Implementation and First Results of the Local Wettzell VLBI Correlator GOWL
Abstract
The Geodetic Observatory Wettzell (GOW), jointly operated by the Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy (BKG) and the Technical University of Munich is equipped with three radio telescopes for Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI). Extended local correlation capabilities, however, have been missing at the Observatory so far. A computing cluster forming the GO Wettzell Local Correlator (GOWL) was installed in September 2017 as well as the Distributed FX (DiFX) software correlation package and the Haystack Observatory Post processing System (HOPS) for fringe fitting and post processing of the correlated output. Data pre-processing, including ambiguity resolution (if necessary) as well as the generation of the geodetic database and NGS card files, is carried out with nuSolve. The final analysis is either performed with our local processing software (LEVIKA short baseline analysis) or with the Vienna VLBI and Satellite (VieVS) software. We present an overview of the correlation capabilities and results obtained so far. Regarding the local ties at Wettzell, we have been studying the local baseline between RTW (20 m) and TTW1 (13.2 m) in detail since 2016. These local sessions are usually scheduled with VieVS. Here we report on the method and first results of the local baseline estimated with VLBI and then compare with local tie measurements. Moreover, we also present initial results from the AGGO radio telescope testing as well as from individually scheduled sessions including the O'Higgins VLBI telescope at Antarctica. Finally, we want to present different observing prospects and future plans.
- Publication:
-
International VLBI Service for Geodesy and Astrometry 2018 General Meeting Proceedings: "Global Geodesy and the Role of VGOS - Fundamental to Sustainable Development
- Pub Date:
- September 2019
- Bibcode:
- 2019ivs..conf..102P