No abstract

The main goal of our research is to show the need to use modern methods of processing GNSS observations time series by non-classical error theory of measurements (NETM), which is characterized by large sample sizes n > 500. The errors of high-precision observations, for the most part, cannot be represented by the classical law of Gaussian distribution. With the increase in sample size, the empirical error distribution will increasingly deviate from the classical Gaussian error theory of measurements (CETM). Methods. For this research we pre-processed GNSS observation at five permanent stations in Ukraine (SULP, GLSV, POLV, MIKL and CRAO). After applying the "clean" procedures based on the iGPS software package, we obtained the GNSS observation time series for 2018-2020. The verification of empirical error distributions was ensured by the procedure of non-classical error theory of measurements, based on the recommendations offered by G. Jeffreys and on the principles of hypothesis testing according to Pearson criteria. Results. It has been established that the coordinate time series of permanent stations obtained from precision GNSS observations do not confirm the hypothesis of their conformity to normal Gaussian distribution law. NETM diagnostics of the accuracy of high-precision GNSS measurements, which is based on the use of confidence intervals for estimates of asymmetry and kurtosis of a large sample, followed by the Pearson test, confirms the presence of weak, non-GNSS-treated sources of systematic errors. Scientific novelty. The authors use the possibility of NETM to improve the method of processing high-precision GNSS measurements and necessity to take into account sources of systematic errors. The failure to account for individual factors creates the effect of shifting the coordinate time series, which, in turn, leads to subjective estimates of station movement velocities, their geodynamic interpretation. Practical significance is based on the application of NETM diagnostics of probabilistic form of permanent stations topocentric coordinates distribution and improvement of the method of their determination. Research of the causes of the error distribution deviations from the established norms ensures the metrological literacy of large amount high-precision GNSS measurements.

Using GNSS for many years is the most common technology for the collection, processing, and interpretation of Earth observation data, in particular for the high-precision study of plate tectonics. The results of GNSS observations, such as coordinate time series, allow us to do continuous monitoring of stations, and modern methods of satellite observation processing provide high-precision results for geodynamic interpretation. The aim of our study is to process the results of observations by DD and PPP methods and determine the degree of correlation between GNSS stations based on coordinate time series. For our study, we selected 10 GNSS stations, which merged into two networks - Lviv (SAMB, STOY, STRY, SULP та ZLRS) and Ukrainian (BCRV, CHTK, CNIV, CRNI, GLSV та SULP). The duration of observations on each of them is about 1.5 years (2019-2020). The downloaded observation files were processed in two software packages: Gamit and GipsyX. After applying the «cleaned» procedures based on the iGPS software package, the residual time series were obtained and the coefficients of the interstation correlation matrices were calculated. After the procedure of "cleaning" the time series, we obtained the RMS value decrease for all components of the coordinates by an average of 7-30%, and some stations by 55%. Based on the obtained RMS values, we can conclude that the influence of unextracted or incorrectly modeled errors can significantly affect the results of satellite observations. The obtained interstation correlation coefficients for both networks show different results depending on the used method for processing satellite observations. The larger correlation values of the DD method can be explained by the fact that the effect of errors is distributed evenly to all network stations, whereas in the PPP method errors for each station are individual. The obtained graphs of the common-mode errors values, after their removal from the residual time series, confirm the more uniform nature of the DD method. The results of our study indicate the feasibility of using the PPP method, as the autonomous processing of stations allows you to see the real geodynamic picture of the studied region.

The aim of the research is to diagnose the metrological characteristics of high-precision GNSS-observations by methods of non-classical error theory of measurements (NETM) based on Ukrainian reference stations. Methodology. We selected 72 GNSS reference stations, downloaded daily observation files from the LPI analysis center server, and created time series in the topocentric coordinate system. The duration of the time series is almost two years (March 24, 2019 - January 2, 2021). Using a specialized software package, the time series have been cleaned of offsets and breaks, seasonal effects, and the trend component has been removed. Verification of empirical distributions of errors was provided by the procedure of NETM on the recommendations offered by G. Jeffries and on the principles of hypothesis tests the theory according to Pearson's criterion. The main result of the research. It is established that the obtained time series of coordinates of reference GNSS stations do not confirm the hypothesis of their conformity to the normal Gaussian distribution law. NETM diagnostics of the accuracy of high-precision GNSS measurements, which is based on the use of confidence intervals for assessing the asymmetry and kurtosis of a significant sample, followed by the Pearson test, confirms the presence of weak, not removed from GNSS-processing, sources of systematic errors. Scientific novelty. The authors use the possibility of NETM to improve the processing of high-precision GNSS measurements and the need to take into account the sources of systematic errors. Failure to take into account certain factors creates the effect of shifting the time coordinate series, which, in turn, leads to subjective estimates of station velocity, i.e. their geodynamic interpretation. Practical significance. Research of the reasons for deviations of errors distribution from the established norms provides metrological literacy of carrying out high-precision GNSS measurements of large samples.