Multi-GNSS Precise Orbit Determination of the International Space Station

O. Montenbruck, M. Wermuth, A. Hauschild, G. Beyerle, A. Helm, S. Yudanov, A. Garcia, L. Cacciapuoti

Abstract:	In support of the Atomic Clock Ensemble in Space (ACES), a multi-frequency, multi-GNSS receiver will be flown onboard the International Space Station (ISS) from 2016 onwards. The Javad Triumph receiver selected for this purpose is based on commercial-off-the-shelf components but has successfully passed an extensive qualification program ensuring a proper operation in the space environment. The receiver supports tracking of GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo signals in the L1/E1, L2, and L5/E5a frequency bands, which offers access to a much larger number of signals and measurements than legacy space receivers and helps to compensate the limited field of view and unfavorable antenna orientation implied by the accommodation of the ACES payload box. Following an introduction to the ACES project and a description of the ACES GNSS sub-system, the paper discusses a comprehensive signal simulator test that has been conducted to validate the receiver and to assess the achievable performance. The tracking performance in a GPS-only configuration is compared with a full multi- GNSS configuration. The intrinsic difficulties of multi- GNSS positioning and precise orbit determination (such as constellation-dependent clock offset parameters, intersignal and inter-system biases) are discussed and the associated changes to DLR’S GPS High Precision Orbit Determination Software Tools (GHOST) are highlighted. Analysis results based on actual GNSS measurements obtained in the signal simulator test are presented.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 2013 International Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation January 29 - 27, 2013 Catamaran Resort Hotel San Diego, California
Pages:	808 - 820
Cite this article:	Montenbruck, O., Wermuth, M., Hauschild, A., Beyerle, G., Helm, A., Yudanov, S., Garcia, A., Cacciapuoti, L., "Multi-GNSS Precise Orbit Determination of the International Space Station," Proceedings of the 2013 International Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation, San Diego, California, January 2013, pp. 808-820.
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