Abstract
Integer ambiguity resolution (AR) is a prerequisite for all high-precision (centimetre level) GPS applications that utilise multiple reference station (MRS) networks. However, due to the presence of distance-dependent GPS errors, notably atmospheric refraction, AR across the network is difficult on an epoch-by-epoch basis, especially for medium- to long-range (typically 30–130 km as used here) MRS networks. This paper presents an approach for medium- to long-range instantaneous AR for MRS networks, based on an ionosphere-weighted observation model and network geometry constraints, along with a multiple ambiguity validation test procedure. The performance of the proposed method was demonstrated through two case-study examples from Australia and Norway. Our test results show that the instantaneous AR success rate varied from 93% (131 km baseline) to 98% (35 km baseline). It is also shown that the adopted high-precision prediction models for the double-difference (DD) ionospheric delay and residual tropospheric zenith delay (RTZD) are of benefit to the high success rate of the network AR. Due to its epoch-by-epoch nature, the proposed approach is insensitive to cycle-slips, rising or setting satellites, or loss-of-lock.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Alves P, Lachapelle G, Cannon ME, Park J, Park P (2002) Use of self-contained ionospheric modeling to enhance long baseline multiple reference station RTK positioning. In: Proceedings of 15th international technical meeting of the Satellite Division of the US Institute of Navigation, 24–27 September, Portland, pp 1388–1399
Blewitt G (1989) Carrier phase ambiguity resolution for the Global Positioning System applied to geodetic baselines up to 2000 km. J Geophys Res 94(B8):10187–10283
Bock T, Gourevitch S, Counselman CC, King RW, Abbot RI (1986) Interferometric analysis of GPS phase observations. Manuscripta Geodaetica 11:282–288
Chen HY, Rizos C, Han S (2004) An instantaneous ambiguity resolution procedure suitable for medium-scale GPS reference station networks. Surv Rev 37(291):396–410
Collins P, Langley R (1996) Limiting factors in tropospheric propagation delay error modelling for GPS airborne navigation. In: Proceedings of the Institute of Navigation 52nd annual meetings, 19–21 June, Cambridge, MA, USA, pp 519–528
Dai L, Wang J, Rizos C, Han SW (2003) Predicting atmospheric biases for real-time ambiguity resolution in GPS/GLONASS reference station networks. J Geodesy 76(11–12):617–628
Featherstone WE (1996) An updated explanation of the Geocentric Datum of Australia and its effects upon future mapping. The Aust Surv 41(2):121–130
Goad C, Yang M (1997) A new approach to precision airborne GPS positioning for photogrammetry. Photogrammetric Eng Remote Sensing 63(9):1067–1077
Han SW (1997) Carrier phase-based long-range GPS kinematic positioning. PhD Dissertation, UNISURV S-49, School of Geomatic Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia, p 185
Hartinger H, Brunner FK (1999) Variance of GPS phase observations: the sigma-model. GPS Solutions 2(4):35–43
Hofmann-Wellenhof B, Lichtenegger H, Collins J (1994) Global positioning system: theory and practice, 3rd edn. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, p 355
Horemuž M, Sjöberg LE (2002) Rapid GPS ambiguity resolution for short and long baselines. J Geodesy 76(6–7):381–391
Jonge de PJ, Tiberius CCJM (1996) The LAMBDA method for integer ambiguity estimation: implementation aspects. Delft Geodetic Computing Centre LGR Series No. 12, Delft University of Technology
Klobuchar JA (1991) Ionospheric effect on GPS. GPS World 2(4):48–51
Leick A (2004) GPS satellite surveying, 3rd edn. Wiley, New York, p 435
Li Z, Gao Y (1998) Improving ambiguity resolution for a regional area DGPS system using multiple days of data. In: Proceedings of 11th international technical meeting of the Satellite Division of the U.S. Institute of Navigation, 15–18 September, Nashville, TN, USA, pp 399–406
Mervart L (1995) Ambiguity resolution techniques in geodetic and geodynamic applications of the Global Positioning System. PhD thesis, University of Berne, p 172
Niell AE (1996) Global mapping functions for the atmosphere delay at radio wavelengths. J Geophys Res 101(B2):3227–3246
Odijk D (2000) Weighting ionospheric corrections to improve fast GPS positioning over medium distances. Proceedings of 13th international technical meeting of Satellite Division of US Institute Navigation, 19–22 September, Salt Lake City, USA, pp 1113–1123
Ovstedal O (2002) Absolute positioning with single-frequency GPS receivers. GPS Solutions 5(4):33–44
Raquet J, Lachapelle G (2001) RTK positioning with multiple reference stations. GPS World 12(4):48–53
Roulston A, Talbot N, Zhang K (2000) Evaluation of various GPS satellite ephemerides. In: Proceedings of 13th international technical meeting of Satellite Division of US Institute Navigation, 19–22 September, Salt Lake City, USA, pp 45–54
Spilker JJ (1996) Tropospheric effects on GPS. In: Parkinson BW, Spilker JJ (eds) Global positioning system: theory and applications, vol I. American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Washington, DC, pp 517–546
Sun H, Cannon ME, Melgard TE (1999) Real-time GPS reference network carrier phase ambiguity resolution. In: Proceedings of Institute of Navigation national technical meeting, 25–27 January, San Diego, CA, USA, pp 193–199
Teunissen PJG (1996) An analytical study of ambiguity decorrelation using dual-frequency code and carrier phase. J Geodesy 70(8):515–528
Teunissen PJG (1997) The geometry-free GPS ambiguity search space with a weighted ionosphere. J Geodesy 71(6):370–383
Teunissen PJG (1998) The ionosphere-weighted GPS baseline precision in canonical form. J Geodesy 72(2):107–117
Teunissen PJG, Kleusberg A (eds) (1998) GPS for geodesy, 2nd edn. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, p 650
Vermeer M (1997) The precision of geodetic GPS and one way of improving it. J Geodesy 71(4):240–245
Vollath U, Buecherl A, Landau H, Pagels C, Wagner B (2000) Multi-base RTK positioning using virtual reference stations. In: Proceedings of 13th international technical meeting of Satellite Division of US Institute Navigation, 19–22 September, Salt Lake City, USA, pp 123–131
Wang J, Stewart MP, Tsakiri M (1998a) Stochastic modeling for static GPS baseline data processing. J Surv Eng 124(4):171–181
Wang J, Stewart MP, Tsakiri M (1998b) A discrimination test procedure for ambiguity resolution on the fly. J Geodesy 72(11):644–653
Wanninger L (1995) Improved ambiguity resolution by regional modelling of the ionosphere. In: Proceedings of the 8th international technical meeting of the Satellite Division of the U.S. Institute of Navigation, 12–15 September, Palm Springs, USA, pp 55–62
Wübbena G, Bagge A, Seeber G, Böder V, Hankemeier P (1996) Reducing distance dependent errors for real-time precise DGPS applications by establishing reference station networks. In: Proceedings of the 9th international technical meeting of the Satellite Division of the U.S. Institute of Navigation, September 17–20, Kansas City, USA, pp 1845–1852
Xu G (2000) A concept of precise kinematic positioning and flight-state monitoring from the AGMASCO practice. Earth Planets Space 52(10):831–835
Zhang J, Lachapelle G (2001) Precise estimation of residual tropospheric delays using a regional GPS network for real-time kinematic applications. J Geodesy 75(5–6):255–266
Acknowledgements
The Australian Research Council and AAMHatch Pty Ltd. supported this study. Prof. P.J.G. Teunissen, Delft University of Technology, kindly provided source code for the LAMBDA method. Dr. Mike Stewart, Curtin University of Technology, is acknowledged for valuable discussions and comments. Finally, we thank the reviewers for their time taken to consider this manuscript.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hu, G., Abbey, D.A., Castleden, N. et al. An approach for instantaneous ambiguity resolution for medium- to long-range multiple reference station networks. GPS Solut 9, 1–11 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10291-004-0120-8
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10291-004-0120-8