UNAVCO GPS Support to the National Science Foundation Office of Polar Programs

OFF-SEASON SUPPORT

Post-season support includes providing investigators with interpretation of their GPS results and completing any remaining data processing items. The data processing tasks include processing project data left over from the field season and processing geodetic data as noted in the Data Archiving section. Geodetic data are also archived after the field season, and any remaining project data are added to the archive repository. Discussions are held with project investigators as necessary to interpret their GPS results and to assess the success of the GPS portion of their field project. The Facility also works with ASA and OPP on activities such as post-season assessment and pre-season planning.

Support for the 1996-97 season has already begun and several investigators have already contacted UNAVCO regarding their anticipated support requests. The ASA SIP process begins in April and UNAVCO will review all completed SIPs (Section 23 - GPS Support). UNAVCO has submitted its own SIP package for resources required for the upcoming field season. UNAVCO will provide an initial overview of GPS support requested before the NSF SIP review meeting in May to identify the necessary resources and to identify potential scheduling conflicts. More detailed planning will then be completed with each project to identify available receivers, field support needs, and training requirements. With early planning, UNAVCO anticipates avoiding the difficulties that arose last year due to the late decision on available resources in the field. UNAVCO will also work closely with OPP to prepare the necessary support budget in a timely manner.

Other off-season tasks to improve field support have also been identified. From field experience and interaction with the UNAVCO community Field Operations Working Group (which includes members of the Polar community) UNAVCO has identified a need to upgrade the RTK system radio modem transceivers. There may also be future interest in developing continuously operating GPS sites for remote deployment. The facility will continue to test and develop Polar applications oriented hardware, software, and documentation. Dissemination of information regarding the UNAVCO role in the U.S. Antarctic Program will also be improved to include a Polar Programs section on the UNAVCO web site. During the past field season, a discussion between the UNAVCO field engineer and Navy representatives indicated future plans to develop a differential GPS navigation system, primarily for aircraft use. Such a system, if properly developed, would also provide valuable GPS data to science investigators. UNAVCO is prepared to be involved in the development of such a system to ensure it will also meet scientific needs.

Last modified Monday, 26-Nov-2007 22:31:07 UTC

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