De-noising of GPS structural monitoring observation error using wavelet analysis

Abstract

In the process of the continuous monitoring of the structure's state properties such as static and dynamic responses using Global Positioning System (GPS), there are unavoidable errors in the observation data. These GPS errors and measurement noises have their disadvantages in the precise monitoring applications because these errors cover up the available signals that are needed. The current study aims to apply three methods, which are used widely to mitigate sensor observation errors. The three methods are based on wavelet analysis, namely principal component analysis method, wavelet compressed method, and the de-noised method. These methods are used to de-noise the GPS observation errors and to prove its performance using the GPS measurements which are collected from the short-time monitoring system designed for Mansoura Railway Bridge located in Egypt. The results have shown that GPS errors can effectively be removed, while the full-movement components of the structure can be extracted from the original signals using wavelet analysis.