Assessment of the LandStar Real-Time DGPS Service under Several Operational Conditions

LandStar is a differential global positioning service (DGPS) that provides 24-h real-time positioning for various applications on land, water, and air in North America, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and Africa. Its focus is on real-time applications requiring a submeter positioning capability such as agriculture, forestry, Geospatial Information Systems (GIS), survey/mapping, and land/vehicular navigation. LandStar uses a Wide Area Network of reference stations to derive DGPS corrections to model the variation of GPS error sources over a large area. These model parameters are used by the Virtual Reference Station processors to calculate standard corrections that are available for all predefined locations in the network. The corrections are transmitted to the user by L-band satellite communication in the standard RTCM SC104 DGPS correction format. This article investigates the performance of the LandStar Mk III system under various operational conditions and assesses its performance in both static and kinematic modes. Four field tests were conducted during 12 months that tested the sysem in clear static and kinematic conditions as well as suboptimal environments associated with low and heavy foliage conditions. Both the accuracy and availability of the system under these conditions is investigated, with an emphasis on whether the above variables are caused by the LandStar system differential corrections, the GPS measurements, or a combination of both. ? 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Studies of storm-enhanced density impact on DGPS using IGS reference station data

DGPS services are provided in support of land and marine applications by many government agencies worldwide. Horizontal positioning accuracies in the order of several metres are typically achieved for these systems. Under high levels of ionospheric activity, however, significant degradations in DGPS positioning accuracies can occur. In particular, gradients of up to 50 ppm are associated with a feature known as storm-enhanced density (SED). This feature is a localized enhancement of total electron content (TEC) extending north through the mid-latitudes into the polar region. DGPS positioning errors of 20 m or more can persist for hours during such events. In this paper, archived IGS data from GPS reference stations are used to derive high-resolution TEC maps for two SED events. The impact of SED effects on DGPS horizontal positioning accuracies is then quantified using data from select IGS reference stations in North America and Europe. Results indicate that positioning accuracies may be degraded by factors as large as 10–20 during such events.     

广域差分GPS系统PNP-20的接收机及配套软件的研制与应用

论述了局域差分GPS技术受到的限制和广域差分GPS的原理及技术特点,介绍了PNP20广域差分系统 工作原理,并详细叙述其主要的软、硬件的特点和各种功能,分析了该系统的各种检测数据,最后对这套系统的 应用前景和主要优、缺点进行了评述。     

Canadian GPS Network for Ionosphere Monitoring (CANGIM)

Ionospheric activity is a significant concern for reliable operation of GPS positioning applications, particularly at high latitudes. In order to monitor high latitude ionospheric activity for GPS users, researchers at the University of Calgary have installed the Canadian GPS Network for Ionosphere Monitoring (CANGIM). This network has been operational since 2003 and consists of a number of reference stations, each equipped with a specialized GPS receiver capable of providing near real-time observations of ionospheric parameters and raw GPS data. Potential exists to provide ionospheric warnings and near real-time measures of associated impacts on positioning and navigation applications for GPS users. This paper provides an overview of ionospheric limitations for high latitude GPS users, and describes the ionospheric monitoring services developed for the CANGIM.     

用双频GPS观测值建立小区域电离层延迟模型研究

介绍了用双频GPS伪距观测值建立区域性电离层模型的基本原理和方法。模型的初步结果表明，该电离层模型建立后，可为性病区域的广大单频用户提供在天顶方向优于0．4m精度的电离层延迟改正量，且具有30min以内天顶方向优于0．4m的预报精度。     

北斗精密定轨及广播星历轨道精度评估

目前各类用户对基于北斗卫星导航定位服务需求在不断扩大,由于广播星历实时、易获取,北斗广播星历精度是实时导航定位用户关心的问题,也是检验系统是否达成设计指标的关键因素。文中基于国家基准站和MGEX站计算北斗精密轨道,重复弧段精度优于利用国际站计算结果。将计算的北斗精密轨道作为参考,更加准确地评估分析北斗广播星历轨道误差的精度。分析结果显示,北斗广播星历轨道径向精度优于法向和切向精度,且法向误差具有较为明显的周期性。各类卫星中,GEO卫星精度稍差,而IGSO和MEO卫星与GPS在同一量级。随着北斗卫星系统逐步组网完善,地面监测站分布趋于合理,北斗系统整体性能将会不断提高。     

Comparing DGPS corrections prediction using neural network, fuzzy neural network, and Kalman filter

Position information obtained from standard global positioning system (GPS) receivers has time variant errors. For effective use of GPS information in a navigation system, it is essential to model these errors. A new approach is presented for improving positioning accuracy using neural network (NN), fuzzy neural network (FNN), and Kalman filter (KF). These methods predict the position components’ errors that are used as differential GPS (DGPS) corrections in real-time positioning. Method validity is verified with experimental data from an actual data collection, before and after selective availability (SA) error. The result is a highly effective estimation technique for accurate positioning, so that positioning accuracy is drastically improved to less than 0.40 m, independent of SA error. The experimental test results with real data emphasize that the total performance of NN is better than FNN and KF considering the trade-off between accuracy and speed for DGPS corrections prediction.     

Elements and Experiments of Shenzhen Continuous Operating Reference Stations （SZCORS） System

Real-time kinematic GPS precise positioning has been playing an increasing role in both surveying and navigation. Based on the city‘s fibre LAN network, Shenzhen Continuous Operating Reference Stations (SZCORS) system has been established and consists of GPS reference stations, system control center, user‘s data center, and real-time datacom network. The SZCORS system provides users the real-time centimeter positioning or post-processing millimeter positioning. This paper makes discussion on the structure of SZCORS system. Some experiments have been made to test the usablity, and then the data has been analyzed.     

The application of GPS precise point positioning technology in aerial triangulation

In traditional GPS-supported aerotriangulation, differential GPS (DGPS) positioning technology is used to determine the 3-dimensional coordinates of the perspective centers at exposure time with an accuracy of centimeter to decimeter level. This method can significantly reduce the number of ground control points (GCPs). However, the establishment of GPS reference stations for DGPS positioning is not only labor-intensive and costly, but also increases the implementation difficulty of aerial photography. This paper proposes aerial triangulation supported with GPS precise point positioning (PPP) as a way to avoid the use of the GPS reference stations and simplify the work of aerial photography.Firstly, we present the algorithm for GPS PPP in aerial triangulation applications. Secondly, the error law of the coordinate of perspective centers determined using GPS PPP is analyzed. Thirdly, based on GPS PPP and aerial triangulation software self-developed by the authors, four sets of actual aerial images taken from surveying and mapping projects, different in both terrain and photographic scale, are given as experimental models. The four sets of actual data were taken over a flat region at a scale of 1:2500, a mountainous region at a scale of 1:3000, a high mountainous region at a scale of 1:32000 and an upland region at a scale of 1:60000 respectively. In these experiments, the GPS PPP results were compared with results obtained through DGPS positioning and traditional bundle block adjustment. In this way, the empirical positioning accuracy of GPS PPP in aerial triangulation can be estimated. Finally, the results of bundle block adjustment with airborne GPS controls from GPS PPP are analyzed in detail.The empirical results show that GPS PPP applied in aerial triangulation has a systematic error of half-meter level and a stochastic error within a few decimeters. However, if a suitable adjustment solution is adopted, the systematic error can be eliminated in GPS-supported bundle block adjustment. When four full GCPs are emplaced in the corners of the adjustment block, then the systematic error is compensated using a set of independent unknown parameters for each strip, the final result of the bundle block adjustment with airborne GPS controls from PPP is the same as that of bundle block adjustment with airborne GPS controls from DGPS. Although the accuracy of the former is a little lower than that of traditional bundle block adjustment with dense GCPs, it can still satisfy the accuracy requirement of photogrammetric point determination for topographic mapping at many scales.     

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...     

广域差分GPS中用户定位算法的研究

广域差分GPS中用户接收机多为较廉价的单频接收机，可以接收差分播发站发播的差分改正信号进行DGPS计算，由于WADGPS的算法和常规算法不一致，差分改正信号难以是标准的RTCM格式，因此必须研制专用的差分信号接收机和DSP运算平台，并在平台上集成用户定位的算法，用户定位软件可以实时对观测数据、差分改正信号进行解码，计算用户的三维位置和速度。     

A combined algorithm of improving INS error modeling and sensor measurements for accurate INS/GPS navigation

Although the integrated system of a differential global positioning system (DGPS) and an inertial navigation system (INS) had been widely used in many geodetic navigation applications, it has sometimes a major limitation. This limitation is associated with the frequent occurrence of DGPS outages caused by GPS signal blockages in certain situations (urban areas, high trees, tunnels, etc.). In the standard mechanization of INS/DGPS navigation, the DGPS is used for positioning while the INS is used for attitude determination. In case of GPS signal blockages, positioning is provided using the INS instead of the GPS until satellite signals are obtained again with sufficient accuracy. Since the INS has a very short-time accuracy, the accuracy of the provided INS navigation parameters during these periods decreases with time. However, the obtained accuracy in these cases is totally dependent on the INS error model and on the quality of the INS sensor data. Therefore, enhanced navigation parameters could be obtained during DGPS outages if better inertial error models are implemented and better quality inertial measurements are used. In this paper, it will be shown that better INS error models are obtained using autoregressive processes for modeling inertial sensor errors instead of Gauss–Markov processes that are implemented in most of the current inertial systems and, on the other hand, that the quality of inertial data is improved using wavelet multi-resolution techniques. The above two methods are discussed and then a combined algorithm of both techniques is applied. The performance of each method as well as of the combined algorithm is analyzed using land-vehicle INS/DGPS data with induced DGPS outage periods. In addition to the considerable navigation accuracy improvement obtained from each single method, the results showed that the combined algorithm is better than both methods by more than 30%.     

Virtual differential GPS based on SBAS signal

In order to access the satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) service, the end user needs access to the corresponding geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellites that broadcast the augmentation information for the region. This is normally not a problem for aviation and maritime applications, because an open sky is typically available for such applications. However, it is difficult to access the GEO satellites directly at high latitudes for land applications because of the low elevation angles to the GEO satellites (e.g., 4–22° in Finland to the European geostationary navigation overlay services [EGNOS] GEO satellites). Results from a driving test of 6,100 km in Finland show that the EGNOS GEO satellites can be accessed in only 51.8% of the driving routes. Furthermore, it is also difficult to access the GEO satellites from city canyons, because the high buildings block the GEO signals. This article presents a solution to solve this problem by creating virtual differential GPS (DGPS) reference stations using the SBAS signal in space (SIS). The basic concept is to convert the SBAS signal to Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services (RTCM) signals, and broadcast the converted RTCM signals over the wireless Internet using the Internet radio technology. Therefore, access to the SBAS service will not be limited by low elevation angles to the GEO satellites because the converted RTCM data streams are disseminated over the wireless Internet. Furthermore, the SBAS service can then be accessed via a legacy DGPS receiver. Two test cases have been carried out with the prototype system developed by the Finnish Geodetic Institute. The test results showed that the positioning accuracy of the virtual DGPS solution was about 1–2 m at 95%, which was similar to that of the standard WAAS/EGNOS solution. The positioning accuracy was not degraded, compared to that of the standard wide area augmentation system–European geostationary navigation overlay services (WAAS/EGNOS) solution, as long as the distance between the rover receiver and the virtual DGPS reference station was less than 150 km. A preliminary driving test of 400 km carried out in southern Finland showed that the availability of the virtual DGPS solutions was 98.6% along the driving route.     

GPS网络差分方法与实验

GPS连续运行站由于具有多种优势,所以在我国逐步建立,并开始得到广泛应用。但对于距离基准站较远,且位于基准站网一侧的情况下,该如何进行高精度的实时/快速卫星定位?本文给出了一种GPS网络差分方法,通过该方法可实现远海的高精度实时/快速GPS定位。最后,模拟远海应用情况进行实测试验,实验结果证明:在基准站距离200~300km的情况下,用户在距离基准站网400km一侧的范围内,采用双频机可实现优于2m的实时高精度定位,5min快速静态的水平精度优于1m,观测20min可到达优于0.5m的水平定位精度。     

Algorithm for carrier-adjusted DGPS positioning and some numerical results

This paper derives a DGPS positioning algorithm, referred to as the algorithm for carrier-adjusted DGPS positioning. This algorithm can be applied by a DGPS user when code and carrier observations are available and when the dynamic behaviours of both mobile positions and receiver-clock biases can and cannot be modelled. Since the algorithm directly uses code and carrier observations, the stochastic model of observations has a simple structure and can be easily specified. When the dynamic behaviour of mobile positions can be modelled, the algorithm can provide recursive solutions of the positions, on the other hand, when the behaviour cannot be modelled, it can provide their instantaneous solutions. Furthermore, the algorithm can integrate with a real-time quality-control procedure so that the quality of the position estimates can be guaranteed with a certain probability. Since in the use of the algorithm there always exist redundant observations unless the position parameters are inestimable, the quality control can even be performed when only four satellites are tracked. Using the algorithm and real GPS data collected at a 100-km baseline, this contribution investigates how DGPS positioning accuracies vary with the type of observables used at reference and mobile stations, and how important it is to choose an elevation-dependent standard deviation for code observations in DGPS data reduction. It was found that using carrier observations along with code observations is more important at the reference station than at the mobile station. Choosing an elevation-dependent standard deviation for code observations can result in better positioning accuracy than choosing a constant standard deviation for code observations. For the 100-km baseline, half-metre single-epoch positioning accuracy was achieved when dual-frequency data was used at both reference and mobile stations. The positioning accuracy became better than 0.75m when the types of observable used at the mobile station were replaced by L1 code and carrier. Received: 9 April 1996 / Accepted: 6 February 1997     

Real-time precise point positioning regional augmentation for large GPS reference networks

An increasing number of GNSS reference stations are installed around the world to provide real-time precise positioning services. In most of the current services, a full network solution is required for the precise determination of biases. Such a network solution is time consuming and difficult to achieve for very large regions such as Europe or China. Therefore, we developed a multi-layer processing scheme for precise point positioning (PPP) regional augmentation to avoid processing large networks. Furthermore, we use L1 and L2 raw observations and estimate atmospheric delays, which were properly constrained to the atmospheric corrections derived from the reference stations. Therefore, inaccurate representation of atmospheric delays due to temporal and/or spatial atmospheric fluctuations in the processing can be compensated. The proposed scheme of PPP regional augmentation was implemented into the operational real-time PPP service system at GFZ for validation. The real-time orbit and clock corrections, the uncalibrated phase delays, and regional augmentation corrections are generated by this system. The augmentation corrections from the regional network are investigated and the positioning performance in terms of positioning accuracy and time for fixed solution is demonstrated in real-time. Our results indicate that a reliable fixing is possible after 5 s on average. The positioning accuracy is about 12, 10, and 25 mm in east, north, and vertical direction, respectively.     

“北斗二代”地面监控站建设方案设想

针对我国自主研发"北斗二代"导航系统建立全球范围的地面监控站面临着巨大难题的现状,本文提出一种仅在国内建立地面监控站以实现对导航卫星进行实时监控、定位、授时等功能的设计方案。对照美国GPS的地面部分功能,从测定导航卫星的空间坐标、卫星钟差估计、导航电文的注入和大气数据采集四个方面分析了该设计方案的可行性,初步得到该方案具有成本低,满足精度要求,实时性较强的特点。     

Monitoring storm-enhanced density using IGS reference station data

Storm-enhanced density (SED) is a geomagnetic storm phenomenon, characterized by a plume of enhanced total electron content (TEC) that initially moves poleward and sunward extending out from a larger region of enhanced TEC in the mid-latitudes. SED is associated with extreme mid-latitude space weather effects. Sharp gradients in the TEC are found along the borders of SED plumes and at the boundaries of the larger TEC region (the base of the plume). These large TEC gradients can cause significant errors in DGPS and WADGPS positioning and can result in serious consequences for applications such as railway control, highway traffic management, emergency response, commercial aviation and marine navigation, all of which require high precision, real-time positioning. Data from the global IGS network of GPS receivers have enabled the spatial and temporal visualization of these SED plumes, allowing ionospheric researchers to study this phenomenon and investigate the potential for developing prediction techniques and real-time warning systems. GPS TEC maps provided by analysis of the data from the IGS network have now been widely disseminated throughout the atmospheric research community and have become one of the standard means of studying the effects of geomagnetic storms on the ionosphere. These maps have enabled researchers to identify that the SED phenomenon occurs globally, is associated with large TEC gradients (at times greater than 100 TEC units per degree latitude), and is a magnetically conjugate phenomenon. This paper reports on the recent advances in our understanding of the SED phenomenon enabled by GPS observations.     

多传感器与道路网数据用于汽车导航的研究

对车载导航系统中GPS接收机，车论计数器和电子罗盘传感器数据与导航电子地图所提供的道路网络数据进行了综合处理，建立了道路网络数据的网络拓扑关系，在此基础上提出了基于道路网络拓扑关系，利用GPS接收机，车轮计数器和电子罗盘传感器对汽车进行实时定位的算法。最后，对导航中汽车的定位误差进行了分析。实验证明，GPS接收机，车轮计数器和电子罗盘传感器与道路网络数据综合，在导航过程中能够补偿GPS信号技失，实时、高精度、高可靠性地确定汽车的位置。     

GPS手机的差分定位系统研究

提高GPS手机的定位精度具有很广阔的应用前景,本文研究GPS手机的实时定位差分系统的设计和实现方法。该系统采用基准站广播位置差分值、移动站实时处理的差分GPS方案,其主要优点是定位精度高、改正速度快、设备简单、操作方便;分析了位置差分GPS的定位误差,给出了测量结果。理论分析和测试结果都表明,该系统的差分定位精度比手机GPS直接定位相对提高31m左右,定位误差达4m左右,能够满足相关领域测量精度要求。