Monitoring infrastructure using global navigation satellite systems

Structural engineers are now starting to implement GPS in monitoring large structure positions and structural displacements. Specifically, GPS's inherent differential feature enables the measurement of small changes in position that is relative to a stationary point or points. For instance, tests on kinematic GPS for bridge deflection monitoring have proved a success. This system uses on-the-fly integer ambiguity resolution technique which permits a rover device to be placed relative to the reference. Data analysis is done on-the-fly by introducing a terrestrial data link. The bridge deflection monitoring system makes possible the measurement of small changes in position in a precise time-frame.