Adaptive wavelet transform based on cross-validation method and its application to GPS multipath mitigation

Global positioning system (GPS) multipath disturbance is a bottleneck problem that limits the accuracy of precise GPS positioning applications. A method based on the technique of cross-validation for automatically identifying wavelet signal layers is developed and used for separating noise from signals in data series, and applied to mitigate GPS multipath effects. Experiments with both simulated data series and real GPS observations show that the method is a powerful signal decomposer, which can successfully separate noise from signals as long as the noise level is lower than about half of the magnitude of the signals. A multipath correction model is derived based on the proposed method and the sidereal day-to-day repeating property of GPS multipath signals to remove multipath effects on GPS observations and to improve the quality of the GPS measurements.     

一种基于交叉证认技术的自适应小波变换及其在削减GPS多路径误差中的应用

多路径效应影响是目前限制GPS定位精度进一步提高的瓶颈。提出用交叉证认技术自动识别小波分解的信号层,再通过小波重构实现降噪和信号提取,并将该方法应用于GPS多路径误差的削减中。对模拟数据和实际GPS观测资料的分析表明,该方法能合理分离不同噪声水平下资料序列中的信号和噪声;当噪声水平小于信号振幅的一半时,能成功分离资料序列中的高频信号。同时,运用该方法得到的多路径改正模型和GPS多路径效应的重复性,可有效地削弱多路径效应的影响,提高GPS定位精度。     

Sidereal filtering based on single differences for mitigating GPS multipath effects on short baselines

Carrier-phase multipath effects are one of the most significant error sources in precise Global Positioning System (GPS) positioning applications. A new sidereal filtering algorithm based on single differences is developed to mitigate multipath effects for short-baseline high-rate GPS applications such as structural deformation monitoring. This method differs from traditional sidereal filtering in that our method operates on the single differences rather than the coordinates or double differences. A multipath model for the single differences on the reference day is established for each satellite and is used to remove multipath errors from observations of subsequent days by taking advantage of the sidereal repeatability of multipath signals. Using both simulated and real GPS observations, we demonstrate that this method is insensitive to different weighting strategies used in computing single differences from double differences. Applying the proposed method can reduce the root mean square (RMS) of positioning noises by 82% on average. Compared to sidereal filtering (in either coordinate or double differences domain) and aspect repeat time adjustment, this method can further reduce the RMS values by 13 and 7%, respectively. Wavelet spectra have shown that the proposed method is more effective in mitigating multipath errors of both long and short periods. This method is also more advantageous in that it is applicable when different GPS satellites are observed on different days.     

基于经验模态分解去噪提高GPS定位精度

在GPS精密定位中,多路径效应等无法建模的误差严重影响着定位结果的精度。这类误差不能通过传统的建模方式进行处理,也不能通过数据组合进行消除,更不能作为参数进行估计。因此本文基于经验模态分解提出一种数据驱动的噪声消除策略,将坐标时间序列分解为许多不同频率组成的时间序列,根据需要重构原始时间序列。并采用了仿真实验和实测数据验证所提出方法的有效性,结果显示所提出的方法可以有效的消除多路径效应等无法建模误差的影响。     

A new method to mitigate multipath error in single-frequency GPS receiver with wavelet transform

One of the major errors in high-precision GPS positioning is multipath. Multipath effect modeling and reduction have been a challenging issue in high-accuracy GPS positioning applications due to its special properties. Different methods have been employed to mitigate this error including hardware and software approaches. We reduce C/A code multipath error by adopting an efficient software method which uses wavelet transform as a basic data processing trend. The key idea of the proposed method is using stationary wavelet transform (SWT) in GPS signal data processing. Since we have used SWT, there is complete access to high-frequency and low-frequency terms in both time and frequency domains, and we can apply appropriated procedures to mitigate this error. The multipath error mostly is a low-frequency term. In our proposed method, the double difference (DD) residuals are applied to the SWT to identify the multipath disturbance. The extracted multipath is then used to correct DD observations. Our experiments include three data sets to investigate the proposed method and compare it with existing algorithms. We used simulations for two of these data sets. The results indicate the efficiency of the proposed method over existing algorithms.     

GPS多路径重复性试验研究

信号衍射和多路径效应是限制GPS定位精度进一步提高的瓶颈,观测中两者往往同时存在。衍射效应具有不完全重复的特性,为了研究多路径重复性并使其不受信号衍射的影响,本文提出先应用SIGMA-Δ信噪比加权模型削弱信号衍射的影响,再运用改进恒星时滤波法分析多路径重复性。实验观测资料分析表明,SIGMA-Δ模型能有效削弱衍射信号对定位结果影响,并且保留主要的多路径信号;而改进恒星时滤波法能适应测站周围多路径环境的变化,从而最大限度地削减多路径误差。两者组合比传统的恒星时滤波更能有效提高GPS的动态定位精度。     

Wavelet packets based denoising method for measurement domain repeat-time multipath filtering in GPS static high-precision positioning

Repeatable satellite orbits can be used for multipath mitigation in GPS-based deformation monitoring and other high-precision GPS applications that involve continuous observation with static antennas. Multipath signals at a static station repeat when the GPS constellation repeats given the same site environment. Repeat-time multipath filtering techniques need noise reduction methods to remove the white noise in carrier phase measurement residuals in order to retrieve the carrier phase multipath corrections for the next day. We propose a generic and robust three-level wavelet packets based denoising method for repeat-time-based carrier phase multipath filtering in relative positioning; the method does not need tuning to work with different data sets. The proposed denoising method is tested rigorously and compared with two other denoising methods. Three rooftop data sets collected at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China and two data sets collected at three Southern California Integrated GPS Network high-rate stations are used in the performance assessment. Test results of the wavelet packets denoising method are compared with the results of the resistor–capacitor (RC) low-pass filter and the single-level discrete wavelet transform (DWT) denoising method. Multipath mitigation efficiency in carrier phase measurement domain is shown by spectrum analysis of two selected satellites in two data sets. The positioning performance of the repeat-time-based multipath filtering techniques is assessed. The results show that the performance of the three noise reduction techniques is about 1–46 % improvement on positioning accuracy when compared with no multipath filtering. The statistical results show that the wavelet packets based denoising method is always better than the RC filter by 2–4 %, and better than the DWT method by 6–15 %. These results suggest that the proposed wavelet packets based denoising method is better than both the DWT method and the relatively simple RC low-pass filter for noise reduction in multipath filtering. However, the wavelet packets based denoising method is not significantly better than the RC filter.     

Investigating the propagation mechanism of unmodelled systematic errors on coordinate time series estimated using least squares

The propagation of unmodelled systematic errors into coordinate time series computed using least squares is investigated, to improve the understanding of unexplained signals and apparent noise in geodetic (especially GPS) coordinate time series. Such coordinate time series are invariably based on a functional model linearised using only zero and first-order terms of a (Taylor) series expansion about the approximate coordinates of the unknown point. The effect of such truncation errors is investigated through the derivation of a generalised systematic error model for the simple case of range observations from a single known reference point to a point which is assumed to be at rest by the least squares model but is in fact in motion. The systematic error function for a one pseudo-satellite two-dimensional case, designed to be as simple but as analogous to GPS positioning as possible, is quantified. It is shown that the combination of a moving reference point and unmodelled periodic displacement at the unknown point of interest, due to ocean tide loading, for example, results in an output coordinate time series containing many periodic terms when only zero and first-order expansion terms are used in the linearisation of the functional model. The amplitude, phase and period of these terms is dependent on the input amplitude, the locations of the unknown point and reference point, and the period of the reference point's motion. The dominant output signals that arise due to truncation errors match those found in coordinate time series obtained from both simulated data and real three-dimensional GPS data.     

基于交叉证认的EMD滤波及其在GPS多路径效应中的应用

利用交叉证认的方法,提出一种新的基于EMD滤波去噪方法,并将其应用于GPS多路径效应的研究中。通过模拟实验及实测数据分析表明,该方法能够自适应地选择IMF中的信号层数,削弱随机噪声,合理地分离信号和噪声。利用该滤波方法去噪并建立具有重复性的多路径误差效应改正模型,可有效地削弱多路径效应的影响,进而提高GPS动态变形监测的精度。     

GPS snow depth meter with geometry-free linear combinations of carrier phases

Multipath in global positioning system (GPS) is the interference of the microwave signals directly from satellites and those reflected before reaching the antenna, typically by the ground. Because reflected signals cause positioning errors, GPS antennas are designed to reduce such interference. Recent studies show that multipath could be utilized to infer the properties of the ground around the antenna. Here, we report one such application, i.e. a fixed GPS station used as a snow depth meter. Because the satellite moves in the sky, the excess path length of reflected waves changes at rates dependent on the antenna height. This causes quasi-periodic variations of the amplitude and phase of the received signals. Accumulation of snow reduces effective antenna heights, and we can see it by analyzing multipath signatures. Signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) are often used to analyze multipath, but they are not always available in raw GPS data files. Here, we demonstrate that the geometry-free linear combination (L4), normally used to study the ionosphere, can also be used to analyze multipath signatures. We obtained snow depth time series at a GPS station in Hokkaido, Japan, from January to April in 2009 using L4 and SNR. Then, we compared their precisions. We also discuss mechanisms responsible for the possible underestimation of the snow depth by GPS. Finally, we investigate the possibility of inferring physical conditions of the snow surface using amplitudes of multipath signatures.     

Multipath mitigation via component analysis methods for GPS dynamic deformation monitoring

Multipath is one of the main error sources in high-precision global positioning system (GPS) dynamic deformation monitoring, as it is difficult to be mitigated by differencing between observations. In addition, since a specific frequency threshold value between multipath and deformation signals may not exist, multipath is usually inseparable from the low-frequency vibration signal using conventional frequency-domain filter methods. However, the multipath repeats in two sidereal days when the surroundings of a GPS antenna remain unchanged. This characteristic can be exploited to model and thus mitigate multipath effectively in dynamic deformation monitoring. Unfortunately, a major issue is that the degree of repeatability decreases as the interval between first day and subsequent days increases. To overcome this problem, we develop a new sidereal filtering referred to as reference EMD-ICA (EMD-ICA-R), where empirical mode decomposition (EMD) and independent component analysis (ICA) are jointly used to model multipath and renew the reference multipath. For the successful implementation of the EMD-ICA-R, an a priori denoised multipath signal is needed as a reference. We further propose to use the principal component analysis (PCA) method to extract more accurate reference multipath signal and form a combined PCA-EMD-ICA-R approach. Simulation experiments with a motion simulation platform were conducted, and the testing results indicate that the proposed methods can mitigate the multipath by around 67 % when a reliable reference multipath signal is extracted from a static situation. Furthermore, simulation experiments with different deformation signals added into the coordinate time series of three consecutive days show that the two proposed methods are also effective in a dynamic situation. Since wavelet filtering is used to denoise the reference multipath signals in the new approaches, simulation experiments with several wavelet filters are tested, and the results indicate that the PCA-EMD-ICA-R approach can work well with various wavelet filters.     

GPS坐标时间序列时变振幅周期信号的Huber M估计

GPS时间序列周期信号的精准提取对趋势的估计具有重要的影响。相较于传统的常数振幅周期信号模型,已有研究表明GPS时间序列周期信号的振幅是随时间变化的。实际的GPS时间序列存在异常值,且在提取周期信号过程中会产生新的异常值。针对以上两点,该文提出了一种基于Huber函数M估计(HM)的GPS坐标时间序列时变振幅周期信号估计方法:采用关于时间的多项式函数来建立时变振幅模型,由HM方法及交替方向乘子法求解。通过模拟数据及实际GPS站点数据将HM方法与小波分解方法、奇异谱分析方法和滑动最小二乘方法进行比较,结果表明HM方法在估计精度上要优于其他3种方法,弥补了已有方法在时变振幅情形下会吸收噪声以及噪声较强时对周期信号提取能力较弱的不足。     

CVVF方法用于GPS多路径效应的研究

将交叉证认法与Vondrak数字滤波器相组合,提出一种分离测量资料中信号与噪声的新方法,即CVVF方法,并将该方法用于GPS多路径效应的研究中.对数字模拟试验和实际观测资料的分析表明,该方法能最大限度地削弱测量的随机误差,使资料序列中的信号和噪声合理分离.同时,利用GPS多路径效应周期性重复的特性,可有效地削弱多路径效应对观测结果的影响,从而提高GPS定位精度.     

小波阈值降噪在GPS伪距单点定位中的应用

单点定位中多路径效应和接收机噪声等偶然误差对定位的精度影响较大,并且很难选取固定的模型对其减弱,针对上述问题,从全球定位系统（GPS）的信号结构、误差来源出发,剖析了小波分析的原理,采用离散正交小波db3对GPS伪距观测值C1进行了降噪处理．实验表明:使用上述方法对观测值进行处理后,在观测值质量较差的时段,定位精度可提高31.93％,在观测值质量较好的时段,定位精度可提高16.02％.      

Development and testing of a new ray-tracing approach to GNSS carrier-phase multipath modelling

Multipath is one of the most important error sources in Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) carrier-phase-based precise relative positioning. Its theoretical maximum is a quarter of the carrier wavelength (about 4.8 cm for the Global Positioning System (GPS) L1 carrier) and, although it rarely reaches this size, it must clearly be mitigated if millimetre-accuracy positioning is to be achieved. In most static applications, this may be accomplished by averaging over a sufficiently long period of observation, but in kinematic applications, a modelling approach must be used. This paper is concerned with one such approach: the use of ray-tracing to reconstruct the error and therefore remove it. In order to apply such an approach, it is necessary to have a detailed understanding of the signal transmitted from the satellite, the reflection process, the antenna characteristics and the way that the reflected and direct signal are processed within the receiver. This paper reviews all of these and introduces a formal ray-tracing method for multipath estimation based on precise knowledge of the satellite–reflector–antenna geometry and of the reflector material and antenna characteristics. It is validated experimentally using GPS signals reflected from metal, water and a brick building, and is shown to be able to model most of the main multipath characteristics. The method will have important practical applications for correcting for multipath in well-constrained environments (such as at base stations for local area GPS networks, at International GNSS Service (IGS) reference stations, and on spacecraft), and it can be used to simulate realistic multipath errors for various performance analyses in high-precision positioning.     

GNSS多路径和信噪比相关性分析

在全球导航卫星系统(Global Navigation Satellite System,GNSS)接收机附近的反射、衍射、干扰信号等所造成的多路径效应是影响定位的主要误差来源。信噪比(Signal-Noise Ratio,SNR)的振荡是由多路径信号叠加在直接信号上引起的,基于此原理学者们提出了很多检测和缓解多路径误差的方法。本文通过谱分析的方法对多路径时间序列进行了分析,并研究多路径与信噪比之间的相关性,对基于信噪比检测和缓解多路径误差的方法的适用性进行了说明。实验表明:多路径和信噪比振荡值的时间序列具有显著的相关性,能够利用信噪比观测值削弱多路径影响。     

Empirical modelling of site-specific errors in continuous GPS data

Continuous global positioning system (GPS) stations propagate biases and spurious signals into the derived parameter time series when the measurements are subject to site-specific effects, such as multipath. This is a particular problem in the investigation of geophysical and atmospheric phenomena where signals may be small in magnitude. A methodology to remove these erroneous signals from long-term time series will significantly increase the usefulness of the derived time series. This work provides the theoretical basis for use of an empirical site model (ESM) derived from post-fit phase residuals to mitigate unmodelled site-specific errors. Additionally, we also investigate the effectiveness of applying an ESM to a regional GPS network and a short baseline solution. Under most observing scenarios, we show that the ESM approach is predicted to improve the precision and accuracy of the site coordinates. However, it is important to note that we found some scenarios where the ESM can introduce a bias. For instance, when the antenna is mounted close to the ground. In this scenario, for a short baseline, we observed the introduction of a 4-mm bias in height. Use of an ESM for the same short baseline with an uncalibrated radome substantially improves the results by removing a large bias of over 10 mm in height. Similarly, application of an ESM derived from historic data yields similar improvements. This demonstrates that the ESM can be a powerful tool when applied to appropriate site-specific configurations and could potentially be implemented in routine GPS analysis for a broad range of applications.     

BDS-3新频点B1C/B2a动态数据特性及PPP精度分析

通过载噪比(CNR)、数据完整率、伪距与载波相位观测值噪声和伪距多路径效应四个指标对北斗三号卫星导航系统(BDS-3)新频点B1C/B2a车载动态数据的特性进行了分析,测试了BDS-3新频点动态精密单点定位(PPP)的性能,并与其它全球卫星导航系统(GNSS)进行了对比. 试验结果表明,BDS-3新频点B2a平均CNR优于北斗卫星导航系统(BDS)其它频率,但略差于GPS L5;相较于其它GNSS,BDS数据完整率相对较高,其中BDS-3 B2a新频点数据完整率最高;BDS-3 B2b伪距观测值噪声最小,B1C和B2a伪距观测值噪声约为B2b信号的3倍,但不同频率相位观测值噪声处于同一量级;对于伪距多路径而言,BDS-3 B1C/B2a 信号略小于B2b 信号. 总体而言,GPS L5信号抑制多路径效应的能力最强. 在动态PPP性能方面,BDS-3 B1C/B2a双频组合动态PPP定位精度最优,其三维(3D)均方根(RMS)误差为0.439 m,相比BDS B1I/B3I、GPS L1/L2、GLONASS G1/G2和Galileo E1/E5a双频组合PPP,其精度改善率分别为49%、56%、81%和42%.      

Carrier phase multipath error characterization and reduction in single aircraft relative positioning

This paper describes GPS carrier phase (CP) multipath characterization and error reduction techniques and their application in single aircraft relative positioning. In particular, the single aircraft relative positioning scenario has applications for high-accuracy multi-sensor stabilization where CP multipath is a major error source that limits system performance. We will briefly review the requisite multipath theory and discuss models for quantifying the error characteristics. Field-test data will be used to validate the multipath models considering the underlying assumptions. A basic geometric reflection point theory will be presented to demonstrate the physical environmental sensitivity of CP multipath to parameters such as surface flatness and antenna height. Several different quantities will be described as multipath indicators for time-domain detection and will be compared with a frequency-domain technique. A new multipath detection approach will be introduced that is suitable to track multipath from time-varying reflection/diffraction points. Finally, the narrow-lane antenna baseline processing technique will be presented as a real-time approach to mitigate CP noise and multipath errors that is well suited for a very short baseline single aircraft high accuracy relative positioning system. Field-test results and analysis will be used to illustrate the key concepts in this paper and to help characterize the total navigation system performance.     

北斗二代导航卫星系统地壳运动监测能力

为了评估北斗卫星导航系统（BeiDou navigation satellite system, BDS）监测中国大陆地区地壳变形的技术能力,利用GAMIT/GLOBK软件处理了2017—2019年中国大陆构造环境监测网络23个基准站的全球定位系统（global positioning system, GPS）与BDS-2双模观测数据。结果显示,北斗二代的水平和垂向单日测站定位精度分别约为5~7 mm和13 mm,基线相对定位精度水平分量达到3~4 mm+（1~2）×10-8,水平位移速度测定精度约为0.6 mm/a。北斗二代的精密定位水平大致与20世纪90年代初GPS相当,可用于测定大尺度的板块运动及板内变形,但受卫星星座和定轨精度限制,不能准确反映季节性变动状态。作为对现有GPS监测的补充,可将基准站3年尺度的地壳运动监测精度最多提高20%。