Plans for phase coherent long baseline interferometry for geophysical applications using the Anik-B communications satellite

A pilot project to establish an operational phase stable very long baseline interferometer (VLBI) for geophysical studies is described. Methods for implementation as well as practical applications are presented

The S2 VLBI Correlator: A Correlator for Space VLBI and Geodetic Signal Processing

We describe the design of a correlator system for ground and space-based VLBI. The correlator contains unique signal processing functions: flexible LO frequency switching for bandwidth synthesis; 1 ms dump intervals, multi-rate digital signal-processing techniques to allow correlation of signals at different sample rates; and a digital filter for very high resolution cross-power spectra. It also includes autocorrelation, tone extraction, pulsar gating, signal-statistics accumulation.Comment: 44 pages, 13 figure

A study of VLB 2010 potential for source structure corrections

International audienceIn October 2003, the International VLBI Service for Geodesy and Astrometry (IVS) in- stalled Working Group 3 ‘VLBI2010' to examine current and future requirements for geodetic/astrometric VLBI including all components from antennas to analysis, and to create recommendations for a new gen- eration of VLBI systems. Some important recommendations include: the use of larger networks; the use of smaller faster slewing antennas; the use of very high data rates; and, the use of multiple (e.g. 4) widely spaced bands to resolve RF phase ambiguities. When taken together, these recommendations result in a many-fold increase in the number of observations per session. UV coverage improves to the point where precise VLBI images of the ICRF sources can be constructed on a daily basis directly from the geodetic observations, therefore enabling source structure corrections to be calculated. Simulations are currently underway to evaluate the potential of this approach

Vienna Vlbi And Satellite Software (Vievs) For Geodesy And Astrometry

The Vienna VLBI and Satellite Software (VieVS) is state-of-the-art Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) analysis software for geodesy and astrometry. VieVS has been developed at Technische Universitat Wien (TU Wien) since 2008, where it is used for research purposes and for teaching space geodetic techniques. In the past decade, it has been successfully applied on Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) observations for the determination of celestial and terrestrial reference frames as well as for the estimation of celestial pole offsets, universal Time (UT1-UTC), and polar motion based on least-squares adjustment. Furthermore, VieVS is equipped with tools for scheduling and simulating VLBI observations to extragalactic radio sources as well as to satellites and spacecraft, features which proved to be very useful for a variety of applications. VieVS is now available as version 3.0 and we do provide the software to all interested persons and institutions. A wiki with more information about VieVS is available at http://vievswiki.geo.tuwien.ac.at/.WoSScopu