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The GNSS measurements are referred to the so-called antenna phase centre.
The GNSS measurements are referred to the so-called antenna phase center.
The position of the antenna phase centre is not necessarily the geometric centre of the antenna. Indeed, it is not constant, but it depends on the direction the radio signal coming in.
The position of the antenna phase center is not necessarily the geometric center of the antenna. Indeed, it is not constant, but it depends on the direction the radio signal coming in.




The phase centre is defined as the ''apparent source of radiation''. If the source were ideal it would have a spheric equiphase contour, but the real case is slightly different, because the equiphase contour is irregular and each segment has its own apparent radiation origin.
The phase center is defined as the ''apparent source of radiation''. If the source were ideal it would have a spheric equiphase contour, but the real case is slightly different, because the equiphase contour is irregular and each segment has its own apparent radiation origin.


The initial phase center offset (PCO) for a particular frequency, given in north-east-up components relative to the antenna reference point (ARP). PCO is considered the average point of signal reception if the satellite signal direction is not taken into account<ref>[https://www.ngs.noaa.gov/ANTCAL/FAQ.xhtml#faq8 National Geodetic Survey FAQ]</ref>.


Thus the phase centre of an antenna is not only angle dependant (elevation and azimuth) but also it depends on the signal frequency. A simple model is to assume that the phase centres are differs only on the vertical axis of the antenna, see figure 1. The manufacturers include technical sheets indicating the phase centre offsets.
The position of the electrical antenna phase center of an individual measurement and the position of the mean electrical antenna phase center are not identical. The deviations, as a result of this comparison, are defined as antenna phase center variations (PCV)<ref>Dawidowicz, Karol. (2014). Phase center variations problem in GPS/GLONASS observations processing. 10.3846/enviro.2014.202. </ref> .




::[[File:Antenna_Phase_Centre_centerph_DMT.png|none|thumb|520px|'''''Figure 1:''''' Layout of a Dorne Margolin T Antenna. The Antenna Phase Centre (APC) offsets for L1 and L2 signals and the Antenna Reference Point (ARP) are indicated in the figure.]]
Hence the phase center of an antenna is not only angle dependent (elevation and azimuth) but also it depends on the signal frequency. Typically, the ARP coincides with the axis of attachment of the antenna to a monument or surveying instrument. The manufacturers include technical sheets indicating the phase center offsets.




To model the effect of the Antenna Phase Centre, it must be taken into account the contribution of the [[Receiver Antenna Phase Centre]] and the [[Satellite Antenna Phase Centre]].
::[[File:IGS antenna.png|none|thumb|520px|'''''Figure 1:''''' Layout of a  Dorne Margolin T Antenna including the Antenna Reference Point (ARP) to which the phase center correction values in the corresponding IGS antenna phase center model <ref name=file>[IGS antenna.gra files.igs.org/pub/station/general/antenna.gra?_gl=1*1yghmjt*_ga*MzI0NTI3MTQuMTcwMjQ3NTU3OA..*_ga_Z5RH7R682C*MTcxNTc1OTkxNi45Ni4wLjE3MTU3NTk5MTYuNjAuMC4w&_ga=2.206990739.1428538916.1715585835-32452714.1702475578]</ref>refer.]]




Antenna Phase Centre corrections for different models of receivers, ''relative to the AOA Dorne-Margolin T (AOAD/M_T) antenna'' <ref group="footnotes">The IGS stations network was initially dominated by AOA Dorne-Margolin chocke ring antenna models.</ref>, were compiled by IGS and are provided in ftp://igscb.jpl.nasa.gov/igscb/station/general
To model the effect of the Antenna Phase Center, it must be taken into account the contribution of the [[Receiver Antenna Phase Centre]] and the [[Satellite Antenna Phase Centre]].




These PCV files <ref group="footnotes">See http://igscb.jpl.nasa.gov/igscb/station/general/igs_01.txt</ref>, include East, North, Up (ENU) offsets of the mean phase centre location and Phase Centre Variations (PCVs) as a function of the elevation angle over <math>10</math> degrees. They were determined using short-baseline field measurements taking the AOAD/M_T antenna as reference [Gendt, G. and Schmid, R., 2005] <ref name="IGSMail"> [Gendt, G. and Schmid, R., 2005] Gendt, G. and Schmid, R., 2005. IGSMAIL-5189: Planned changes to IGS antenna calibrations. http://igscb.jpl.nasa.gov/mail/igsmail/2005/msg00111.html.</ref>. Nevertheless, as shown by [Mader, 1999]<ref>[Mader, 1999] Mader, G., 1999. GPS antenna calibration at the National Geodetic Survey. GPS Solutions. 3(1), pp. 50-58.</ref>, on long baselines, the relative PCVs are not adequate, even for the same antenna model.
Antenna Phase Center corrections for different models of receivers, ''relative to the AOA Dorne-Margolin T (AOAD/M_T) antenna'' <ref group="footnotes">The IGS stations network was initially dominated by AOA Dorne-Margolin choke ring antenna models.</ref>, were compiled by IGS.




On November 5th 2006, IGS switched from relative to ''absolute antenna phase centre corrections'', which took place together with the adoption of ITRF2005 <ref name="IGSMail"/>. The absolute antenna phase centre offsets and PCVs are determined by a robotic system developed by the University of Hanover and the company Geo++ (see http://www.geopp.de). They include azimuthal values and elevations down to <math>0</math> degrees.
IGS is compiling a consistent set of absolute antenna phase centre corrections for both receivers network and satellites, which are provided in so-called the Antenna Exchange Format (ANTEX) files <ref group="footnotes">See ANTEX format at: http://www.epncb.oma.be/ftp/station/general/antex14.txt</ref> in ftp://igscb.jpl.nasa.gov/igscb/station/general.


These PCV files include North East Up (NEU) offsets of the mean phase center location and Phase center Variations (PCVs) as a function of the elevation angle over <math>10</math> degrees. They were determined using short-baseline field measurements taking the AOAD/M_T antenna as reference [Gendt, G. and Schmid, R., 2005] <ref name="IGSMail"> [Gendt, G. and Schmid, R., 2005] Gendt, G. and Schmid, R., 2005. IGSMAIL-5189: Planned changes to IGS antenna calibrations. </ref>. Nevertheless, as shown by [Mader, 1999]<ref>[Mader, 1999] Mader, G., 1999. GPS antenna calibration at the National Geodetic Survey. GPS Solutions. 3(1), pp. 50-58.</ref>, on long baselines, the relative PCVs are not adequate, even for the same antenna model.


Since November 5th 2006 (GPS week 1400) the IGS products, i.e, SP3 files <ref group="footnotes"> A reference on the satellite antenna phase centres used is indicated in the header of SP3 files.</ref> with the GPS and GLONASS precise orbits and clocks..., and the Solution (Software/technique) INdependent EXchange Format (SINEX) files with the computed precise coordinates of the reference stations network are associates to such ANTEX files with absolute antenna phase centre corrections (offsets and PCVs). It must be pointed out that users should not mix absolute and relative PCVs. Moreover absolute PCVs require corrections for both satellites and receiver antennas.
 
On November 5th 2006, IGS switched from relative to ''absolute antenna phase center corrections'', which took place together with the adoption of ITRF2005 <ref name="IGSMail"/>. The absolute antenna phase center offsets and PCVs are determined by a robotic system developed by the University of Hanover and the company Geo++. They include azimuthal values and elevations down to <math>0</math> degrees.
IGS is compiling a consistent set of absolute antenna phase center corrections for both receivers network and satellites, which are provided in so-called the Antenna Exchange Format (ANTEX) files <ref group="footnotes">See ANTEX format at: https://files.igs.org/pub/data/format/antex14.txt </ref>.
 
Since November 5th 2006 (GPS week 1400) the IGS products, i.e., SP3 files <ref group="footnotes"> A reference on the satellite antenna phase centers used is indicated in the header of SP3 files.</ref> with the GPS and GLONASS precise orbits and clocks..., and the Solution (Software/technique) INdependent EXchange Format (SINEX) files with the computed precise coordinates of the reference stations network are associates to such ANTEX files with absolute antenna phase center corrections (offsets and PCVs). It must be pointed out that users should not mix absolute and relative PCVs. Moreover, absolute PCVs require corrections for both satellites and receiver antennas.




Latest revision as of 12:14, 12 June 2024


FundamentalsFundamentals
Title Antenna Phase Centre
Author(s) J. Sanz Subirana, J.M. Juan Zornoza and M. Hernández-Pajares, Technical University of Catalonia, Spain.
Level Basic
Year of Publication 2011

The GNSS measurements are referred to the so-called antenna phase center. The position of the antenna phase center is not necessarily the geometric center of the antenna. Indeed, it is not constant, but it depends on the direction the radio signal coming in.


The phase center is defined as the apparent source of radiation. If the source were ideal it would have a spheric equiphase contour, but the real case is slightly different, because the equiphase contour is irregular and each segment has its own apparent radiation origin.

The initial phase center offset (PCO) for a particular frequency, given in north-east-up components relative to the antenna reference point (ARP). PCO is considered the average point of signal reception if the satellite signal direction is not taken into account[1].

The position of the electrical antenna phase center of an individual measurement and the position of the mean electrical antenna phase center are not identical. The deviations, as a result of this comparison, are defined as antenna phase center variations (PCV)[2] .


Hence the phase center of an antenna is not only angle dependent (elevation and azimuth) but also it depends on the signal frequency. Typically, the ARP coincides with the axis of attachment of the antenna to a monument or surveying instrument. The manufacturers include technical sheets indicating the phase center offsets.


Figure 1: Layout of a Dorne Margolin T Antenna including the Antenna Reference Point (ARP) to which the phase center correction values in the corresponding IGS antenna phase center model [3]refer.


To model the effect of the Antenna Phase Center, it must be taken into account the contribution of the Receiver Antenna Phase Centre and the Satellite Antenna Phase Centre.


Antenna Phase Center corrections for different models of receivers, relative to the AOA Dorne-Margolin T (AOAD/M_T) antenna [footnotes 1], were compiled by IGS.


These PCV files include North East Up (NEU) offsets of the mean phase center location and Phase center Variations (PCVs) as a function of the elevation angle over [math]\displaystyle{ 10 }[/math] degrees. They were determined using short-baseline field measurements taking the AOAD/M_T antenna as reference [Gendt, G. and Schmid, R., 2005] [4]. Nevertheless, as shown by [Mader, 1999][5], on long baselines, the relative PCVs are not adequate, even for the same antenna model.


On November 5th 2006, IGS switched from relative to absolute antenna phase center corrections, which took place together with the adoption of ITRF2005 [4]. The absolute antenna phase center offsets and PCVs are determined by a robotic system developed by the University of Hanover and the company Geo++. They include azimuthal values and elevations down to [math]\displaystyle{ 0 }[/math] degrees. IGS is compiling a consistent set of absolute antenna phase center corrections for both receivers network and satellites, which are provided in so-called the Antenna Exchange Format (ANTEX) files [footnotes 2].

Since November 5th 2006 (GPS week 1400) the IGS products, i.e., SP3 files [footnotes 3] with the GPS and GLONASS precise orbits and clocks..., and the Solution (Software/technique) INdependent EXchange Format (SINEX) files with the computed precise coordinates of the reference stations network are associates to such ANTEX files with absolute antenna phase center corrections (offsets and PCVs). It must be pointed out that users should not mix absolute and relative PCVs. Moreover, absolute PCVs require corrections for both satellites and receiver antennas.


Notes

  1. ^ The IGS stations network was initially dominated by AOA Dorne-Margolin choke ring antenna models.
  2. ^ See ANTEX format at: https://files.igs.org/pub/data/format/antex14.txt
  3. ^ A reference on the satellite antenna phase centers used is indicated in the header of SP3 files.


References

  1. ^ National Geodetic Survey FAQ
  2. ^ Dawidowicz, Karol. (2014). Phase center variations problem in GPS/GLONASS observations processing. 10.3846/enviro.2014.202.
  3. ^ [IGS antenna.gra files.igs.org/pub/station/general/antenna.gra?_gl=1*1yghmjt*_ga*MzI0NTI3MTQuMTcwMjQ3NTU3OA..*_ga_Z5RH7R682C*MTcxNTc1OTkxNi45Ni4wLjE3MTU3NTk5MTYuNjAuMC4w&_ga=2.206990739.1428538916.1715585835-32452714.1702475578]
  4. ^ a b [Gendt, G. and Schmid, R., 2005] Gendt, G. and Schmid, R., 2005. IGSMAIL-5189: Planned changes to IGS antenna calibrations.
  5. ^ [Mader, 1999] Mader, G., 1999. GPS antenna calibration at the National Geodetic Survey. GPS Solutions. 3(1), pp. 50-58.
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