PHOTOGRAMMETRIC ENGINEERING & REMOTE SENSING
March 2017
173
BOOK
REVIEW
GNSS Remote Sensing: Theory, Methods
and Applications
Jin Shuanggen, Estel Cardellach and Feiqin Xie
Springer: Dordrecht, the Netherlands. 2014. xvi, 276 pp.
Hardcover. $179. ISBN 978-94-007-7481-0.
Reviewed by:
Rudiger Gens, Remote Sensing
Scientist, Alaska Satellite Facility, Geophysical
Institute, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks,
Alaska.
This book covers the theoretical and practical aspects of Global
Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). While GNSS was
originally created for navigation and positioning, the study of
the errors affecting the signal propagation in the atmosphere
led to the development of a wider range of interesting
applications. The authors identify the target audience broadly
as “scientists, engineers and user community” who have
a “basic GNSS background and experience”. However, the
intended purpose of this book is not explicitly spelled out and
hard to determine. It is unclear whether the book is supposed
to serve as text book for graduate students, a how-to guide for
GNSS data providers, a reference book on the state of GNSS
technology, or a resource for new application ideas.
The title suggests that book might be divided in three
parts covering theory, methods, and applications of GNSS.
In fact, the three parts of the book address the theory and
delays; atmospheric and multipath delays; reflectometry and
remote sensing. The book chapters are heavily biased towards
atmospheric applications. Traditional applications of global
position system (GPS) such as mapping, tracking or navigating
are only marginally covered. The structure is a bit unusual
as the theoretical content is split, some appearing in the first
theory part of the book, and some appearing as a chapter in
the application part.
The generic background, covered in the first two chapters,
gives a very basic overview of the technologies and the errors
involved in the propagation of GNSS signals. For a more
comprehensive review of the basic principles the reader will
need to look for a standard textbook in satellite geodesy. The
second part on atmospheric sensing and applications is the
most comprehensive one. The chapters on ground atmospheric
and ionospheric sensing describe in depth how troposphere
and ionosphere can be captured in a two-dimensional fashion.
The modeling of the state of the ionosphere in two or three
dimensions is comprehensively reviewed. The authors’
coverage on the three-dimensional radio occultation techniques
is extensive. This is where the authors’ research background
adds the most value to the book. The third part goes into
the newest and state of the art application developments. It
also gives a status as well as an outlook of the field of GNSS.
Particularly GNSS reflectometry, by making use of the
multipath behavior of the signal, established techniques for
monitoring sea and ice surfaces. The potential of integrating
ground and space observations show considerable potential.
Especially, the future increased coverage with GNSS satellites
will lead to studies at significantly higher resolutions than
currently possible.
In summary, the book successfully showcases the potential
of GNSS technology to support and promote multidisciplinary
Remote Sensing and Digital Image Processing
GNSS Remote
Sensing
Shuanggen Jin
Estel Cardellach
Feiqin Xie
Theory, Methods and Applications
research. The book is most suitable for readers who are
interested in atmospheric and ocean applications and already
have an advanced prior knowledge in the field of GNSS. Though
the book is not well-suited for a primary text book for post-
secondary students, it can serve as supplemental material for
an advanced and specialized graduate-level course.
Photogrammetric Engineering & Remote Sensing
Vol. 83, No. 3, March 2017, pp. 173.
0099-1112/17/173–173
© 2017 American Society for Photogrammetry
and Remote Sensing
doi: 10.14358/PERS.83.3.173
