Development of a low cost system for the generation of a differential correction signal, in real time, for GPS

• Grant number: 01/03249-2
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: July 01, 2001
• End date: July 31, 2004
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Electrical Engineering - Electrical, Magnetic and Electronic Measurements, Instrumentation
• Principal Investigator: Nelson Luis Cappelli
• Grantee: Nelson Luis Cappelli
• Company: DLG Automação Industrial Ltda

Abstract

This project aims to develop a low cost system for generating differential correction signals for GPS (global positioning system) in real time, with radiofrequency transmission and use of a private correction station. For the development of this station it is intended to use a GPS receiver of the portable type to generate the correction signal. GPS is, at present, the most widely spread and used global positioning system. Low cost GPS receivers, used by civilians, currently display an inaccuracy of 15 meters in horizontal positioning. To improve the GPS accuracy, so-called “differential correction” can be used, this being the system known as Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) or differential GPS. The functioning of DGPS is based on the supposition that the error in determining a point is similar for all the receivers situated in a radius of up to hundreds of kilometers. The elimination of this error allows the user to significantly reduce the total error present. With the use of differential GPS the precision in positioning can increase up to submetric figures. It will be necessary to develop a piece of equipment that will receive the GPS positioning signal and transform it into correction signal in the appropriate format. (AU)