Ground-Based GPS for Validation of Climate Models: The Impact of Satellite Antenna Phase Center Variations
Journal article, 2010

The amount of water vapor in the atmosphere is an important indicator for climate change. Using the Global Positioning System (GPS), it is possible to estimate the integrated water vapor (IWV) above the ground-based GPS receiver. In order to optimally determine the IWV, a correct model of the received signal phase is essential. We have studied the effect of the satellite antenna phase center variations (PCVs) on the IWV estimates by simulating the effect and by studying the estimates of the IWV based on the observed GPS signals. During a period of five years, from 2003 to 2008, a new satellite type was introduced, and it steadily grew in numbers. The antenna PCVs for these satellites deviate from the earlier satellite types and contribute to excess IWV estimates. We find that ignoring satellite antenna phase variations for this time period can lead to an additional IWV trend of about 0.15 kg/m2/year for regular GPS processing.

error analysis

Antennas

Global Positioning System (GPS)

meteorology

Author

Per O. J. Jarlemark

SP Sveriges Tekniska Forskningsinstitut AB

Ragne Emardson

SP Sveriges Tekniska Forskningsinstitut AB

Jan Johansson

Chalmers, Earth and Space Sciences, Space Geodesy and Geodynamics

Gunnar Elgered

Chalmers, Earth and Space Sciences, Space Geodesy and Geodynamics

IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing

0196-2892 (ISSN) 15580644 (eISSN)

Vol. 48 10 3847-3854 5487374

Roots

Basic sciences

Subject Categories

Control Engineering

Climate Research

DOI

10.1109/TGRS.2010.2049114

More information

Latest update

8/16/2019