An Improved Between-Satellite Single-Difference Precise Point Positioning Model for Combined GPS/Galileo Observations

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Akram Afifi ◽  
Ahmed El-Rabbany

AbstractThis article introduces a new model for precise point positioning (PPP), which combines dual-frequency GPS and Galileo observations. Our model is based on the between-satellite single-difference (BSSD) linear combination, which cancels out some receiver-related biases, including receiver clock error and non-zero initial phase bias of the receiver’s oscillator. Two different scenarios are considered when forming BSSD linear combinations. In the first scenario, either a GPS or a Galileo satellite is selected as a reference for both GPS and Galileo observables. The second scenario, on the other hand, selects two reference satellites: a GPS reference satellite for the GPS observables and a Galileo satellite for the Galileo observables. Natural Resources Canada’s GPSPace PPP software is modified to enable a combined GPS/Galileo PPP solution and to handle the newly introduced biases. A total of 12 data sets representing two-day GPS/Galileo measurements at six IGS stations are processed to verify the developed PPP model. Precise satellite orbit and clock products from the IGS-MGEX network are used to correct both of the GPS and Galileo measurements. It is shown that using one reference satellite to form the BSSD linear combinations improves the precision of the estimated parameters by about 25 % compared with the GPS-only PPP solution. When two reference satellites are used, however, the precision of the estimated parameters improves by about 50 % compared with the GPS-only PPP solution. Additionally, the solution convergence time is reduced to 10 min for both BSSD scenarios, which represents about 50 % improvement in comparison with the GPS-only PPP solution.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akram Afifi ◽  
Ahmed El-Rabbany

This paper examines the performance of several precise point positioning (PPP) models, which combine dual-frequency GPS/Galileo observations in the un-differenced and between-satellite single-difference (BSSD) modes. These include the traditional un-differenced model, the decoupled clock model, the semi-decoupled clock model, and the between-satellite single-difference model. We take advantage of the IGS-MGEX network products to correct for the satellite differential code biases and the orbital and satellite clock errors. Natural Resources Canada’s GPSPace PPP software is modified to handle the various GPS/Galileo PPP models. A total of six data sets of GPS and Galileo observations at six IGS stations are processed to examine the performance of the various PPP models. It is shown that the traditional un-differenced GPS/Galileo PPP model, the GPS decoupled clock model, and the semi-decoupled clock GPS/Galileo PPP model improve the convergence time by about 25% in comparison with the un-differenced GPS-only model. In addition, the semi-decoupled GPS/Galileo PPP model improves the solution precision by about 25% compared to the traditional un-differenced GPS/Galileo PPP model. Moreover, the BSSD GPS/Galileo PPP model improves the solution convergence time by about 50%, in comparison with the un-differenced GPS PPP model, regardless of the type of BSSD combination used. As well, the BSSD model improves the precision of the estimated parameters by about 50% and 25% when the loose and the tight combinations are used, respectively, in comparison with the un-differenced GPS-only model. Comparable results are obtained through the tight combination when either a GPS or a Galileo satellite is selected as a reference.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akram Afifi ◽  
Ahmed El-Rabbany

This paper introduces a new dual-frequency precise point positioning (PPP) model, which combines the observations from three different global navigation satellite system (GNSS) constellations, namely GPS, Galileo, and BeiDou. Combining measurements from different GNSS systems introduces additional biases, including inter-system bias and hardware delays, which require rigorous modelling. Our model is based on the un-differenced and between-satellite single-difference (BSSD) linear combinations. BSSD linear combination cancels out some receiver-related biases, including receiver clock error and non-zero initial phase bias of the receiver oscillator. Forming the BSSD linear combination requires a reference satellite, which can be selected from any of the GPS, Galileo, and BeiDou systems. In this paper three BSSD scenarios are tested; each considers a reference satellite from a different GNSS constellation. Natural Resources Canada’s GPSPace PPP software is modified to enable a combined GPS, Galileo, and BeiDou PPP solution and to handle the newly introduced biases. A total of four data sets collected at four different IGS stations are processed to verify the developed PPP model. Precise satellite orbit and clock products from the International GNSS Service Multi-GNSS Experiment (IGS-MGEX) network are used to correct the GPS, Galileo, and BeiDou measurements in the post-processing PPP mode. A real-time PPP solution is also obtained, which is referred to as RT-PPP in the sequel, through the use of the IGS real-time service (RTS) for satellite orbit and clock corrections. However, only GPS and Galileo observations are used for the RT-PPP solution, as the RTS-IGS satellite products are not presently available for BeiDou system. All post-processed and real-time PPP solutions are compared with the traditional un-differenced GPS-only counterparts. It is shown that combining the GPS, Galileo, and BeiDou observations in the post-processing mode improves the PPP convergence time by 25% compared with the GPS-only counterpart, regardless of the linear combination used. The use of BSSD linear combination improves the precision of the estimated positioning parameters by about 25% in comparison with the GPS-only PPP solution. Additionally, the solution convergence time is reduced to 10 minutes for the BSSD model, which represents about 50% reduction, in comparison with the GPS-only PPP solution. The GNSS RT-PPP solution, on the other hand, shows a similar convergence time and precision to the GPS-only counterpart.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akram Afifi ◽  
Ahmed El-Rabbany

This paper introduces a new dual-frequency precise point positioning (PPP) model, which combines the observations from three different global navigation satellite system (GNSS) constellations, namely GPS, Galileo, and BeiDou. Combining measurements from different GNSS systems introduces additional biases, including inter-system bias and hardware delays, which require rigorous modelling. Our model is based on the un-differenced and between-satellite single-difference (BSSD) linear combinations. BSSD linear combination cancels out some receiver-related biases, including receiver clock error and non-zero initial phase bias of the receiver oscillator. Forming the BSSD linear combination requires a reference satellite, which can be selected from any of the GPS, Galileo, and BeiDou systems. In this paper three BSSD scenarios are tested; each considers a reference satellite from a different GNSS constellation. Natural Resources Canada’s GPSPace PPP software is modified to enable a combined GPS, Galileo, and BeiDou PPP solution and to handle the newly introduced biases. A total of four data sets collected at four different IGS stations are processed to verify the developed PPP model. Precise satellite orbit and clock products from the International GNSS Service Multi-GNSS Experiment (IGS-MGEX) network are used to correct the GPS, Galileo, and BeiDou measurements in the post-processing PPP mode. A real-time PPP solution is also obtained, which is referred to as RT-PPP in the sequel, through the use of the IGS real-time service (RTS) for satellite orbit and clock corrections. However, only GPS and Galileo observations are used for the RT-PPP solution, as the RTS-IGS satellite products are not presently available for BeiDou system. All post-processed and real-time PPP solutions are compared with the traditional un-differenced GPS-only counterparts. It is shown that combining the GPS, Galileo, and BeiDou observations in the post-processing mode improves the PPP convergence time by 25% compared with the GPS-only counterpart, regardless of the linear combination used. The use of BSSD linear combination improves the precision of the estimated positioning parameters by about 25% in comparison with the GPS-only PPP solution. Additionally, the solution convergence time is reduced to 10 minutes for the BSSD model, which represents about 50% reduction, in comparison with the GPS-only PPP solution. The GNSS RT-PPP solution, on the other hand, shows a similar convergence time and precision to the GPS-only counterpart.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akram Afifi ◽  
Ahmed El-Rabbany

This paper examines the performance of several precise point positioning (PPP) models, which combine dual-frequency GPS/Galileo observations in the un-differenced and between-satellite single-difference (BSSD) modes. These include the traditional un-differenced model, the decoupled clock model, the semi-decoupled clock model, and the between-satellite single-difference model. We take advantage of the IGS-MGEX network products to correct for the satellite differential code biases and the orbital and satellite clock errors. Natural Resources Canada’s GPSPace PPP software is modified to handle the various GPS/Galileo PPP models. A total of six data sets of GPS and Galileo observations at six IGS stations are processed to examine the performance of the various PPP models. It is shown that the traditional un-differenced GPS/Galileo PPP model, the GPS decoupled clock model, and the semi-decoupled clock GPS/Galileo PPP model improve the convergence time by about 25% in comparison with the un-differenced GPS-only model. In addition, the semi-decoupled GPS/Galileo PPP model improves the solution precision by about 25% compared to the traditional un-differenced GPS/Galileo PPP model. Moreover, the BSSD GPS/Galileo PPP model improves the solution convergence time by about 50%, in comparison with the un-differenced GPS PPP model, regardless of the type of BSSD combination used. As well, the BSSD model improves the precision of the estimated parameters by about 50% and 25% when the loose and the tight combinations are used, respectively, in comparison with the un-differenced GPS-only model. Comparable results are obtained through the tight combination when either a GPS or a Galileo satellite is selected as a reference.


2014 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 480-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Elsobeiey

Precise Point Positioning (PPP) performance is improving under the ongoing Global Positioning System (GPS) modernisation program. The availability of the third frequency, L5, enables triple-frequency combinations. However, to utilise the modernised L5 signal along with the existing GPS signals, P1-C5 differential code bias must be determined. In this paper, the global network of Multi-Global Navigation Satellite System Experiment (MGEX) stations was used to estimate P1-C5 satellites differential code biases $(DCB_{P1 - C5}^S )$. Mathematical background for triple-frequency linear combinations was provided along with the resultant noise and ionosphere amplification factors. Nine triple-frequency linear combinations were chosen, based on different criteria, for processing the modernised L5 signal along with the legacy GPS signals. Finally, test results using real GPS data from ten MGEX stations were provided showing the benefits of the availability of the third frequency on PPP solution convergence time and the precision of the estimated parameters. It was shown that triple-frequency combinations could improve the PPP convergence time and the precision of the estimated parameters by about 10%. These results are considered promising for using the modernised GPS signals for precise positioning applications especially when the fully modernised GPS constellation is available.


GEOMATICA ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmoud Abd Rabbou ◽  
Ahmed El-Rabbany

Single-frequency precise point positioning (PPP) presents a cost-effective positioning technique for a large number of users. However, it possesses low positioning accuracy and convergence time compared with the dual-frequency PPP. Single-frequency PPP commonly employs GPS satellite systems that suffer from poor satellite geometry, especially in dense urban areas. We develop a new single-frequency PPP model that combines the observations of current GNSS constellations, including GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and Beidou. The MGEX IGS final precise products are utilized to account for the orbital and clock errors, while the IGS final global ionospheric maps (GIM) model is used to correct for the ionospheric delay. The GNSS inter-system biases are treated as additional unknowns in the estimation process. The con tri bution of the additional GNSS observations to single-frequency PPP is assessed through solution comparison with its traditional GPS-only counterpart. Various GNSS combinations are considered in the assessment, including GPS/GLONASS, GPS/Galileo, GPS/BeiDou and all-constellation GNSS. It is shown that the additional GNSS observations enhance the PPP solution accuracy and convergence time in comparison with the tra di tional GPS-only solution. Except for stations with a sufficient number of tracked BeiDou satellites, both Galileo and BeiDou have marginal effects on the positioning accuracy due to their limited number of satel lites. However, for stations with a sufficient number of visible BeiDou satellites, an average of 40% PPP accuracy improvement is obtained. The major contribution to the PPP accuracy enhancement is obtained from GLONASS satellite observations.


2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Akram Afifi ◽  
Ahmed El-Rabbany

AbstractThis paper introduces a comparison between dual-frequency precise point positioning (PPP) post-processing model, which combines the observations of three different GNSS constellations, namely GPS, Galileo, and BeiDou and real-time PPP model. A drawback of a single GNSS system such as GPS, however, is the availability of sufficient number of visible satellites in urban areas. Combining GNSS observations offers more visible satellites to users, which in turn is expected to enhance the satellite geometry and the overall positioning solution. However, combining several GNSS observables introduces additional biases, which require rigorous modelling, including the GNSS time offsets and hardware delays. In this paper, a GNSS post-processing PPPP model is developed using ionosphere-free linear combination. The additional biases of the GPS, Galileo, and BeiDou combination are accounted for through the introduction of a new unknown parameter, which is identified as the inter-system bias, in the PPP mathematical model. Natural Resources Canada’s GPSPace PPP software is modified to enable a combined GPS / Galileo / BeiDou PPP solution and to handle the newly inter-system bias. A total of four data sets at four IGS stations are processed to verify the developed PPP model. Precise satellite orbit and clock products from the IGS-MGEX network are used to correct of the GPS, Galileo and BeiDou measurements. For the real-time PPP model the corrections of the satellites orbit and clock are obtained through the international GNSS service (IGS) real-time service (RTS). GPS and Galileo Observations are used for the GNSS RTS-IGS PPP model as the RTS-IGS satellite products are not available for BeiDou satellites. This paper provides the GNSS RTS-IGS PPP model using different satellite clock corrections namely: IGS01, IGC01, IGS01, and IGS03. All PPP models results of convergence time and positioning precision are compared to the traditional GPS-only PPP model. It is shown that combining GPS, Galileo, and BeiDou observations in a PPP model reduces the convergence time by 25 % compared with the GPS-only PPP model.


2017 ◽  
Vol 927 (9) ◽  
pp. 42-49
Author(s):  
A.V. Voytenko

The article notes that the replacement of the English name «Precise Point Positioning» (PPP) in Russian-language sources is possible using the term «accurate differential positioning» (TDP) technique. The author proposes to use both terms. This article contains information about the practical implementation of the PPP in the on-line service. The author has analyzed the research on the accuracy of PPP foreign and domestic experts and scholars. The author analyzed the data about the convergence time for PPP solutions. These data belong to another Russian scientist. The results of evaluating the accuracy of the PPP of different scientists led to the next. The author of this article gave the mean square errors topocentric coordinates of the geodetic points. The coordinates of the points must be obtained by dual-frequency GPS-measurements for a period of 24 hours with the help of PPP. The author proposed a formula for the calculation of the mean square error of the spatial position of geodetic point, if its position is obtained in the processing of dual-frequency GPS-observations of less than 24 hours. The article written conclusions about the features, defects and PPP development.


2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Akram Afifi ◽  
Ahmed El-Rabbany

AbstractThis paper develops a new dual-frequency precise point positioning model, which combines GPS and Galileo observables. The addition of Galileo satellite system offers more visible satellites to the user, which is expected to enhance the satellite geometry and the overall PPP solution in comparison with GPS-only PPP solution. However, combining GPS and Galileo observables introduces additional biases, which require rigorous modelling, including the GPS to Galileo time offset, and Galileo satellite hardware delay. In this research, a GPS/Galileo ionosphere-free linear combination PPP model is developed. The additional biases of the GPS/Galileo combination are lumped and accounted for through the introduction of a new unknown parameter, inter-systems bias, in the PPP mathematical model. It is shown that a subdecimeter positioning accuracy level and 25% reduction in the solution convergence time can be achieved with the developed GPS/Galileo PPP model.


2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Afifi ◽  
A. El-Rabbany

AbstractThis paper introduces a new dual-frequency precise point positioning (PPP) model, which combines GPS and BeiDou observations. Combining GPS and BeiDou observations in a PPP model offers more visible satellites to the user, which is expected to enhance the satellite geometry and the overall PPP solution in comparison with GPSonly PPP solution. However, combining different GNSS constellations introduces additional biases, which require rigorous modelling, including GNSS time offset and hardware delays. In this research, ionosphere-free linear combination PPP model is developed. The additional biases, which result from combining the GPS and BeiDou observables, are lumped into a new unknown parameter identified as the inter-system bias. Natural Resources Canada’s GPSPace PPP software is modified to enable a combined GPS/BeiDou PPP solution and to handle the newly introduced biases. A total of four data sets at four IGS stations are processed to verify the developed PPP model. Precise satellite orbit and clock products from the IGS-MGEX network are used to correct both of the GPS and BeiDou measurements. It is shown that a sub-decimeter positioning accuracy level and 25% reduction in the solution convergence time can be achieved with combining GPS and Bei-Dou observables in a PPP model, in comparison with the GPS-only PPP solution.


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