GPS Surveying using Three Satellites

Craig D. Hill

Abstract:	Traditionally surveying utilising the Global Positioning System (GPS) has been achieved using carrier phase measurements from four or more satellites visible at the reference and rover receiver. Four satellites are required to solve for the three-dimensional vector between the reference and rover receiver and remove the impact of the receiver clock error. There are many instances when less than four satellites are visible, and hence insufficient measurements are available to allow surveying to continue with GPS. A new surveying apparatus and technique are presented which facilitates three satellite positioning with the aid of slope distance and height difference measurements.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 12th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1999) September 14 - 17, 1999 Nashville, TN
Pages:	91 - 100
Cite this article:	Hill, Craig D., "GPS Surveying using Three Satellites," Proceedings of the 12th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1999), Nashville, TN, September 1999, pp. 91-100.
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