GNSS Real-Time data streaming is now available from GSSC!

02/03/2022 4782 views

Since the last quarter of 2021 the GSSC is providing Beta Services for the public users. This great milestone allowed the users to have access to a large GNSS repository, including global providers namely the International GNSS Service (IGS), regional ground-based GNSS receiver networks, space-based GNSS receivers from multiple missions and data from other services that can be of scientific use, such as laser ranging data from the International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS). As part of the GSSC Beta Services the system is also providing NTRIP services.

Networked Transport of RTCM via Internet Protocol (Ntrip) is an application-level protocol that supports streaming Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) data over the Internet. Ntrip is a generic, stateless protocol based on the Hypertext Transfer Protocol HTTP/1.1. The HTTP objects are extended to GNSS data streams.

Ntrip is designed to disseminate differential correction data or other kinds of GNSS streaming data to stationary or mobile users over the Internet, allowing simultaneous PC, Laptop, PDA, or receiver connections to a broadcasting host. Ntrip supports wireless Internet access through Mobile IP Networks like GSM, GPRS, EDGE, or UMTS.

Ntrip consists of three system software components: NtripClients, NtripServers and NtripCasters. The NtripCaster is the actual HTTP server program, while NtripClient and NtripServer act as HTTP clients.

Ntrip is meant to be an open non-proprietary protocol. Major characteristics of Ntrip’s dissemination technique are the following:

  • It is based on the popular HTTP streaming standard; it is comparatively easy to implement when limited client and server platform resources are available.
  • Its application is not limited to one particular plain or coded stream content; it has the ability to distribute any kind of GNSS data.
  • It has the potential to support mass usage; it can disseminate hundreds of streams simultaneously for up to a thousand users when applying modified Internet Radio broadcasting software.
  • Regarding security needs, stream providers and users are not necessarily in direct contact, and streams are usually not blocked by firewalls or proxy servers protecting Local Area Networks.
  • It enables streaming over any mobile IP network because it uses TCP/IP.

With this service the final users can build high added value applications with near real time GNSS data coming from all over the world. Among others the following performances can be checked:

  • Orbit and clock monitoring;
  • Ionospheric Delays;
  • PPP performance;
  • Navigation messages;
  • Geometry of the different constellations.

The GSSC NTRIP service provides data from different stations covering the whole globe and all the constellations so those analyses can be done covering all the satellites worldwide.

Users that want to use this service only have to install an NTRIP client and connect to the GSSC caster (host: ntrip.gssc.esa.int, port: 2101).

Connect through the GSSC helpdesk to get username and password and enjoy the service!