Error Correction Analysis and Enhanced Algorithm for Standalone Doppler-Based Positioning Using Iridium-Next and Orbcomm Constellations

Ya-Xun Yang and Shau-Shiun Jan

Peer Reviewed

Abstract:	This paper investigates a standalone Doppler-based positioning framework in opportunistic Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations, focusing on Iridium-Next and Orbcomm signals. The main challenges addressed are significant error sources, including orbit errors, atmospheric delay rates, and receiver-satellite clock biases, all of which degrade the Doppler-based navigation solution. First, the formulation of the Doppler measurement model and the associated estimation methods are introduced. We then present a comprehensive error analysis, characterizing orbit, ionospheric, and tropospheric effects and proposing correction models to mitigate each error source. To address the ill-posed nature of Doppler-based positioning—often exacerbated by weak geometry and strong nonlinearity—we implement a multi-epoch aggregation strategy and a regularization method, thereby improving solution stability and accuracy. Experimental results under static open-sky conditions demonstrate that the proposed framework effectively reduces positioning biases and convergence issues, achieving consistent performance improvements. The findings suggest that with proper error modeling and algorithmic enhancements, standalone Doppler-based positioning using multi-constellation LEO signals can achieve sub-hundred meter-level positioning accuracy. Index Terms—standalone opportunistic LEO-PNT, error analysis, Iridium-Next, Orbcomm, regularization, multi-epoch positioning
Published in:	2025 IEEE/ION Position, Location and Navigation Symposium (PLANS) April 28 - 1, 2025 Salt Lake Marriott Downtown at City Creek Salt Lake City, UT
Pages:	678 - 686
Cite this article:	Yang, Ya-Xun, Jan, Shau-Shiun, "Error Correction Analysis and Enhanced Algorithm for Standalone Doppler-Based Positioning Using Iridium-Next and Orbcomm Constellations," 2025 IEEE/ION Position, Location and Navigation Symposium (PLANS), Salt Lake City, UT, April 2025, pp. 678-686.
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