Real-Time Kinematic: The Next Surveying Tool

Peter A. Griffben, Timo Allison and Scott Dreier

Abstract:	The Global Positioning System is proving to be a very productive and accurate surveying tool. In the past, post processing techniques have been utilized almost exclusively for the reduction of GPS phase data. The Trimble Site Surveyors product is a new high- precision real-time differential GPS system. The system enables centimeter-level positions to be determined during the field observation using streamlined carrier phase processing algorithms within existing GPS equipment. The Site Surveyor system is a production survey tool that can be operated with minimal GPS experience. The system consists of two or more GPS receivers, radio-modems and a handheld survey computer. One receiver occupies a reference site and broadcasts GPS carrier phase and code measurements to the roving units. At a roving unit, the GPS measurements are processed in real time within the receiver to produce an accumte position, relative to the reference site. The graphical handheld survey computer uses this data for precise navigation to predefined points, As a result, the Site Surveyor system can guide surveyors to survey markswiththesameaccumcyasthatachievedbypost- processed kinematic carrier phase stuveys. This paper presents some of the design considerations of the Site Surveyor system, covering both hardware and s&ware.. In addition, test results of the Site Surveyor system and other GPS and traditional survey techniques are presented to provide accurate comparisons between the field methods.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 1993 National Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation January 20 - 22, 1993 Parc 55 Hotel San Francisco, CA
Pages:	399 - 408
Cite this article:	Griffben, Peter A., Allison, Timo, Dreier, Scott, "Real-Time Kinematic: The Next Surveying Tool," Proceedings of the 1993 National Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation, San Francisco, CA, January 1993, pp. 399-408.
Full Paper:	ION Members/Non-Members: 1 Download Credit Sign In