Portable GNSS Signal Recording System with a High Sampling Rate: Field Tests and Application Forecasts

Abstract

The article describes recording equipment for reception and preprocessing of global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signals. The base of the data logger is an industrial class receiver capable of a rather high sampling rate of 10 Hz for recording signals. An important option of the data logger is the possibility of transmitting the data in real time, including via wireless links. The technical characteristics of the equipment enabling its stable field operation, including when it is mounted on a moving object, are discussed. The device was tested under field conditions in different modes: as a reference station and on a moving carrier (a vehicle laboratory). In both modes, the recorded information was transmitted online to the data aggregation center of the Institute of Physics of the Earth, Russian Academy of Sciences. In the first case, broadband Internet wire access was used; in the second, via wireless links of cellular providers. Based on the test results, potential areas for the developing of this GNSS data recording system are determined, including improved navigation support of mobile geophysical observations.