Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer
VLBI Antenna Calibration via GPS, Phase I
Project Introduction
We propose to investigate and develop an inexpensive system to determine: 1)VLBI antenna properties such as axis-offset, non-intersection of axis and antenna reference point; 2) Gravitational and/or Thermal deformation; 3) The eccentricity vector from the VLBI antenna to nearby GPS receivers. The proposed system involves using several GPS receivers in close proximity driven by a common clock. Because of their proximity, atmosphere and ionosphere errors are common, and vanish when we take the difference of measurements from different receivers to a common a satellite. Satellite clock errors also vanish in this difference. Since the receivers use a common clock, receiver clock error also vanishes. The remaining error source is GPS multipath which can be mitigated.
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Anticipated Benefits
Monitoring of large structures such as building, bridges and dams. This technique is directly applicable to measuring the properties of the large radio antennas NASA uses. This includes the few VLBI antennas NASA supports, but also includes other antennas such as the DSN. The technique is also applicable to the monitoring of large NASA structures. In addition, it could be used to validate the structural models which predict the deformation of structures due to thermal changes and wind loading.
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Primary U.S. Work Locations and Key Partners
| Organizations Performing Work | Role | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVI Inc. | Lead Organization | Industry | |
Goddard Space Flight Center
(GSFC)
|
Supporting Organization | NASA Center | Greenbelt, Maryland |
Primary U.S. Work Locations
-
Maryland
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Organizational Responsibility
Responsible Mission Directorate:
- Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD)
Lead Organization:
- NVI Inc.
Responsible Program:
- Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer
Project Management
Program Director:
Program Manager:
Principal Investigator:
Project Duration
Start: Jan 2010
End: Jul 2010
Technology Maturity (TRL)
| Start: | 4 |
| Current: | 6 |
| Estimated End: | 6 |
Applied Research
Development
Demo & Test
Technology Areas
Primary:
- TX05 Communications, Navigation, and Orbital Debris Tracking and Characterization Systems
- TX05.4 Network Provided Position, Navigation, and Timing
- TX05.4.1 Timekeeping and Time Distribution
Target Destination
Earth
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