Isolation of the Effect of Snow and Ice to a GNSS Antenna in the Measurement Domain

Abstract

Precise positioning using GNSS in the polar region faces to some challenges such as strong ionosphere activity, low visibility of GNSS satellite, snow and ice loading effects and strong wind. Extremely low temperature is also one of the serious challenges. As a GNSS antenna should be installed outside to receive satellite signal, the antenna can be covered with snow and ice. In this paper, we present the following test results as: First, signal power distortion due to the ice on the GNSS antenna. We compare signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) values between the ice-covered antenna and clean antenna. Second, the effect of ice in the measurement domain. These results are processed according to previously described isolation method and compare between an ice-covered condition and a normal condition. Finally, precise Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) positioning is performed.