Message-ID: <6D9A63E05E7DD211A1AB0008C71E6F8A657DFC@pegasus.ifag.de>
From: Weber@ifag.de
To: igsmail@igscb.jpl.nasa.gov
Subject: [IGSMAIL-3977]: EUREF-IP, Call for Participation & Questionnaire
Date: Mon, 8 Jul 2002 13:37:17 +0200 
Sender: owner-igsmail
Precedence: bulk

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IGS Electronic Mail      08 Jul 04:35:54 PDT 2002      Message Number 3977
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Author: Georg Weber

EUREF REAL-TIME - DGNSS OVER THE INTERNET

With the increased capacity of the Internet, applications that transfer
continuous data streams by IP-packages, such as Internet Radio, have become
well-established services. Compared to these applications, the bandwidth
required for the transmission of real-time GNSS data is relatively small.
Consequently, the IAG Sub-commission for Europe EUREF decided to set up and
maintain a differential GNSS infrastructure (DGNSS) on the Internet using
stations of its European GPS/GLONASS Permanent Network EPN. EUREF follows
other efforts within the IAG towards real-time data transfer.

The acronym for these activities in Europe is EUREF-IP (IP for Internet
Protocol). The objective is to disseminate RTCM corrections over the
Internet in real-time for precise differential positioning and navigation
purposes. EUREF-IP makes use of recent developments in the interconnection
of mobile communication and the Internet. GPRS-based data transfer using
PDAs is among the promising techniques for real-time access to both
geo-information (GIS) and geo-referencing (RTCM) data using the same
communication channels.

As of July 2002, DGNSS trial servers providing RTCM corrections over the
Internet are available for reference stations in Germany, Italy, Spain, and
Switzerland. Receiving RTCM corrections from this real-time network enables
the determination of coordinates referred to the European Terrestrial
Reference System ETRS89.

Today's trial software is based on a plain Serial-to-TCP conversion of
streaming data on the reference-side (server) and TCP-to-Serial
re-conversion on the rover-side (client). Conventions on formats for a more
sophisticated dissemination of RTCM corrections over the Internet do not
exist. EUREF-IP intends to make new software available under the terms of
the GNU General Public License. This software will include protocol
definitions to transport RTCM corrections from servers via casters to
clients. It will consider specifics of reference station networks, security
and firewall issues, and massive simultaneous access in support of
location-based services. The software will be available free of charge by
the end of 2002. Because its functionality does not interfere with RTCM
standards, it will simply replace today's trial software.

CALL FOR PARTICIPATION

The real-time network providing RTCM corrections in Europe needs
densification. Support is possible from any geodetic GNSS receiver in a
European country continuously operated at a known position close to an
Internet connection. The minimum requirements for participation in today's
EUREF-IP test phase are

a) Operation of a GPS or GPS/GLONASS receiver with well-known ETRS89 antenna
position, capable of generating RTCM corrections,
b) Operation of an Internet-connected PC next to the receiver, running a
server program.

Please have a look at the following MS-Word files for more information on
the project and details of available client and server software:
http://igs.ifag.de/root_ftp/EUREF/reports/euref_realtime.doc
http://igs.ifag.de/root_ftp/EUREF/reports/euref_realtime_server.doc
http://igs.ifag.de/root_ftp/EUREF/reports/euref_realtime_client.doc
Feel free to download programs if you are interested in supporting EUREF-IP.

If you are in some way responsible for a continuously operated GPS or
GPS/GLONASS receiver in Europe, please fill out the annexed questionnaire
even if you don't see a possibility for participation. A reply would be
appreciated in any case.

Georg Weber
BKG, Frankfurt
weber@ifag.de


------------------EUREF-IP Questionnaire-------------------
---------------Reply to "euref-ip@ifag.de"-----------------

Name: 
E-Mail: 
Agency/Institution: 

I have some responsibility for the following continuously
operated GPS or GPS/GLONASS reference station(s) in Europe:

1.) Station Name: 
Approx. Latitude/Longitude: 

x = yes

[ ] GPS
[ ] GPS/GLONASS
[ ] Single frequency
[ ] Dual frequency
[ ] Precise ETRS89 antenna position is known
[ ] Receiver firmware generates RTCM corrections
[ ] Reference station software generates RTCM corrections
[ ] Networking software generates RTCM corrections
[ ] Various RTCM message types available
[ ] RTCM messages can be continuously transfered to PC on the Internet
[ ] Internet-connected PC runs Windows OS
[ ] Internet-connected PC runs Linux OS
[ ] Station is part of the IGS Permanent Network
[ ] Station is part of the EUREF Permanent Network EPN
[ ] I would like to see this station included in EUREF-IP

2.) Station Name: 
................
................

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