ESOC GPS Receiver at New Norcia


Location

The receiver is located at the ESA New Norcia station, that is approximately 100 km north of the city of Perth on the western coast of Australia. The station hosts a 35 meters antenna and a redundant Hydrogen Maser that provides the reference frequency to the GPS receiver.

History and evolution

The Ashtech Z-XII receiver was tested at ESOC and installed at the station on 17th June 2002.

Equipment

The receiver is located in the Main Equipment Room of the station. It is connected to the Hydrogen maser oscillator. A computer provides for the operation and remote control of the system.

The station has pressure, temperature and humidity meteorological sensors available.

The communications are carried out using the permanent lines to the ESA control centre ESOC. Data are downloaded evey hour and distributed to the scientific community.

The monument is similar to the others constructed in the ESA stations. It is located at the best possible location taking into account the requirements of visibility, stability, proximity to the main Equipment Room and security.

Miscellaneous

The Station Information Form (SIF) summarises the characteristics and development of the GPS site. The last version and more information are available from the IGS Central Bureau

Some photos* of the site:

The rack in the Main Equipment Room
A close-up of the antenna

Series of pictures showing the horizon mask.

Horizon direction North
Horizon direction North-East
Horizon direction East
Horizon direction East-South
Horizon direction South
Horizon direction South-West (15 degrees minimum elevation due to the mountain)
Horizon direction West
Horizon direction West-North

(*) status June 2002


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Contact info. Last Update: July 2002