Quality controlling GPS estimated atmospheric water vapour via stochastic modelling. Signals from satellites of the Global Positioning System (GPS) can be used to estimate the quantity of atmospheric water vapour. Such information is vital to meteorologists for numerical weather prediction, since lack of atmospheric water vapour knowledge is a significant source of error in short term (0-24 hours) forecasts of precipitation. However, to be of practical use in numerical weather models, the estima ....Quality controlling GPS estimated atmospheric water vapour via stochastic modelling. Signals from satellites of the Global Positioning System (GPS) can be used to estimate the quantity of atmospheric water vapour. Such information is vital to meteorologists for numerical weather prediction, since lack of atmospheric water vapour knowledge is a significant source of error in short term (0-24 hours) forecasts of precipitation. However, to be of practical use in numerical weather models, the estimate of the water vapour content must be accompanied by a realistic, reliable quality indicator. Such quality indicators are not currently attainable using existing GPS data processing methods, with this project aiming to overcome such deficiencies.Read moreRead less
Ellipsoidal physical geodesy - improved global and local gravity field modelling. Improved techniques for gravity field modelling, using the ellipsoidal approach proposed in this research, will increase the accuracy of the Australian geoid model. A more accurate model of the geoid will bring great cost-benefits mainly to the Australian surveying, mapping and exploration community. For example, height determination from GPS [Global Positioning System] or similar satellite-based measurements is on ....Ellipsoidal physical geodesy - improved global and local gravity field modelling. Improved techniques for gravity field modelling, using the ellipsoidal approach proposed in this research, will increase the accuracy of the Australian geoid model. A more accurate model of the geoid will bring great cost-benefits mainly to the Australian surveying, mapping and exploration community. For example, height determination from GPS [Global Positioning System] or similar satellite-based measurements is only possible with the aid of an accurate geoid model. This will allow the use GPS to its full capacity and save valuable time and money (by as much as a factor of 10).Read moreRead less
Application of the Wavelet Transform to Isostatic Analyses in Australia. Existing methods of determining the Earth's isostatic response assume ideal but unrealistic conditions. This project will develop a new technique for isostatic analysis, using the two-dimensional wavelet transform. This tool can resolve spectral components of geophysical data in the space domain, thus avoiding the problems arising during the conventional Fourier analysis. With innovative processing methods, maps of the crus ....Application of the Wavelet Transform to Isostatic Analyses in Australia. Existing methods of determining the Earth's isostatic response assume ideal but unrealistic conditions. This project will develop a new technique for isostatic analysis, using the two-dimensional wavelet transform. This tool can resolve spectral components of geophysical data in the space domain, thus avoiding the problems arising during the conventional Fourier analysis. With innovative processing methods, maps of the crustal thickness from gravity and topography data can be generated, a task usually reserved for costly seismic experiments. Analysis of the wavelet power spectrum would also benefit the exploration industry by identifying previously unknown sedimentary basins.Read moreRead less
Investigations of the Integrity of the Australian Height Datum. The Australian Height Datum (AHD) forms the fundamental framework for all vertical spatial information in Australia. It supports a wide range of applications in areas such as geodesy, surveying, mapping, telecommunications, resource exploration and environmental science. This medium-term research programme will investigate the many issues surrounding the integrity of the AHD, and will rigorously redefine, correct and unify it with ....Investigations of the Integrity of the Australian Height Datum. The Australian Height Datum (AHD) forms the fundamental framework for all vertical spatial information in Australia. It supports a wide range of applications in areas such as geodesy, surveying, mapping, telecommunications, resource exploration and environmental science. This medium-term research programme will investigate the many issues surrounding the integrity of the AHD, and will rigorously redefine, correct and unify it within a global vertical framework. This will provide improved height information to the numerous users of the AHD in Australia, and allow Australia to contribute more fully to the global spatial data infrastructure.Read moreRead less
Validation of Synthetic Regional Gravity Field Models. This research will further develop the theoretical and practical methods required to test any model of the Earth's gravity field. Previously, geodesists have had to rely on analytical error estimates, usually based on observed data. A synthetic Earth gravity model avoids this scenario by giving an exact validation technique of the methods used. The synthetic model will allow users of geoid models (e.g., for GPS heighting) to have much mor ....Validation of Synthetic Regional Gravity Field Models. This research will further develop the theoretical and practical methods required to test any model of the Earth's gravity field. Previously, geodesists have had to rely on analytical error estimates, usually based on observed data. A synthetic Earth gravity model avoids this scenario by giving an exact validation technique of the methods used. The synthetic model will allow users of geoid models (e.g., for GPS heighting) to have much more confidence in their results. When used with a precise geoid model, GPS is faster and cheaper than conventional spirit-levelling, offering around 800% productivity gains. Read moreRead less
Prediction of Sea Level Change around Australia and its Calibration and Validation by Satellite-Geodetic Measurements. The redistribution of mass and loading due to deglaciation will change the gravity field, spin axis and centre of mass of the Earth. As such, global sea level will not rise by the same amount in all places, and will even fall in some. This project will extend our realistic Earth model, constructed from a previous ARC grant, to simulate such changes in sea level. These simulat ....Prediction of Sea Level Change around Australia and its Calibration and Validation by Satellite-Geodetic Measurements. The redistribution of mass and loading due to deglaciation will change the gravity field, spin axis and centre of mass of the Earth. As such, global sea level will not rise by the same amount in all places, and will even fall in some. This project will extend our realistic Earth model, constructed from a previous ARC grant, to simulate such changes in sea level. These simulated values will be compared with contemporary estimates of ice mass balance and temporal gravity changes measured by satellite geodesy. Ultimately, this will allow for more informed management of sea level change in Australasia.Read moreRead less
Skycontrol 2: Long-range positioning of aircraft using multibase GPS and INS. This extends our ARC linkage project (LP0347509) by one year, where we developed and tested a long-range airborne GPS (global positioning system) using a network of ground-based receivers. While the original objectives have been met, and exceeded in some instances, we have now identified the real need to use complementary positional information from INS (inertial navigation systems). As well as reducing the cost of ai ....Skycontrol 2: Long-range positioning of aircraft using multibase GPS and INS. This extends our ARC linkage project (LP0347509) by one year, where we developed and tested a long-range airborne GPS (global positioning system) using a network of ground-based receivers. While the original objectives have been met, and exceeded in some instances, we have now identified the real need to use complementary positional information from INS (inertial navigation systems). As well as reducing the cost of airborne mapping surveys in Australia, our SkyControl2 system will have the added benefit of increased accuracy and reliability.Read moreRead less
A system for long-range positioning of airborne mapping sensors using a multi-receiver, Internet-compatible GPS network. This project will research, develop and test a GPS-network-based system, SkyControl, for the accurate coordination of airborne mapping sensors. A ground network of GPS receivers will be established and the aircraft positioned at long ranges (100 km) using a network solution, as opposed to the single-baseline solutions used at present. The GPS data from the ground network wil ....A system for long-range positioning of airborne mapping sensors using a multi-receiver, Internet-compatible GPS network. This project will research, develop and test a GPS-network-based system, SkyControl, for the accurate coordination of airborne mapping sensors. A ground network of GPS receivers will be established and the aircraft positioned at long ranges (100 km) using a network solution, as opposed to the single-baseline solutions used at present. The GPS data from the ground network will be transferred to a central location via the Internet and stored in an intelligent database so as to allow efficient data management and processing. This approach will ultimately reduce the cost and increase the reliability of airborne surveys in Australia and overseas.Read moreRead less
Theoretical and Model Strengthening of Future Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) to Yield Improved Geospatial Information for Tomorrow's Society. Australia is a significant user of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSSs) because of its utility and for scientific applications (e.g., Earth-, atmospheric- and space-science). The national benefit of improved integer-estimation and model strengthening of integrated GNSSs is twofold: 1. all future scientific GNSS studies will rest on more ....Theoretical and Model Strengthening of Future Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) to Yield Improved Geospatial Information for Tomorrow's Society. Australia is a significant user of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSSs) because of its utility and for scientific applications (e.g., Earth-, atmospheric- and space-science). The national benefit of improved integer-estimation and model strengthening of integrated GNSSs is twofold: 1. all future scientific GNSS studies will rest on more reliable positioning and related solutions, and 2. the refinements to these high-precision and high-integrity scientific GNSS applications will feed into much-improved geospatial information for tomorrow's society. Read moreRead less
Next generation global navigation satellite systems ambiguity resolution. In the next five years, four new satellite-based navigation and positioning systems, called Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), will come to challenge/complement the well-known US global positioning system (GPS). In order to get the highest accuracy and most reliable results from these GNSSs, a procedure known as ambiguity resolution (AR) is essential. This collaborative project will bring Professor Peter Teuniss ....Next generation global navigation satellite systems ambiguity resolution. In the next five years, four new satellite-based navigation and positioning systems, called Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), will come to challenge/complement the well-known US global positioning system (GPS). In order to get the highest accuracy and most reliable results from these GNSSs, a procedure known as ambiguity resolution (AR) is essential. This collaborative project will bring Professor Peter Teunissen, the inventor of the famous LAMBDA method that is currently used in all GPS AR software, to Australia to work on AR for a combined new GNSS AR solution that is also optimised for Australian users. Read moreRead less