SURVEYING WITH GPS

Key Words: Static, Fast-static, Kinematic, PseudoKinematic, Real-time kinematic, Receiver

Initialization, On The Fly (OTF), Baselines,
Redundant baselines, Base Receiver,
Rover

GPS has become a standard surveying technique in most surveying

practices

This could be attributed to both the ease of use as well as reduction

in hardware costs

Advantage of GPS surveys

Three Dimensional
Site Intervisibility Not Needed
Weather Independent
Day or Night Operation
Common Reference System
Rapid Data Processing with Quality Control
High Precision
Less Labor Intensive/Cost Effective
Very Few Skilled Personnel Needed

GPS eliminates the need for establishing control before a survey

GPS can establish control as and when needed and establish points
at strategic locations to start and close conventional traverses

All or any of the following values could be available directly in the

field or after post-processing the data
Latitude, longitude, geodetic height and X, Y, Z
Cartesian coordinates
State Plane or Project coordinates
Forward and back geodetic azimuth of the baseline
Geodetic distance or Monument to Monument slope
distance of baselines
Vertical angle from point to point

GPS determines the geodetic azimuth between two points directly

thereby eliminating the need for converting an astronomic azimuth
to geodetic azimuth by applying Laplace correction

State plane coordinates can be directly computed from the latitudes

and longitudes obtained from GPS

The slope distances can be reduced to the ellipsoid very accurately

as ellipsoidal height is known

Note, however that, even though the baseline components such as

distances and azimuths are accurate, the accuracy of coordinates of
new points are dependent on the quality of known points included
in the survey

GPS OBSERVATION TECHNIQUES

In surveying applications, accepted method is relative positioning
although Differential GPS with code receivers could be used in
projects that require a very low order of accuracy, e.g. locating
cellular phone transmission towers

In relative positioning, two or more receivers make simultaneous

phase measurements on the carrier frequencies from four or more
satellites

Only the data collected from the same satellites by the receivers
occupying the ends of a baseline can be used in the computation of
this baseline

As stated earlier, accurate baseline components can be computed

from simultaneous carrier frequency measurements from four or
more satellites by two receivers

If accurate coordinates of a point are needed, one of the receivers

must occupy a point whose coordinates are known accurately

For this reason, at least one receiver must occupy a known point in
the WGS84 datum as GPS satellite positions are defined in
WGS84 datum coordinate system

In practice, however, points in the National Spatial Reference

System (NSRS) which are in NAD83 datum are used

For projects requiring geodetic accuracy, National Geodetic

Survey (NGS) must be contacted or NSRS database must be
accessed to determine points available in the project area before
the project begins

If there are points previously established which are in the National

Reference System and meet the accuracy requirements, these
points can be used instead of NGS points

Coordinates of points determined in the WGS84 (NAD83) system

could be transformed to any other coordinates such as State Plane
coordinates or project coordinates either in the field, if real time
coordinates are needed, or after post processing

State Plane coordinates can be directly computed from

NAD83 coordinates by using software available from NGS
or other parties

If accurate project coordinates are needed, an accurate

transformation needs to be done by including a sufficient
number of points whose coordinates are known in both
systems

In less precise work such as in construction projects,

project coordinates can be determined by a field calibration
of the site independently using an approximate
transformation

There are several different field techniques for GPS surveying

using carrier frequency

These techniques could be used singly or in combination in some

surveying projects

The mode used depends on

Accuracy needed
Type of equipment and post processing software
available
Sky visibility in the project area
Other considerations such as mode of transportation,
urgency of the project, etc.
The primary objective of each of the field techniques is to resolve
the integer ambiguity resulting from carrier wave measurements

Unlike conventional surveys, planning is an important part of any

GPS survey, regardless of the technique used

Following are the techniques that are commonly used now

Static

Fast Static (Rapid Static)

Kinematic
Pseudo-kinematic(Pseudo-static)
Real Time Kinematic

STATIC MODE OF GPS SURVEYING

This method, sometimes called static surveying, is used surveying
projects that require high accuracy
In this method, each receiver at each point logs data continuously
for a pre-planned length of time

The duration of data collection depends on

required precision
number of visible satellites
satellite geometry(DOP)
whether the receivers are single frequency or dual
frequency
distance between receivers

The duration of data collection, however, should be long enough

for the post processing software to resolve the integer ambiguity
Most new generation receivers and processing software are capable
of resolving the integer ambiguity with small amount of data

However, a higher accuracy for the baseline components can be

achieved by collecting data for a longer period of time

Collection of data using two or more receivers for a period of time

is called a session

The slope line between any two antennas is called a baseline

vector or simply baseline

If more than two receivers are used multiple baseline vectors can
be determined simultaneously

Most GPS survey projects consist of multiple baselines or

networks, and the baselines can be measured individually using
only two receivers or several at a time using multiple receivers

For economic reasons it is preferable to use more than two

receivers for multiple baselines

When the baseline between a known point and a new point is

measured the new point can be used as a known point for other
baselines

Unlike in conventional surveys, the accuracy obtainable from

networks is independent of the network geometry

Accuracy can be increased by increasing the number of redundant

measurements

Redundant measurements are those that are over and above the
ones required to determine the coordinates of unknown points

A redundant measurement should also be independent i.e. a

measurement that is not related to or could not be generated from
other measurements

In a single session using more than two receivers, there are both
independent (non-trivial) and dependent (trivial) baselines

A baselines measured in separate sessions are always independent

Redundant measurements can also be used to check for blunders

In a network of GPS baselines, blunders can be detected by

checking the closures of loops formed by connecting, independent
baselines

If the network is such that the loops are elongated in a east-west

direction a higher accuracy in the positions can be obtained(GPS
measurements are stronger in north-south direction) and this
should be considered at the planning stage of the network

Networks should also have several control points, located at

strategic locations, in order to strengthen the network

These control points should be preferably above or at least equal to

the order of accuracy expected of new points
The number and locations of control points depend on the size and
shape of network (See Geometric Geodetic Accuracy Standards
and Specifications for Using GPS Relative Positioning
Techniques, Federal Geodetic Control Sub-committee, 1988)

FAST STATIC MODE OF GPS SURVEYS

Fast Static or Rapid Static was a method developed for dual
frequency receivers

A new algorithm was developed to reduce the amount of data

needed to resolve integer ambiguity

Lately, because of modifications in processing algorithms and

because a larger number of satellites are available, the amount of
data needed can be reduced even with single frequency receivers

Sometimes, the manufacturers call this also fast static

Field requirements and procedure for fast static are same as those
for static except for the short session lengths

However, fast static is only suitable for low order control surveys,
e.g. ground control for photogrammetric mapping

KINEMATIC MODE OF GPS SURVEYING

This is the mode of positioning from a moving platform. i.e. when
the antenna is in motion

This is the mode used in navigation where usually only a single

receiver is used
But, unlike in navigation, the kinematic method used in surveying
is a relative positioning method where one antenna+receiver is
stationary and one antenna+receiver is moving

When the moving receiver is in constant motion as in navigation it

is called continuous kinematic

In most surveying applications, a method called stop-and-go

kinematic is used

The stationary receiver, called the base receiver, is placed at a

known point while a second receiver called "rover' will visit all
unknown points

Rover will occupy each unknown point for a very short time (less
than two minutes); Hence the term "Stop-and-Go" surveying

It is possible to combine both continuous and stop and go

methods in the same survey

It also is possible to operate more than one rover with the same
base station

The accuracy obtained is not as good as that obtained from static

surveying but is better than that obtained in most surveys

The single most advantage of stop and go surveying is its speed

This method also has certain limitations

An initialization process to determine the integer biases
of at least 4 satellites is needed at the beginning
The lock on the same four or more satellites must be
maintained during the entire survey

For this reason, kinematic GPS surveying is suitable for an area

where there are no large over-hanging trees, over-passes or such
structures in rovers route

If for any reason a cycle slip occurs, the rover must return to any
previous point which had been determined without cycle slip

The Initial integer bias term can be determined in one of 3 ways

Using a known baseline less than 20 km in length and
having an accuracy of less than 5 cm.
Antenna swap
Perform a static mode survey first for one of the base lines
When using a known baseline, it is necessary to use one end of the
baseline as the base station

The rover will occupy the other end to collect 3 or 4 epochs of data
(less than 2 minutes)

Antenna swap is done by first occupying the known point with the
base receiver and another point 15-30 feet away with the rover
After collecting data for 3-4 epochs two receivers + antennas are
swapped while maintaining lock
Collect data for another 3-4 epochs, return the base receiver +
antenna to the base and continue the survey with the rover as usual

In the third method, a baseline is measured by static method with

the base receiver at the known base

This now becomes a known baseline and the rest is similar to the
first method

For highest accuracy more than 6 satellites, well distributed over

the sky is preferable

Kinematic post processing software is needed to obtain the point

coordinates

Kinematic GPS is similar to radial surveys with Total stations

Kinematic GPS can use multiple bases and/or multiple rovers in

the same survey, if necessary

REAL TIME KINEMATIC GPS SURVEYS

Real time kinematic (RTK) refers to a stop-and-go method where
the coordinates of points are available in real time

In this method, a radio communication link is maintained between

the base receiver and the rover, and the base receiver supplies the
pseudo-range and carrier phase measurements to the rover which
in turn computes its position and display the coordinates

The rover keeps updating coordinates as it moves as long as the

lock on satellites is maintained

Kinematic GPS surveying is generally suitable for any type of

surveying or mapping, but for stakeout surveys, RTK is essential

Some RTK receivers have the capability of resolving the integer

ambiguity On The Fly (OTF), and this technique can only be used
with dual frequency receivers

This means that there is no need to maintain the lock on satellites

while the rover is in motion
New observables are generated by taking linear combinations of
observations made on these codes and carriers (wide laning)

The integer ambiguity can be resolved very quickly by this

technique while the receiver is still in motion

Wide laning techniques are used in some high-end receivers even

if OTF is not being used

PSEUDO-KINEMATIC (OR PSEUDO-STATIC)

This is a combination of both static and kinematic methods

It has the speed of kinematic method but there is no need to

maintain lock on 4 satellites

However newer receivers and algorithms can resolve the integer

ambiguity much faster and the need for pseudo-kinematic surveys
is somewhat diminished

There is a reference (or base) receiver and a roving receiver, and

the reference receiver remains at the reference point during the
entire survey while the roving receiver visits the unknown points

There is no initialization as in stop and go method

Each point is occupied for 5-10 minutes for baselines 10 km. or

less

Each point must be revisited multiple times (at least once more)
and these visits must be separated by at least 1 hour and preferably
not more than 4 hours

Multiple observations at the same site at different times capture

different epochs along the satellite's orbit, and allow the satellite
configuration to change and to resolve the integer ambiguity

This technique is suitable for areas where there are obstructions to

signal and crew movement or if the receivers are not equipped with
kinematic software

Pseudo-kinematic is the least precise of all methods but is more

productive than static

Stop-and-Go kinematic method is suitable for details surveys as

topographic mapping or boundary survey work whereas pseudokinematic is suitable for lower order control such as
photogrammetric control etc.

The GPS survey technique used in a given project depends on

Accuracy requirements
Urgency of the project
Local terrain conditions
Available equipment, etc.

A combination of these methods can be used in some projects

COMMON ERRORS IN GPS OBSERVATIONS

Setting up over wrong point

Not using well adjusted tribrachs
Not observing long enough during a session
Poor planning (selection of points that may cause cycle
slips or multipath or poor PDOP)
Interruption due to power failure (not checking
batteries prior to departure)
Reading and recording wrong antenna height

Some recommend that instead of using a tribrach with an optical

plummet a rotatable tribrach adapter with a plate vial be used

Errors such as the following may be introduced at the processing

stage as well
Incorrect datum or coordinates for known points
Incorrect linear units for the project
Entering incorrect point names and/or antenna heights

POSSIBLE ERRORS IN KINEMATIC SURVEYING

Antenna height may change between points, especially if a
prism pole with a sliding mechanism is used
Not properly plumbing the antenna over the point at time of
measurement
If no OTF is available, it is sometimes necessary to raise the
antenna over some obstructions in order to maintain lock
For this reason a method to raise the antenna will be useful

QUESTIONS
1. What are the advantages of GPS surveying over conventional surveying methods ?
2. What is the single factor that determines whether or not a GPS survey is possible in
an area and/or a project ?
3. What is a baseline in GPS surveying ?
4. What information/quantities pertaining to points and baselines are computed by postprocessing software ?
5. What is an epoch in GPS terminology ?
6. Why is the static GPS survey method so named ?
7. What is the reason for minimum session length in static surveying ?
8. What factors determine the length of a session in static surveying ?
9. What factors determine the GPS surveying method suitable for a given area/project ?
10. What is the purpose of rover initialization in kinematic surveying ?
11. What are the three ways of rover initialization in stop-and-go kinematic surveying ?
12. What is the fastest initialization method ?
13. How much data is collected at each point in stop-and-go GPS surveying ?
14. What is the purpose of re-occupation of points in pseudo-kinematic method ?
15. What are the time limitations on re-occupation ?
16. Which GPS surveying method would you use for establishing control with geodetic
accuracy ?
17. Which GPS surveying method would you use if you need to complete a job urgently ?

18. Which GPS survey method is suitable for a project that does not need very high
accuracy but the project is in a downtown area where there are tall buildings and
over-passes ?
19. What type of receivers are needed to do true fast static surveys ?
20. Everything else being equal, real time kinematic GPS or conventional method with a
total station would you prefer for a stakeout survey ? Indicate your reasons.