On accuracy and reliability of instantaneous network RTK as a function of network geometry, station separation, and data processing strategy

The network-based approach to kinematic GPS positioning significantly increases the distance, over which carrier-phase ambiguity resolution can be performed. This can be achieved either by introducing geometric conditions based on the fixed reference locations, and/or through the use of reference network data to estimate the corrections to GPS observations that can be broadcast to the users. The Multi Purpose GPS Processing Software (MPGPS) developed at The Ohio State University uses the multiple reference station approach for wide area and regional differential kinematic GPS positioning. The primary processing algorithm uses the weighted free-net (WFN) approach with the distance-dependent weighting scheme to derive optimal estimates of the user coordinates and realistic accuracy measures. The WFN approach, combined with the single epoch (instantaneous) ambiguity resolution algorithm is presented here as one approach to real-time kinematic (RTK) GPS. Since for baselines exceeding ~100 km, the instantaneous ambiguity resolution may not always be possible due to the increasing observation noise and insufficient number of observations to verify the integer selection, an alternative approach, based on a single- (or multiple-) baseline solution, supported by a double-difference (DD) ionospheric delay propagated from the previous epoch is also presented. In this approach, some data accumulation, supported by the network-derived atmospheric corrections, is required at the beginning of the rover data processing to obtain the integer ambiguities; after this initialization period, the processing switches to the instantaneous RTK positioning mode. This paper presents a discussion on the effects of the network geometry, station separation and the data reduction technique on the final quality and reliability of the rover positioning solution. A 24-h data set of August 31, 2003, collected by the Ohio Continuously Operating Reference Station (CORS) network was processed by both techniques under different network geometry and reference station separation. Various solutions, such as (1) single-baseline solution for varying base-rover separation, (2) multi-baseline solution with medium-range base separation (over 100 km), and (3) multi-baseline solution with long-range base separation (up to 377 km), were obtained and compared for accuracy and consistency. The horizontal positioning accuracy achieved in these tests, expressed as the difference between the estimated coordinates and the known rover coordinates, is at the sub-decimeter level for the first approach, and at the centimeter-level for the second method, for baselines over 100 km. In the vertical coordinate, decimeter- and sub-decimeter levels were achieved for the two approaches, respectively. Even though all the results presented here were obtained in post-processing, both algorithms are suitable for real-time applications.     

Ionospheric TEC predictions over a local area GPS reference network

Single layer ionosphere models are frequently used for ionospheric modeling and estimation using GPS measurements from a network of GPS reference stations. However, the accuracies of single layer models are inherently constrained by the assumption that the ionospheric electrons are concentrated in a thin shell located at an altitude of about 350 km above Earths surface. This assumption is only an approximation to the physical truth because the electrons are distributed in the entire ionosphere region approximately from 50 to 1,000 km. To provide instantaneous ionospheric corrections for the real-time GPS positioning applications, the ionospheric corrections need to be predicted in advance to eliminate the latency caused by the correction computation. This paper will investigate ionospheric total electron content (TEC) predictions using a multiple-layer tomographic method for ionospheric modeling over a local area GPS reference network. The data analysis focuses on the accuracy evaluation of short-term (5 min in this study) TEC predictions. The results have indicated that the obtainable TEC prediction accuracy is at a level of about 2.8 TECU in the zenith direction and 95% of the total electron content can be recovered using the proposed tomography-based ionosphere model.     

长距离GPS/BDS双系统网络RTK方法

基于区域参考站网的网络实时动态定位(real-time kinematic,RTK)方法是实现全球定位系统(global positioning system,GPS)、北斗卫星导航系统(BeiDou satellite navigation system,BDS)高精度定位的主要手段.研究了一种长距离GPS/BDS双...     

Performance of Singapore Integrated Multiple Reference Station Network (SIMRSN) for RTK Positioning

Conventional RTK positioning is usable, but requires the use of a local base station. It is also restricted by the effects of the de-correlate atmospheric refraction on the GPS signal, which limits the use of the RTK positioning up to distances of 10–15 km from the reference station to the user. With a multiple reference station network approach, precise RTK positioning capability may be extended for a much larger area. The Singapore Integrated Multiple Reference Station Network (SIMRSN) has been established for this purpose. Using an existing method termed linear combination method, the multiple reference station network corrections are generated for the user on an epoch by epoch, satellite-by-satellite basis. A residual-based adaptive Kalman filter is proposed to improve network correction availability. The VRS concept is used to transmit corrections to the user for RTK positioning. Field tests were conducted to demonstrate the general performance of SIMRSN. The tests confirmed that RTK positioning within a multiple reference station network can provide the user with better than 3 cm in horizontal position, the height accuracy is in the range of 1–7 cm, and the average TTF (Time To Fix) are 46 and 76 s during GLC station and LPR station tests, respectively. With this highly efficient survey technique, the user needs only to be equipped with a single GPS receiver. This reduces equipment and manpower costs compared with traditional RTK positioning using a specially set up reference station. The multiple reference station framework also paves the way for various other applications beyond the traditional surveying profession. Electronic Publication     

GPS+BDS中长距离RTK定位算法及结果分析

GPS/BDS中长距离RTK定位因为电离层和对流层残余误差的影响,其性能相对于常规RTK有所降低。将GPS/BDS卫星双差电离层误差和对流层误差作为参数,采用卡尔曼滤波进行实时估计。为了验证算法的有效性,利用武汉地区103 km静态基线24 h双频观测数据,分析了GPS和BDS单系统以及二者组合双系统中长距离RTK定位性能。实验结果表明,精确估计的双差电离层残余误差达到米级、对流层误差达到分米级;经过改正后,GPS/BDS单系统的定位精度在1 cm左右,组合双系统则实现了中长距离基线毫米级的高精度定位。     

GPS/VRS 卫星定位服务网络建设与精度评定

虚拟参考站技术是近几年发展起来的,集Internet、无线通讯、计算机网络和GPS于一体的卫星定位技术。成都虚拟参考站卫星定位服务系统的建设,在设计上可满足全天候地向大成都地区用户提供厘米级实时动态定位服务。为了对该系统的实际定位精度进行客观的评价,从2 0 0 4年7月开展,历时两个月,全面完成了成都虚拟参考站卫星定位服务系统的精度评定工作,结果表明:在网内,水平方向上的精度可达2 .5cm ,垂直方向上的精度为4 . 5cm ,精度分布均匀;在网外,未模型化的距离相关误差的残余逐步增大,特别是距离网络中心大于1 2 0km以上时,定位精度开始衰减,为分米级。     

基于网络RTK技术的福州城市工程测量技术研究

GPS网络RTK技术的优势就是克服了普通RTK测量中测站间距的限制,它的有效距离可以达到几十甚至上百公里,覆盖面广阔,但定位精度仍然可以达到厘米级,可靠性强。这也是GPS网络RTK技术能够很快发展的原因之一。本文基于笔者多年从事控制测量的相关工作经验,以笔者参与的福州某工程测量为案例,研究探讨了GPS网络RTK用于图根控制测量及精度分析的方法,全文是笔者长期工作实践基础上的理论升华,相信对从事相关工作的同行有着重要的参考价值和借鉴意义。     

基于DREAMNET的GPS/BDS/GLONASS多系统网络RTK定位性能分析

随着BDS系统完成亚太地区组网、GLONASS系统再次实现满星座部署以及GPS系统的现代化,多系统集成已逐步成为网络RTK技术的发展趋势。本文结合笔者所在课题组自主研发的网络RTK数据处理系统DREAMNET,对不同卫星系统组合模式下的定位精度进行比较分析。试验结果表明,GPS/BDS/GLONASS网络RTK和GPS/BDS网络RTK的定位精度最高,GPS、BDS单系统网络RTK次之。此外,随着高度角的增加,GPS单系统网络RTK的可用性显著降低,而GPS/BDS/GLONASS网络RTK在高度角为40°时依然可以在99.84%的时间里提供水平精度0.01 m、高程精度0.025 m的定位服务。最后,对15 d的定位结果进行统计,包括不依赖GPS系统的BDS和BDS/GLONASS在内的6种组合方式皆可达到水平0.01 m、高程0.025 m的定位精度,其中GPS/BDS/GLONASS网络RTK则可以得到水平0.006 m、高程0.015 m的定位精度,证明DREAMNET的定位精度和稳定性完全可以满足测绘作业的需要。     

Quality assessment of GPS rapid static positioning with weighted ionospheric parameters in generalized least squares

Precise GPS positioning requires the processing of carrier-phase observations and fixing integer ambiguities. With increasing distance between receivers, ambiguity fixing becomes more difficult because ionospheric and tropospheric effects do not cancel sufficiently in double differencing. A popular procedure in static positioning is to increase the length of the observing session and/or to apply atmospheric (ionospheric) models and corrections. We investigate the methodology for GPS rapid static positioning that requires just a few minutes of dual-frequency GPS observations for medium-length baselines. Ionospheric corrections are not required, but the ionospheric delays are treated as pseudo-observations having a priori values and respective weights. The tropospheric delays are reduced by using well-established troposphere models, and satellite orbital and clock errors are eliminated by using IGS rapid products. Several numerical tests based on actual GPS data are presented. It is shown that the proposed methodology is suitable for rapid static positioning within 50–70 km from the closest reference network station and that centimeter-level precision in positioning is feasible when using just 1 min of dual-frequency GPS data.     

GPS/VRS 参考站网络的对流层误差建模技术研究

在虚拟参考站(VRS)技术中,参考站与流动站间的高程差异会引起对流层误差改正数中存在系统偏差影响,使对流层改正精度降低。在常规网络内插改正模型的基础上,借助先验对流层模型,提出了一种能自主修正高程偏差的距离相关对流层网络内插模型(MHDIM)。基于四川GPS连续运行参考站网络(Sichuan GPS Reference Station Network-SGRSN)实际测试数据的分析表明,对于地形变化较大的中长距离稀疏GPS/VRS参考站网络(如流动站与参考站间高程差异大于500m),应用MHDIM模型可使对流层延迟误差改正精度提高到2到3cm并实现cm级网络RTK定位结果,适用于GPS/VRS参考站网络cm级实时动态定位要求。     

长距离网络RTK实时厘米级定位算法

针对CORS系统建设成本高和选址困难的问题,该文提出GPS长距离网络RTK定位算法。该算法首先利用MW组合观测方程解算基准站双差宽巷整周模糊度,采用Saastamoinen模型和GMF映射函数模型相结合解算双差对流层干分量延迟残差,并将双差对流层湿分量延迟残差作为未知参数进行估计,同时结合无电离层组合观测值解算基准站双差载波整周模糊度;然后,采用综合误差内插法解算基准站和流动站的误差改正数;最后,采用最小二乘法逐历元进行法方程叠加解算流动站双差模糊度浮点解,并利用LAMBDA算法和通过TIKHONOV正则化改进的LAMBDA算法搜索固定流动站双差宽巷整周模糊度和双差载波整周模糊度。实验表明,该算法能够将基准站间距离提高到100~150km,使流动站用户可以获得厘米级定位结果。     

基于GPS基准网的GPS快速静态定位及动态定位方法

介绍基于GPS基准网进行GSP快速静态定位和动态定位的原理和方法。通过计算基准网改正数及其空间分布，利用内插方法求出用户站的模型误差改正数，不仅可以提高GPS整周模糊度的可靠性，而且能够大大改善GPS测量的精度。利用香港GPS基准网2001年3月的实测数据进行了解算，发现地区在该时间段内受强电离层活动的影响，采用常规GPS测量方法很难确定整周模糊度。利用传统的快速静态定位方法对香港GPS基准网其中一条边（9.2km）24h的观测数据按每15min计算，模糊度确定的准确率仅为45％。采用基准网内插改正数后，仅利用L1的观测数据模糊度确定的准确率提高到100％。点位精度平面位置由2cm提高到5mm，高程精度由4cm提高到3cm。     

基于Internet的VRS/RTK定位算法模型及实验研究

针对VRS的关键技术，系统地探讨了基于Internet的VRS／RTK定位的算法模型，并结合GPS观测网络的实际和自主开发的GPS虚拟参考站软件系统Venus 1．0进行了分析、实验、验证，取得了满意的结果。通过实际网络测试表明，网内水平精度1～3cm，垂直精度1～4．5cm；网外距离相关误差的相关性逐步减弱，定位精度也随之下降，但VRS／RTK定位在网络覆盖范围之外的一定范围（如成都地区可达20km），仍然可以实现cm级定位服务。     

Precise GPS Positioning by Applying Ionospheric Corrections from an Active Control Network

In this article, initial results are presented of a method to improve fast carrier phase ambiguity resolution over longer baselines (with lengths up to about 200 km). The ionospheric delays in the global positioning system (GPS) data of these long baselines mainly hamper successful integer ambiguity resolution, a prerequisite to obtain precise positions within very short observation time spans. A way to correct the data for significant ionospheric effects is to have a GPS user operate within an active or permanently operating network use ionospheric estimates from this network. A simple way to do so is to interpolate these ionospheric estimates based on the expected spatial behaviour of the ionospheric delays. In this article such a technique is demonstrated for the Dutch Active Control Network (AGRS.NL). One hour of data is used from 4 of the 5 reference stations to obtain very precise ionospheric corrections after fixing of the integer ambiguities within this network. This is no problem because of the relatively long observation time span and known positions of the stations of the AGRS.NL. Next these interpolated corrections are used to correct the GPS data from the fifth station for its ionospheric effects. Initial conclusions about the performance of this technique are drawn in terms of improvement of integer ambiguity resolution for this baseline. ? 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

网络RTK的电离层折射估算与改正

本文讨论了目前几类电离层延迟模型,分析了其改正效果,针对网络RTK的特点,给出了一种适合网络RTK定位的电离层延迟估算和处理方法,首先对基准站网的垂直电子总量计算,然后内插用户站处的垂直电子总量,进行估算用户电离层延迟和改正。实验证明,该方法可以取得较理想的网络RTK定位结果。     

北斗电离层模型改正精度分析

电离层误差是影响单频用户机定位精度的主要误差源。卫星导航系统播发电离层模型改正参数供用户使用,模型改正精度会对定位结果产生直接影响。北斗卫星导航系统根据连续监测站实测数据,计算并发播地理坐标系下8参数Klobuchar电离层模型参数,且每2 h更新一次。为了科学评估北斗电离层模型改正效果,文中基于北斗最新观测数据,首先,以CODE提供的GIM模型作为比对基准,详细分析了不同纬度地区、不同时间段内的电离层模型改正精度;其次,分别按照以下定位模式进行计算:1)北斗单频不加电离层改正,2)北斗单频+北斗K8模型,3)北斗单频+GPS K8模型,并分析了电离层改正残差对定位结果影响大小。结果表明,北斗电离层模型改正精度在北半球优于南半球,中纬度地区改正效果最好,其改正残差RMS均值在0.6 m左右,往低纬和高纬度地区呈递减趋势;北京地区北斗单频+北斗K8模型定位精度优于GPS K8模型。     

基于CORS的网络RTK矿山开采沉陷监测方法研究

首先提出基于CORS的网络RTK技术在矿山地表沉降监测中的应用,并对其在矿山沉陷监测中的应用方法及误差进行了分析,提出一种网络RTK与静态GPS观测相结合的空间修正模型用以提高网络RTK技术在矿山沉陷监测中的精度。应用此种方法对网络RTK的定位精度进行探讨分析,其结果表明:在技术措施制定合理和外业观测条件良好的情况下,基于CORS的网络RTK技术使用此种空间修正模型用于提高矿山沉陷监测的精度是可行的,能够极大地拓展工作范围,提高工作效率,具有广阔的应用前景。     

Surveying at the limits of local RTK networks: Test results from the perspective of high accuracy users

Precise GNSS-based differential positioning in real time is usually known as the real-time kinematics (RTK) technique. RTK reduces the effects of orbit errors and ionospheric and tropospheric refraction by forming differences between the observables (e.g. double-differences). These effects, however, grow with increasing baseline length, although the use of corrections generated in real-time from an active GNSS network allows these distance-dependent errors to be reduced. This technology increases the reliability of the system and thereby the accuracy of real-time positioning. In this study, the test results of RTK positioning at different test points located in the border area between the Autonomous Communities of the Region of Murcia and the Community of Valencia, in SE Spain, are presented. The analysis is based on three GNSS local active networks present in this border area, namely MERISTEMUM, REGAM and ERVA networks. Test measurements with RTK rover were performed in this region in order to analyze the real-time services offered by these three networks. Moreover, precise coordinates for each test point were determined using Bernese 5.0. The results confirm that it is possible to achieve centimetre-scale accuracy with RTK positioning based on the networks studied, even in border regions.     

单基站GPS差分系统在山区线路测量中的应用探讨

RTK技术的出现,使得野外实时测量精度达到厘米级,RTK测量具有实时性好、精度高、速度快等优点,是常规测量所无法比拟的,RTK已经作为快速采集数据与定位的有效工具。本文比较分析了常规RTK系统和网络RTK的优缺点,并详细介绍了单基站GPS差分系统的特点,并在实际工程应用中对其精度和有效距离进行了探讨。     

北斗三频宽巷组合网络RTK单历元定位方法

利用三频超宽巷/宽巷模糊度波长较长从而易于固定的优势,提出了一种基于北斗三频宽巷组合的网络RTK单历元定位方法。数据处理中心利用基准站实时生成并播发包含双差对流层和电离层延迟改正信息的虚拟观测值;用户站利用载波、伪距组合及分步解算的TCAR方法基于单个卫星对、单历元可靠固定两个超宽巷或宽巷模糊度。最后利用已固定模糊度且噪声最小的宽巷观测值和内插得到的大气延迟改正进行实时动态定位解算。试验结果表明,对于本文提出的网络RTK单历元定位方法,用户站宽巷模糊度单历元解算准确率高于99.9%,统计的定位中误差平面为3~4cm,高程方向约为5cm。