Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Multi-technique comparison of troposphere zenith delays and gradients during CONT08

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Journal of Geodesy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

CONT08 was a 15 days campaign of continuous Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) sessions during the second half of August 2008 carried out by the International VLBI Service for Geodesy and Astrometry (IVS). In this study, VLBI estimates of troposphere zenith total delays (ZTD) and gradients during CONT08 were compared with those derived from observations with the Global Positioning System (GPS), Doppler Orbitography and Radiopositioning Integrated by Satellite (DORIS), and water vapor radiometers (WVR) co-located with the VLBI radio telescopes. Similar geophysical models were used for the analysis of the space geodetic data, whereas the parameterization for the least-squares adjustment of the space geodetic techniques was optimized for each technique. In addition to space geodetic techniques and WVR, ZTD and gradients from numerical weather models (NWM) were used from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) (all sites), the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) and Cloud Resolving Storm Simulator (CReSS) (Tsukuba), and the High Resolution Limited Area Model (HIRLAM) (European sites). Biases, standard deviations, and correlation coefficients were computed between the troposphere estimates of the various techniques for all eleven CONT08 co-located sites. ZTD from space geodetic techniques generally agree at the sub-centimetre level during CONT08, and—as expected—the best agreement is found for intra-technique comparisons: between the Vienna VLBI Software and the combined IVS solutions as well as between the Center for Orbit Determination (CODE) solution and an IGS PPP time series; both intra-technique comparisons are with standard deviations of about 3–6 mm. The best inter space geodetic technique agreement of ZTD during CONT08 is found between the combined IVS and the IGS solutions with a mean standard deviation of about 6 mm over all sites, whereas the agreement with numerical weather models is between 6 and 20 mm. The standard deviations are generally larger at low latitude sites because of higher humidity, and the latter is also the reason why the standard deviations are larger at northern hemisphere stations during CONT08 in comparison to CONT02 which was observed in October 2002. The assessment of the troposphere gradients from the different techniques is not as clear because of different time intervals, different estimation properties, or different observables. However, the best inter-technique agreement is found between the IVS combined gradients and the GPS solutions with standard deviations between 0.2 and 0.7 mm.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Altamimi Z, Collilieux X, Legrand J, Garayt B, Boucher C (2007) ITRF2005: a new release of the international terrestrial reference frame based on time series of station positions and earth orientation parameters. J Geophys Res 112(B9): B09401. doi:10.1029/2007JB004949

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bar-Sever YE, Kroger PM, Borjesson JA (1998) Estimating horizontal gradients of tropospheric path delay with a single GPS receiver. J Geophys Res 103(B3): 5019–5035. doi:10.1029/97JB03534

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Behrend D, Cucurull L, Vila J, Haas R (2000) An inter-comparision study to estimate zenith wet delays using VLBI, GPS, and NWP models. Earth Planets Space 52: 691–694

    Google Scholar 

  • Behrend D, Haas R, Pino D, Gradinarsky LP, Keihm SJ, Schwarz W, Cucurull L, Rius A (2002) MM5 derived ZWDs compared to observational results from VLBI, GPS and WVR. Phys Chem Earth 27: 3301–3308

    Google Scholar 

  • Bizouard C, Gambis D (2009) The combined solution C04 for earth orientation parameters consistent with international terrestrial reference frame. In: Drewes H (ed) Geodetic reference frames, IAG Symp, vol 134, pp 265–270. doi:10.1007/978-3-642-00860-3_41

  • Bock O, Willis P, Lacarra M, Bosser P (2010) An intercomparison of DORIS tropospheric delays estimated from DORIS and GPS data. Adv Space Res 46(12): 1648–1660. doi:10.1016/j.asr.2010.05.018

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Böhm J (2004) Troposphärische Laufzeitverzögerungen in der VLBI, Geowissenschaftliche Mitteilungen, Heft Nr. 68, Schriftenreihe der Studienrichtung Vermessung und Geoinformation, Technische Universität Wien, ISSN 1811–8380 (in German)

  • Böhm J, Schuh H (2004) Vienna mapping functions in VLBI analyses. Geophys Res Lett 31(1): L01603. doi:10.1029/2003GL018984

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Böhm J, Werl B, Schuh H (2006a) Troposphere mapping functions for GPS and very long baseline interferometry from European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts operational analysis data. J Geophys Res 111: B02406. doi:10.129/2005JB003629

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Böhm J, Niell AE, Tregoning P, Schuh H (2006b) Global mapping function (GMF): a new empirical mapping function based on data from numerical weather model data. Geophys Res Lett 33: L07304. doi:10.1029/2005GL025546

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Böhm J, Schuh H (2007) Troposphere gradients from the ECMWF in VLBI analysis. J Geod 81(6–8): 403–408. doi:10.1007/s00190-007-0144-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Böhm J, Böhm S, Nilsson T, Pany A, Plank L, Spicakova H, Teke K, Schuh H (2010) The new Vienna VLBI Software VieVS. IAG Symposia Series, Buenos Aires 2010, Springer, Berlin (in press)

  • Brunner FK, Rüeger JM (1992) Theory of the local scale parameter method for EDM. Bull Géod 66: 355–364

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Byun SH, Bar-Server YE (2009) A new type of troposphere zenith path delay product of the international GNSS service. J Geod 83(3–4): 1–7. doi:10.1007/s00190-008-0288-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen G, Herring TA (1997) Effects of atmospheric azimuthal asymmetry on the analysis from space geodetic data. J Geophys Res 102(B9): 20489–20502. doi:10.1029/97JB01739

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cucurull L, Vandenberghe F (1999) Comparision of PW estimated from MM5 and GPS data, MM5 workshop ‘99, Boulder, Colorado, USA

  • Cucurull L, Navascues B, Ruffini G, Elosegui P, Rius A, Vila J (2000) The use of GPS to validate NWP systems: the HIRLAM model. J Atmos Ocean Technol 17(6): 773–787

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dach R, Hugentobler U, Fridez P, Meindl M (eds) (2007) Bernese GPS Software Version 5.0, Astronomical Institute, University of Bern

  • Dach R, Brockmann E, Schaer S, Beutler G, Meindl M, Prange L, Bock H, Jäggi A, Ostini L (2009) GNSS processing at CODE: status report. J Geod 83(3–4): 353–365. doi:10.1007/s00190-008-0281-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davis JL, Herring TA, Shapiro II, Rogers AEE, Elgered G (1985) Geodesy by radio interferometry: effects of atmospheric modeling errors on estimates of baseline length. Radio Sci 20(6): 1593–1607

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davis JL, Herring TA, Shapiro II (1991) Effects of atmospheric modeling errors on determinations of baseline vectors from VLBI. J Geophys Res 96(B1): 643–650

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davis JL, Elgered G, Niell AE, Kuehn CE (1993) Ground-based measurements of gradients in the “wet” radio refractivity of air. Radio Sci 28(6): 1003–1018

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dow JM, Neilan RE, Rizos C (2009) The International GNSS Service in a changing landscape of Global Navigation Satellite Systems. J Geod 83: 191–198. doi:10.1007/s00190-008-0300-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elgered G (1993) Tropospheric radio path delay from ground-based microwave radiometry. In: Janssen M (ed) Atmospheric remote sensing by microwave radiometry. Wiley, New York, pp 215–258

    Google Scholar 

  • Elgered G, Jarlemark POJ (1998) Ground-based microwave radiometry and long-term observations of atmospheric water vapor. Radio Sci 33(3): 707–717

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Emardson TR, Elgered G, Johansson JM (1998) Three months of continuous monitoring of atmospheric water vapor with a network of Global Positioning System receivers. J Geophys Res 103(D2): 1807–1820. doi:10.1029/97JD03015

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fey A, Gordon D, Jacobs CS (2009) The second realization of the international celestial reference frame by very long baseline interferometry, IERS Technical Note; 35. Verlag des Bundesamts für Kartographie und Geodäsie, Frankfurt am Main, 204 p, ISBN 3-89888-918-6

  • Förstner W (1979) Ein Verfahren zur Schätzung von Varianz- und Kovarianzkomponenten. Allg. Vermess. Nachr 11–12:446-453 (in German)

  • Gambis D (2004) Monitoring earth orientation using space geodetic techniques, state-of-the-art and prospective. J Geod 78(4–5): 295–303. doi:10.1007/s00190-004-0394-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gobinddass ML, Willis P, Sibthorpe A, Zelensky NP, Lemoine FG, Ries JC, Ferland R, Bar-Sever YE (2009a) Improving DORIS geocenter time series using an empirical rescaling of solar radiation pressure models. Adv Space Res 44(11): 1279–1287. doi:10.1016/j.asr.2009.08.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gobinddass ML, Willis P, de Viron O, Sibthorpe AJ, Zelensky N, Ries JC, Ferland R, Bar-Sever YE, Diament M (2009b) Systematic biases in DORIS-derived geocenter time series related to solar radiation pressure mis-modelling. J Geod 83(9): 849–858. doi:10.1007/s00190-009-0303-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gobinddass ML, Willis P, Menvielle M, Diament M (2010) Refining DORIS atmospheric drag estimation in preparation of ITRF2008. Adv Space Res 46(12): 1566–1577. doi:10.1016/j.asr.2010.04.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gradinarsky LP, Haas R, Elgered G, Johansson JM (2000) Wet path delay and delay gradients inferred from microwave radiometer, GPS and VLBI observations. Earth Planets Space 52(10): 695–698

    Google Scholar 

  • Haas R, Gradinarsky LP, Johansson JM, Elgered G (1999) The atmospheric propagation delay: a common error source for collocated space techniques of VLBI and GPS. In: Proceedings of International Workshop “Geod. Meas. Coll. Spac. Tech. Earth” (GEMSTONE). Koganei, Tokyo, pp 230–234

  • Heinkelmann R, Böhm J, Schuh H, Bolotin S, Engelhardt G, MacMillan DS, Negusini M, Skurikhina E, Tesmer V, Titov O (2007) Combination of long time series of troposphere zenith delays observed by VLBI. J Geod 81(6–8): 483–501. doi:10.1007/s00190-007-0147-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heinkelmann R, Böhm J, Bolotin S, Engelhardt G, Haas R, MacMillan DS, Negusini M, Schuh H, Skurikhina E, Titov O. Analysis and model noise assessment of VLBI derived tropospheric parameters during CONT08. J Geod (this issue)

  • Herring TA (1986) Precision of vertical estimates from very long baseline interferometry. J Geophys Res 91(B9): 9177–9182. doi:10.1029/JB091iB09p09177

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hobiger T, Ichikawa R, Koyama Y, Kondo T (2008) Fast and accurate ray-tracing algorithms for real-time space geodetic applications using numerical weather models. J Geophys Res 113: D20302. doi:10.1029/2008JD010503

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hobiger T, Ichikawa R, Takasu T, Koyama Y, Kondo T (2008b) Ray-traced troposphere slant delays for precise point positioning. Earth Planets Space 60(5): e1–e4

    Google Scholar 

  • Hobiger T, Shimada S, Shimizu S, Ichikawa R, Koyama Y, Kondo T (2010) Improving GPS positioning estimates during extreme weather situations by the help of fine-mesh numerical weather models. J Atmosph Solar Terrestr Phys 72(2–3): 262–270. doi:10.1016/j.jastp.2009.11.018

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ishikawa Y (2001) Development of a mesoscale 4-dimensional variational data assimilation (4D-Var) system at JMA. In: Proceedings of the 81st annual meeting of the AMS: precipitation extremes: prediction, impacts and responses, P2.45

  • JMA (2002) Outline of the operational numerical weather prediction at the Japanese Meteorological Agency, 158 p

  • Koch KR (1997) Parameterschätzung und Hypothesentests, 3rd edn. Dümmler, Bonn, p 368 (in German)

  • Lyard F, Lefevre F, Lettelier T, Francis O (2006) Modelling the global ocean tides, Modern insights from FES2004. Ocean Dyn 56(6): 394–415. doi:10.1007/s10236-006-0086-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MacMillan DS, Ma C (1994) Evaluation of very long baseline interferometry atmospheric modeling improvements. J Geophys Res 99(B1): 637–651. doi:10.1029/93JB02162

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MacMillan DS (1995) Atmospheric gradients from very long baseline interferometry observations. Geophys Res Lett 22(9): 1041–1044. doi:10.1029/95GL00887

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MacMillan DS, Ma C (1997) Atmospheric gradients and the VLBI terrestrial and celestial reference frames. Geophys Res Lett 24(4): 453–456. doi:10.1029/97GL00143

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marini JW (1972) Correction of satellite tracking data for an arbitrary tropospheric profile. Radio Sci 7(2): 223–231

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCarthy D, Petit G (eds) (2004) IERS Conventions 2003, IERS Techn. Note 32, Verlag des Bundesamts für Kartogr. und Geod., Frankfurt am Main, Germany

  • Niell AE (1996) Global mapping functions for the atmosphere delay at radio wavelengths. J Geophys Res 101(B2): 3227–3246. doi:10.1029/95JB03048

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Niell AE, Coster AJ, Solheim FS, Mendes VB, Toor PC, Langley RB, Upham CA (2001) Comparison of measurements of atmospheric wet delay by radiosonde, water vapor radiometer, GPS, and VLBI. J Atmos Oceanic Technol 18: 830–850

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Petrov L, Boy JP (2004) Study of the atmospheric pressure loading signal in Very Long Baseline Interferometry observations. J Geophys Res 109(B3): B03405. doi:10.1029/2003JB002500

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ray RD, Ponte RM (2003) Barometric tides from ECMWF operational analyses. Ann Geophys 21: 1897–1910

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rummel R, Rothacher M, Beutler G (2005) Integrated global geodetic observing system (IGGOS)-science rationale. J Geodyn 40(4–5): 357–362. doi:10.1016/j.jog.2005.06.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saastamoinen J (1972) Atmospheric correction for the troposphere and stratosphere in radio ranging of satellites. The use of artificial satellites for geodesy. In: Geophys. Monogr. Ser., vol 15, Amer. Geophys. Union, pp 274–251

  • Saastamoinen J (1973) Contribution to the theory of atmospheric refraction (in three parts). Bull Geod 105–107:279–298 (see also pp 383–397)

  • Schervish MJ (1996) P values: what they are and what they are not. Am Stat 50(3): 203–206. doi:10.2307/2684655

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schlüter W, Behrend D (2007) The International VLBI Service for Geodesy and Astrometry (IVS): current capabilities and future prospects. J Geod 81(6–8): 379–387. doi:10.1007/s00190-006-0131-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schuh H, Böhm J (2003) Status report of the IVS pilot project-tropospheric parameters. In: Vandenberg NR, Baver KD (eds) International VLBI Service for Geodesy and Astrometry 2002 Annual Report. NASA/TP-2003-211619. Goddard Space Flight Center, Maryland, pp 13–21

  • Schuh H, Behrend D (2009) International VLBI Service for Geodesy and Astrometry (IVS). In: Drewes H, Hornik H (eds) Report of the International Association of Geodesy 2007–2009—Travaux de l’Association Internationale de Géodésie 2007–2009, vol 36, pp 297–306

  • Snajdrova K, Böhm J, Willis P, Haas R, Schuh H (2006) Multi- technique comparison of tropospheric zenith delays derived during the CONT02 campaign. J Geod 79(10–11): 613–623. doi:10.1007/s00190-005-0010-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steigenberger P, Tesmer V, Krügel M, Thaller D, Schmid R, Vey S, Rothacher M (2007) Comparisons of homogeneously reprocessed GPS and VLBI long time-series of troposphere zenith delays and gradients. J Geod 81(6–8): 503–514. doi:10.1007/s00190-006-0124-y

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steigenberger P, Hugentobler U, Lutz S, Dach R (2010) CODE contribution to the IGS reprocessing. Springer-Verlag, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Tesmer V, Böhm J, Heinkelmann R, Schuh H (2007) Effect of different tropospheric mapping functions on the TRF, CRF and position time-series estimated from VLBI. J Geod 81: 409–421. doi:10.2007/s00190-006-0126-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tsuboki K, Sakakibara A (2002) Large-scale parallel computing of Cloud Resolving Storm Simulator, High Performance Computing, pp 243–259. doi:10.1007/3-540-47847-7_21

  • Undén P, Rontu L, Järvinen H, Lynch P, Calvo J, Cats G, Cuxart J, Eerola K, Fortelius C, Garcia-Moya JA, Jones C, Lenderlink G, McDonald A, McGrath R, Navascues B, Woetman Nielsen N, Ødegaard V, Rodriguez E, Rummukainen M, Rõõm R, Sattler K, Hansen Sass B, Savijärvi H, Wichers Schreur B, Sigg R, The H, Tijm A (2002) HIRLAM-5 Scientific documentation. Swedish Meteorological and Hyrdological Institute, Norrköping, p 144

    Google Scholar 

  • Webb FH, Zumberge JF (1993) An introduction to GIPSY/OASIS-II. JPL Publication D-11088, Pasadena

  • Willis P, Fagard H, Ferrage P, Lemoine FG, Noll CE, Noomen R, Otten M, Ries JC, Rothacher M, Soudarin L, Tavernier G, Valette JJ (2010) The International DORIS Service, toward maturity, in DORIS: scientific applications in geodesy and geodynamics. Adv Space Res 45(12): 1408–1420. doi:10.1016/j.asr.2009.11.018

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Willis P, Ries JC, Zelensky NP, Soudarin L, Fagard H, Pavlis EC, Lemoine FG (2009) DPOD2005, realization of a DORIS terrestrial reference frame for precise orbit determination. Adv Space Res 44(5): 535–554

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Willis P, Bar-Sever YE, Bock O (2010a) Estimating horizontal tropospheric gradients in DORIS data processing. In: IAG Symp

  • Willis P, Boucher C, Fagard H, Garayt B, Gobinddass ML (2010b) Contributions of the French Institut Géographique National (IGN) to the International DORIS Service. Adv Space Res 45(12): 1470–1480

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Willis P, Ferrage P, Lemoine FG, Noll CE, Noomen R, Otten M, Ries JC, Rothacher M, Soudarin L, Tavernier G, Valette JJ (2010c) The International DORIS service, toward maturity. Adv Space Res 45(12): 1408–1420

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zumberge JF, Heflin MB, Jefferson DC, Watkins MM, Webb FH (1997) Precise point positioning for the efficient and robust analysis of GPS data from large networks. J Geophys Res 102(B3): 5005–5017. doi:10.1029/96JB03860

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Geodesy and Geophysics, Vienna University of Technology, Vienna, Austria

    Kamil Teke, Johannes Böhm, Tobias Nilsson & Harald Schuh

  2. Geomatics Department, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey

    Kamil Teke

  3. Institut für Astronomische und Physikalische Geodäsie, Technische Universität München, Arcisstraße 21, 80333, München, Germany

    Peter Steigenberger

  4. Astronomical Institute, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland

    Rolf Dach

  5. Deutsches Geodätisches Forschungsinstitut DGFI, Alfons-Goppel-Str. 11, 80539, München, Germany

    Robert Heinkelmann

  6. Institut Géographique National, Direction Technique, 2 avenue Pasteur, BP 68, 94160, Saint-Mandé, France

    Pascal Willis

  7. Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, 35 rue Helène Brion, 75013, Paris, France

    Pascal Willis

  8. Sorbonne Paris Cité, 35 rue Helène Brion, 75013, Paris, France

    Pascal Willis

  9. Department of Earth and Space Sciences, Chalmers University of Technology, Onsala Space Observatory, 439 94, Onsala, Sweden

    Rüdiger Haas & Susana García-Espada

  10. Instituto Geografico Nacional, Apartado 148, 19080, Yebes, Spain

    Susana García-Espada

  11. Space-Time Standards Group, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), 4-2-1 Nukui-Kitamachi, Koganei, Tokyo, 184-8795, Japan

    Thomas Hobiger

  12. Space-Time Standards Group, Kashima Space Research Center, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), 893-1 Hirai, Kashima, Ibaraki, 314-0012, Japan

    Ryuichi Ichikawa

  13. National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention, 3-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0006, Japan

    Shingo Shimizu

Authors
  1. Kamil Teke
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Johannes Böhm
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Tobias Nilsson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Harald Schuh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Peter Steigenberger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Rolf Dach
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Robert Heinkelmann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Pascal Willis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Rüdiger Haas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Susana García-Espada
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  11. Thomas Hobiger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  12. Ryuichi Ichikawa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  13. Shingo Shimizu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kamil Teke.

Electronic Supplementary Material

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Teke, K., Böhm, J., Nilsson, T. et al. Multi-technique comparison of troposphere zenith delays and gradients during CONT08. J Geod 85, 395–413 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00190-010-0434-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00190-010-0434-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation