Forward modeling of GPS multipath for near-surface reflectometry and positioning applications

Multipath is detrimental for both GPS positioning and timing applications. However, the benefits of GPS multipath for reflectometry have become increasingly clear for soil moisture, snow depth, and vegetation growth monitoring. Most multipath forward models focus on the code modulation, adopting arbitrary values for the reflection power, phase, and delay, or they calculate the reflection delay based on a given geometry and keep reflection power empirically defined. Here, a fully polarimetric forward model is presented, accounting for right- and left-handed circularly polarized components of the GPS broadcast signal and of the antenna and surface responses as well. Starting from the fundamental direct and reflected voltages, we have defined the interferometric and error voltages, which are of more interest in reflectometry and positioning applications. We examined the effect of varying coherence on signal-to-noise ratio, carrier phase, and code pseudorange observables. The main features of the forward model are subsequently illustrated as they relate to the broadcast signal, reflector height, random surface roughness, surface material, antenna pattern, and antenna orientation. We demonstrated how the antenna orientation—upright, tipped, or upside-down—involves a number of trade-offs regarding the neglect of the antenna gain pattern, the minimization of CDMA self-interference, and the maximization of the number of satellites visible. The forward model was also used to understand the multipath signature in GPS positioning applications. For example, we have shown how geodetic GPS antennas offer little impediment for the intake of near-grazing reflections off natural surfaces, in contrast to off metal, because of the lack of diversity with respect to the direct signal—small interferometric delay and Doppler, same sense of polarization, and similar direction of arrival.     

An open source GPS multipath simulator in Matlab/Octave

Multipath is detrimental for both GPS positioning and timing applications. However, the benefits of GPS multipath for reflectometry have become increasingly clear for monitoring soil moisture, snow depth, and vegetation growth. In positioning applications, a simulator can support multipath mitigation efforts in terms of, e.g., site selection, antenna design, receiver performance assessment, and in relating different observations to a common parameterization. For reflectometry, in order to convert observed multipath parameters into useable environmental products, it is important to be able to explicitly link the GPS observables to known characteristics of the GPS receiver/antenna and the reflecting environment. Existing GPS multipath software simulators are generally not readily available for the general scientific community to use and/or modify. Here, a simulator has been implemented in Matlab/Octave and is made available as open source code. It can produce signal-to-noise ratio, carrier phase, and code pseudorange observables, based on L1 and L2 carrier frequencies and C/A, P(Y), and L2C modulations. It couples different surface and antenna types with due consideration for polarization and coherence. In addition to offering predefined material types (water, concrete, soil, etc.), it allows certain dimensional properties to be varied, such as soil moisture and snow density.     

GPS snow sensing: results from the EarthScope Plate Boundary Observatory

Accurate measurements of snowpack are needed both by scientists to model climate and by water supply managers to predict/mitigate drought and flood conditions. Existing in situ snow sensors/networks lack the necessary spatial and temporal sensitivity. Satellite measurements currently assess snow cover rather than snow depth. Existing GPS networks are a potential source of new snow data for climate scientists and water managers which complements existing snow sensors. Geodetic-quality GPS networks often provide signal-to-noise ratio data that are sensitive to snow depth at scales of ~1,000 m², a much larger area than for other in situ sensors. However, snow depth can only be estimated at GPS sites when the modulation frequency of multipath signals can be resolved. We use data from the EarthScope Plate Boundary Observatory to examine the potential for snow sensing in GPS networks. Examples are shown for successful and unsuccessful snow retrieval sites. In particular, GPS sites in forested regions typically cannot be used for snow sensing. Multiple-year time series of snow depth are estimated from GPS sites in the Rocky Mountains. Peak snow depths ranged from 0.4 to 1.2 m. Comparisons with independent sensors show strong correlations between the GPS snow depth estimates and the timing of snowstorms in the region.     

Forests and water in South America

South America is experiencing rapid change in forest cover, of both native and planted forest. Forest cover loss is primarily attributable to fire, logging, and conversion of native forest to agriculture, pasture, and forest plantations, and types of change vary within and among the many diverse types of forests in South America. Major changes in forest cover and growing policy concerns underscore an urgent need for research on sustainable forest management and water ecosystem services in South America. Differences in land ownership and management objectives create trade‐offs between wood production and water ecosystem services from forests. Work is needed to quantify how forest change and management affect ecosystem services, such as wood production versus water provision. Current scientific understanding of forest management effects on water ecosystem services in South America has important limitations, including a scarcity of long‐term records and few long‐term integrated watershed studies. Industry, government, universities, and local communities should collaborate on integrated applied studies of forests and water. Data archiving and publically available data are required. The creation of national networks and a multi‐country South America network to identify and implement common water research protocols, share results, and explore their implications would promote common and well‐supported policies. Hydrologists working in South America are well placed to tackle the challenges and opportunities for collaborative research that will maintain the intrinsic values and water ecosystem services provided by South America's forests.     

Evolution of hard gluons in a medium with q^(t)∼tn and the thermalization problem

We study the energy distribution of hard gluons traversing a dense quark-gluon plasma by comparing various transverse momentum broadening rates , using a probabilistic perturbative approach. These results were applied to address the thermalization problem in heavy ion collisions. Within the weak coupling model, thermalization follows a “bottom-up” process: early-formed high-energy partons emit low-energy gluons, leading to their equilibrium formation, creating a thermal bath that facilitates equilibrium in the high-energy sector. Under this scenario, we model the time dependencies of $$ as a power-law $$, and assess the impact of $$ on the distribution of hard gluons passing through the medium.     

Multicusped crocodyliform teeth from the Upper Cretaceous (São José do Rio Preto Formation,Bauru Group) of São Paulo,Brazil

The six peculiar multicusped teeth described here were collected from sediments of the Upper Cretaceous of São José do Rio Preto Formation, near Ibirá (northeastern São Paulo, Brazil). Their bulbous crowns are slightly labio-lingual compressed, and bear a main plus two accessory cusps, which conceal a well developed cingulum. Wear facets are seen on the main and distal accessory cusps. Comparison to the known Crocodyliformes with multicusped teeth show that the new material is not referable to “protosuchians” or eusuchians, nor related to two unnamed forms from Morocco and “notosuchians” such as Uruguaysuchus, Chiamaerasuchus, and Simosuchus. On the other hand, possible affinities with Candidodon and Malawisuchus were maintained based on shared traits. This includes teeth with the main cusp and some accessory cusps arranged in more than one axis, a previously defined unambiguous apomorphy of the putative clade composed of Candidodon plus Malawisuchus. The term Candidodontidae can be applied to this group, and defined as all taxa closer to Candidodon itapecuruensis than to Notosuchus terrestris, Uruguaysuchus aznarezi, Comahuesuchus brachybuccalis, Sphagesaurus huenei, Baurusuchus pachecoi, and Crocodylus niloticus.     

Damage assessment of the 2015 Mw 8.3 Illapel earthquake in the North-Central Chile

Natural Hazards - Destructive megathrust earthquakes, such as the 2015 Mw 8.3 Illapel event, frequently affect Chile. In this study, we assess the damage of the 2015 Illapel Earthquake in the...     

A review of the geodynamic constraints on the development and evolution of geothermal systems in the Central Andean Volcanic Zone (18–28°Lat.S)

ABSTRACT

Geothermal exploration in the Central Andean Volcanic Zone (CAVZ) focuses on heat capacities of known geothermal systems, yet the role of faults, veins, fractures and folds on the evolution and migration of fluids is far from complete. Here, we present a compilation of He and Sr isotope data and newly generated structural maps to examine if particular tectonic configurations are associated with fluids migrating from different crustal levels. Accordingly, we defined three tectono-geothermal environments (T1–T3) depicting specific structural arrangements and spatial relation with geothermal and volcanic manifestations. T1 is dominated by left-lateral strike-slip NW-striking faults, and geothermal and volcanic manifestations occur along the traces of these structures. T2 is dominated by N-striking thrust faults and parallel fault-propagated folds, cut and displaced by NW-striking faults. Here, geothermal manifestations occur at fault intersections and at fold hinges. T3 is defined by left-lateral/normal NW-striking faults, with geothermal and volcanic manifestations lying along fault traces. Each tectono-geothermal environment yields distinctive isotope ratios and geothermal reservoir temperatures. T1 shows high helium and low strontium ratios, and temperatures between 220° and 310°C. T3 shows low helium and high strontium ratios and temperatures between 260° and 320°C. T2 isotope ratios fall between T1 and T3, with lowest (130°-250°C) reservoir temperatures. We argue that these particular isotope signatures are due to a structural control on reservoir location and orientation. The orientation of the fracture mesh genetically associated with each tectono-geothermal environment is a first-order control on the migration pathway of fluids. Our model shows that T1 allows fluxing of deeper fluids, T2 promotes storage and favors longer residence times and T3 enhances subvertical fluid migration. Results here help to explain the evolution of geothermal systems in a wider context, including fault systems and Sr and He isotope variations, thus providing a framework for geothermal exploration in the CAVZ.