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Effect of small‐scale atmospheric inhomogeneity on positioning accuracy with GPS
Author(s) -
Bock Olivier,
Tarniewicz Jérôme,
Thom Christian,
Pelon Jacques
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2000gl011985
Subject(s) - zenith , depth sounding , troposphere , numerical weather prediction , global positioning system , environmental science , calibration , atmospheric refraction , meteorology , hydrostatic equilibrium , geodesy , atmospheric sounding , remote sensing , geology , physics , computer science , telecommunications , oceanography , quantum mechanics
Global Positioning System (GPS) measurements through a field of km‐size atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) inhomogeneities with a 10‐ppm index of refraction excess have been simulated and inverted. Biases of up to 1–2 cm in height, 1–5 mm in horizontal, and ∼5 mm in zenith tropospheric delay (ZTD) are found, in either static or dynamic atmospheres, using 24‐h solutions and estimating ZTD parameters. For 1‐h sessions the scatter can increase by a factor of up to 5. These biases are attributed to the inadequacy of standard mapping functions. The use of numerical weather prediction (NWP) models and additional sounding techniques is discussed as a means of improving mapping functions. Raman lidars are thought to offer the highest potential for this purpose and for external calibration of both hydrostatic and wet path delay.