Phase center modeling for LEO GPS receiver antennas and its impact on precise orbit determination

Most satellites in a low-Earth orbit (LEO) with demanding requirements on precise orbit determination (POD) are equipped with on-board receivers to collect the observations from Global Navigation Satellite systems (GNSS), such as the Global Positioning System (GPS). Limiting factors for LEO POD are nowadays mainly encountered with the modeling of the carrier phase observations, where a precise knowledge of the phase center location of the GNSS antennas is a prerequisite for high-precision orbit analyses. Since 5 November 2006 (GPS week 1400), absolute instead of relative values for the phase center location of GNSS receiver and transmitter antennas are adopted in the processing standards of the International GNSS Service (IGS). The absolute phase center modeling is based on robot calibrations for a number of terrestrial receiver antennas, whereas compatible antenna models were subsequently derived for the remaining terrestrial receiver antennas by conversion (from relative corrections), and for the GNSS transmitter antennas by estimation. However, consistent receiver antenna models for space missions such as GRACE and TerraSAR-X, which are equipped with non-geodetic receiver antennas, are only available since a short time from robot calibrations. We use GPS data of the aforementioned LEOs of the year 2007 together with the absolute antenna modeling to assess the presently achieved accuracy from state-of-the-art reduced-dynamic LEO POD strategies for absolute and relative navigation. Near-field multipath and cross-talk with active GPS occultation antennas turn out to be important and significant sources for systematic carrier phase measurement errors that are encountered in the actual spacecraft environments. We assess different methodologies for the in-flight determination of empirical phase pattern corrections for LEO receiver antennas and discuss their impact on POD. By means of independent K-band measurements, we show that zero-difference GRACE orbits can be significantly improved from about 10 to 6 mm K-band standard deviation when taking empirical phase corrections into account, and assess the impact of the corrections on precise baseline estimates and further applications such as gravity field recovery from kinematic LEO positions.     

伽利略卫星导航系统信号质量及定位性能分析

伽利略系统(Galileo)是全球四大卫星导航系统之一,目前已初步具备全球定位能力。研究Galileo的信号质量和双／三频定位性能不仅对Galileo系统应用具有重要价值,对多全球卫星导航系统（GNSS）融合定位也有重要促进作用。在使用基准站网(MGEX)地面跟踪站的基础上,分析了伽利略信号的载噪比、多路径、以及双／三频精密单点定位(PPP)的定位精度。结果表明,Galileo与GPS相比,载噪比E5> E5a≈E5b≈L5>E1≈L1>L2,多路径误差E5      

An open source GPS multipath simulator in Matlab/Octave

Multipath is detrimental for both GPS positioning and timing applications. However, the benefits of GPS multipath for reflectometry have become increasingly clear for monitoring soil moisture, snow depth, and vegetation growth. In positioning applications, a simulator can support multipath mitigation efforts in terms of, e.g., site selection, antenna design, receiver performance assessment, and in relating different observations to a common parameterization. For reflectometry, in order to convert observed multipath parameters into useable environmental products, it is important to be able to explicitly link the GPS observables to known characteristics of the GPS receiver/antenna and the reflecting environment. Existing GPS multipath software simulators are generally not readily available for the general scientific community to use and/or modify. Here, a simulator has been implemented in Matlab/Octave and is made available as open source code. It can produce signal-to-noise ratio, carrier phase, and code pseudorange observables, based on L1 and L2 carrier frequencies and C/A, P(Y), and L2C modulations. It couples different surface and antenna types with due consideration for polarization and coherence. In addition to offering predefined material types (water, concrete, soil, etc.), it allows certain dimensional properties to be varied, such as soil moisture and snow density.     

基于GPS新型L5信号的地表雪深反演研究

利用GPS多路径反射信号测量地表雪深具有全天候和高时空分辨率的特点,因此其可作为一种代替气象站监测雪深的新手段。然而,先前大多数研究仅使用了GPS L1和L2C波段信噪比数据探测积雪深度。为验证新型的L5信号在雪深反演方面的优越性,本文阐述了GPS-R技术反演雪深的原理,利用Lomb-Scargle周期图法所处理的受积雪表层影响的信噪比数据计算了频谱振幅强度,通过获取频谱特征值与天线高度的关系求解雪深值,最后分别与L1反演结果和实测雪深数据进行了对比。试验结果表明：与现有的GPS-R测量雪深结果相比,利用新型的L5反射信号反演地表雪深的精度更佳;采用GPS-R技术探测雪深对把握测站区域内的雪深变化情况和淡水资源储量具有重要价值。     

Site-specific multipath characteristics of global IGS and CORS GPS sites

The site-specific multipath characteristics of 217 Global Positioning System (GPS) sites worldwide were analyzed using the variability of the post-fit phase residuals. Because the GPS satellite constellation returns to the same configuration in a sidereal day (23 h 56 min 4 s), the multipath repeats on that period. However, daily GPS position estimates are usually based on the solar day. When several days of GPS data are processed, this steady change in the orientation of the satellite constellation with respect to the station manifests itself in the form of patterns in the post-fit phase residuals which shift by 3 min 56 s per day. It was found that the mean root mean square of the time-shifted post-fit phase residuals is highly dependent on the GPS antenna type. The conclusions derived from the analysis of the time-shifted post-fit residuals were verified by performing a cross-correlation of the post-fit residuals across many days for selected sites.     

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.     

In-flight performance analysis of the CHAMP BlackJack GPS Receiver

JPL's BlackJack receiver currently represents the most widely used geodetic grade GPS receiver for space applications. Using data from the CHAMP science mission, the in-flight performance of the BlackJack receiver has been assessed and the impact of various software updates performed during the 2.5 years since launch is described. Key aspects of the study comprise the channel allocation, anomalous data points, and the noise level of the code and carrier data. In addition, it has been demonstrated that the code measurements collected onboard the CHAMP satellite are notably affected by multipath errors in the aft-looking hemisphere, which can be attributed to cross-talk between the occultation antenna string and the primary precise orbit determination antenna. For carrier smoothed 10 s normal points, the code noise itself varies between a minimum of 5 cm at high elevations and 0.5 m (C/A) to 1.0 m (P₁, P₂) at 10° elevation. Carrier-phase data exhibit representative errors of 0.2 to 2.5 mm. The results of the CHAMP GPS data analysis contribute to a better understanding and possible improvement of the BlackJack receiver and support the design of optimal data editing and weighting strategies in precise orbit determination applications.     

GNSS-R遥感观测模式及陆面应用

全球导航卫星反射信号遥感GNSS-R(Global Navigation Satellite System Reflectometry)是近年来新兴的一个学科交叉研究领域。本文在调研分析国内外研究进展的基础上,基于GNSS-R工作原理与技术特征,将GNSS-R遥感观测模式定义为双天线模式DAP(Double Antenna Pattern)和单天线模式SAP(Single Antenna Pattern),并对两种观测模式的特性和共性问题进行分析。初步建立GNSS-R遥感应用体系架构,以陆面遥感应用为例,结合近几年参与的GNSS-R观测试验与模型研究工作,给出两种观测模式下GNSS-R遥感的典型应用实例,以期为中国未来地基、空基和星载GNSS-R遥感观测及应用工作的开展提供参考。     

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%.      

Quantitative evaluation of multipath rejection capabilities of GNSS antennas

Multipath error remains the largest error source in many high precision GPS applications. To counteract this problem, solutions at both software and hardware level have been studied. Software processing by means of measurement redundancy or error predictability can be used in order to mitigate the multipath effects. In general, these techniques work properly only when the length of a reflection path exceeds that of the direct path by more than 10–20 m. Unfortunately, in most cases, reflections are generated in the area near the receiving antenna. For this reason, multipath rejection actuated at the antenna level is one of the most valid means to improve the accuracy of GPS systems. The scope of this work is twofold. First, a review of low-multipath reception requirements will be proposed for comparing different classes of high precision GNSS antennas. Based on this discussion, we introduce a quantitative evaluation of multipath rejection capabilities of a GNSS antenna. The proposed assessment technique is focused on the antenna pattern, but, in contrast to other parameters evaluating the antenna radiation characteristics, it is specifically conceived to capture the effects of multipath signals.     

全球导航卫星系统反射测量(GNSS+R)最新进展与应用前景

全球导航卫星系统(GNSS)具有全天候、近实时、高精度的特点,可持续发射L波段信号,广泛应用于定位、导航和授时(PNT)。随着GNSS技术的发展,最近GNSS反射信号可探测地球表面特征,即GNSS反射测量(GNSS+R)。结合GNSS接收机天线位置和介质信息,利用延迟测量值可以确定表面粗糙度和表面特性。GNSS+R作为当前GNSS和遥感领域的研究热点,取得了一些研究进展和成果。本文详细介绍了GNSS+R原理和方法及其最新应用进展,包括各种GNSS+R技术手段和方法,以及海洋、陆地、水文、植被和冰雪等遥感应用,特别是最新BeiDou-R和TDS-1研究进展。最后给出了GNSS+R应用前景和展望,包括多GNSS系统、GNSS+R接收机、GNSS+R卫星计划和新兴应用等。     

面向北斗单历元分米级定位的ARAIM保护水平计算方法CSCD

精密定位的质量控制和完好性评估是实时全球卫星导航系统(GNSS)导航应用不可或缺的环节,尤其是在GNSS易受损害的城市峡谷等场景下,这种需求更加迫切.广域精密单点定位(PPP)瞬时分米级定位,利用GNSS三频信号形成的两个宽巷观测值可以实现单点单历元分米级定位.然而,在城市复杂环境中,反射信号、严重多路径以及其他信号干扰对定位造成的影响无法准确评估与识别,限制了PPP瞬时分米级单点定位的应用.完好性概念中的高级接收机自主完好性监测(ARAIM)可以计算用户定位误差最小置信区间的上限保护水平(PL)以评估定位有效性,可经过一定改进用于PPP瞬时定位的质量控制.针对当前ARAIM中计算PL的误差模型难以适应高精度定位需求的问题,提出了一种改进的ARAIM PL算法,称其为BARAIM(Back Advanced Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring).使用PPP三频组合观测值残差对ARAIM权与误差模型进行修正以计算PL.基于不同复杂程度的环境下采集的车载数据对算法进行了验证,对PL的改进情况以及导航的可用性提升情况进行评估.结果表明:在不同环境下,基于改进的B-ARAIM算法得到的PL,相比传统方法得到的PL更符合城市定位的需要,将PL降低了30%~70%.此方法有助于将ARAIM算法应用在高精度GNSS定位领域.     

全球导航卫星系统的新进展

本文综合介绍了于 2 0 0 4年 9月 2 1日至 2 4日在美国加州举行的“全球导航卫星系统” 2 0 0 4年年会(GNSS2 0 0 4 )会议的主要议题 ,并对其中我们可能关切的方面进行了重点介绍。①美国的GPS连续运行站网(CORS)。CORS由美国大地测量局 (NGS)主持运行。用户可以通过NGS网络 ,获得用户的GPS待定点相邻的CORS站 (三个以上 )的GPS相应载波相位和码距 ,以支持用户的GPS准实时或后处理定位。NGS也可以为用户通过网络提供GPS定位计算服务 ,这一服务可以在用户提供待定点的观测资料后的几个小时内完成 ,称为NGS的在线GPS定位服务。CORS目前在美国已有 5 0 0余个站。②GPS系统的进展。GPSⅡR型卫星从体形和功能方面都比较优秀 ,使GPS卫星在轨的位置误差显著降低 ,测距精度提高近一倍 ,目前GPSⅡR型卫星截止至 2 0 0 4年 1月 1日时有 9颗在轨。③利用L1 ,L2频道的GPS空基增强系统 (WAAS)。在美国大部分地区WAAS系统的水平精度可达 1～ 2m ,垂直精度可达 2～ 3m。④GPS信号的重构。美国已发展了一种高度逼真的和适应各种情况的虚拟GPS信号系统 ,这种虚拟发射装置可以是陆基的 ,空基的 ,或者星基的。GPS接收机可以利用这一虚拟的GPS信号进行精密定位。⑤Galileo卫星导航系统运行的准备工作。欧洲空间局已经重新和?     

Analysis of high-frequency multipath in 1-Hz GPS kinematic solutions

High-frequency multipath would be problematic for studies at seismic or antenna dynamical frequencies as one could mistakenly interpret them as signals. A simple procedure to identify high-frequency multipath from global positioning system (GPS) time series records is presented. For this purpose, data from four GPS base stations are analyzed using spectral analyses techniques. Additional data, such as TEQC report files of L1 pseudorange multipath, are also used to analyze the high-frequency multipath and confirmation of the high-frequency multipath inferred from the phase records. Results show that this simple procedure is effective in identification of high-frequency multipath. The inferred information can aid interpretation of multipath at the GPS site, and is important for a number of reasons. For example, the information can be used to study GPS site selections and/or installations.

GNSS navigation and positioning for the GEOHALO experiment in Italy

GEOHALO is a joint experiment of several German institutes for atmospheric research and earth observation where exploring airborne gravimetry over Italy using the High Altitude and LOng Range (HALO) aircraft data is one of the major goals. The kinematic positioning of the aircraft, on which all remote sensing instruments are located, by Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) is affected by the characteristics of long-distance, long-time duration, and high-platform dynamics which are a key factor for the success of the GEOHALO project. We outline the strategy and method of GNSS data processing which takes into account multiple GNSS systems (GPS and GLONASS), multiple static reference stations including stations from the International GNSS Service (IGS) and the EUropean REFerence network (EUREF), multiple GNSS-receiving equipments mounted on the kinematic platform, geometric relations between multiple antennas, and assumptions of similar characteristic of atmospheric effects within a small area above the aircraft. From this precondition, various data processing methods for kinematic positioning have been developed, applied and compared. It is shown that the proposed method based on multiple reference stations and multiple kinematic stations with a common atmospheric delay parameter can effectively improve the reliability and accuracy of GNSS kinematic positioning.     

Forward modeling of GPS multipath for near-surface reflectometry and positioning applications

Multipath is detrimental for both GPS positioning and timing applications. However, the benefits of GPS multipath for reflectometry have become increasingly clear for soil moisture, snow depth, and vegetation growth monitoring. Most multipath forward models focus on the code modulation, adopting arbitrary values for the reflection power, phase, and delay, or they calculate the reflection delay based on a given geometry and keep reflection power empirically defined. Here, a fully polarimetric forward model is presented, accounting for right- and left-handed circularly polarized components of the GPS broadcast signal and of the antenna and surface responses as well. Starting from the fundamental direct and reflected voltages, we have defined the interferometric and error voltages, which are of more interest in reflectometry and positioning applications. We examined the effect of varying coherence on signal-to-noise ratio, carrier phase, and code pseudorange observables. The main features of the forward model are subsequently illustrated as they relate to the broadcast signal, reflector height, random surface roughness, surface material, antenna pattern, and antenna orientation. We demonstrated how the antenna orientation—upright, tipped, or upside-down—involves a number of trade-offs regarding the neglect of the antenna gain pattern, the minimization of CDMA self-interference, and the maximization of the number of satellites visible. The forward model was also used to understand the multipath signature in GPS positioning applications. For example, we have shown how geodetic GPS antennas offer little impediment for the intake of near-grazing reflections off natural surfaces, in contrast to off metal, because of the lack of diversity with respect to the direct signal—small interferometric delay and Doppler, same sense of polarization, and similar direction of arrival.     

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.     

The impact of the antenna phase center models on the coordinates in the EUREF Permanent Network

GPS Solutions - Precise positioning using the signals of the Global Position System requires correcting the distance between the points of reception of the signal carrier phase and the antenna...     

Higher order ionospheric effects in precise GNSS positioning

With the increasing number of precise navigation and positioning applications using Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) such as the Global Positioning System (GPS), higher order ionospheric effects and their correction become more and more important. Whereas the first-order error can be completely eliminated by a linear combination of dual- frequency measurements, the second- and third-order residual effects remain uncorrected in this approach. To quantify the second-order residual effect, a simple formula has been derived for GNSS users in Germany. Our proposed correction algorithm reduces the second-order effects to a residual error of fractions of 1 mm up to 2 mm at a vertical total electron content level of 10¹⁸ electrons/m² (100 TECU), depending on satellite azimuth and elevation angles. The correction formula can be implemented in real-time applications as it does not require the knowledge of the geomagnetic field or the electron density distribution in the ionosphere along the signal path. It is expected that the correction will enable more accurate positioning using the line-of-sight carrier-phase measurements.     

双极性天线在多路径效应探测中的应用

多路径效应是影响卫星定位精度和稳定性的重要因素。针对多路径环境复杂多变难以进行分析的问题,该文提出了一种利用双极性天线探测多路径的方法。详细介绍了反射信号的极性特征;通过判断信号的极性可以有效地区分直射信号和反射信号。分析了通过信号极性实现多路径探测的理论:组成双极性天线的右螺旋圆极化天线和左螺旋圆极化天线能够分别输出卫星信号中的右螺旋圆极化分量和左螺旋圆极化分量,如果两个分量的载噪比差值大于一定的门槛值,就可以推断卫星信号在传输过程中经历了多路径效应。最后通过仿真实验验证了该方法的可行性和有效性。