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Center for Advanced Spatial Technologies

University of Arkansas

GEOS/ANTH 4593 Introduction to GPS

Home » Education » University » Online Course Material » GEOS/ANTH 4593 2011

GEOS/ANTH 4593: Introduction to the Global Positioning System/Global Navigation Satellite System

Fall 2011    V 1.0

GENERAL INFORMATION

Instructor  William (Fred) Limp 

                           JBHT 426, JBHT304  

                           (479) 575-7909

                           Turn on JavaScript! 

TA                     Stephanie Sullivan

                           JBHT 340

                           Turn on JavaScript!;   

Classroom  JBHT231 (access to building and room via UA Student ID) 

Textbook  Van Sickle, Jan, 2008. GPS for Land Surveyors. 3^rd edition! CRC Press/Taylor and Francis. Boca Raton.

Additional on-line readings and handouts

• GPS World (http://www.gpsworld.com/gpsworld/) 

• CAST GPS (http://www.cast.uark.edu/local/gps/)
• United States Coast Guard GPS Support Site (http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/gps/geninfo/default.htm)
• CAST/EAST user notes (http://outreach.cast.uark.edu/east/Toolkit-CAST/geospatial_technologies/gps/tutorials.html#gps)
• ESRI Virtual Campus (http://www.esri.com/)
• Trimble Learning Center (http://www.trimblelms.com )
• Penn State On-Line GPS Course https://www.e-education.psu.edu/geog862/home.html

Course Summary and Objectives

This course is a intensive introduction to the theory and practice of positioning (navigating, mapping and surveying) using the US Department of Defense’s Global Positioning System (GPS) along with new next-generation L5 satellites and Russian GLONASS.  We will also briefly cover the European GALILEO and Chinese Compass systems – all encompassed by the designation “Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS).   Topics include horizontal and vertical datum definition and realization, time systems, orbit definition, GPS observables, receiver and antenna design, positioning methods, sources of error, data exchange and collection methodologies. Throughout the course, you will be collect data using a variety of technologies/systems  (Trimble Juno, Trimble GeoXH, XT and Leica GS15) GPS/GNSS receivers and analyze the accuracy and reliability of your results.  We will use real-time and post-processed differential mapping grade and real-time kinematic (RTK), rapid-static and static survey grade processing. Early in the course, we will concentrate on the practical aspects of creating geospatial data and gradually work into the theory behind GPS and global positioning in general.

DETAILS

Grading Your grade for this course will be based upon a total of 1,000 points earned from: in- and out-of-class lab exercises, three exams and quizzes

 Lab exercises - 280 points

Exercises 1-2 (20 points each) 3-4 (45 points each) 5-6 (75 points each)

 Mid-term I – 150 points

 Mid-term II – 150 points

 Mid-term III – 150 points

 Quizzes – 270 points  (each 30 points)

You can also receive up to 50 extra points by being the first person to effectively answer a technical question posted to the class forum on BB.  Each assist is worth 5 points with up to 10 assists counted.

Letter grades will be assigned based on the percentage of points earned as follows:  

 90% <= Total =>      A

 80% <= Total < 90% => B

 70% <= Total < 80% => C

 60% <= Total < 70% => D

       Total < 60% => F

Lab Exercises:  Six (6) graded lab exercises will be assigned over the course of the semester at approximately two week intervals.  Most exercises will require field work using a limited number of receivers. You will need to plan accordingly. Deadline for submission of problems will vary but is typically three (3) weeks after the assignment. We will not accept late submissions. I encourage you to collaborate on these problem sets as they are intended to reinforce concepts discussed in class.  However, YOUR WORK MUST BE YOUR OWN.  Collaboration does not imply copying work from others: departmental and college rules on cheating apply.  In addition to graded lab exercises, we will often conduct ungraded labs during class to emphasize concepts. 

Quizzes:  There will be weekly quizzes on Black Board that cover, in advance, the readings for that week. The quiz will become accessible at midnight after class for the next week’s material, and will close at 5 PM on Wednesday.

Midterms: Short answer and essay response, open-book and open-note unless stated otherwise.  

Inclement Weather Policy: Class will meet unless the University is closed.  If for some reason I am unable to lecture, I will notify everyone by email the evening before class meets with instructions on make-up activities.  Much of our work will require us to be outside regardless of weather conditions – come to class prepared to be outside.

Academic Integrity:  As a core part of its mission, the University of Arkansas provides students with the opportunity to further their educational goals through programs of study and research in an environment that promotes freedom of inquiry and academic responsibility. Accomplishing this mission is only possible when intellectual honesty and individual integrity prevail.  Each University of Arkansas student is required to be familiar with and abide by the University’s ‘Academic Integrity Policy’ which may be found at http://provost.uark.edu/245.php.  Students with questions about how these policies apply to a particular course or assignment should immediately contact their instructor.

Schedule