A new method for three-carrier GNSS ambiguity resolution

A new method for resolving the carrier-phase integer ambiguity in Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) is presented: the MOdified Cholesky factorization for Ambiguity (MOCA) resolution. The characteristics and features of this method are described and results obtained using a software simulator and an emulator are presented to validate its efficiency. The results are then compared to those obtained using another existing method and good performance of the MOCA method in new GNSS systems is shown. Furthermore, the proposed method yields accurate results even when short time spans are used or when there are poor estimations of measurement error, making it immune to non-ideal conditions and ultimately a practical solution for real applications.     

The Null method applied to GNSS three-carrier phase ambiguity resolution

The Null method is a technique to fix the ambiguity in L1 phase measurements of the global positioning system (GPS). The method is adapted to new global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) which offer phase measurements at three frequencies. In order to validate the efficiency of the adapted method, results obtained using a software simulator and an emulator are presented. The results are then compared to those obtained with the least-squares ambiguity decorrelation adjustment (LAMBDA) method. Good performance of the Null method in new GNSS systems is shown.Acknowledgments. The measurements used were provided by the European Space Agency, and were generated by Spectra Precision Terrasat under contract No. 12.406/77/NL/DS. The authors thank Maria Belmontes Rivas for her comments and the reviewers for their suggestions.     

Undifferenced ionospheric-free ambiguity resolution using GLONASS data from inhomogeneous stations

GLONASS frequency division multiple access signals render ambiguity resolution (AR) rather difficult because: (1) Different wavelengths are used by different satellites, and (2) pseudorange inter-frequency biases (IFBs) cannot be precisely modeled by means of a simple function. In this study, an AR approach based on the ionospheric-free combination with a wavelength of about 5.3 cm is assessed for GLONASS precise point positioning (PPP). This approach simplifies GLONASS AR because pseudorange IFBs do not matter, and PPP-AR can be enabled across inhomogeneous receivers. One month of GLONASS data from 165 European stations were processed for different network size and different durations of observation periods. We find that 89.9% of the fractional parts of ionospheric-free ambiguities agree well within ± 0.15 cycles for a small network (radius = 500 km), while 77.6% for a large network (radius = 2000 km). In case of the 3-hourly GLONASS-only static PPP solutions for the small network, reliable AR can be achieved where the number of fixed GLONASS ambiguities account for 97.6% within all candidate ambiguities. Meanwhile, the RMS of the east, north and up components with respect to daily solutions is improved from 1.0, 0.6, 1.2 cm to 0.4, 0.4, 1.1 cm, respectively. When GPS PPP-AR is carried out simultaneously, the positioning performance can be improved significantly such that the GLONASS ambiguity fixing rate rises from 74.4 to 95.4% in case of hourly solutions. Finally, we introduce ambiguity-fixed GLONASS orbits to re-attempt GLONASS PPP-AR in contrast to the above solutions with ambiguity-float orbits. We find that ambiguity-fixed orbits lead to clearly better agreement among ionospheric-free ambiguity fractional parts in case of the large network, that is 80.5% of fractional parts fall in ± 0.15 cycles in contrast to 74.6% for the ambiguity-float orbits. We conclude that highly efficient GLONASS ionospheric-free PPP-AR is achievable in case of a few hours of data when GPS PPP-AR is also accomplished, and ambiguity-fixed GLONASS orbits will contribute significantly to PPP-AR over wide areas.     

BDS静态精密单点定位模糊度固定解精度分析

针对BDS单系统未校准相位延迟(UPD)估计以及不同时长精密单点定位(PPP)模糊度固定对定位精度影响的问题,该文选取56个测站估计UPD,利用未参与UPD计算的8个测站进行不同时长BDS静态PPP模糊度固定实验。结果表明:BDS星间单差宽巷和窄巷UPD在连续时段内具有一定的稳定性,其估计精度满足用于PPP模糊度固定要求。时长越短模糊度固定率越低。以IGS周解为参考值,不同时长模糊度固定解较浮点解三维定位精度均提高12%以上,时长越短模糊度固定解精度提高越显著。因此,模糊度固定是提高BDSPPP定位精度的重要手段。     

Integrity monitoring-based ambiguity validation for triple-carrier ambiguity resolution

GPS Solutions - Frequency diversity is expected to benefit the ambiguity resolution (AR) with the modernization of global navigation satellite system. As one classic AR method, triple-carrier AR...     

Galileo/GPS组合观测值模糊度解算方法研究

Galileo和GPS的多个频率可形成有良好特性的组合观测值,利用这些组合观测值可以直接解算载波相位模糊度。本文选用不同波长的Galileo/GPS多频组合观测值,按不同组合方式分步固定整周模糊度,并计算出每步模糊度解算的成功率。本文研究表明,选用合理的观测值组合方式,Galileo/GPS组合观测值模糊度解算方法能以较高的成功率固定组合观测值模糊度及基本载波模糊度。     

A discrimination test procedure for ambiguity resolution on-the-fly

Ambiguity validation tests include the acceptance test and discrimination test, which are both important steps in the Global Positioning System ambiguity resolution process. An ambiguity discrimination test procedure based on a test statistic which is constructed by the difference (not the ratio as used in current procedures) between the minimum and second minimum quadratic form of the residuals in ambiguity identification, and its standard deviation, is proposed. The distribution function of the proposed test statistic is theoretically identified as a standard normal distribution when the known a priori variance factor is used, or as a Student's t distribution when the estimated variance factor is used. With this procedure, the ambiguity discrimination test is based on a more rigorous test statistic whose critical value can be calculated with any chosen level of significance. Test results indicate that the proposed ambiguity discrimination test procedure is reliable for use in ambiguity resolution on-the-fly. Received: 17 December 1997 / Accepted: 30 June 1998     

Propagation algorithms for attitude-related ambiguity resolution

A new approach for ambiguity resolution is presented and tested by means of Monte-Carlo simulations. This approach applies to both single and double phase differences sampled at a given instant, and to any number of baselines and lines of sight, provided the number of lines of sight exceeds a certain threshold. The algorithms are based on the combined global geometry of the baselines and lines of sight and thereby consider all geometric constraints that are inherent in the problem. The algorithms have been programmed and applied to a large number of different configurations of GPS sight lines, and limited to baselines of approximately 1 m in length and the GPS L1 frequency only. The cause of the occurrence of multiple solutions has been investigated. To check the adequacy and limitations of the new algorithms for practical application, it was assessed in which proportion the algorithms either failed to provide a result, provided a false result, or provided a good result as a function of number of baselines, lines of sight and accuracy of the ambiguous phase difference measurements. Electronic Publication     

网络RTK流动站整周模糊度的单历元解算

传统网络RTK模糊度解算方法需要多个历元的观测数据,并且要进行周跳的探测和修复,影响模糊度解算的效率。本文提出一种单历元确定网络RTK双差整周模糊度的新方法。首先利用测码伪距观测值和载波相位观测值的单历元数据组成双差联合观测方程,采用改进LABMDA算法进行两步搜索确定GPS双差相位观测值的宽巷模糊度。确定宽巷模糊度后,再用宽巷模糊度值和载波相位观测值组成新的联合观测方程,大大改善了方程的状态,可以准确解算出GPS双差整周模糊度,显著提高了网络RTK整周模糊度固定的效率。     

Rapid GPS ambiguity resolution for short and long baselines

 A method of quick initial carrier cycle ambiguity resolution is described. The method applies to high-quality dual-band global positioning system observations. Code measurements on both frequencies must be available. The rapidity of the method is achieved through smoothing pseudoranges by phase observables and forming linear combinations between the phase observables. Two cases are investigated. Case 1: ionospheric bias is neglected (short distances); and case 2: the bias is taken into account (longer distances, more than, say, 10 km). The method was tested on six baselines, from 1 to 31 km long. In most cases, single-epoch ambiguity resolution was achieved. Received: 6 October 1999 / Accepted: 4 March 2002     

The ratio test for future GNSS ambiguity resolution

The performance of the popular ambiguity ratio test is analyzed. Based on experimental and simulated data, it is demonstrated that the current usage of the ratio test with fixed critical value is not sustainable in light of the enhanced variability that future global navigation satellite system (GNSS) ambiguity resolution will bring. As its replacement, the model-driven ratio test with fixed failure rate is proposed. The characteristics of this fixed-failure rate ratio test are described, and a performance analysis is given. The relation between its critical value and various GNSS model parameters is also studied. Finally, a procedure is presented for the creation of fixed failure rate look-up tables for the critical values of the ratio test.     

利用迭代加权模糊度函数法的单历元模糊度固定

为提高全球导航卫星系统GNSS在复杂环境下的定向成功率,将迭代加权的思想与模糊度函数法（AFM）相结合,提出迭代加权模糊度函数法（IWAFW）。基于AFM算法,通过设计新的适应度函数,利用残差计算权重,实现对不同卫星信号权重的自动调节,并结合惯性传感器给出的姿态信息,压缩搜索空间,降低计算量。通过实测试验验证,在复杂环境中,相比于AFM和带基线长度约束的最小二乘模糊度去相关算法（CLAMBDA）,该算法能够有效提高模糊度固定成功率。     

A comparison of three PPP integer ambiguity resolution methods

Precise point positioning (PPP) integer ambiguity resolution with a single receiver can be achieved using advanced satellite augmentation corrections. Several PPP integer ambiguity resolution methods have been developed, which include the decoupled clock model, the single-difference between-satellites model, and the integer phase clock model. Although similar positioning performances have been demonstrated, very few efforts have been made to explore the relationship between those methods. Our aim is to compare the three PPP integer ambiguity resolution methods for their equivalence. First, several assumptions made in previous publications are clarified. A comprehensive comparison is then conducted using three criteria: the integer property recovery, the system redundancy, and the necessary corrections through which the equivalence of these three PPP integer ambiguity resolution methods in the user solution is obtained.     

差分GPS载波相位整周模糊度快速解算方法

本文提出了一种整周模糊度的快速求解方法,将差分GPS的测量值分配到主要测量值集合和次要测量值集合中,用主要集合中的相位测量值限定简约搜索空间,而次要集合中的相位测量值用来验证候选集合。利用已知的基线长度的约束条件,对搜索空间进行了简约,提高了求解整周模糊度的速度,同时,通过Cholesky分解提高搜索效率。     

Triple-frequency carrier ambiguity resolution for Beidou navigation satellite system

The Chinese Beidou system, also known as Compass, has entered its trial operational stage and can already provide services for triple-frequency users. Using triple-frequency signals is expected to be of great benefit for ambiguity resolution. Based on error characteristic analysis of the Beidou frequencies, we introduce the procedure of selecting the best combinations of triple-frequency signals. The geometry-based model and geometry-free model of triple-frequency signals are presented. Three triple-frequency carrier ambiguity resolution (TCAR) methods are described, which include the cascading rounding method, the stepwise AR method and the modified stepwise AR method. In order to evaluate the performance of these methods, observations from baselines of various lengths were collected using Beidou triple-frequency receivers and were processed epoch-by-epoch using the three methods. The same observation data were also processed in a dual-frequency mode for comparison. The results show that, compared to the dual-frequency based solution, the single epoch ambiguity resolution success rate with triple frequency improved nearly 30 % for the short baselines (<20 km) and 100 % for the mid-length baselines (20–50 km) using the proposed modified stepwise AR method.     

An approach to GLONASS ambiguity resolution

 When processing global navigation satellite system (GLONASS) carrier phases, the standard double-differencing (DD) procedure cannot cancel receiver clock terms in the DD phase measurement equations due to the multiple frequencies of the carrier phases. Consequently, a receiver clock parameter has to be set up in the measurement equations in addition to baseline components and DD ambiguities. The resulting normal matrix unfortunately becomes singular. Methods to deal with this problem have been proposed in the literature. However, these methods rely on the use of pseudo-ranges. As pseudo-ranges are contaminated by multi-path and hardware delays, biases in these pseudo-ranges are significant, which may result in unreliable ambiguity resolution. A new approach is addressed that is not sensitive to the biases in the pseudo-ranges. The proposed approach includes such steps as converting the carrier phases to their distances to cancel the receiver clock errors, and searching for the most likely single-differenced (SD) ambiguity. Based on the results from the theoretical investigation, a practical procedure for GLONASS ambiguity resolution is presented. The initial experimental results demonstrate that the proposed approach is useable in cases of GLONASS and combined global positioning system (GPS) and GLONASS positioning. Received: 19 August 1998 / Accepted: 12 November 1999