Characteristics and limitations of GPS L1 observations from submerged antennas

Open access
Date
2019-02Type
- Review Article
Citations
Cited 8 times in
Web of Science
Cited 11 times in
Scopus
ETH Bibliography
yes
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Abstract
Observations from a submerged GNSS antenna underneath a snowpack need to be analyzed to investigate its potential for snowpack characterization. The magnitude of the main interaction processes involved in the GPS L1 signal propagation through different layers of snow, ice, or freshwater is examined theoretically in the present paper. For this purpose, the GPS signal penetration depth, attenuation, reflection, refraction as well as the excess path length are theoretically investigated. Liquid water exerts the largest influence on GPS signal propagation through a snowpack. An experiment is thus set up with a submerged geodetic GPS antenna to investigate the influence of liquid water on the GPS observations. The experimental results correspond well with theory and show that the GPS signal penetrates the liquid water up to three centimeters. The error in the height component due to the signal propagation delay in water can be corrected with a newly derived model. The water level above the submerged antenna could also be estimated. Show more
Permanent link
https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000264091Publication status
publishedExternal links
Journal / series
Journal of GeodesyVolume
Pages / Article No.
Publisher
SpringerSubject
GNSS signal propagation in snow, ice, water; Signal strength attenuation; Water depth; Sub-snowOrganisational unit
03824 - Rothacher, Markus (emeritus) / Rothacher, Markus (emeritus)
Funding
156867 - GNSS Remote Sensing of snow coverage on ground and glacier surfaces (SNF)
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Show all metadata
Citations
Cited 8 times in
Web of Science
Cited 11 times in
Scopus
ETH Bibliography
yes
Altmetrics