GPS Opportunities in India
• Mining and Consultancy Engineering
/Infrastructure(IRCON,RITES,Delhi Metro, NHAI)
• Private Surveying Companies(ICT,Theowell,
Secon, Shiv Vani)
• Marine and Maritime Boards(DGLL,Port
Trust,MMB, ICMAM, NIO)
• Remote Sensing and Forestry
• Education
• GIS
 Advantage of Differential GPS
? improved accuracy has a profound effect
on the importance of GPS as a resource.
? It becomes more and more useful for
applications where cm accuracies are
required, like:
1. Urban mapping.
2. Alignment: Road, Railways, canal,
3. Cartography,etc.
 References
• Gunter Seeber: Satellite Geodesy, 2nd Edition, Walter de
Gruyter, Germany
• Internet Resources
• http://www.aero.org/education/primers/gps/index.html
• www.garmin.com/aboutGPS/waas.html
• http://gipsy.jpl.nasa.gov/igdg/system/index.html