Method of simultaneously measuring orthometric and geometric heights
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of simultaneously determining relative orthometric and geometric heights comprising the steps of:
- continuously transmitting encoded radio frequency (RF) signals from a plurality of Global Positioning System (GPS) earth-orbiting satellites, such that the transmitted RF signals of each GPS earth-orbiting satellite are a pair of encoded RF signals at predetermined frequencies that are directed in a radial direction towards the earth'"'"'s surface, all GPS satellites of the plurality of satellites progressively and continuously advancing about the earth in relation to the field of view of a GPS receiver;
measuring, based upon the encoded RF signals, a first height differential between the earth'"'"'s surface and a reference surface, said first height differential being measured over the length of a baseline of said reference surface; and
simultaneously surveying the earth'"'"'s surface along said reference baseline to determine a second height differential between the earth'"'"'s surface and a geoid line representative of mean sea level.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method of simultaneously measuring orthometric and geometric heights is ovided. Simultaneous Global Positioning System (GPS) and level surveying is proposed to more efficiently obtain certain geodetic measurements. GPS receiver antennas are attached to the top of leveling rods and GPS measurements are taken while a level survey is performed. This procedure enables precise estimates in differences between the change in orthometric height and change in geometric height to be determined along baselines.
-
Citations
18 Claims
-
1. A method of simultaneously determining relative orthometric and geometric heights comprising the steps of:
-
continuously transmitting encoded radio frequency (RF) signals from a plurality of Global Positioning System (GPS) earth-orbiting satellites, such that the transmitted RF signals of each GPS earth-orbiting satellite are a pair of encoded RF signals at predetermined frequencies that are directed in a radial direction towards the earth'"'"'s surface, all GPS satellites of the plurality of satellites progressively and continuously advancing about the earth in relation to the field of view of a GPS receiver; measuring, based upon the encoded RF signals, a first height differential between the earth'"'"'s surface and a reference surface, said first height differential being measured over the length of a baseline of said reference surface; and simultaneously surveying the earth'"'"'s surface along said reference baseline to determine a second height differential between the earth'"'"'s surface and a geoid line representative of mean sea level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
5. A method according to claim wherein said step of simultaneously surveying along said reference baseline includes the steps of:
-
positioning a first leveling rod and first GPS receiver on the earth'"'"'s surface at an endpoint of said reference baseline; positioning a second leveling rod and a second GPS receiver on the earth'"'"'s surface at another endpoint of said reference baseline, said second leveling rod in line-of-sight communication with said first leveling rod; and positioning a spirit level and a third GPS receiver on the earth'"'"'s surface wherein said spirit level is in line-of-sight communication with said first and second leveling rods and wherein said first, second and third GPS receivers receive the RF encoded signals. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 10, 11)
-
Specification