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GEOG0615-4

Topography: theory of errors and GNSS

[ version française ]

Duration :30h Th, 22h Pr
Credits/ECTS :
Année préparatoire au master en Sciences géographiques, orientation géomatique et géométrologie5
1re année du grade de master en sciences géographiques, orientation géomatique et géométrologie, à finalité spécialisée (géomatique appliquée)5
1re année du grade de master en sciences géographiques, orientation géomatique et géométrologie, à finalité spécialisée (géomètre)5
Holder(s) :René Warnant
Course contents : The first part of the course is dedicated to the theory of errors. The basic concepts of the theory of errors and of the least square method are presented. The course studies the notion of propagation of errors and shows how the concept of variance-covariance matrix (or cofactors) allows to derive the equations giving the maximum acceptable error and the optimal value of the unknown parameters. Then, this theory is applied to practical problems in topography and in GNSS.

The second part of the course is dedicated to Global Navigation Satellite Systems (mainly GPS but also the European system Galileo). The course analyses in details the different components of GPS, the error sources affecting the measurements, the correction and mitigation methods. Then, the course discusses the main advantages and disadvantages of different observation techniques using GPS for applications in topography.
Course objective : The first part of the course gives an introduction to the theory of errors and to the least square method. The goal is to give students the basic tools to solve practical problems in topography (optimal value of a measured or a computed parameter, propagation of errors, maximum acceptable error, ...).

The second part of the course studies in details the different components of GNSS. The goal is to give students the necessary know-how to be able to use GNSS for applications in topography. In particular, students will be able to assess the reliability of their results and to identify the origin of a possible problem in GPS measurements.
Prerequisites : Basic course of physics and mathematics (mainly statistics and matrix algebra).
Workshops : Practical work consists in exercises (5 x 4 hours) where the theory of errors is used to solve practical problems in topography.
Organization : The course is divided in 10 lectures of 3 hours (one lecture per week during the second semester).
Written notes : Lecture notes are available.
Assessment : The evaluation is done during an oral exam (with written preparation) on the material seen during the theoretical lectures and on the resolution of practical problems similar to the problems solved during the exercices.
Contacts : Pr. René Warnant
Royal Observatory of Belgium
Avenue Circulaire, 3
B-1180 Brussels (Belgium)
Tél : 02/373 02 51
Email : Rene.Warnant@ulg.ac.be




ULg : Students and Studies Administration - Academic Affairs
Contact : Monique Marcourt, direction A.E.E.
Date of data : 18/05/2007
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