Orbit Determination and Error Analysis Based on GNSS Crosslink Ranging Observations

Abstract

When traditional L-band navigation signals applied for high-orbit spacecraft orbit determination, there come problems such as few visual navigation satellites and low accuracy due to the limited antenna beam angle. Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) equipped with inter-satellite distance measuring equipment provides a more effective means for high-orbit spacecraft orbit determination. In this paper the ranging errors of GNSS crosslink were analyzed, and high-orbit satellite orbit determination experiments were performed based on the current crosslink ranging accuracy level, using the geometric method and kinetic method respectively. Results show that, kinetic method performs better with fewer available observations, but the improvement is not obvious with sufficient observations. Whether or not the user clock error is solved has significant effects on results of geometric method. The orbit determination accuracy reaches about a hundred meters level if the solution includes clock error; however, the accuracy can achieve within several meters if excludes clock error.