Shipborne GPS Kinematic Positioning for Hydrographic Applications

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Abstract
The objectives of the Canadian Hydrographic Service with respect to GPS utilization are reviewed. A shipborne experiment undertaken in November 1986 and designed to test techniques developed to fulfill some of these objectives is described. The primary purpose of the experiment was to assess the performance of differential GPS positioning on a 10 m survey launch. The techniques utilized and results obtained on the launch are described. Additional tests conducted on a 38 m vessel are summarized. TI4100 GPS receivers were used in various combinations of P code, C/A code, and different user dynamics modes. Carrier phase measurements were combined with pseudoranges to improve the accuracy. The reference positions were provided by two Atlas Polarfix systems and a Mini-Ranger Falcon 484 system. The external horizontal position accuracy of differential GPS was estimated to be 4.5 m at the 95 percent confidence level. Initial results obtained with a low cost attitude sensor are compared with GPS for both the launch and the 38 m vessel. The use of GPS to estimate heave motion is also discussed. Prospects of further improving GPS accuracy for shipborne positioning are mentioned in the conclusions.

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