Research Accomplishment Reports 2009

Standardized Testing of Global Navigation Staellite System Technology

T.S. Stombaugh, M.P. Sama, S. A. Shearer
Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering

 

Non-Technical Summary

Researchers at the University of Kentucky have developed unique capabilities for testing the dynamic accuracy of satellite-based positioning devices such as GPS receivers. At the core of this development is a track system that allows receivers to be moved in patterns typical of agricultural field operations. At the same time this system was being developed, international efforts have been nearing completion of a set of ISO standards that will dictate how GPS receiver dynamic accuracy is determined and reported.

The purpose of this project is to further develop the capabilities of the UK testing fixture so that it can conform to the requirements of the ISO standard making it a useful tool for the internation community to test receivers and so that it has the capability to evaluate the most accurate satellite-based positioning devices that are currently being produced.

2009 Project Description

During this early stage of this project, several critical pieces of hardware have been procured including a robotic total station and a networkable RTK base station. Researchers have begun analysis of the hardware, particularly the latency of the various components, so that the highly precise system can be developed. Initial development of the integrating software has begun. Preliminary results have been presented at two conferences, and the information gained has been used to aid discussions on development the ISO 12188 standard for dynamic testing of satellite-based positioning devices.

2009 Impact

The methodology, hardware, and software developed through this project will be critical for implementation of a new ISO standard (12188) that will govern the dynamic accuracy specifications for all GPS equipment used in agriculture.