Application of integrated reflected GPS signals L1/L2 observation and DTED techniques with an integrated GPS receiver for remote sensing stream flow

Abstract

In the paper, a new application and development of a highly integrated GPS receiver with reflected GPS signals for ground object detection and digital terrain elevation mapping will be described. Several application considerations have been analyzed in order to successfully acquire and track weak, reflected GPS signals from ground surface. First of all, both RHCP and LHCP antennas are employed so that direct and reflected signals can be acquired simultaneously. The direction of arrival of the signals may be along the reflected signal path or even along the line-of-sight of a particular satellite. Unlike most existing GPS reflection experiment, the goal of the study is to exploit the carrier phase, reflectivity of L1/L2 SNR components of the reflected signals and direct signals for stream fresh water and ocean water object detection. An integer ambiguity resolution algorithm has also been implemented. During the development and test stage, the digital terrain elevation data and high resolution satellite's images has been used and mapped with the integrated software.