Comparison concept and quality metrics for GNSS antenna calibrations

Cause and effect on regional GNSS networks

authored by: Tobias Kersten, Johannes Kröger, Steffen Schön
Abstract: Precise values for absolute receiver antenna phase centre corrections (PCC) are one prerequisite for high-quality GNSS applications. Currently, antenna calibrations are performed by different institutes using a robot in the field or in an anechoic chamber. The differences between the antenna patterns are significant and require a sound comparison concept and a detailed study to quantify the impact on geodetic parameters, such as station coordinates, zenith wet delays (ZWDs) or receiver clock estimates. Furthermore, a discussion on acceptable pattern uncertainties is needed. Therefore, a comparison strategy for receiver antenna calibration values is presented using a set of individually and absolutely calibrated Leica AR25 antennas from the European Permanent Network (EPN), both from the robot (Geo++ company) and from the chamber approach (University of Bonn). Newly developed scalar metrics and their benefits are highlighted and discussed in relation to further structural analysis. With our metrics, properties of 25 patterns pairs (robot/chamber) could be used to successfully assign seven individual groups. The impact of PCC on the estimated parameters depends on the PCC structure, its sampling by the satellite distribution and the applied processing parameters. A regional sub-network of the EPN is analysed using the double difference (DD) and the precise point positioning (PPP) methods. For DD, depending on the antenna category differences in the estimated parameters between 1 and 12 mm are identified also affecting the ZWDs. For PPP, the consistency of the observables, i.e. potential differences in the reference point of carrier phase and code observations, additionally affects the distribution among the different parameters and residuals.
Organisation(s): Institute of Geodesy
Type: Article
Journal: Journal of Geodesy
Volume: 96
No. of pages: 21
ISSN: 0949-7714
Publication date: 14.07.2022
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Aerospace Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Computers in Earth Sciences, Geochemistry and Petrology, Geophysics
Research Area (based on ÖFOS 2012): Microelectronics, Satellite geodesy, Geodesy
Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.1007/s00190-022-01635-8 (Access: Open)
: Details in the research portal "Research@Leibniz University"

BibTeX

@article{0fb7ee3a72b549a89683442b482cbefa,
title = "Comparison concept and quality metrics for GNSS antenna calibrations: Cause and effect on regional GNSS networks",
abstract = "Precise values for absolute receiver antenna phase centre corrections (PCC) are one prerequisite for high-quality GNSS applications. Currently, antenna calibrations are performed by different institutes using a robot in the field or in an anechoic chamber. The differences between the antenna patterns are significant and require a sound comparison concept and a detailed study to quantify the impact on geodetic parameters, such as station coordinates, zenith wet delays (ZWDs) or receiver clock estimates. Furthermore, a discussion on acceptable pattern uncertainties is needed. Therefore, a comparison strategy for receiver antenna calibration values is presented using a set of individually and absolutely calibrated Leica AR25 antennas from the European Permanent Network (EPN), both from the robot (Geo++ company) and from the chamber approach (University of Bonn). Newly developed scalar metrics and their benefits are highlighted and discussed in relation to further structural analysis. With our metrics, properties of 25 patterns pairs (robot/chamber) could be used to successfully assign seven individual groups. The impact of PCC on the estimated parameters depends on the PCC structure, its sampling by the satellite distribution and the applied processing parameters. A regional sub-network of the EPN is analysed using the double difference (DD) and the precise point positioning (PPP) methods. For DD, depending on the antenna category differences in the estimated parameters between 1 and 12 mm are identified also affecting the ZWDs. For PPP, the consistency of the observables, i.e. potential differences in the reference point of carrier phase and code observations, additionally affects the distribution among the different parameters and residuals.",
keywords = "Antennen, Kalibrierung, GNSS, GNSS Antennen, carrier phase centre variation, carrier phase centre offset, Regionale GNSS Netwerkes, PCC, PCV, PPP, Antenna, Calibration, GNSS, carrier phase centre variation, carrier phase centre offset, regional GNSS networks, PCC, PCV, PPP, Gnss antennas, Carrier phase centre offset, Carrier phase centre variation, PCO, Regional GNSS networks",
author = "Tobias Kersten and Johannes Kr{\"o}ger and Steffen Sch{\"o}n",
note = "Funding information: The authors grateful acknowledge the centre of Orbit Determination in Europe (CODE) for providing orbits and products of superior quality. In addition, we thank the European Permanent Network Central Bureau (EPN CB) for providing metadata for the network and station specific products. Individual patterns of all antennas used in this study are available on the EPN FTP server (EPN 2019). Finally, we thank our colleagues of Positioning and Navigation (PosNav) group at IfE for the fruitful discussions on the manuscript. The valuable comments of the three reviewers helped to improve the paper.",
year = "2022",
month = jul,
day = "14",
doi = "10.1007/s00190-022-01635-8",
language = "English",
volume = "96",
journal = "Journal of Geodesy",
issn = "0949-7714",
publisher = "Springer Verlag",
number = "7",
}