Time Transfer for TAI Using a Geodetic Receiver: An Example with the Ashtech ZXII-T

The International Atomic Time scale (TAI) is computed by the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM) from a set of atomic clocks distributed in about 40 time laboratories around the world. The time transfer between these remote clocks is mostly performed by the so-called GPS common view method: The clocks are connected to a GPS time receiver whose internal software computes the offsets between the remote clocks and GPS time. These data are collected in a standard formal called CCTF. In the present study we develop both the procedure and the software tool that allows us to generate the CCTF files needed for time transfer to TAI, using RINEX files produced by geodetic receivers driven by an external frequency. The CCTF files are then generated from the RINEX observation files. The software is freely available at ftp://omaftp.oma.be/dist/astro/time/RINEX_CCTF. Applied to IGS (International GPS Service) receivers, this procedure will provide a direct link between TAI and the IGS clock combination. We demonstrate here the procedure using the RINEX files from the Ashtech Metronome (ZXII-T) GPS receiver, to which we apply the conventional analysis to compute the CCTF data. We compared these results with the CCTF files produced by a time receiver R100-30T from 3S-Navigation. We also used this comparison with the results of a calibrated time receiver to determine the hardware delay of the geodetic receiver. ? 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Progress in Carrier Phase Time Transfer

The progress of the joint Pilot Project for time transfer, formed by the International GPS Service (IGS) and the Bureal International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM), was recently reviewed. Three notable milestones were set. (1) The IGS will implement, at least in a test mode, an internally realized time scale based on an integration of combined frequency standards within the IGS network. This will eventually become the reference time scale for all IGS clock products (instead of the current GPS broadcast time). (2) A new procedure for combined receiver and satellite clock products will be implemented officially in November 2000. Receiver clocks are an entirely new product of the IGS. (3) The BIPM will coordinate an effort to calibrate all Ashtech Z12-T (and possibly other) receivers suitable for time transfer applications, either differentially or absolutely. Progress reports will be presented publicly in the spring 2001. ? 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Time and Frequency Transfer Using GPS Codes and Carrier Phases: Onsite Experiments

Recent studies have shown the capabilities of Global Positioning System (GPS) carrier phases for frequency transfer based on the observations from geodetic GPS receivers driven by stable atomic clocks. This kind of receiver configuration is the kind primarily used within the framework of the International GPS Service (IGS). The International GPS Service/Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (IGS/BIPM) pilot project aims at taking advantage of these GPS receivers to enlarge the network of Time Laboratories contributing to the realization of the International Atomic Time (TAI). In this article, we outline the theory necessary to describe the abilities and limitations of time and frequency transfer using the GPS code and carrier phase observations. We report on several onsite tests and evaluate the present setup of our 12-channel IGS receiver (BRUS), which uses a hydrogen maser as an external frequency reference, to contribute to the IGS/BIPM pilot project. In the initial experimental setup, the receivers had a common external frequency reference; in the second setup, separate external frequency references were used. Independent external clock monitoring provided the necessary information to validate the results. Using two receivers with a common frequency reference and connected to the same antenna, a zero baseline, we were able to use the carrier phase data to derive a frequency stability of 6 × 10⁻¹⁶ for averaging times of one day. The main limitation in the technique originates from small ambient temperature variations of a few degrees Celsius. While these temperature variations have no effect on the functioning of the GPS receiver within the IGS network, they reduce the capacities of the frequency transfer results based on the carrier phase data. We demonstrate that the synchronization offset at the initial measurement epoch can be estimated from a combined use of the code and carrier phase observations. In our test, the discontinuity between two consecutive days was about 140 ps. ? 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

New IGS Station and Satellite Clock Combination

Following the principles set forth in the Position Paper #3 at the 1998 Darmstadt Analysis Center (AC) Workshop on the new International GPS Service (IGS) International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF) realization and discussions at the 1999 La Jolla AC workshop, a new clock combination program was developed. The program allows for the input of both SP3 and the new clock (RINEX) format (ftp://igsch.jpl.nasa.gov//igscb/data/format/rinex_clock.txt). The main motivation for this new development is the realization of the goals of the IGS/BIPM timing project. Besides this there is a genuine interest in station clocks and a need for a higher sampling rate of the IGS clocks (currently limited to 15 min due to the SP3 format). The inclusion of station clocks should also allow for a better alignment of the individual AC solutions and should enable the realization of a stable GPS time-scale. For each input AC clock solution the new clock combination solves and corrects for reference clock errors/instabilities as well as satellite/station biases, geocenter and station/satellite orbit errors. External station clock calibrations and/or constraints, such as those resulting from the IGS/BIPM timing pilot project, can be introduced via a subset of the fiducial timing station set, to facilitate a precise and consistent IGS UTC realization for both station and satellite combined clock solutions. Furthermore, the new clock combination process enforces strict strict conformity and consistency with the current and future IGS standards. The new clock combination maintains orbit/clock consistency at millimeter level, which is comparable to the best AC orbit/clock solutions. This is demonstrated by static GIPSY precise point positioning tests using GPS week 0995 data for stations in both Northern and Southern Hemispheres and similar tests with the Bernese software using more recent data from GPS week 1081. ? 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

IGS Near Real-Time Products and Their Applications

The primary IGS products, including precise GPS orbits, Earth orientation parameters, and estimated and predicted GPS satellite clocks, are no longer used exclusively for essential geodetic support of scientic research. They are increasingly being used by a wide range of non-academic applications. In these applications, timeliness is extremely critical. To address the timeliness issue, the strengths and weaknesses of current IGS production processes are discussed, new ways to improve the timeliness and quality are explored, and recommendations are proposed to fulfill the application requirements. ? 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Quality of reprocessed GPS satellite orbits

High-precision Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite orbits are one of the core products of the International GNSS Service (IGS). Since the establishment of the IGS in 1994, the quality and consistency of the IGS orbits has steadily been improved by advances in the modeling of GPS observations. However, due to these model improvements and reference frame changes, the time series of operational orbits are inhomogeneous and inconsistent. This problem can only be overcome by a complete reprocessing starting with the raw observation data. The quality of reprocessed GPS satellite orbits for the time period 1994–2005 will be assessed in this paper. Orbit fits show that the internal consistency of the orbits could be improved by a factor of about two in the early years. Comparisons with the operational IGS orbits show clear discontinuities whenever the reference frame was changed by the IGS. The independent validation with Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) residuals shows an improvement of up to 30% whereas a systematic bias of 5 cm still persists.     

Global GPS data analysis at the National Geodetic Survey

NOAA’s National Geodetic Survey (NGS) has been one of the Analysis Centers (ACs) of the International GNSS Service (IGS) since its inception in 1994. Solutions for daily GPS orbits and Earth orientation parameters are regularly contributed to the IGS Rapid and Final products, as well as solutions of weekly station positions. These solutions are combined with those of the other ACs and then the resultant IGS products are distributed to users. To perform these tasks, NGS has developed and refined the Program for the Adjustment of GPS EphemerideS (PAGES) software. Although PAGES has continuously evolved over the past 15 years, recent efforts have focused mostly on updating models and procedures to conform more closely to IGS and the International Earth Rotation Service (IERS) conventions. Details of our processing updates and demonstrations of the improvements will be provided.     

The international global navigation satellite systems service (IGS): development and achievements

Since 21 June 1992 the International GPS Service (IGS), renamed International GNSS Service in 2005, produces and makes available uninterrupted time series of its products, in particular GPS observations from the IGS Global Network, GPS orbits, Earth orientation parameters (components x and y of polar motion, length of day) with daily time resolution, satellite and receiver clock information for each day with different latencies and accuracies, and station coordinates and velocities in weekly batches for further analysis by the IERS (International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service). At a later stage the IGS started exploiting its network for atmosphere monitoring, in particular for ionosphere mapping, for troposphere monitoring, and time and frequency transfer. This is why new IGS products encompass ionosphere maps and tropospheric zenith delays. This development became even more important when more and more space-missions carrying space-borne GPS for various purposes were launched. This article offers an overview for the broader scientific community of the development of the IGS and of the spectrum of topics addressed today with IGS data and products.     

基于灰色系统模型的IGS精密钟差预报

钟差是精密单点定位中的重要误差源,IGS及其分析中心能够提供高精度卫星钟差改正信息,但其具有滞后性,一般要13d后才能获取。基于此,在讨论灰色系统建模的基础上,利用12d的IGS钟差文件进行GM(1,1)建模与预报,并将其结果与二次多项式的预报结果进行比较分析,同时对Rb钟和Cs钟的GM(1,1)模型预报效果进行讨论,得出一些有益的结论。     

Apparent clock variations of the Block IIF-1 (SVN62) GPS satellite

The Block IIF satellites feature a new generation of high-quality rubidium clocks for time and frequency keeping and are the first GPS satellites transmitting operational navigation signals on three distinct frequencies. We investigate apparent clock offset variations for the Block IIF-1 (SVN62) spacecraft that have been identified in L1/L2 clock solutions as well as the L1/L5-minus-L1/L2 clock difference. With peak-to-peak amplitudes of 10?C40?cm, these variations are of relevance for future precision point positioning applications and ionospheric analyses. A proper characterization and understanding is required to fully benefit from the quality of the new signals and clocks. The analysis covers a period of 8?months following the routine payload activation and is based on GPS orbit and clock products generated by the CODE analysis center of the International GNSS Service (IGS) as well as triple-frequency observations collected with the CONGO network. Based on a harmonic analysis, empirical models are presented that describe the sub-daily variation of the clock offset and the inter-frequency clock difference. These contribute to a better clock predictability at timescales of several hours and enable a consistent use of L1/L2 clock products in L1/L5-based positioning.     

IGS08: the IGS realization of ITRF2008

On April 17, 2011, the International GNSS Service (IGS) stopped using the IGS05 reference frame and adopted a new one, called IGS08, as the basis of its products. The latter was derived from the latest release of the International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF2008). However, the simultaneous adoption of a new set of antenna phase center calibrations by the IGS required slight adaptations of ITRF2008 positions for 65 of the 232 IGS08 stations. The impact of the switch from IGS05 to IGS08 on GNSS station coordinates was twofold: in addition to a global transformation due to the frame change from ITRF2005 to ITRF2008, many station coordinates underwent small shifts due to antenna calibration updates, which need to be accounted for in any comparison or alignment of an IGS05-consistent solution to IGS08. Because the heterogeneous distribution of the IGS08 network makes it sub-optimal for the alignment of global frames, a smaller well-distributed sub-network was additionally designed and designated as the IGS08 core network. Only 2?months after their implementation, both the full IGS08 network and the IGS08 core network already strongly suffer from the loss of many reference stations. To avoid a future crisis situation, updates of IGS08 will certainly have to be considered before the next ITRF release.     

实时卫星钟差基准精化方法

在基于精密单点定位(PPP)的授时方法中,卫星钟差产品的高精度时间基准至关重要.针对实时卫星钟差产品时间基准不够稳定的问题,本文采用一组具有原子钟外部输入的国际全球卫星导航系统(GNSS)服务(IGS)跟踪站建立了顾及原子钟变化特性的基准精化方法.该方法首先采用阿伦方差对不同的IGS跟踪站外接原子钟进行稳定度分析,挑选出一组稳定度高的原子钟用以精化时间基准.在此基础上,利用阿伦方差分析各台原子钟的噪声参数特征,并确定不同原子钟之间的权比关系.最终,建立时间基准改正量的随机模型,并计算出精化后的时间基准.通过实例验证表明:与IGS事后精密钟差产品定义的时间基准比较,改正后的实时钟差基准单天内的标准差(STD)优于0.1 ns,相比于改正前最高提升了93%.同时,基准改正后的天内万秒稳达到10^-15量级,实现了一个量级的提高.此外,通过相对钟差精度的分析,表明钟差基准修正不影响PPP的定位精度.     

A velocity field estimation of the Brazilian portion of the SOAM plate

With the proposition for the adoption of Geocentric Reference System for the Americas (SIRGAS) as a terrestrial reference frame for South America, the need for temporal monitoring of station coordinates used in its materialization has become apparent. This would provide a dynamic characterization of the frame. The Brazilian Network for Continuous Monitoring of GPS (RBMC) has collected high accuracy GPS measurements since 1996. The Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) maintains this network in collaboration with several universities and organizations. Most of the stations are also part of the SIRGAS network. The RBMC also contributes data to the International Terrestrial Reference System (ITRS) to densify the global frame. Two of the RBMC stations are also part of the International GPS Service (IGS). This paper reports initial results from these stations. To estimate the velocity field defined by these stations, ten IGS stations located on the border of the South American plate and in adjacent plates, along with nine RBMC stations, were used. Observations covering five groups of 15 days each were used. These groups of observations were at epochs 1997.3, 1997.9, 1998.3, 1998.9 and 1999.2. Seven IGS stations were chosen to have their coordinates constrained to those epochs. IGS products (precise ephemeris and clocks) were used to process the daily solutions, which were carried out with Bernese software. Carrier phase double differences were formed using the ionospheric-delay free observable. The troposphere was modeled using a combination of the Saastamoinen model and the Niell mapping function. A tropospheric parameter was estimated every two hours. The results of the daily baseline solutions were combined using the summation of normal equations technique, in which the final coordinates and velocities were estimated. The results were compared with various models, such as the NNR-NUVEL1 and the APKIM8.80. Velocity vectors estimated for the RBMC stations show good agreement with those two models, with rates approximately equal to 2 cm/year.     

Zero-difference GPS ambiguity resolution at CNES–CLS IGS Analysis Center

CNES (Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales) and CLS (Collecte Localisation Satellites) became an International GNSS Service (IGS) Analysis Center (AC) the 20th of May 2010. Since 2009, we are using the integer ambiguity fixing at the zero-difference level strategy in our software package (GINS/Dynamo) as an alternative to classical differential approaches. This method played a key role among all the improvements in the GPS processing we made during this period. This paper provides to the users the theoretical background, the strategies and the models used to compute the products (GPS orbits and clocks, weekly station coordinate estimates and Earth orientation parameters) that are submitted weekly to the IGS. The practical realization of the two-step, ambiguity-fixing scheme (wide-lane and narrow-lane) is described in detail. The ambiguity fixing improved our orbit overlaps from 6 to 3?cm WRMS in the tangential and normal directions. Since 2008, our products have been also regularly compared to the IGS final solutions by the IGS Analysis Center Coordinator. The joint effects of ambiguity fixing and dynamical model changes (satellite solar radiation pressure and albedo force) improved the consistency with IGS orbits from 35 to 18?mm 3D-WRMS. Our innovative strategy also gives additional powerful properties to the GPS satellite phase clock solutions. Single receiver (zero-difference) ambiguity resolution becomes possible. An overview of the applications is given.     

卫星钟差解算及其星间单差模糊度固定

整数相位模糊度解算可以显著提高GNSS精密单点定位（PPP）的精度。本文提出一种解算卫星钟差的方法,通过固定星间单差模糊度恢复出能够支持单台接收机进行整数模糊度解算的卫星钟差,即所谓的“整数”钟差。为了实现星间单差模糊度固定,分别通过卫星端宽巷FCB解算和模糊度基准的选择与固定恢复出宽巷和窄巷模糊度的整数性质。为了证明本文方法的可行性,采用IGS测站的GPS数据进行卫星钟差解算试验。结果表明,在解算钟差时,星间单差模糊度固定的平均成功率为73%。得到的卫星钟差与IGS最终钟差产品相比,平均的RMS和STD分别为0.170和0.012 ns。448个IGS测站的星间单差宽巷和窄巷模糊度小数部分的分布表明本文得到的卫星钟差和FCB产品具备支持PPP用户进行模糊度固定的能力。基于以上产品开展了模拟动态PPP定位试验,结果表明模糊度固定之后,N、E、U和3D的定位精度（RMS）分别达到0.009、0.010、0.023和0.027 m,与不固定模糊度或采用IGS钟差的结果相比,分别提高了30.8%、61.5%、23.3%和37.2%。     

顾及卫星姿态的多系统精密钟差产品综合

国际GNSS服务(IGS)提供的GPS综合产品被广泛应用于各种高精度科学研究中. 随着各国卫星导航系统的发展,亟需研究针对多系统全球卫星导航系统(GNSS)产品的综合策略. 由于卫星姿态与钟差相互耦合,综合钟差时额外考虑姿态改正将进一步提高综合产品精度,因此研究了一种顾及卫星姿态的GNSS钟差综合策略,改正姿态后GPS综合残差最大可减小80%. 对142个IGS测站进行精密单点定位(PPP)解算发现,综合产品比单个分析中心产品更加稳定,东(E)、北(N)、高(U)方向的动态定位精度最大可提升22.7%、16.7%和18.3%. 相对于未顾及姿态改正的综合产品,顾及姿态改正的综合产品的动态定位精度最大可提升65.3%.      

GNSS数据处理时空参数的相关性

卫星轨道、钟差以及测站坐标等是全球导航卫星系统定位（global navigation satellite system,GNSS）的核心参数,构成了卫星导航系统数据处理的时空基准。通过比较国际GNSS服务（International GNSS Service,IGS）不同数据分析中心提供的GNSS精密时空产品发现,各分析中心的轨道、钟差存在明显差异,并且轨道、钟差的相对偏差存在很强的相关性。针对该问题,讨论了GNSS卫星轨道、钟差的相关性问题,分析了轨道、钟差相对偏差的周期特性,并提取了周期项模型参数;建立改正模型,提高了不同分析中心产品的一致性;对时空基准周期性误差的原因进行了分析,并以参数降相关为出发点,对GNSS时空基准精度提升的方法提出了建议。     

IGS Earth Rotation Parameters

Since its official start in January 1994, the International GPS Service (IGS) has been distributing, as part of its product combination, two distinct Earth rotation parameter (ERP) series: the IGS Rapid series and the IGS Final series. Initially, the IGS Rapid ERP values were interpolations of the International Earth Rotation Service (IERS) Bulletin A, whereas the IGS Final ERP series was based on the IERS Bulletin B. Since June 1996, the IGS has been generating its own Final ERP series consistent with the IGS combined orbit products and based on weighted means of individual IGS analysis center (AC) solutions. At first, only the polar motion (PM) coordinates and their rates were combined. Length of Day (LOD) and Universal Time (UT) solutions, also based on separate weighted mean combinations, followed in March 1997. Currently, the IGS Rapid and Final combinations are produced and made available within 17 hours and 11 days, respectively, after the last observation. Both IGS and the best AC series are consistent and precise at the 0.1-milliarcsecond (mas) level for PM and at about 30 μs for LOD. Biases in some AC solutions may exceed these consistency levels. Comparisons of both IGS ERP series with external standards, such as the IERS multitechnique Bulletins and atmospheric angular momentum series, confirm the estimated precisions. ? 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Rapid orbit determination of LEO satellites using IGS clock and ephemeris products

Different types of GPS clock and orbit data provided by the International GPS Service (IGS) have been used to assess the accuracy of rapid orbit determination for satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) using spaceborne GPS measurements. To avoid the need for reference measurements from ground-based reference receivers, the analysis is based on an undifferenced processing of GPS code and carrier-phase measurements. Special attention is therefore given to the quality of GPS clock data that directly affects the resulting orbit determination accuracy. Interpolation of clock data from the available 15 min grid points is identified as a limiting factor in the use of IGS ultra-rapid ephemerides. Despite this restriction, a 10-cm orbit determination accuracy can be obtained with these products data as demonstrated for the GRACE-B spacecraft during selected data arcs between 2002 and 2004. This performance may be compared with a 5-cm orbit determination accuracy achievable with IGS rapid and final products using 5 min clock samples. For improved accuracy, high-rate (30 s) clock solutions are recommended that are presently only available from individual IGS centers. Likewise, a reduced latency and more frequent updates of IGS ultra-rapid ephemerides are desirable to meet the requirements of upcoming satellite missions for near real-time and precise orbit determination.     

GPS/BDS-3系统时差稳定性分析

不同卫星导航系统之间时差的稳定性分析对时差的建模预报及应用具有重要价值,因此基于由国际GNSS服务(IGS)中心提供的数据和产品从不同测站、不同观测量、不同时间长度三个方面对GPS和北斗三号全球卫星导航系统(BDS-3)的系统时差进行稳定性分析.结果表明:不同测站因接收机、天线、时钟三种设备型号不同,提取的时差值存在差异,但稳定性相当;基于载波相位观测量解算的时差结果稳定性优于伪距观测量解算的时差结果,伪距得到的时差结果万秒频率稳定度在10^-12～10^-13量级,相位得到的时差结果万秒频率稳定度在10^-14量级;通过单天与多天数据的时差解算结果比较,得到不同时长的时差稳定性一致.