Satellite Positioning

Code:

EGEO3016

Acronym:

EGEO3016

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Surveying Engineering

Instance: 2023/2024 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Geosciences, Environment and Spatial Plannings
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Geology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
L:B	0	Official Study Plan	3	-	6	48	162
L:CC	0	study plan from 2021/22	2	-	6	48	162
			3
L:F	0	Official Study Plan	3	-	6	48	162
L:G	0	study plan from 2017/18	2	-	6	48	162
			3
L:M	0	Official Study Plan	2	-	6	48	162
			3
L:Q	0	study plan from 2016/17	3	-	6	48	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

This curricular unit aims to introduce the Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and their specificities, as well as their numerous potential applications:

- Understand the basic concepts of GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System).

- Learn how to autonomously operate a GNSS receiver, from its programming for the acquisition of data in the field to the obtainment of coordinates, including processing the observations in the lab.

- Identify sources of data and information available for supporting field surveys and data processing.

 

Learning outcomes and competences

The students are expected to be able to:

- autonomously use GPS for georreferencing points in topographic surveys;

- identify the more adequate observation methodology and processing mode in different types of applications.

 

 

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Students should have elementary knowledge of:

- Geodesy

- Satellite Orbits

 

Program

1. Introduction to the global positioning techniques: evolution and basic concepts.

2. Current global positioning satellite systems (GNSS, Global Navigation Satellite Systems) and main characteristics: components; orbits; signals.

3. The GPS system: description, principles, and type of observables.

4. Error sources that can affect GPS observations.

5. GPS positions determination.

6. Processing of the observations. Measurements combination to minimize the errors.

7. Methodologies for using the system: absolute, relative, and DGPS positioning.

8. Practical aspects of acquiring geo-referenced information with GPS: planning field surveys and procedures to adopt in the field surveys.

9. Use of permanent reference networks.

10. The concept of Virtual Reference Statio.

11. Applications of GNSS.

Mandatory literature

• Hofmann-Wellenhof, B., H. Lichtenegger, and E. Wasle; GNSS – Global Navigation Satellite Systems: GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and more, 2008
Alfred Leick; GPS satellite surveying. ISBN: 0-471-30626-6

Complementary Bibliography

Elliott Kaplan & J. Hegarty ; Understanding GPS: Principles and Applications
Seeber, G. ; Satellite Geodesy

Teaching methods and learning activities

Lectures are mainly based on PowerPoint presentations made available in PDF format on the site of the course.

In the practical classes, a set of exercises covering the most relevant topics of the course is solved and field surveys, with subsequent determination of positions from the processing of GPS measurements using commercial software, will be conducted.

Software

Trimble Business Center
Matlab
RTKLib

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	60,00
Trabalho laboratorial	40,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Frequência das aulas	56,00
Estudo autónomo	78,00
Trabalho laboratorial	28,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Attendance of PL classes is compulsory. The general rules of FCUP shall apply.

Calculation formula of final grade

Final written exam (E) and Report of the practical work (R)

Evaluation calculation:

FINAL = 0.6*E + 0.4*R where:

E: Final written Exam, R: Assessment of the Report

Minimum: Students must have a minimum of 8 values in each component.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

The assessment method is the same as for regular students.

Classification improvement

Students can use the methods predicted in the general University rules for mark improvement.