A regional GNSS-VTEC model over Nigeria using neural networks： A novel approach

A neural network model of the Global Navigation Satellite System - vertical total electron content （GNSS-VTEC） over Nigeria is developed. A new approach that has been utilized in this work is the consideration of the International Reference Ionosphere＇s （IRI＇s） critical plasma frequency （foF2） parameter as an additional neuron for the network＇s input layer. The work also explores the effects of using various other input layer neurons like distur- bance storm time （DST） and sunspot number. All available GNSS data from the Nigerian Permanent GNSS Network （NIGNET） were used, and these cover the period from 2011 to 2015, for 14 stations. Asides increasing the learning accuracy of the networks, the inclusion of the IRI＇s foF2 parameter as an input neuron is ideal for making the networks to learn long-term solar cycle variations. This is important especially for regions, like in this work, where the GNSS data is available for less than the period of a solar cycle. The neural network model developed in this work has been tested for time-varying and spatial per- formances. The latest 10% of the GNSS observations from each of the stations were used to test the forecasting ability of the networks, while data from 2 of the stations were entirely used for spatial performance testing. The results show that root-mean-squared-errors were generally less than 8.5 TEC units for all modes of testing performed using the optimal network. When compared to other models, the model developed in this work was observed to reduce the prediction errors to about half those of the NeQuick and the IRI model.

一种ENC数据在空间信息平台下的转换方法

通过解析电子航海图(electronic navigational chart,ENC)的数据空间组织结构与数据模型,提出一种利用数据存储方式建设ENC专题数据库的方法,这种存储方式解决了多物标类多属性的统一存储问题,简化了数据的存储结构。同时,基于设计的ENC数据解析与读取方法,结合ENC动态符号化技术,在空间信息平台下对ENC数据进行解析与转换,实现ENC数据的转换与标准化显示。该方法可以为ENC、海事异构数据整合与共享问题的解决提供支持。采用大连部分海域的ENC数据进行数据转换与共享研究,实现海图中物标属性、物标关系等信息的解析。该方法可解决制约海事测绘发展的瓶颈问题,为未来多源航行环境数据的融合匹配提供支撑。

航海图四面体模型和未来发展

在信息与通信技术(information and communications technology,ICT)时代,电子航海图(electronic navigational chart,ENC)的迅猛发展使得纸质海图的未来引起航海界的广泛讨论。借鉴地图四面体模型,从4个层面探讨了航海图领域实地、纸质海图、电子海图和用图者之间的关系,形成了航海图四面体模型,通过分析每个层面的主要发展动态,探讨了航海图未来的发展趋势。

CSES GNSS ionospheric inversion technique, validation and error analysis

With the increased number of low Earth orbit(LEO) satellites equipped with global navigation satellite system(GNSS) receiver,the LEO based GNSS slant total electron content(TEC) and electron density profile(EDP) data play an increasingly important role in space weather and ionospheric research due to improved global coverage. China Seismo-Electromagnetic Satellite(CSES), which was launched in February 2018, is equipped with GNSS receiver for either precise orbit determination(POD) and ionospheric inversion. The purpose of the present paper is to validate CSES GNSS ionospheric inversion technique based on the real observations and verify the accuracy of TEC and EDP retrieval based on the simulated data. The following conclusions can be drawn: the epoch difference inversion(EDI) derived from CSES can successfully retrieve the EDPs without non-occultation side measurements; the technique of EDI and the calibrated TEC inversion(CTI) have similar behaviors in inversion errors,however, the retrieved Nm F2 and hm F2 have a larger systematic error surrounding the equatorial ionization anomaly(EIA)where the assumption of spherical symmetry is often invalid; the precision and accuracy of retrieved TEC have been investigated in the paper based on the simulated data, and it is found that the accuracy of the retrieved TEC is relative to solar activity: the lower the F10.7 index, the higher the accuracy of retrieved TEC.

Developing High-Precision Maps for Automated Driving in China:Legal Obstacles and the Way to Overcome Them

A high-precision map(HPM)is the key infrastructure to realizing the function of automated driving(AD)and ensuring its safety.However,the current laws and regulations on HPMs in China can lead to serious legal compliance problems.Thus,proper measures should be taken to remove these barriers.Starting with a complete view of the current legal obstacles to HPMs in China,this study first explains why these legal obstacles exist and the types of legal interests they are trying to protect.It then analyzes whether new technology could be used as an alternative to resolve these concerns.Factors such as national security,AD industry needs,and personal data protection,as well as the flexibility of applying technology,are discussed and analyzed hierarchically for this purpose.This study proposes that China should adhere to national security and AD industry development,pass new technical regulations that redefine the scope of national security regarding geographic information in the field of HPMs,and establish a national platform under the guidance and monitoring of the government to integrate scattered resources and promote the development of HPMs via crowdsourcing.Regarding the legal obstacles with higher technical plasticity,priority should be given to technical solutions such as“available but invisible”technology.Compared with the previous research,this study reveals the current legal barriers in China that have different levels of relevance to national security and different technical plasticity.It also proposes original measures to remove them,such as coordinating national security with the development of the AD industry,reshaping the boundary of national security and industrial interests,and giving priority to technical solutions for legal barriers that have strong technical plasticity.