Use of the L2C signal for inversions of GPS radio occultation data in the neutral atmosphere

Results from processing FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC radio occultations (RO) with the new GPS L2C signal acquired both in phase locked loop (PLL) and open loop (OL) modes are presented. Analysis of L2P, L2C, and L1CA signals acquired in PLL mode shows that in the presence of strong ionospheric scintillation not only L2P tracking, but also L1CA tracking often fails, while L2C tracking is most stable. The use of L2C improves current RO processing in the neutral atmosphere mainly by increasing the number of processed occultations (due to significant reduction in the number of L2 tracking failures) and marginally by a reduction in noise in statistics. The latter is due to the combination of reduced L2C noise (compared to L2P) and increased L1CA noise in those occultations where L2P would have failed. This result suggests application of OL tracking for L1CA and L2C signals throughout an entire occultation to optimally acquire RO data. Two methods of concurrent processing of L1CA and L2C RO signals are considered. Based on testing of individual occultations, these methods allow: (1) reduction in uncertainty of bending angles retrieved by wave optics in the lower troposphere and (2) reduction in small-scale residual errors of the ionospheric correction in the stratosphere.     

Non-linear motions of Australian geodetic stations induced by non-tidal ocean loading and the passage of tropical cyclones

We investigate daily and sub-daily non-tidal oceanic and atmospheric loading (NTOAL) in the Australian region and put an upper bound on potential site motion examining the effects of tropical cyclone Yasi that crossed the Australian coast in January/February 2011. The dynamic nature of the ocean is important, particularly for northern Australia where the long-term scatter due to daily and sub-daily oceanic changes increases by 20–55 % compared to that estimated using the inverted barometer (IB) assumption. Correcting the daily Global Positioning System (GPS) time series for NTOAL employing either a dynamic ocean model or the IB assumption leads to a reduction of up to 52 % in the weighted scatter of daily coordinate estimates. Differences between the approaches are obscured by seasonal variations in the GPS precision along the northern coast. Two compensating signals during the cyclone require modelling at high spatial and temporal resolution: uplift induced by the atmospheric depression, and subsidence induced by storm surge. The latter dominates ( \(>\) 135 %) the combined net effect that reaches a maximum of 14 mm, and 10 mm near the closest GPS site TOW2. Here, 96 % of the displacement is reached within 15 h due to the rapid transit of cyclones and the quasi-linear nature of the coastline. Consequently, estimating sub-daily NTOAL is necessary to properly account for such a signal that can be 3.5 times larger than its daily-averaged value. We were unable to detect the deformation signal in 2-hourly GPS processing and show that seasonal noise in the Austral summer dominates and precludes GPS detection of the cyclone-related subsidence.     

Surface description for urban climate studies: A gis based methodology

In order to understand the nature of the urban climate, predict the effects of urbanization, or attempt to ameliorate some of the negative hydroclimatic effects of urbanization, it is necessary to have a good understanding of the role and significance of the urban surface. This paper presents a methodology which uses GIS to represent the characteristics and morphology of the urban surface, which can be used to describe a site objectively, model fluxes, or ensure spatial consistency between measured and modelled data, all of which can vary through time. The methodology is illustrated with respect to Chicago, Illinois. Surface data collected at three spatial scales were used to construct a georeferenced database which was linked to an objective, dynamic accessing system. Spatial variability of surface cover, derived hydroclimatic attributes, and modelled fluxes associated with changes in the urban environment are used to illustrate potential applications of the approach.     

Mapping spiny aster infestations with QuickBird imagery

QuickBird satellite imagery acquired in June 2003 and September 2004 was evaluated for detecting the noxious weed spiny aster [Leucosyris spinosa (Benth.) Greene] on a south Texas, USA rangeland area. A subset of each of the satellite images representing a diversity of cover types was extracted and used as a study site. The satellite imagery had a spatial resolution of 2.8 m and contained 11-bit data. Unsupervised and supervised classification techniques were used to classify false colour composite (green, red, and near-infrared bands) images of the study site. Imagery acquired in June was superior to that obtained in September for distinguishing spiny aster infestations. This was attributed to differences in spiny aster phenology between the two dates. An unsupervised classification of the June image showed that spiny aster had producer's and user's accuracies of 90% and 93.1%, respectively, whereas a supervised classification of the June image had producer's and user's accuracies of 90% and 81.8%, respectively. These results indicate that high resolution satellite imagery coupled with image analysis techniques can be used successfully for detecting spiny aster infestations on rangelands.     

Remote classification of Cerrado (Savanna) and agricultural land covers in northeastern Brazil

Remote classification of land-use/land-cover (LULC) types in Brazil's Cerrado ecoregion is necessary because knowledge of Cerrado LULC is incomplete, sources of inaccuracy are unknown, and high-resolution data are required for the validation of moderate-resolution LULC maps. The aim of this research is to discriminate between Cerrado and agriculture using high-resolution Landsat 7 ETM⁺ imagery for the western region of Bahia state in northeastern Brazil. The Maximum Likelihood Classification (MLC) and Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM) algorithms were applied to a ～3000 km² subset, yielding comparable classification accuracies. The panchromatic band was reserved for validation. User's and producer's accuracies were highest for non-irrigated agriculture (～94%) but lower for Cerrado Lato Sensu (89%). Classification errors likely resulted from spatial and spectral characteristics of particular classes (e.g. riparian forest and burned) and overestimation of other classes (e.g. Eucalyptus and water). Manual misinterpretation of validation data may have also led to lower reported classification accuracies.     

A global inventory of coral reef stressors based on satellite observed nighttime lights

In this article, we present a satellite-based approach to gather information about the threat to coral reefs worldwide. Three chosen reef stressors – development, gas flaring and heavily lit fishing boat activity – are analysed using nighttime lights data derived from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) produced at the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, National Geophysical Data Center (NOAA/NGDC). Nighttime lights represent a direct threat to coral reef ecosystems and are an excellent proxy measure for associated human-caused stressors. A lights proximity index (LPI) is calculated, measuring the distance of coral reef sites to each of the stressors and incorporating the stressor's intensity. Colourized maps visualize the results on a global scale. Area rankings clarify the effects of artificial night lighting on coral reefs on a regional scale. The results should be very useful for reef managers and for state administrations to implement coral reef conservation projects and for the scientific world to conduct further research.     

基于蚁群算法优化正射影像镶嵌线

本文针对正射影像镶嵌线优化需求,本文提出了一种利用蚁群算法优化正射影像镶嵌线的方法。该方法将待镶嵌的相邻正射影像对根据地面坐标计算出它们在重叠区域的差值图像,通过外方位元素生成一条初始镶嵌线,并根据蚁群算法在重叠区域的差值图像上沿着初始镶嵌线在起点至终点选择一条最佳的路径避开房屋等高大地物,保存为最优镶嵌线。试验结果证明该算法能快速、有效选择正射影像的镶嵌线,实现大比例尺与城市地区的正射影像智能镶嵌。     

Multi‐sensor Image Maps from SPOT,ERS and JERS

Abstract

Image mapping using data from visible and infrared sensors has, as a major drawback, the frequent cloud cover experienced in many countries. This is one of the main reasons why topographic maps at 1:100,000 scale and larger are often outdated. The results of a study which investigated the possibilities of fusing up‐to‐date spaceborne microwave data with existing images from optical sensors for topographic map updating at a scale of 1:100, 000 are presented in this paper. A key issue researched was the influence of geometric distortions and corrections of remote sensing data on the results of pixel based digital image fusion. After having terrain‐geocoded and radiometrically enhanced imagery from the Landsat, SPOT, ERS‐1 and JERS‐1 satellites, the data were fused applying a variety of colour transformation techniques as well as statistical or arithmetic methods. Initially, the image fusion was implemented using images covering a test site in the north of The Netherlands in order to calibrate specified combinations and techniques in a rather flat area. With the experience gained, the remote sensing data acquired over the research site were processed. The research test site is located in a typical Developing Country in the humid Tropics, on the mountainous south‐west coast of Sumatra in Indonesia. The results of the various applied techniques and image combinations were evaluated with reference to their capability to overcome the cloud cover problem. New combinations of techniques and images were developed as result of an optimisation process. The research produced two prototypes of annotated 1:100,000 scale image maps containing fused, cloud‐free optical/microwave imagery.     

BUSINESS AND PLEASURE

Abstract

Mr. Surveyor A walked into the Club, his first visit after a four-months' field season. He entered the lounge, sank into one of the deep luxurious leather arm-chairs and called for his“sundowner“. In a little while he was joined by several other Government officers, glad to see him after his long absence and eager to hear of his bush experiences and to cap them with stories of their own.     

A modified geometry- and ionospheric-free combination for static three-carrier ambiguity resolution

The reliability of the classical geometry- and ionospheric-free (GIF) three-carrier ambiguity resolution (TCAR) degrades when applied to long baselines of hundreds of kilometers. To overcome this deficiency, we propose two new models, which are used sequentially to resolve wide-lane (WL) and narrow-lane (NL) ambiguities and form a stepwise ambiguity resolution (AR) strategy. In the first model, after a successful extra-wide-lane AR, the pseudorange and phase observations are combined to estimate WL ambiguities, in which the residual ionospheric delays and geometry effects are eliminated. In the second model, using the resolved ambiguities from the first step, the two WL ambiguities are combined to remove ionospheric and geometry effects. The unknown coefficients in the two models are determined in such that they minimize the formal errors in the ambiguity estimates to optimize the ambiguity estimation. Using experimental BeiDou triple-frequency observations, we evaluate our method and identify three advantages. First, the two models use double-differenced phase observations that are not differences across frequency. Second, the two models are entirely free from ionospheric delay and geometry effects. Third, the unknown estimates in the two models satisfy the minimum noise condition, which makes the formal errors in the float NL ambiguity estimates much lower than those obtained with common GIF TCAR methods, thereby directly and significantly increasing the success rate of AR compared to the cascaded integer resolution method and two other GIF combinations.