Results and Performance of Multi-Site Reference Station Differential GPS

Gordon T. Johnston

Abstract:	This paper describes in some detail the infrastructure and concept of 2 Multi-site Reference Station Differential GPS (DGPS) options being offered to marine users by Racal Survey. The infrastructure of the Racal SkyFix system is briefly outlined followed by descriptions of Racal’s Internetting and Network capabilities. Comparison between the two systems are made including Infrastructure, Differential data management, User coverage, datalinks and positioning performance in various parts of the world. The paper describes the design of the systems and the tests undertaken to assess their functionality, before going on to compare their performances under a variety of conditions. Emphasis is placed on the technical issues associated with Multi-Reference Station DGPS including error sources, weighting observations and monitoring of the data. The paper sets out to describe the fundamental approach of the systems to achieve high data integrity which is necessary to develop the systems to their next PhZlSe. Having described the 2 options, examples of various combinations of Reference Stations are used to illustrate the potential of the system. Real-Time operations with the Internetting and Network systems are then used to show the increased performance of the 2 options over Ordinary single station DGPS and lead into the conclusions section. The conclusions summarize the paper’s findings and make recommendations for the future development of the system. The object of the developments so far have been to improve the quality of real-time offshore DGPS Positioning. The Internetting and Network options have provided real-time results to illustrate the benefits an4 together with SkyFix offer sign&ant developments in the ability of DGPS to provide accurate and reliable positioning over vast areas of the world. The ability to compare two multi-reference station DGPS systems over large areas using co-sited reference stations is very unusual. The opportunity has been taken to compare and report on the performance of the two systems.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 6th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1993) September 22 - 24, 1993 Salt Palace Convention Center Salt Lake City, UT
Pages:	677 - 689
Cite this article:	Johnston, Gordon T., "Results and Performance of Multi-Site Reference Station Differential GPS," Proceedings of the 6th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1993), Salt Lake City, UT, September 1993, pp. 677-689.
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