Applications of an orbiting gravity gradiometer

Considering present attempts to develop a gradiometer with an accuracy between 10⁻³ E and 10⁻⁴ E, two applications for such a device have been studied: (a) mapping the gravitational field of the Earth, and (b) estimating the geocentric distance of a satellite carrying the instrument. Given a certain power spectrum for the signal and 10⁻⁴ E (rms) of white measurement noise, the results of an error analysis indicate that a six-month mission in polar orbit at a height of 200 km, with samples taken every three seconds, should provide data for estimating the spherical harmonic potential coefficients up to degree and order 300 with less than 50% error, and improve the coefficients through degree 30 by up to four orders of magnitude compared to existing models. A simulation study based on numerical orbit integrations suggests that a simple adjustment of the initial conditions based on gradiometer data could produce orbits where the geocentric distance is accurate to 10 cm or better, provided the orbits are 2000 km high and some improvement in the gravity field up to degree 30 is first achieved. In this sense, the gravity-mapping capability of the gradiometer complements its use in orbit refinement. This idea can be of use in determining orbits for satellite altimetry. Furthermore, by tracking the gradiometer-carrying spacecraft when it passes nearly above a terrestrial station, the geocentric distance of this station can also be estimated to about one decimeter accuracy. This principle could be used in combination with VLBI and other modern methods to set up a world-wide 3-D network of high accuracy.     

The terrestrial and lunar reference frame in lunar laser ranging

The initial value problem and the stability of solution in the determination of the coordinates of three observing stations and four retro-reflectors by lunar laser ranging are discussed. Practical iterative computations show that the station coordinates can be converged to about 1 cm, but there will be a slight discrepancy of the longitudinal components computed by various analysis centers or in different years. There are several factors, one of which is the shift of the right ascension of the Moon, caused by the orientation deviation of the adopted lunar ephemeris, which can make the longitudinal components of all observing stations rotate together along the longitudinal direction with same angle. Additionally, the frame of selenocentric coordinates is stable, but a variation or adjustment of lunar third-degree gravitational coefficients will cause a simultaneous shift along the reflectors' longitudes or rotation around the Y axis. Received: 21 August 1996 / Accepted: 17 November 1998     

CE-1立体相机影像与激光高度计数据不一致性分析

直接利用CE－1激光高度计测高数据制作月球表面模型,分辨率、精度都较低。利用激光测高数据改善三线阵CCD数据立体定位精度是一种有效方法。通过计算立体影像外定向参数、激光脚印（footprint）月固坐标,基于物方空间到像方空间的快速反投影算法,分析研究立体影像与激光高度计数据不一致性,目的是为后续CE－1探月三线阵影像数据与激光测高数据联合平差处理提供相对基准控制。通过不一致性分析试验,得到一些有益的结论,这些分析结果有望在下一步联合平差处理中获得应用。     

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.     

GPS inferred geocentric reference frame for satellite positioning and navigation

Accurate geocentric three dimensional positioning is of great importance for various geodetic and oceanographic applications. While relative positioning accuracy of a few centimeters has become a reality using Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI), the uncertainty in the offset of the adopted coordinate system origin from the geocenter is still believed to be of the order of one meter. Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) is capable of determining this offset to better than10 cm, though, because of the limited number of satellites, this requires a long arc of data. The Global Positioning System (GPS) measurements provide a powerful alternative for an accurate determination of this origin offset in relatively short period of time. Two strategies are discussed, the first utilizes the precise relative positions predetermined byVLBI, where as the second establishes a reference frame by holding only one of the tracking sites longitude fixed. Covariance analysis studies indicate that geocentric positioning to an accuracy of a few centimeters can be achieved with just one day of preciseGPS pseudorange and carrier phase data.     

基于嫦娥二号立体影像的全月高精度地形重建

提出了一种针对嫦娥二号高分辨率立体影像的全月处理方法,采用5个激光反射器的月面位置作为绝对控制点,制作了一个新的全月地形产品（CE2TMap2015）,包括7 m、20 m和50 m 3种不同分辨率类型的数据,实现了全月球范围内的无缝镶嵌和高精度绝对定位,数字高程模型（DEM）和数字正射影像（DOM）均实现了全月球覆盖。在评估CE2TMap2015地形数据产品平面位置精度和高程精度的基础上,与SLDEM2013、GLD100和LOLA DEM等全月地形产品进行了比较,结果显示CE2TMap2015地形数据产品在空间分辨率、全月覆盖率、数据连续性、绝对定位精度和地貌结构细节表达等方面与其他全月地形产品相比具有明显的优势,可广泛用于月球科学研究和应用。     

南极长城站建立深空测控站的可行性

在深空探测中,测控(跟踪)系统的有效运行是整个探测任务成功完成的重要保证。由于我国测控站都布设在国内,属于局部性分布,影响深空跟踪和测控的连续性和通信质量。本文提出在中国南极长城站建立深空测控站的设想,以当前热点的月球车巡视探测为例,从地-月通信的改善情况、南极长城站建站的地质条件、电磁环境、气候条件、交通运输后勤保障条件等方面分析了建站的可行性。研究表明:①对于国际主流探月国家所选取的月面探测区域月球南极,南极长城测控站的地-月通信受月面地形的影响要小于我国国内测控站,且测控时间与国内测控站可以实现互补,减小由于地球自转的影响;②南极长城站的地质条件、电磁环境和气候条件等适合于测控站的建设和使用;③南极长城站经过了30 a的建设,建站的各方面条件趋于成熟,逐步适合于深空跟踪站的建立。     

两种空间技术实现独立地球参考架地心坐标的精度分析

在并置站上对GPS和VLBI两种空间技术测定的地心坐标进行了比较,经过历元统一、偏心改正和七个转换参数之后,得到了两种空间技术地心坐标之间的不符值,其可以认为是这两种空间技术的真正实现精度,这两种地心坐标三个坐标轴方向分量的外符精度都在1 cm之内,试验说明了GPS和VLBI确定的地心坐标已达到毫米级。     

长距离GPS/BDS双系统网络RTK方法

基于区域参考站网的网络实时动态定位(real-time kinematic,RTK)方法是实现全球定位系统(global positioning system,GPS)、北斗卫星导航系统(BeiDou satellite navigation system,BDS)高精度定位的主要手段.研究了一种长距离GPS/BDS双...     

ITRF2008框架下VLBI与GPS确定地心坐标的精度分析

为了解ITRF2008框架下VLBI和GPS两种空间技术确定地心坐标的真正实现精度,在并置站上对VLBI和GPS两种空间技术测定的地心坐标进行了比较,经过偏心改正和七参数转换之后,得到两种空间技术地心坐标不符值的加权中误差,其可以认为是这两种空间技术的真正实现精度,经比较分析这两种地心坐标三个坐标轴方向分量的外符精度都在10mm之内,说明VLBI和GPS确定的地心坐标精度已达到毫米级。     

激光站在星载雷达高度计绝对定标中的应用

推导了一般情况下激光站为星载雷达高度计进行绝对定标的数学模型,并进行了仿真验证和误差分析,对高度计定标精度进行了定量评估。利用Corsica定标场区中Grasse激光站对Jason-2卫星定轨的实测数据进行了分析,取得了满意的结果。     

On the precision and accuracy of IGS orbits

In order to explore the precision and accuracy of International GNSS Service (IGS) orbits, we difference geocentric satellite positions midway between successive daily Final orbits for the period starting 5 November 2006, when the IGS switched its method of antenna calibration, through 31 December 2007. This yields a time series of orbit repeatabilities analogous to the classical geodetic test for position determinations. If we compare our average positional discontinuities to the official IGS accuracy codes, root-sum-squared (RSS) for each pair of days, we find the discontinuities are not well correlated with the predicted performance values. If instead the IGS weighted root-mean-square (WRMS) values from the Final combination long-arc analyses are taken as the measure of IGS accuracy, we find the position differences and long-arc values are correlated, but the long-arc values are exaggerated, particularly around eclipses, despite the fact that our day-boundary position differences apply to a single epoch each day and the long-arc analyses consider variations over a week. Our method is not well suited to probe the extent to which systematic effects dominate over random orbit errors, as indicated by satellite laser ranging residuals, but eclipsing satellites often display the most problematic behavior. A better metric than the current IGS orbit accuracy codes would probably be one based on the orbit discontinuities between successive days.     

利用激光干涉测距三维网的加权秩亏自由网平差

激光跟踪仪在激光干涉测距模式下,其测距精度要远远高于测角精度,利用极坐标测量的空间点坐标精度主要受测角误差的影响,利用激光跟踪仪的高精度激光干涉测距值构成空间三维激光干涉测边网,消除测角误差对空间点位的影响,采用基于重心基准的加权秩亏网平差模型进行整网平差。定向点坐标近似值采用极坐标方法确定,测站中心坐标近似值采用距离后方交会解算,通过附加约束矩阵精密求解测站点和定向点的三维坐标值。实际计算结果表明,该模型在12m测量范围内将激光跟踪仪的点位精度由87μm(标称值)提高到了27μm。     

月球遥感制图回顾与展望

对月球探测任务、月球遥感制图技术与产品进行综述。从1958年开始,全世界已开展126次(其中70次成功)月球探测工程任务,其中月球遥感制图是其必需的基础性工作。由于月球环境的特殊性,其遥感制图技术与对地观测制图相比具有很大的挑战和更大的难度。目前,中国嫦娥二号轨道器获取的7 m分辨率立体影像是覆盖全月球分辨率最高的立体影像数据,美国月球侦察轨道器LRO任务的激光雷达高度计LOLA数据是精度和密度最高的激光测高数据,LRO NAC影像的分辨率最高(0.5—2 m)但未覆盖全球。在各个探测任务中,基于月球遥感数据和摄影测量技术,已经制作了大量的全球及区域的影像拼图、正射影像图和数字高程模型等制图产品。对月球遥感制图技术发展进行展望,探讨了利用国际多探测任务数据建立新一代控制网和进行精细制图的必要性及技术思路。     

VLBI技术测月的数学模型探讨

近年各国已纷纷制定测月计划,采用何种技术对月球进行定位,变得尤为重要。本文通过对VLBI技术特点进行分析,VLBI是目前大地测量中精度最高的技术手段,但只适用于深空探测,因为深空射电信号到达地面时,可看作平行信号。本文针对VLBI技术特点及数学模型,对存在不可忽略视差的VLBI测月模型,通过级数展开,解决月面射电信号到达地球时的视差问题,并顾及地球自转得出最终数学模型,通过站间一次差分消除钟差等影响,得出VLBI对近轨天体(月球)表面射电源定位的数学模型。     

Visibility Analysis In Vision Metrology Network Design

The aim of this paper is to present a method whereby accuracy enhancement of an existing photogrammetric network is achieved through the automatic selection of additional camera stations. The determination of the positions of these 'accuracy fulfilment' camera stations is based upon what has been termed 'visibility uncertainty prediction modelling' of visibility constraints derived from the existing network geometry. Following a review of vision constraints in network design, the concepts of visibility uncertainty prediction and visibility uncertainty spheres are introduced. These provide a mechanism to predict the visibility of current object target points for the new accuracy fulfilment images. This in turn aids in network design improvement. The visibility uncertainty modelling is then illustrated for two close range photogrammetric network configurations, for which the test results demonstrate that the proposed model can reliably predict target visibility with an overall certainty of 75%.     

月球目标监测风云二号静止气象卫星可见光辐射响应变化

月球的光度具有纪年级的稳定性,其辐照度可作为可见—近红外光谱辐射基准,基于此的月球辐射定标方法有望成为辐射定标的新方法之一。本文介绍一种利用月球目标作为稳定辐射定标源,结合月球辐照度模型,跟踪风云二号静止气象卫星遥感仪器可见光通道辐射响应变化的方法。通过轨道预报遴选出风云二号E星(FY-2E)的扫描辐射计2010年1月—2014年10月的对月观测数据,经过月球图像提取和筛选、月球照度模型计算、卫星观测月球照度模型计算、星—月—日距离校正等环节处理后,获取了FY-2E扫描辐射计可见光通道的辐射响应变化,并且与深对流云辐射定标方法进行了对比验证。主要结果:(1)利用月球辐射作为基准可有效监测遥感仪器可见光通道的辐射响应变化情况,通过线性回归分析发现FY-2E可见光通道的辐射响应总衰减率是9.2%,年衰减率为1.96%,95%置信区间的不确定度和稳定性指标分别为±0.79%和2.66,其结果与基于深对流云目标监测的仪器辐射响应结果相近;(2)FY-2E可见光通道较低的量化等级(6 bit)、杂散光影响等因素对利用月球进行辐射响应定标和跟踪监测有一定的影响;(3)FY-2E辐射响应除了衰减趋势,还存在周期性震荡的特点。基于月球目标的辐射定标方法能够有效监测卫星的辐射响应衰减,可作为星载遥感仪器辐射响应定标和检验的一种可靠手段,特别是针对卫星全生命周期的历史数据再定标,从而提高辐射定标精度。     

Angular resolution of terrestrial laser scanners

Knowledge of a laser scanner's spatial resolution is necessary in order to prevent aliasing and estimate the level of detail that can be resolved from a scanned point cloud. Spatial resolution can be decoupled into range and angular components. The latter is the focus of this paper and is governed primarily by sampling interval and laser beamwidth. However, emphasis is often placed on one of these—typically sampling interval—as an indicator of resolution. Since both affect the resolution of a scanned point cloud, consideration of only one factor independent of the other can lead to a misunderstanding of a system's capabilities. This will be demonstrated to be inappropriate except under very specific conditions. A new, more appropriate resolution measure for laser scanners, the effective instantaneous field of view (EIFOV), is proposed. It is derived by modelling the shift variance of the equal angular increment sampling process, laser beamwidth-induced positional uncertainty and observed angle quantisation with ensemble average modulation transfer functions (AMTFs). Several commercially available terrestrial laser scanner systems are modelled and analysed in terms of their angular resolution capabilities using the EIFOV.     

Potentialities of Lunar laser range-differencing for measuring the Earth's orientation

Range differences, as derived by differencing simultaneously measured ranges from two stations to one and the same lunar reflector, are investigated regarding their capabilities for determining the orientation of the earth in an earth-moon reference system. Each pair of co-observing stations forms an observational unit (line) which is located preferably along a meridian or parallel. For a time interval which lasts from the instant of the first simultaneous observation of the most eastern line to the last observation of the most western line, assuming a reasonable observational rate and incorporating observations for which the zenith distance does not exceed 70 degrees, an analysis of variance shows that the pole position and the earth rotation can be computed independently of errors in the adopted lunar ephemeris and with at least measurement accuracy given a design which consists of two north-south lines being separated by 90 degrees and one east-west line. In the case of one north-south line the standard deviation of the meridional polar motion component does not exceed three times the measurement accuracy. As long as the stations are located within 10° to 15° in north-south or east-west direction the standard deviations of the parameters do not increase significantly, The lengths of north-south and east-west lines can vary between 60° to 80° and 40° to 60° respectively. The existing lunar ranging stations in Australia, Japan, Texas and Hawaii could be used to test the suggested method.     

深空探测器同波束相位参考成图相对定位方法

针对我国后续深空探测任务中高精度相对定位需求,提出了采用天文同波束相位参考成图技术进行深空探测器相对定位的方法。首先建立适用于深空探测器信号特点的同波束相位参考成图相对定位模型,然后分析信号带宽和UV覆盖两个因素对测量精度的影响。最后利用我国VLBI观测网(CVN)在2013年15、20和21日接收的嫦娥三号着陆器和玉兔号巡视器下行同波束数据,处理得到了巡视器在5个环拍点相对着陆器的位置,验证了本文方法的可行性及其对探测器下行信号的强适应性。与视觉定位结果的对比表明,巡视器相对着陆器定位精度达到米级。