Fast Ambiguity Resolution Using an Integer Nonlinear Programming Method

Ming Wei and Klaus-Peter Schwarz

Abstract:	This paper presents a new and efficient strategy for ambiguity resolution on the fly. The new approach is based on the method of Integer Nonlinear Programming (INLP). After discussing some typical methods for INLP, ambiguity resolution of GPS phase measurements based on the Integer Least-Squares Method (ILSM) is formulated as a problem of INLP. A new ambiguity search method is then presented based on a combination of different INLP methods. The new ambiguity search method performs the search for the optimal integer ambiguities of 7 to 8 satellites within 0.1 - 0.2 seconds. It thus, can be used for real-time applications. Based on this search method, ambiguity resolution on the fly is carried out using a sequential approach which estimates the optimal integer ambiguities at each epoch by using all GPS observations available at that epoch. This approach is very robust because it avoids the critical issue of erroneously rejecting the optimal ambiguities. To validate the estimated integer ambiguities at each epoch, a number of criteria are discussed and tested to ensure the correctness of the estimated integer ambiguities. The method has been successfully tested and has shown robustness as well as reliability.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 8th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1995) September 12 - 15, 1995 Palm Springs, CA
Pages:	1101 - 1110
Cite this article:	Wei, Ming, Schwarz, Klaus-Peter, "Fast Ambiguity Resolution Using an Integer Nonlinear Programming Method," Proceedings of the 8th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1995), Palm Springs, CA, September 1995, pp. 1101-1110.
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