Topic
StarFire
About: StarFire is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 99 publications have been published within this topic receiving 975 citations.
Papers published on a yearly basis
Papers
29 Sep 2006
TL;DR: The StarFire Global Satellite Based Augmentation System was developed by Deere and Company to provide a global precision point positioning (PPP) capability for precision agriculture in this article, where the reference network, communication infrastructure, data handling, network hub processing, operational redundancy, distribution mechanism, receiver hardware and real-time monitoring.
Abstract: The StarFire™ Global Satellite Based Augmentation System was developed by Deere and Company to provide a global Precise Point Positioning (PPP) capability for Precision Agriculture. With two USA based processing and distribution centers, StarFire has been commercially operational since 1999 and has expanded into the additional market segments of Land Survey, Construction, Military, Aerial Mapping and Hydrographic Positioning. Recent system modifications as presented in this paper have improved absolute positioning accuracies from the decimeter level to sub-decimeter. The paper provides an evolutionary synopsis and detailed overview of the current system architecture, including the reference network, communication infrastructure, data handling, network hub processing, operational redundancy, distribution mechanism, receiver hardware and real-time monitoring. A global common satellite visibility tool has been used to determine the level of observational redundancy within the reference network and the benefit provided by recent reference station additions. The communication network infrastructure improvements establish a new benchmark for reliability and robustness with real-time monitoring now at the system component level. The central processing hubs are based upon a version of the Real Time GIPSY (RTG) suite, originally developed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for precise real time orbit and clock determination of GNSS. This has been refined to optimize positioning accuracy of NavCom developed GNSS hardware. Distribution of the StarFire orbit and clock parameters is via a highly optimized data stream to minimize bandwidth requirements, reduce the L-Band satellite transmission cost and ensure sufficient signal strength across the L-Band satellite footprint. Static precise point positioning performance is compared long term against International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF) absolute coordinates for the global StarFire monitoring network. A kinematic dataset for an aerial platform illustrates dynamic StarFire performance with respect to ITRF based Post Processed Kinematic. Using NavCom GNSS hardware, additional comparisons in the position domain are made between StarFire, the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) and the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay System (EGNOS). StarFire real-time orbit and clock parameters compared to International GNSS Service Final post-processed orbit and clock parameters show agreement at the decimeter level. Combined GNSS and L-Band receiver hardware plus algorithm developments are presented with emphasis on tropospheric modeling, tidal models, integration of inertial sensors and reducing the convergence time for the precise point positioning algorithm to reach optimal accuracy. The paper also discusses RTK Extend™, the simultaneous use of Real Time Kinematic (RTK) and StarFire orbits and clocks to extend RTK positioning accuracies when the RTK base station data link is lost. The paper concludes with a summary of the current StarFire Global SBAS PPP performance with suggestions for further research and enhancement.
66 citations
20 Mar 2007
TL;DR: Experimental measurements show the performance of each GPS receiver according to its measurement principle in harsh conditions in outdoor tall obstacle free and under tree shading environments.
Abstract: In this paper we present our experimental measurement results using GPS in outdoor tall obstacle free and under tree shading environments. We tested and compared three different GPS receivers using different principles such as Differential GPS, Real Time Kinematic GPS and an innovative system called StarFire DGPS. Coordinate conversion issue is discussed and stationary and moving tests were performed. In the stationary tests, off-line post-processed data was used to compare the difference between receivers measuring the same point at different times. Finally three GPS receivers were mounted on a mobile platform to perform moving experiments simultaneously at open field and under tree foliage where experimental measurements show the performance of each GPS receiver according to its measurement principle in harsh conditions.
57 citations
TL;DR: In this article, simultaneous wind measurements in the mesopause region at Starfire Optical Range near Albuquerque, NM with Na wind/temperature lidar and meteor radar have been performed and compared.
46 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a 0.8 km length of railroad track was surveyed with an RTK GPS receiver and referenced to a NGS benchmark, and cross-track errors were sequentially correlated, creating problems for using typical statistical analysis methods.
Abstract: The popularity of GPS-based guidance systems for agriculture is increasing. However, no dynamic test standards
are available to evaluate these receivers. In April 2002, GPS receivers were dynamically tested on a 0.8 km length of railroad
track using a small rail cart. The track was surveyed with an RTK GPS receiver and referenced to a NGS benchmark. The
GPS receivers were evaluated over a 24 h period. The tests were conducted in both directions and at two different speeds.
Cross-track and pass-to-pass errors were determined for a John Deere StarFire receiver with dual-frequency correction and
a Trimble AgGPS 132 in autonomous mode. Cross-track errors were sequentially correlated, creating problems for using typical
statistical analysis methods. A Voronoi step interpolation method was used to generate evenly spaced data for Fourier
analysis. Fourier analysis indicated that the cross-track errors contained significant periodic structure below 6 cycles per
day. This implies that cross-track accuracy tests should be conducted for minimum durations of 12 h. Fourier analysis indicated
that pass-to-pass errors were more random than cross-track errors, with no clear concentrations of frequency content,
implying that pass-to-pass accuracy tests can yield meaningful results in less time than required for cross-track accuracy
testing.
41 citations
TL;DR: The 3.5m Starfire Optical Range (SOR) telescope at the Directed Energy Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland AFB, NM saw first light in February, 1994 and first operation of the adaptive optics in September, 1997 as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The 3.5-m telescope at the Starfire Optical Range (SOR), operated by the Directed Energy Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland AFB, NM saw first light in February, 1994 and first operation of the adaptive optics in September, 1997. The primary mirror built by Steward Observatory Mirror Lab is spun cast borosilicate, actively supported and temperature conditioned. The telescope mount was designed to smoothly track low-earth-orbiting (LEO) satellites and therefore has different features than most telescopes designed for astronomy. The protective enclosure retracts vertically, leaving the telescope completely exposed, enabling access to rapidly moving targets. The telescope feeds a coude laboratory containing steering mirrors, deformable mirror, sensors for wave front control and target tracking, high resolution cameras, and lasers for beacons and energy projection experiments. This paper summarizes recent operating experiences and provides lessons learned in terms of thermal conditioning, mount control, mirror control, mirror cleaning, optical alignment, and satellite tracking. The operation and performance of the tracking and higher-order wave front compensation to LEO satellites will be presented. Plans for future upgrades will be described.
32 citations
Related Topics (5)
Performance Metrics
| Year | Papers |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2011 | 2 |