Modernizing GNSS data acquisition, pre-processing, and distribution at volcanological observatories

Abstract. In recent years, the field of geodetic monitoring is undergoing a profound transformation driven by the transition from GPS-only positioning to a fully multi-GNSS environment. With Galileo, BeiDou, and modernized GPS & GLONASS constellations now operational, a wealth of new signals and frequencies provides enhanced opportunities for high-precision positioning and real-time monitoring. However, these advances present challenges: the integration of heterogeneous receivers across local and campaign-based networks, the continued reliance on outdated RINEX 2 workflows, and the discontinuation of the teqc utility in 2019 have all disrupted well proven, long-standing GNSS pre-processing pipelines. While the International GNSS Service (IGS) community has smoothly adopted RINEX 3/4 and alternative pre-processing tools, smaller research-oriented networks have often struggled to keep pace, leaving a gap between available technology and operational monitoring practices. In this paper, we present two complementary tools designed to address these challenges in the context of volcanological and seismological observatories. The first, rinexmod (for RINEX Modification), is a lightweight utility for editing RINEX headers, renaming files, and enriching metadata. It replaces critical teqc functionalities while supporting modern RINEX 3/4 conventions, long-file naming schemes, and direct sitelog integration. The second, autorino (for Assisted Unloading, Treatment and Organization of RINEX Observations), implements a flexible multi-step workflow for automated acquisition of raw GNSS data from heterogeneous receivers and conversion to a common standard RINEX format. By integrating official manufacturer converters, handling file splicing/splitting, and linking directly with rinexmod, it provides a unified pipeline capable of near real-time operation (down to 5-minute intervals). Together, these tools modernize GNSS workflows across networks that are both technically diverse and geographically remote, ensuring interoperability with IGS standards while preserving operational robustness in challenging field conditions. We illustrate their deployment at the Institut de physique du globe de Paris’s volcanological observatories and monitoring networks in Guadeloupe, Martinique, La Réunion, and Mayotte, where they enable continuous monitoring of volcanic and tectonic processes. Beyond local applications, these tools contribute to bridging the gap between global GNSS standards and regional network realities, supporting the long-term sustainability of GNSS-based geo-hazard monitoring.