Impact of the VLBA on reference frames and earth orientation studies

The geodetic VLBI community began using VLBA antennas in 1989 for geodesy and astrometry. We examine how usage of the VLBA has improved the celestial reference frame, the terrestrial reference frame, and Earth orientation parameters. Without the VLBA, ICRF2 would have had only 1011 sources instead of 3414. ICRF3 will contain at least 4121 sources, with approximately 70 % or more coming exclusively from VLBA astrometry and geodesy sessions. The terrestrial reference frame is also more stable and precise due to VLBA geodesy sessions. Approximately two dozen geodesy stations that have participated in VLBA sessions show average position formal errors that are \(\sim \)13–14 % better in the horizontal components and \(\sim \)5 % better in the vertical component than would be expected solely from the increased number of observations. Also the Earth orientation parameters obtained from the RDV sessions represent the most accurate EOP series of any of the long-term VLBI session types.     

Radio source instability in VLBI analysis

The source position time-series for many of the frequently observed radio sources in the NASA geodetic very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) program show systematic linear and non-linear variations of as much as 0.5 mas (milli-arc-seconds) to 1.0 mas, due mainly to source structure changes. In standard terrestrial reference frame (TRF) geodetic solutions, it is a common practice to only estimate a global source position for each source over the entire history of VLBI observing sessions. If apparent source position variations are not modeled, they produce corresponding systematic variations in estimated Earth orientation parameters (EOPs) at the level of 0.02–0.04 mas in nutation and 0.01–0.02 mas in polar motion. We examine the stability of position time-series of the 107 radio sources in the current NASA geodetic source catalog since these sources have relatively dense observing histories from which it is possible to detect systematic variations. We consider different strategies for handling source instabilities where we (1) estimate the positions of unstable sources for each session they are observed, or (2) estimate spline parameters or rate parameters for sources chosen to fit the specific variation seen in the position-time series. We found that some strategies improve VLBI EOP accuracy by reducing the biases and weighted root mean square differences between measurements from independent VLBI networks operating simultaneously. We discuss the problem of identifying frequently observed unstable sources and how to identify new sources to replace these unstable sources in the NASA VLBI geodetic source catalog.     

Sigseg: a tool for the detection of position and velocity discontinuities in geodetic time-series

The detection of discontinuities in geodetic data is an ever more important topic due to both the influence of discontinuities on the results of models and analyses, and to the very meaning of discontinuities in physical phenomena. We consider and describe a mathematical model, originally formulated for the approximation of images by smooth functions, in one dimension (1D). The model had been designed to smooth the data while preserving and detecting its discontinuities following a variational approach. A second and more complex model for the approximation of images by functions with smooth first derivatives is also available. This second model had been designed to smooth the data while preserving and detecting the discontinuities of the data, but also those of the first derivative. Such interesting features suggest the chance to apply this second model to 1D geodetic data, in particular for the detection of discontinuities and velocity changes in position time-series rather than for signal smoothing. The sigseg (signal segmentation) program implements the two variational models in 1D and is presented with applications to geodetic data. The essential mathematical elements are sketched, and some details on the numerical implementation are given.     

VLBI observations of GNSS-satellites: from scheduling to analysis

The possibility of observing satellites with the very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) technique has been discussed for several years in the geodetic community, with observations of either existing satellites of the global navigation satellite systems or of satellites dedicated to realise a space tie. Such observations were carried out using the Australian telescopes in Hobart and Ceduna which, for the first time, integrated all the necessary steps: planning the observations (automated scheduling), correlation of the data and the generation of a series of time delay observables suitable for a subsequent geodetic analysis. We report on the development of new and the adaptation of existing routines for observing and data processing, focusing on technology development. The aim was to use methods that are routinely used in geodetic VLBI. A series of test experiments of up to six hours duration was performed, allowing to improve the observations from session to session and revealing new problems still to be solved. The newly developed procedures and programs now enable more observations. Further development assumed, this bears the prospect of being directly applied to the observation of dedicated space-tie satellites.     

Geodetic VLBI with an artificial radio source on the Moon: a simulation study

We perform extensive simulations in order to assess the accuracy with which the position of a radio transmitter on the surface of the Moon can be determined by geodetic VLBI. We study how the quality and quantity of geodetic VLBI observations influence these position estimates and investigate how observations of such near-field objects affect classical geodetic parameters like VLBI station coordinates and Earth rotation parameters. Our studies are based on today’s global geodetic VLBI schedules as well as on those designed for the next-generation geodetic VLBI system. We use Monte Carlo simulations including realistic stochastic models of troposphere, station clocks, and observational noise. Our results indicate that it is possible to position a radio transmitter on the Moon using today’s geodetic VLBI with a two-dimensional horizontal accuracy of better than one meter. Moreover, we show that the next-generation geodetic VLBI has the potential to improve the two-dimensional accuracy to better than 5 cm. Thus, our results lay the base for novel observing concepts to improve both lunar research and geodetic VLBI.     

Geodetic VLBI correlation in software

Correlation algorithms for geodetic very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) can now be effectively implemented on parallel computers of modest size. We have undertaken a detailed comparison of the output from a trusted geodetic correlator, one that has supported global geodetic VLBI observations for many years, with the output of a software correlator implemented on a small parallel computing cluster. We show that the correlator outputs agree closely, within expected error bounds, after accounting for the differences in the adopted geometric delay models, and therefore that use of the software correlator is feasible for geodetic VLBI processing, as a first step toward routine geodetic data processing. Recent developments in software correlation for geodesy are discussed, including the possibility of real-time processing options.     

Adjustment of geodetic measurements with mixed multiplicative and additive random errors

Adjustment has been based on the assumption that random errors of measurements are added to functional models. In geodetic practice, we know that accuracy formulae of modern geodetic measurements often consist of two parts: one proportional to the measured quantity and the other constant. From the statistical point of view, such measurements are of mixed multiplicative and additive random errors. However, almost no adjustment has been developed to strictly address geodetic data contaminated by mixed multiplicative and additive random errors from the statistical point of view. We systematically develop adjustment methods for geodetic data contaminated with multiplicative and additive errors. More precisely, we discuss the ordinary least squares (LS) and weighted LS methods and extend the bias-corrected weighted LS method of Xu and Shimada (Commun Stat B29:83–96, 2000) to the case of mixed multiplicative and additive random errors. The first order approximation of accuracy for all these three methods is derived. We derive the biases of weighted LS estimates. The three methods are then demonstrated and compared with a synthetic example of surface interpolation. The bias-corrected weighted LS estimate is unbiased up to the second order approximation and is of the best accuracy. Although the LS method can warrant an unbiased estimate for a linear model with multiplicative and additive errors, it is less accurate and always produces a very poor estimate of the variance of unit weight.     

基于扩展EL的大地测量报表系统

通过分析现有大地测量数据报表格式中存在的问题,以基于XML的大地测量数据接口文档为数据模型,建立了以Word文档为模板的EL引擎,使用户能够方便地对大地测量报表模板的样式和内容进行动态控制和修改,实现了数据库管理系统与报表系统、报表格式和数据内容的解耦,增加了报表的灵活性和扩展性。     

基于JSCORS的江苏省现代大地坐标框架的建设与维护

本文结合江苏省现代大地坐标框架的建设和JSCORS的运行维护,通过对江苏省原大地坐标框架的情况分析,介绍了江苏大地坐标框架的建设方案.结合区域稳定基点组的确定、框架维护和复测机制的建立、框架维护系统的建设等内容,提出江苏省大地坐标框架维护的解决方案.     

A contribution to the kinematics of plate tectonics

Modern geodetic positioning techniques likeVLBI, SLR, andGPS can be used for plate tectonic studies. A very simple model considers a number of rigid plates rotating individually with a constant rotation rate. An equally simple mathematical model, extended to deformable plates, is presented, based on vector calculus, which relates both absolute and relative point positioning observations to the plate rotation and deformation parameters (rotation rate, direction of rotation vector, deformation rate and direction of deformation center) in a consistent and elementary way. The determination of these plate parameters from various geodetic positioning observations is outlined.     

Geodetic sensitivity to surface meteorological data: 24-h and 6-h observing sessions

Tests have been performed to assess the utility of surface meteorological measurements for improved geodetic performance. Three types of a priori met data are considered: a default global, seasonal model; local met measurements collected at a subset of the test network; output values from a NOAA Forecast Systems Lab assimilation model. A variety of configurations for handling tropospheric parameters in the geodetic solutions is also considered. We find no geodetic advantage in using the measured met data under any test scenario. Differences among the three types of a priori information are generally insignificant, although biases can be introduced when some troposphere parameters are not adjusted. Even when using only a relatively small network (<100 km) the differences remain minor. When observing sessions are reduced from 24 h to 6 h the increased error due to measurement noise obscures all other effects except for the shortest baselines where some advantage may be achieved by not adjusting troposphere parameters for very close station pairs.     

Strain analysis along the North Analtolian Fault by using geodetic surveys

In earthquake prediction studies geodetic surveys play a very significant role. For this purpose, in Turkey, three micro geodetic networks have been established across the North Anatolian Fault. Of these, the Ismetpa§a Network is the subject of this paper. From the observations in combined triangulation—trilateration mode in 1972 and 1982 the horizontal movements and strain components were determined. Afterwards the parameters of the best fitting deformation model were computed and analyzed. The results show that the Anatolian plate has about a 1 cm/year westward motion, and there exists considerable strain accumulation in the area.     

Comparison between geodetic and oceanographic approaches to estimate mean dynamic topography for vertical datum unification: evaluation at Australian tide gauges

The direct method of vertical datum unification requires estimates of the ocean’s mean dynamic topography (MDT) at tide gauges, which can be sourced from either geodetic or oceanographic approaches. To assess the suitability of different types of MDT for this purpose, we evaluate 13 physics-based numerical ocean models and six MDTs computed from observed geodetic and/or ocean data at 32 tide gauges around the Australian coast. We focus on the viability of numerical ocean models for vertical datum unification, classifying the 13 ocean models used as either independent (do not contain assimilated geodetic data) or non-independent (do contain assimilated geodetic data). We find that the independent and non-independent ocean models deliver similar results. Maximum differences among ocean models and geodetic MDTs reach >150 mm at several Australian tide gauges and are considered anomalous at the 99% confidence level. These differences appear to be of geodetic origin, but without additional independent information, or formal error estimates for each model, some of these errors remain inseparable. Our results imply that some ocean models have standard deviations of differences with other MDTs (using geodetic and/or ocean observations) at Australian tide gauges, and with levelling between some Australian tide gauges, of \({\sim }\pm 50\,\hbox {mm}\). This indicates that they should be considered as an alternative to geodetic MDTs for the direct unification of vertical datums. They can also be used as diagnostics for errors in geodetic MDT in coastal zones, but the inseparability problem remains, where the error cannot be discriminated between the geoid model or altimeter-derived mean sea surface.     

Computation of geodetic direct and indirect problems by computers accumulating increments from geodetic line elements

By choosing sufficiently small elements of the length of the geodetic line, or of the latitude or longitude difference, the other two can be computed at each element and the results can be accumulated to solve the problem with more than twenty significant number accuracy if desired. Ten to twelve number accuracy was computed in the examples of this paper. The geodetic line elements are kept in correct azimuth by Clairaut’s equation for the geodetic line. The computers can do millions of necessary computations very economically in a few seconds. All other published methods solving the direct or indirect problem can be reliably checked against results obtained by this method. The run of geodetic lines around the back side of the Ellipsoid is outlined.     

基于Cesium的地方大地测量数据库平台设计

Cesium是一个基于JavaScript开源库,支持二、三维一体化的时空数据展示与管理功能,为地方(区域)性三维大地测量数据查询展示提供了一个低成本、易共享的平台。基于Cesium的地方大地测量数据库Web平台,将突破以往基于二维平台开发展示查询系统技术,实现大地测量数据三维可视化,进一步提高大地测量成果的共享性、可视性、交互性。本文基于Cesium开源库,结合.NET、Web Service等技术进行了Web应用程序开发,实现了GIS的基本功能,完成了大地测量数据的展示、定位和查询的工作。     

The AUSTRAL VLBI observing program

The AUSTRAL observing program was started in 2011, performing geodetic and astrometric very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) sessions using the new Australian AuScope VLBI antennas at Hobart, Katherine, and Yarragadee, with contribution from the Warkworth (New Zealand) 12 m and Hartebeesthoek (South Africa) 15 m antennas to make a southern hemisphere array of telescopes with similar design and capability. Designed in the style of the next-generation VLBI system, these small and fast antennas allow for a new way of observing, comprising higher data rates and more observations than the standard observing sessions coordinated by the International VLBI Service for Geodesy and Astrometry (IVS). In this contribution, the continuous development of the AUSTRAL sessions is described, leading to an improvement of the results in terms of baseline length repeatabilities by a factor of two since the start of this program. The focus is on the scheduling strategy and increased number of observations, aspects of automated operation, and data logistics, as well as results of the 151 AUSTRAL sessions performed so far. The high number of the AUSTRAL sessions makes them an important contributor to VLBI end-products, such as the terrestrial and celestial reference frames and Earth orientation parameters. We compare AUSTRAL results with other IVS sessions and discuss their suitability for the determination of baselines, station coordinates, source coordinates, and Earth orientation parameters.     

Estimating regional deformation from a combination of space and terrestrial geodetic data

We discuss an approach for efficiently combining different types of geodetic data to estimate time-dependent motions of stations in a region of active deformation. The primary observations are analyzed separately to produce loosely constrained estimates of station positions and coordinate system parameters which are then combined with appropriate constraints to estimate velocities and coseismic displacements. We define noninteger degrees of freedom to handle the case of finite constraints and stochastic perturbation of parameters and develop statistical tests for determining compatibility between different data sets. With these developments, we show an example of combining space and terrestrial geodetic data to obtain the deformation field in southern California. Received: 23 January 1997 / Accepted: 30 September 1997     

坐标转换计算程序

介绍采用四参数法进行大地坐标转换的原理及相关的计算程序。     

Height bias and scale effect induced by antenna gravitational deformations in geodetic VLBI data analysis

The impact of signal path variations (SPVs) caused by antenna gravitational deformations on geodetic very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) results is evaluated for the first time. Elevation-dependent models of SPV for Medicina and Noto (Italy) telescopes were derived from a combination of terrestrial surveying methods to account for gravitational deformations. After applying these models in geodetic VLBI data analysis, estimates of the antenna reference point positions are shifted upward by 8.9 and 6.7 mm, respectively. The impact on other parameters is negligible. To simulate the impact of antenna gravitational deformations on the entire VLBI network, lacking measurements for other telescopes, we rescaled the SPV models of Medicina and Noto for other antennas according to their size. The effects of the simulations are changes in VLBI heights in the range [−3, 73] mm and a net scale increase of 0.3–0.8 ppb. The height bias is larger than random errors of VLBI position estimates, implying the possibility of significant scale distortions related to antenna gravitational deformations. This demonstrates the need to precisely measure gravitational deformations of other VLBI telescopes, to derive their precise SPV models and to apply them in routine geodetic data analysis.     

GPS三维基线向量向大地坐标差的直接转换

推导了ＧＰＳ三维基线向量向大地坐标差直接转换公式,编制出相应的转换程序。