Real-Time Multi-GNSS Precise Orbit Determination Based on the Hourly Updated Ultra-Rapid Orbit Prediction Method

The Chinese BeiDou-3 navigation satellite system (BDS-3) is capable of transmitting both old B1I, B3I signals and new B1C, B2a, B2b signals. Current BDS-3 precise orbits are generally calculated using a B1I/B3I combination considering overlap with the BeiDou-2 navigation satellite system (BDS-2). In this contribution, the observation quality of BDS-3 medium earth orbit (MEO) satellites and inclined geosynchronous orbit (IGSO) satellites are analyzed based on three aspects, i.e., carrier to noise ratio (C/N0), pseudo-range noise and pseudo-range multipath (MP). The C/N0 of the MEO satellite is 2~3 dB higher than that of the IGSO satellite at the same elevation angle. Meanwhile, the order of the Root Mean Square (RMS) values of both pseudo-range noise and MP is B1I < B1C < B3I < B2a ≈ B2b. Three kinds of combinations, i.e., B1CB2a, B1CB2b and B1IB3I, are selected for the BDS-3 precise orbit determination (POD) experiment. Orbits are assessed by the orbit-only signal-in-space range error (SISRE) computed between pairs of the three kinds of combinations in this contribution, CODE and GFZ final orbits. Orbit-only SISRE assessment shows that B1CB2a/CODE, B1CB2b/CODE, B1CB2a/GFZ and B1CB2b/GFZ are at the same level with CODE/GFZ, and the orbit-only SISRE is at the level of 5 cm for MEOs and 9 cm for IGSOs, respectively. Meanwhile, B1IB3I/CODE and B1IB3I/GFZ are about 1–2 cm worse. Inter-solution comparison between B1CB2a, B1CB2b and B1IB3I also indicate that B1CB2a and B1CB2b have good consistency, while B1IB3I shows poor performance. Satellite laser ranging (SLR) residuals indicate that the mean RMS is 3–4 cm for the four BDS-3 MEOs for CODE final orbit, GFZ final orbit, B1CB2a and B1CB2b combinations, while the mean RMS value for B1IB3I combination is a few millimeters worse, at approximately 4–5 cm.

Analysis of Precise Orbit Determination of BDS-3 MEO and IGSO Satellites Based on Several Dual-Frequency Measurement Combinations

Tan

Yuan

2022

Impact of BeiDou Observations on the Accuracy of Multi-GNSS PPP in a Function of Observing Session Duration within Europe—Analysis Based on Open-Source Software GAMP

Dawidowicz

Bakuła

2022

This study aims to verify whether the open-source software may provide Precise Point Positioning (PPP) with high accuracy. In this way, we address a question on the potential usability of open-source software for PPP analysis. On July 31, 2020, the full constellation of BeiDou satellites (SV) was announced. Over the European area, however, the number of visible BeiDou SVs is significantly smaller than in Asian-Pacific regions. Additionally, the system is in a modernization process, which may result in difficulties in utilizing its full potential. Ten days of multi-GNSS data were processed using the open-source software GAMP to determine how the accuracy of a derived three-dimensional PPP coordinates depends on observation session length and satellite systems used. The time series of position components of selected EUREF Permanent Network (EPN) stations generated from sub-daily (30 minutes and longer) solutions were analyzed. The obtained results prove that adding BeiDou observations, even in the case of using an incomplete constellation, leads to visible improvements, which can be observed both in the reduction of differences between estimated and true coordinates, as well as in the reduction of the standard deviation (SD). Improved accuracy caused by adding BeiDou data is especially noticeable for short observation sessions (in the range of 0.5 to 2.0 hours) and in the case of a joint solution with GLONASS or Galileo observations. Finally, the open-source software GAMP proved to be a useful tool for multi-GNSS data processing and analysis.

Centimeter-Level Orbit Determination of GRACE-C Using IGS-RTS Data

Xiao-Hong

2023

GNSS real-time applications greatly benefit from the International GNSS Service’s (IGS) real-time service (RTS). This service does more than provide for terrestrial precise point positioning (PPP); it also brings more possibilities for space-borne technology. With this service, the State-Space Representation (SSR) product, which includes orbit corrections and clock corrections, is finally available to users. In this paper, the GPS real-time orbit and clock corrections provided by 11 analysis centers (ACs) from the day of the year (DOY) 144 to 153 of 2022 are discussed from 3 perspectives: integrity, continuity, and accuracy. Moreover, actual observation data from the GRACE-C satellite are processed, along with SSR corrections from different ACs. The following can be concluded: (1) In terms of integrity and continuity, the products provided by CNE, ESA, and GMV perform better. (2) CNE, ESA, and WHU are the most accurate, with values of about 5 cm for the satellite orbit and 20 ps for the satellite clock. Additionally, the clock accuracy is related to the Block. Block IIR and Block IIR-M are slightly worse than Block IIF and Block IIIA. (3) The accuracy of post-processing reduced-dynamic precise orbit determination (POD) and kinematic POD are at the centimeter level in radius, and the reduced-dynamic POD is more accurate and robust than the kinematic POD.