Geocenter variations derived from a combined processing of LEO- and ground-based GPS observations

GNSS observations provided by the global tracking network of the International GNSS Service (IGS, Dow et al. in J Geod 83(3):191–198, 2009) play an important role in the realization of a unique terrestrial reference frame that is accurate enough to allow a detailed monitoring of the Earth’s system. Combining these ground-based data with GPS observations tracked by high-quality dual-frequency receivers on-board low earth orbiters (LEOs) is a promising way to further improve the realization of the terrestrial reference frame and the estimation of geocenter coordinates, GPS satellite orbits and Earth rotation parameters. To assess the scope of the improvement on the geocenter coordinates, we processed a network of 53 globally distributed and stable IGS stations together with four LEOs (GRACE-A, GRACE-B, OSTM/Jason-2 and GOCE) over a time interval of 3 years (2010–2012). To ensure fully consistent solutions, the zero-difference phase observations of the ground stations and LEOs were processed in a common least-squares adjustment, estimating all the relevant parameters such as GPS and LEO orbits, station coordinates, Earth rotation parameters and geocenter motion. We present the significant impact of the individual LEO and a combination of all four LEOs on the geocenter coordinates. The formal errors are reduced by around 20% due to the inclusion of one LEO into the ground-only solution, while in a solution with four LEOs LEO-specific characteristics are significantly reduced. We compare the derived geocenter coordinates w.r.t. LAGEOS results and external solutions based on GPS and SLR data. We found good agreement in the amplitudes of all components; however, the phases in x- and z-direction do not agree well.     

Homogeneous reprocessing of GPS,GLONASS and SLR observations

The International GNSS Service (IGS) provides operational products for the GPS and GLONASS constellation. Homogeneously processed time series of parameters from the IGS are only available for GPS. Reprocessed GLONASS series are provided only by individual Analysis Centers (i. e. CODE and ESA), making it difficult to fully include the GLONASS system into a rigorous GNSS analysis. In view of the increasing number of active GLONASS satellites and a steadily growing number of GPS+GLONASS-tracking stations available over the past few years, Technische Universität Dresden, Technische Universität München, Universität Bern and Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich performed a combined reprocessing of GPS and GLONASS observations. Also, SLR observations to GPS and GLONASS are included in this reprocessing effort. Here, we show only SLR results from a GNSS orbit validation. In total, 18 years of data (1994–2011) have been processed from altogether 340 GNSS and 70 SLR stations. The use of GLONASS observations in addition to GPS has no impact on the estimated linear terrestrial reference frame parameters. However, daily station positions show an RMS reduction of 0.3 mm on average for the height component when additional GLONASS observations can be used for the time series determination. Analyzing satellite orbit overlaps, the rigorous combination of GPS and GLONASS neither improves nor degrades the GPS orbit precision. For GLONASS, however, the quality of the microwave-derived GLONASS orbits improves due to the combination. These findings are confirmed using independent SLR observations for a GNSS orbit validation. In comparison to previous studies, mean SLR biases for satellites GPS-35 and GPS-36 could be reduced in magnitude from \(-35\) and \(-38\)  mm to \(-12\) and \(-13\)  mm, respectively. Our results show that remaining SLR biases depend on the satellite type and the use of coated or uncoated retro-reflectors. For Earth rotation parameters, the increasing number of GLONASS satellites and tracking stations over the past few years leads to differences between GPS-only and GPS+GLONASS combined solutions which are most pronounced in the pole rate estimates with maximum 0.2 mas/day in magnitude. At the same time, the difference between GLONASS-only and combined solutions decreases. Derived GNSS orbits are used to estimate combined GPS+GLONASS satellite clocks, with first results presented in this paper. Phase observation residuals from a precise point positioning are at the level of 2 mm and particularly reveal poorly modeled yaw maneuver periods.     

Reducing the draconitic errors in GNSS geodetic products

Systematic errors at harmonics of the GPS draconitic year have been found in diverse GPS-derived geodetic products like the geocenter $Z$ -component, station coordinates, $Y$ -pole rate and orbits (i.e. orbit overlaps). The GPS draconitic year is the repeat period of the GPS constellation w.r.t. the Sun which is about 351 days. Different error sources have been proposed which could generate these spurious signals at the draconitic harmonics. In this study, we focus on one of these error sources, namely the radiation pressure orbit modeling deficiencies. For this purpose, three GPS+GLONASS solutions of 8 years (2004–2011) were computed which differ only in the solar radiation pressure (SRP) and satellite attitude models. The models employed in the solutions are: (1) the CODE (5-parameter) radiation pressure model widely used within the International GNSS Service community, (2) the adjustable box-wing model for SRP impacting GPS (and GLONASS) satellites, and (3) the adjustable box-wing model upgraded to use non-nominal yaw attitude, specially for satellites in eclipse seasons. When comparing the first solution with the third one we achieved the following in the GNSS geodetic products. Orbits: the draconitic errors in the orbit overlaps are reduced for the GPS satellites in all the harmonics on average 46, 38 and 57 % for the radial, along-track and cross-track components, while for GLONASS satellites they are mainly reduced in the cross-track component by 39 %. Geocenter $Z$ -component: all the odd draconitic harmonics found when the CODE model is used show a very important reduction (almost disappearing with a 92 % average reduction) with the new radiation pressure models. Earth orientation parameters: the draconitic errors are reduced for the $X$ -pole rate and especially for the $Y$ -pole rate by 24 and 50 % respectively. Station coordinates: all the draconitic harmonics (except the 2nd harmonic in the North component) are reduced in the North, East and Height components, with average reductions of 41, 39 and 35 % respectively. This shows, that part of the draconitic errors currently found in GNSS geodetic products are definitely induced by the CODE radiation pressure orbit modeling deficiencies.     

低轨卫星增强北斗三号导航星座性能分析

针对低轨卫星星座有待合理化设计的问题,深入研究了低轨卫星星座增强北斗三号系统定位性能。分析轨道高度、轨道倾角、星座构型对星座覆盖性能的影响,仿真北斗三号、GPS和3种不同类型的低轨星座,研究各低轨星座与北斗三号、GPS的组合系统在所选7个测站以及全球范围内的可见卫星数和PDOP值分布。结果表明低轨卫星对北斗三号的增强效果主要与低轨卫星数目有关,且不同轨道倾角的组合低轨星座有利于均衡系统在全球范围内的可见卫星数与PDOP值分布。低轨卫星有望通过改善卫星观测几何构型提高北斗三号系统的定位性能,且增强效果与低轨星座构型密切相关。     

GNSS技术在GEO、IGSO航天器中的导航精度与适用性分析

现阶段高轨道航天器导航主要依靠地基测控系统,为了研究全球卫星导航系统(GNSS)技术用于高轨道航天器导航的可行性,对GNSS技术在地球静止轨道(GEO)卫星、倾斜地球同步轨道(IGSO)卫星航天器中的导航精度及适用性展开了分析研究. 采用2021年11月9日的两行轨道数据(TLE)仿真GNSS星座,以不同星下点的GEO卫星和不同倾角的IGSO卫星作为目标星展开导航仿真试验. 实验结果表明:为了满足GNSS解算所需的卫星数量,须通过接收旁瓣信号来增加可见卫星数目. 对GEO目标星而言,当接收机灵敏度高于?169 dB时,导航精度可达30 m;利用GPS对7个不同的GEO或IGSO轨道目标星进行导航实验表明,GPS对目标星导航的位置误差约为35 m;北斗三号(BDS-3)、GPS、GLONASS、Galileo的导航位置误差均值分别为28.03 m、21.16 m、37.15 m、25.09 m,具有良好的内符合精度,其中GPS精度最高,GLONASS精度最低,但大部分时段也在45 m内.      

Combination of GNSS and SLR observations using satellite co-locations

Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) observations to Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) satellites may be used for several purposes. On one hand, the range measurement may be used as an independent validation for satellite orbits derived solely from GNSS microwave observations. On the other hand, both observation types may be analyzed together to generate a combined orbit. The latter procedure implies that one common set of orbit parameters is estimated from GNSS and SLR data. We performed such a combined processing of GNSS and SLR using the data of the year 2008. During this period, two GPS and four GLONASS satellites could be used as satellite co-locations. We focus on the general procedure for this type of combined processing and the impact on the terrestrial reference frame (including scale and geocenter), the GNSS satellite antenna offsets (SAO) and the SLR range biases. We show that the combination using only satellite co-locations as connection between GNSS and SLR is possible and allows the estimation of SLR station coordinates at the level of 1–2 cm. The SLR observations to GNSS satellites provide the scale allowing the estimation of GNSS SAO without relying on the scale of any a priori terrestrial reference frame. We show that the necessity to estimate SLR range biases does not prohibit the estimation of GNSS SAO. A good distribution of SLR observations allows a common estimation of the two parameter types. The estimated corrections for the GNSS SAO are 119 mm and −13 mm on average for the GPS and GLONASS satellites, respectively. The resulting SLR range biases suggest that it might be sufficient to estimate one parameter per station representing a range bias common to all GNSS satellites. The estimated biases are in the range of a few centimeters up to 5 cm. Scale differences of 0.9 ppb are seen between GNSS and SLR.     

Hybrid GPS + GLONASS

The hybridization of GPS with GLONASS has formed a first stage in GNSS development. We examine the performance of the hybrid system in the position domain for both code and carrier phase cases. Several major differences exist between GPS and GLONASS; most significant is GLONASS's signal frequency diversity, which can lead to measurement bias, particularly so when a pair of receivers are operating at different temperatures. Unless signal frequency diversity is addressed either on-receiver or at the data processing stage, positioning errors can occur at the centimeter level. We outline the difficulties of combining observations from the two systems and discuss how these may be overcome. ? 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Comparing GPS-only with GPS + GLONASS positioning in a regional permanent GNSS network

Within the regional EUREF Permanent Network (EPN) all positioning is purely based on GPS. This paper investigates, using the Bernese GNSS analysis software, the influence of adding GLONASS observations to the EPN processing using fixed orbits from the International GNSS Service (IGS) as well as from the CODE analysis centre. The GPS-only coordinates and GPS + GLONASS coordinates will be compared and the change in their repeatabilities will be investigated. The influence of the used orbits will also be outlined. The results show that a combined GPS + GLONASS data analysis can be set up without major efforts and that it will not degrade the positions obtained within the EPN.     

Improved antenna phase center models for GLONASS

Thanks to the increasing number of active GLONASS satellites and the increasing number of multi-GNSS tracking stations in the network of the International GNSS Service (IGS), the quality of the GLONASS orbits has become significantly better over the last few years. By the end of 2008, the orbit RMS error had reached a level of 3–4 cm. Nevertheless, the strategy to process GLONASS observations still has deficiencies: one simplification, as applied within the IGS today, is the use of phase center models for receiver antennas for the GLONASS observations, which were derived from GPS measurements only, by ignoring the different frequency range. Geo++ GmbH calibrates GNSS receiver antennas using a robot in the field. This procedure yields now separate corrections for the receiver antenna phase centers for each navigation satellite system, provided its constellation is sufficiently populated. With a limited set of GLONASS calibrations, it is possible to assess the impact of GNSS-specific receiver antenna corrections that are ignored within the IGS so far. The antenna phase center model for the GLONASS satellites was derived in early 2006, when the multi-GNSS tracking network of the IGS was much sparser than it is today. Furthermore, many satellites of the constellation at that time have in the meantime been replaced by the latest generation of GLONASS-M satellites. For that reason, this paper also provides an update and extension of the presently used correction tables for the GLONASS satellite antenna phase centers for the current constellation of GLONASS satellites. The updated GLONASS antenna phase center model helps to improve the orbit quality.     

GNSS广播星历轨道和钟差精度分析

为了对多个全球导航卫星系统（global navigation satellite system, GNSS）当前的广播星历精度进行一个全面的分析,对比了2014—2018年共5 a的GNSS广播星历与精密星历,并对全球定位系统（global positioning system, GPS）、格洛纳斯卫星导航系统（global navigation satellite system, GLONASS）、伽利略卫星导航系统（Galileo satellite navigation system, Galileo）、北斗卫星导航系统（BeiDou navigation satellite system, BDS）、准天顶卫星系统（quasi-zenith satellite system, QZSS）等5个系统的广播星历长期精度变化进行了分析。结果表明:5 a中GPS的广播星历轨道及钟差精度最稳定;GLONASS的广播星历轨道精度稳定性较好,但其钟差精度存在较大的离散度;Galileo得益于具备全面运行能力（full operational capability, FOC）卫星的大量发射及运行,其广播星历轨道、钟差精度大幅度变好,切向轨道、法向轨道与钟差精度已赶超GPS;BDS的广播星历轨道精度离散度较大,钟差精度出现不稳定现象;QZSS的广播星历轨道与钟差精度的稳定性与离散度相对最差。以2018年1 a的广播星历与精密星历为例分析了各个系统当前的广播星历精度,结果表明,当前GPS、GLONASS、Galileo、BDS、QZSS的考虑轨道误差与钟差误差贡献的空间信号测距误差（signal-in-space ranging error,SISRE）分别为0.806 m、2.704 m、0.320 m、1.457 m、1.645 m,表明Galileo广播星历整体精度最高,GPS次之,其次分别是BDS、QZSS和GLONASS。只考虑轨道误差贡献的SISRE分别为0.167 m、0.541 m、0.229 m、0.804 m、0.675 m,表明GPS广播星历轨道精度最高,其次分别是Galileo、GLONASS、QZSS和BDS。GPS卫星广播星历中新型号卫星的钟差精度总体要优于旧型号卫星。     

基于GPS/GLONASS/BDS组合的单历元单频短基线RTK定位算法研究

随着多个GNSS系统不断建成,天空中的导航卫星越来越多,使得RTK作业时的观测量也越来越多,这对提高单频单历元RTK的可靠性起到了至关重要的作用。本文分析了GLONASS信号频分多址的特点,对GPS/GLONASS/BDS单历元单频RTK定位的算法和模型进行了研究,提出了一种适用于三系统组合条件下短基线单频单历元RTK定位的算法,并采用实测数据对算法进行了验证,结果表明,GPS/GLONASS/BDS单历元单频RTK定位是可行的。     

Performance analysis of multi-GNSS static and RTK techniques in estimating height differences

ABSTRACT

Establishing reliable elevation differences is imperative for most geoscience and engineering applications. This work has traditionally been accomplished through spirit leveling techniques; however, surveyors have been utilizing satellite positioning systems in measuring height differences for more than a decade. Yet the quality of these heights needs to be evaluated in order to adopt them in different applications. In this article, we present the outcome of an accuracy assessment of height differences obtained with static and RTK surveys. Twenty control points with an average baseline length of 1?km were occupied with dual-frequency GNSS receivers for different time periods. Collected signals were processed using open-source software and verified with an online processing tool. Heights were estimated by processing the GPS and the GLONASS data individually, and combined (i.e. GNSS). Height differences were determined and compared with those measured by spirit levels and corrected through geoid models. Best results were achieved by combining GPS and GLONASS solutions for both static and RTK surveys. Solutions with either GPS or GLONASS satellites were comparable, but in most cases, the GPS solutions performed better. For the static surveys, longer occupation provided much accurate height differences. Inconsistencies among 10 different RTK surveys were minimum for the GPS?+?GLONASS solutions and worst for the GLONASS solutions. The ANOVA, LSD, F, and χ² statistical tests confirmed our findings at the 95% confidence level.     

Estimation of phase center corrections for GLONASS-M satellite antennas

Driven by the comprehensive modernization of the GLONASS space segment and the increased global availability of GLONASS-capable ground stations, an updated set of satellite-specific antenna phase center corrections for the current GLONASS-M constellation is determined by processing 84 weeks of dual-frequency data collected between January 2008 and August 2009 by a worldwide network of 227 GPS-only and 115 combined GPS/GLONASS tracking stations. The analysis is performed according to a rigorous combined multi-system processing scheme providing full consistency between the GPS and the GLONASS system. The solution is aligned to a realization of the International Terrestrial Reference Frame 2005. The estimated antenna parameters are compared with the model values currently used within the International GNSS Service (IGS). It is shown that the z-offset estimates are on average 7 cm smaller than the corresponding IGS model values and that the block-specific mean value perfectly agrees with the nominal GLONASS-M z-offset provided by the satellite manufacturer. The existence of azimuth-dependent phase center variations is investigated and uncertainties in the horizontal offset estimates due to mathematical correlations and yaw-attitude modeling problems during eclipse seasons are addressed. Finally, it is demonstrated that the orbit quality benefits from the updated GLONASS-M antenna phase center model and that a consistent set of satellite antenna z-offsets for GPS and GLONASS is imperative to obtain consistent GPS- and GLONASS-derived station heights.     

多分析中心站坐标产品的综合方法研究

首先介绍了多分析中心产品融合处理的两种综合策略，然后基于解层面的综合策略，提出了站坐标和地球自转参数同时综合的方法。采用国际GNSS服务组织（International GNSS Service，IGS）9个分析中心1 a的数据进行试验，从站坐标、地球自转参数精度以及地心运动3个方面验证了该方法的正确性。结果表明，基于综合方法得到的综合解和IGS综合解处于同一精度水平。站坐标在平面和高程方向的一致性分别为0.5 mm和1.0 mm，极移和极移速率的一致性分别优于7.0×10-6"和40.0×10-6"/d，日长参数优于7.7×10-6 s/d。所提出的综合方法可用于全球连续监测评估系统（international GNSS monitoring and assessment system，iGMAS）的站坐标/地球自转参数产品综合。     

Estimation and evaluation of real-time precipitable water vapor from GLONASS and GPS

The revitalized Russian GLONASS system provides new potential for real-time retrieval of zenith tropospheric delays (ZTD) and precipitable water vapor (PWV) in order to support time-critical meteorological applications such as nowcasting or severe weather event monitoring. In this study, we develop a method of real-time ZTD/PWV retrieval based on GLONASS and/or GPS observations. The performance of ZTD and PWV derived from GLONASS data using real-time precise point positioning (PPP) technique is carefully investigated and evaluated. The potential of combining GLONASS and GPS data for ZTD/PWV retrieving is assessed as well. The GLONASS and GPS observations of about half a year for 80 globally distributed stations from the IGS (International GNSS Service) network are processed. The results show that the real-time GLONASS ZTD series agree quite well with the GPS ZTD series in general: the RMS of ZTD differences is about 8 mm (about 1.2 mm in PWV). Furthermore, for an inter-technique validation, the real-time ZTD estimated from GLONASS-only, GPS-only, and the GPS/GLONASS combined solutions are compared with those derived from very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) at colocated GNSS/VLBI stations. The comparison shows that GLONASS can contribute to real-time meteorological applications, with almost the same accuracy as GPS. More accurate and reliable water vapor values, about 1.5–2.3 mm in PWV, can be achieved when GLONASS observations are combined with the GPS ones in the real-time PPP data processing. The comparison with radiosonde data further confirms the performance of GLONASS-derived real-time PWV and the benefit of adding GLONASS to stand-alone GPS processing.     

IGEX-98: International GLONASS Experiment

GLONASS is a Russian military navigation satellite system. Even if the constellation is far from being operational, a large community is potentially interested in using its signal in combination with GPS to improve availability, integrity, or precision. The goal of this article is to present the international GLONASS campaign, named IGEX-98, which is really the first attempt to obtain precise GLONASS orbits for geodetic applications. A world-wide network of GLONASS receivers has been deployed and is still operational. Several analysis centers process the GLONASS data on a regular basis in the same way it is done for GPS within the International GPS Service. ? 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

GLONASS pseudorange inter-channel biases considerations when jointly estimating GPS and GLONASS clock offset

GLONASS clock offset estimation is affected by the inter-channel biases (ICBs) caused by frequency division multiple access technique. The effect of ICBs on joint GPS/GLONASS clock offset estimation is analyzed. An efficient approach for joint estimation of GPS/GLONASS satellite clock offset is applied to the generation of 30-s clock offset products. During the estimation, the following three ICB handling strategies were tested: calculating ICBs for each GLONASS signal channel, calculating ICBs for each GLONASS satellite and neglecting ICBs. The behavior of ICBs under different strategies was statistically stable. Subsequently, the clock offset products using different ICB strategies were evaluated. The evaluation shows that consideration of the ICB is important when estimating the clock offset. Furthermore, estimating one ICB for each GLONASS satellite is better than estimating one for each GLONASS signal channel because, with the former strategy, the clock offset products behave more smoothly and have higher accuracy compared with products from the International GNSS Service Analysis Center. In addition, precise point positioning, using clock offsets based on one ICB for each GLONASS satellite, has the highest positioning accuracy.     

GNSS multi-frequency receiver single-satellite measurement validation method

A method is presented for real-time validation of GNSS measurements of a single receiver, where data from each satellite are independently processed. A geometry-free observation model is used with a reparameterized form of the unknowns to overcome rank deficiency of the model. The ionosphere error and non-constant biases such as multipath are assumed changing relatively smoothly as a function of time. Data validation and detection of errors are based on statistical testing of the observation residuals using the detection–identification–adaptation approach. The method is applicable to any GNSS with any number of frequencies. The performance of validation method was evaluated using multi-frequency data from three GNSS (GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo) that span 3 days in a test site at Curtin University, Australia. Performance of the method in detection and identification of outliers in code observations, and detection of cycle slips in phase data were examined. Results show that the success rate vary according to precision of observations and their number as well as size of the errors. The method capability is demonstrated when processing four IOV Galileo satellites in a single-point-positioning mode and in another test by comparing its performance with Bernese software in detection of cycle slips in precise point-positioning processing using GPS data.     

GPS／BDS／GLONASS组合伪距单点定位性能测试与分析

本文以高山峡谷地区以及城市建筑群区域GNSS卫星受山体及建筑物遮挡的实际问题为出发点,通过选取不同的卫星方位角模拟不同遮挡环境,研究GPS／BDS、GPS／GLONAS和GPS／BDS／GLONASS组合系统伪距单点定位模型对于单GPS、单BDS系统在不同遮挡环境下的定位精度和三维导航可用性等方面的改善情况。结果表明,组合系统相对于单系统,增加了可见卫星数,降低了PDOP值,当观测条件不佳时,可以很好地改善定位精度和提高三维导航可用性。      

An investigation of GNSS atomic clock behavior at short time intervals

A technique for obtaining clock measurements from individual GNSS satellites at short time intervals is presented. The methodology developed in this study allows for accurate satellite clock stability analysis without an ultra-stable clock at the ground receiver. Variations in the carrier phase caused by the satellite clock are isolated using a combination of common GNSS carrier-phase processing techniques. Furthermore, the white phase variations caused by the thermal noise of the collection and processing equipment are statistically modeled and removed, allowing for analysis of clock performance at subsecond intervals. Allan deviation analyses of signals collected from GPS and GLONASS satellites reveal distinct intervals of clock noise for timescales less than 100 s. The clock data collected from GPS Block IIA, IIR, IIR-M, and GLONASS satellites reveal similar stability performance at time periods greater than 20 s. The GLONASS clock stability in the 0.6–10 s range, however, is significantly worse than GPS. Applications that rely on ultra-stable clock behavior from the GLONASS satellites at these timescales may therefore require high-rate corrections to estimate and remove oscillator-based errors in the carrier phase.