Carrier Phase Ambiguity Resolution in GNSS-2

B. Forssell’, M. Martin-Neira, R.A. Harrisz

Abstract:	The accuracy requirements of future satellite-based positioning applications are expected to necessitate the use of carrier-phase techniques. These must at the same time be rapid and robust. The signal designs of GPS and GLONASS limit what can be achieved, but it may be possible to improve the situation significantly in the next generation of systems. As part of its contribution to worldwide studies of GNSS-2, ESA has been studying a modified signal design using three suitably spaced frequencies. This paper describes the TCAR method, presents a preliminary analysis of its performance and describes a planned programme of experiments to validate it. The TCAR method is simply an extension of the well known widelaning technique. Three carriers are spaced such that the frequency differences between them form a steady progression, in four steps, from the chip rate to one of the carrier frequencies. The two “outer” carriers form a conventional widelane, while the closest two form a super-widelane. As long as the noise and bias differences between steps are sufficiently small, the integer wavelength ambiguity inherent in the carrier-phase pseudorange estimate at each step can be solved using the pseudorange estimate from the previous step. In principle this can be carried right down to the carrier wavelength, but residual biases become increasingly difficult to treat in later steps and differential or estimation and compensation techniques are needed.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 10th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1997) September 16 - 19, 1997 Kansas City, MO
Pages:	1727 - 1736
Cite this article:	Forssell’, B., Martin-Neira, M., Harrisz, R.A., "Carrier Phase Ambiguity Resolution in GNSS-2," Proceedings of the 10th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1997), Kansas City, MO, September 1997, pp. 1727-1736.
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