Characteristics Analysis of Raw Multi-GNSS Measurement from Xiaomi Mi 8 and Positioning Performance Improvement with L5/E5 Frequency in an Urban Environment

Achieving continuous and high-precision positioning services via smartphone under a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-degraded environment is urgently demanded by the mass market. In 2018, Xiaomi launched the world’s first dual-frequency GNSS smartphone, Xiaomi Mi 8. The newly added L5/E5 signals are more precise and less prone to distortions from multipath reflections. This paper discusses the characteristics of raw dual-frequency GNSS observations from Xiaomi Mi 8 in urban environments; they are characterized by high pseudorange noise and frequent signal interruption. The traditional dual-frequency ionosphere-free combination is not suitable for Xiaomi Mi 8 raw GNSS data processing, since the noise of the combined measurements is much larger than the influence of the ionospheric delay. Therefore, in order to reasonably utilize the high precision carrier phase observations, a time differenced positioning filter is presented in this paper to deliver continuous and smooth navigation results in urban environments. The filter first estimates the inter-epoch position variation (IEPV) with time differenced uncombined L1/E1 and L5/E5 carrier phase observations and constructs the state equation with IEPV to accurately describe the user’s movement. Secondly, the observation equations are formed with uncombined L1/E1 and L5/E5 pseudorange observations. Then, kinematic experiments in open-sky and GNSS-degraded environments are carried out, and the proposed filter is assessed in terms of the positioning accuracy and solution availability. The result in an open-sky environment shows that, assisted with L5/E5 observations, the root mean square (RMS) of the stand-alone horizontal and vertical positioning errors are about 1.22 m and 1.94 m, respectively, with a 97.8% navigation availability. Encouragingly, even in a GNSS-degraded environment, smooth navigation services with accuracies of 1.61 m and 2.16 m in the horizontal and vertical directions are obtained by using multi-GNSS and L5/E5 observations.

Download Full-text

Comparison of Multi-GNSS Time and Frequency Transfer Performance Using Overlap-Frequency Observations

Remote Sensing ◽

10.3390/rs13163130 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (16) ◽

pp. 3130

Author(s):

Pengfei Zhang ◽

Rui Tu ◽

Yuping Gao ◽

Ju Hong ◽

Junqiang Han ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Carrier Phase ◽

Satellite System ◽

Single Frequency ◽

Navigation Satellite ◽

Transfer Performance ◽

Dual Frequency ◽

Time Transfer ◽

Difference Series ◽

Frequency Transfer ◽

Global Navigation Satellite

The modernized GPS, Galileo, and BeiDou global navigation satellite system (BDS3) offers new potential for time transfer using overlap-frequency (L1/E1/B1, L5/E5a/B2a) observations. To assess the performance of time and frequency transfer with overlap-frequency observations for GPS, Galileo, and BDS3, the mathematical models of single- and dual-frequency using the carrier-phase (CP) technique are discussed and presented. For the single-frequency CP model, the three-day average RMS values of the L5/E5a/B2a clock difference series were 0.218 ns for Galileo and 0.263 ns for BDS3, of which the improvements were 36.2% for Galileo and 43.9% for BDS3 when compared with the L1/E1/B1 solution at BRUX–PTBB. For the hydrogen–cesium time link BRUX–KIRU, the RMS values of the L5/E5a/B2a solution were 0.490 ns for Galileo and 0.608 ns for BDS3, improving Galileo by 6.4% and BDS3 by 12.5% when compared with the L1/E1/B1 solution. For the dual-frequency CP model, the average stability values of the L5/E5a/B2a solution at the BRUX–PTBB time link were 3.54∙× 10−12 for GPS, 2.20 × 10−12 for Galileo, and 2.69 × 10−12 for BDS3, of which the improvements were 21.0%, 45.1%, and 52.3%, respectively, when compared with the L1/E1/B1 solution. For the BRUX–KIRU time link, the improvements were 4.2%, 30.5%, and 36.1%, respectively.

Download Full-text

Assessment of Dual Frequency GNSS Observations from a Xiaomi Mi 8 Android Smartphone and Positioning Performance Analysis

Electronics ◽

10.3390/electronics8010091 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 91 ◽

Cited By ~ 44

Author(s):

Umberto Robustelli ◽

Valerio Baiocchi ◽

Giovanni Pugliano

Keyword(s):

Root Mean Square Error ◽

Mean Square Error ◽

Global Navigation Satellite System ◽

Carrier Phase ◽

Single Point ◽

Satellite System ◽

Navigation Satellite ◽

Mean Square ◽

Dual Frequency ◽

Global Navigation Satellite

On May 2018 the world’s first dual-frequency Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) smartphone produced by Xiaomi equipped with a Broadcom BCM47755 chip was launched. It is able to receive L1/E1/ and L5/E5 signals from GPS, Galileo, Beidou, and GLONASS (GLObal NAvigation Satellite System) satellites. The main aim of this work is to achieve the phone’s position by using multi-constellation, dual frequency pseudorange and carrier phase raw data collected from the smartphone. Furthermore, the availability of dual frequency raw data allows to assess the multipath performance of the device. The smartphone’s performance is compared with that of a geodetic receiver. The experiments were conducted in two different scenarios to test the smartphone under different multipath conditions. Smartphone measurements showed a lower C/N0 and higher multipath compared with those of the geodetic receiver. This produced negative effects on single-point positioning as showed by high root mean square error (RMS). The best positioning accuracy for single point was obtained with the E5 measurements with a DRMS (horizontal root mean square error) of 4.57 m. For E1/L1 frequency, the 2DRMS was 5.36 m. However, the Xiaomi Mi 8, thanks to the absence of the duty cycle, provided carrier phase measurements used for a static single frequency relative positioning with an achieved 2DRMS of 1.02 and 1.95 m in low and high multipath sites, respectively.

Download Full-text

Real-time integrity monitoring for a wide area precise positioning system

Satellite Navigation ◽

10.1186/s43020-020-00018-8 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Yuechen Wang ◽

Jun Shen

Keyword(s):

Real Time ◽

High Precision ◽

Satellite Orbit ◽

Satellite System ◽

Wide Area ◽

Positioning System ◽

Dual Frequency ◽

Integrity Monitoring ◽

Precise Positioning ◽

Global Navigation Satellite

Abstract The wide area precise positioning system (WAPPS) is a high-precision positioning system based on a global navigation satellite system. Using a GEO satellite or a communication network, it provides users, in its service area, with real-time satellite orbit, clock, and other corrections. Users can achieve centimeter-level static positioning or decimeter-level kinematic positioning by precise point positioning. With the demands for applications of both high-precision and safety of life in real time, WAPPS is facing urgent needs to improve its service integrity. This study presents a real-time integrity monitoring approach for WAPPS. Using dual-frequency ionosphere-free corrections of GPS and BDS, along with monitor station data, related error models are established and the integrity monitoring is achieved, based on the analysis of satellite corrected residuals. In addition, satellite faults are simulated for performance verification. The results show that the algorithm can monitor both step and drift faults effectively and alert users in time.

Download Full-text

Evaluation of Low-Cost GNSS Receiver under Demanding Conditions in RTK Network Mode

Sensors ◽

10.3390/s21165552 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (16) ◽

pp. 5552

Author(s):

Daniel Janos ◽

Przemysław Kuras

Keyword(s):

High Precision ◽

Patch Antenna ◽

Low Cost ◽

Satellite System ◽

Dual Frequency ◽

Satellite Systems ◽

Satellite Positioning ◽

Satellite Signal ◽

Global Navigation Satellite

Positioning with low-cost GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receivers is becoming increasingly popular in many engineering applications. In particular, dual-frequency receivers, which receive signals of all available satellite systems, offer great possibilities. The main objective of this research was to evaluate the accuracy of a position determination using low-cost receivers in different terrain conditions. The u-blox ZED-F9P receiver was used for testing, with the satellite signal supplied by both a dedicated u-blox ANN-MB-00 low-cost patch antenna and the Leica AS10 high-precision geodetic one. A professional Leica GS18T geodetic receiver was used to acquire reference satellite data. In addition, on the prepared test base, observations were made using the Leica MS50 precise total station, which provided higher accuracy and stability of measurement than satellite positioning. As a result, it was concluded that the ZED-F9P receiver equipped with a patch antenna is only suitable for precision measurements in conditions with high availability of open sky. However, the configuration of this receiver with a geodetic-grade antenna significantly improves the quality of results, beating even professional geodetic equipment. In most cases of the partially obscured horizon, a high precision positioning was obtained, making the ZED-F9P a valuable alternative to the high-end geodetic receivers in many applications.

Download Full-text

Research on the High-Precision Phase Simulation of DSSS Signal

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.712-715.1987 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 712-715 ◽

pp. 1987-1994

Author(s):

Shi Wen Li ◽

Peng Xu

Keyword(s):

High Precision ◽

Spread Spectrum ◽

Carrier Phase ◽

Satellite System ◽

Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum ◽

Direct Sequence ◽

Frequency Signal ◽

Generating Method ◽

Precision Phase ◽

Global Navigation Satellite

In order to meet the developing requirements of the high-precision GNSS(Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver and spread-spectrum TT&C equipment, we researched high-precision simulating technology of DSSS (Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum) signal and proposed simulating technology of carrier phase and pseudo code phase based on correction technology online. This technology avoids sacrificing implement slice to improve phase precision and can simulate relative motion between receiver and object. In this paper, high-precision generating method of digital middle frequency signal is focused on. The effectiveness of this algorithm has been corroborated by theoretical analysis, simulation and applied to some spaceflight simulator successfully.

Download Full-text

Multipath modeling and mitigation by using sparse estimation in global navigation satellite system-challenged urban vehicular environments

International Journal of Advanced Robotic Systems ◽

10.1177/1729881420968696 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (5) ◽

pp. 172988142096869

Author(s):

Yue Yuan ◽

Feng Shen ◽

Dingjie Xu

Keyword(s):

Global Navigation Satellite System ◽

Satellite System ◽

Urban Environments ◽

Navigation Satellite ◽

Multipath Mitigation ◽

Sparse Estimation ◽

Positioning Errors ◽

Net Method ◽

Global Navigation ◽

Global Navigation Satellite

Multipath interference has been one of the most difficult problems when using global navigation satellite system-based vehicular navigation in urban environments. In this article, we develop a multipath mitigation algorithm exploiting the sparse estimation theory that improves the absolute positioning accuracy in urban environments. The navigation observation model is established by considering the multipath bias as additive positioning errors, and the assumption for the proposed method is that global navigation satellite system signals contaminated due to multipath are the minority among the received signals, which makes the unknown bias vector sparse. We investigated an improved elastic net method to estimate the sparse multipath bias vector, and the global navigation satellite system measurements can be corrected by subtracting the estimated multipath error. The positioning performance of the proposed method is verified by analytical and experimental results.

Download Full-text

Improved precise positioning with BDS-3 quad-frequency signals

Satellite Navigation ◽

10.1186/s43020-020-00030-y ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Bofeng Li ◽

Zhiteng Zhang ◽

Weikai Miao ◽

Guang’e Chen

Keyword(s):

High Precision ◽

Satellite System ◽

Navigation Satellite ◽

Precision Positioning ◽

Precise Positioning ◽

Positioning Errors ◽

Short Period ◽

Wide Lane ◽

Current Constellation ◽

Global Navigation Satellite

AbstractThe establishment of the BeiDou global navigation satellite system (BDS-3) has been completed, and the current constellation can independently provide positioning service globally. BDS-3 satellites provide quad-frequency signals, which can benefit the ambiguity resolution (AR) and high-precision positioning. This paper discusses the benefits of quad-frequency observations, including the precision gain of multi-frequency high-precision positioning and the sophisticated choice of extra-wide-lane (EWL) or wide-lane (WL) combinations for instantaneous EWL/WL AR. Additionally, the performance of EWL real-time kinematic (ERTK) positioning that only uses EWL/WL combinations is investigated. The results indicate that the horizontal positioning errors of ERTK positioning using ionosphere-free (IF) EWL observations are approximately 0.5 m for the baseline of 27 km and 1 m for the baseline of 300 km. Furthermore, the positioning errors are reduced to the centimetre level if the IF EWL observations are smoothed by narrow-lane observations for a short period.

Download Full-text

Performance Evaluation of Single-Frequency Precise Point Positioning and Its Use in the Android Smartphone

Remote Sensing ◽

10.3390/rs13234894 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (23) ◽

pp. 4894

Author(s):

Min Li ◽

Zhuo Lei ◽

Wenwen Li ◽

Kecai Jiang ◽

Tengda Huang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Precise Point Positioning ◽

Satellite System ◽

Convergence Time ◽

Single Frequency ◽

Dominant Factor ◽

Smart Devices ◽

Dual Frequency ◽

Point Positioning ◽

Pseudorange Noise ◽

Global Navigation Satellite

The opening access of global navigation satellite system (GNSS) raw data in Android smart devices has led to numerous studies on precise point positioning on mobile phones, among which single-frequency precise point positioning (SF-PPP) has become popular because smartphone-based dual-frequency data still suffer from poor observational quality. As the ionospheric delay is a dominant factor in SF-PPP, we first evaluated two SF-PPP approaches with the MGEX (Multi-GNSS Experiment) stations, the Group and Phase Ionospheric Correction (GRAPHIC) approach and the uncombined approach, and then applied them to a Huawei P40 smartphone. For MGEX stations, both approaches achieved less than 0.1 m and 0.2 m accuracy in horizontal and vertical components, respectively. Uncombined SF-PPP manifested a significant decrease in the convergence time by 40.7%, 20.0%, and 13.8% in the east, north, and up components, respectively. For P40 data, the SF-PPP performance was analyzed using data collected with both a built-in antenna and an external geodetic antenna. The P40 data collected with the built-in antenna showed lower carrier-to-noise ratio (C/N0) values, and the pseudorange noise reached 0.67 m, which is about 67% larger than that with a geodetic antenna. Because the P40 pseudorange noise presented a strong correlation with C/N0, a C/N0-dependent weight model was constructed and used for the P40 data with the built-in antenna. The convergence of uncombined SF-PPP approach was faster than the GRAPHIC model for both the internal and external antenna datasets. The root mean square (RMS) errors for the uncombined SF-PPP solutions of P40 with an external antenna were 0.14 m, 0.15 m, and 0.33 m in the east, north, and up directions, respectively. In contrast, the P40 with an embedded antenna could only reach 0.72 m, 0.51 m, and 0.66 m, respectively, indicating severe positioning degradation due to antenna issues. The results indicate that the two SF-PPP models both can achieve sub-meter level positioning accuracy utilizing multi-GNSS single-frequency observations from mobile smartphones.

Download Full-text

Estimation of fractional cycle bias for GPS/BDS-2/Galileo based on international GNSS monitoring and assessment system observations using the uncombined PPP model

Satellite Navigation ◽

10.1186/s43020-021-00039-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Jin Wang ◽

Qin Zhang ◽

Guanwen Huang

Keyword(s):

Estimation Method ◽

Satellite Orbit ◽

Satellite System ◽

Assessment System ◽

Navigation Satellite ◽

Dual Frequency ◽

Fractional Cycle Bias ◽

The Stability ◽

High Consistency ◽

Global Navigation Satellite

AbstractThe Fractional Cycle Bias (FCB) product is crucial for the Ambiguity Resolution (AR) in Precise Point Positioning (PPP). Different from the traditional method using the ionospheric-free ambiguity which is formed by the Wide Lane (WL) and Narrow Lane (NL) combinations, the uncombined PPP model is flexible and effective to generate the FCB products. This study presents the FCB estimation method based on the multi-Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) precise satellite orbit and clock corrections from the international GNSS Monitoring and Assessment System (iGMAS) observations using the uncombined PPP model. The dual-frequency raw ambiguities are combined by the integer coefficients (4,− 3) and (1,− 1) to directly estimate the FCBs. The details of FCB estimation are described with the Global Positioning System (GPS), BeiDou-2 Navigation Satellite System (BDS-2) and Galileo Navigation Satellite System (Galileo). For the estimated FCBs, the Root Mean Squares (RMSs) of the posterior residuals are smaller than 0.1 cycles, which indicates a high consistency for the float ambiguities. The stability of the WL FCBs series is better than 0.02 cycles for the three GNSS systems, while the STandard Deviation (STD) of the NL FCBs for BDS-2 is larger than 0.139 cycles. The combined FCBs have better stability than the raw series. With the multi-GNSS FCB products, the PPP AR for GPS/BDS-2/Galileo is demonstrated using the raw observations. For hourly static positioning results, the performance of the PPP AR with the three-system observations is improved by 42.6%, but only 13.1% for kinematic positioning results. The results indicate that precise and reliable positioning can be achieved with the PPP AR of GPS/BDS-2/Galileo, supported by multi-GNSS satellite orbit, clock, and FCB products based on iGMAS.

Download Full-text

Improving DGNSS Performance through the Use of Network RTK Corrections

Remote Sensing ◽

10.3390/rs13091621 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (9) ◽

pp. 1621

Author(s):

Duojie Weng ◽

Shengyue Ji ◽

Yangwei Lu ◽

Wu Chen ◽

Zhihua Li

Keyword(s):

Carrier Phase ◽

Local Area ◽

Satellite System ◽

High Accuracy ◽

Single Frequency ◽

Baseline Length ◽

Low Latitude ◽

Phase Measurements ◽

Network Rtk ◽

Global Navigation Satellite

The differential global navigation satellite system (DGNSS) is an enhancement system that is widely used to improve the accuracy of single-frequency receivers. However, distance-dependent errors are not considered in conventional DGNSS, and DGNSS accuracy decreases when baseline length increases. In network real-time kinematic (RTK) positioning, distance-dependent errors are accurately modelled to enable ambiguity resolution on the user side, and standard Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services (RTCM) formats have also been developed to describe the spatial characteristics of distance-dependent errors. However, the network RTK service was mainly developed for carrier-phase measurements on professional user receivers. The purpose of this study was to modify the local-area DGNSS through the use of network RTK corrections. Distance-dependent errors can be reduced, and accuracy for a longer baseline length can be improved. The results in the low-latitude areas showed that the accuracy of the modified DGNSS could be improved by more than 50% for a 17.9 km baseline during solar active years. The method in this paper extends the use of available network RTK corrections with high accuracy to normal local-area DGNSS applications.

Download Full-text