Performance Improvement of Network RTK Positioning

I. Geisler

Abstract:	Network RTK positioning, which is performed by applying data from multiple reference stations of a network, provides measurement corrections to a rover user. The advantage of using measurement corrections is that a rover station can calculate a precise and accurate position on the cm-level even over long baselines (> 20 km). The Measurement corrections are derived by interpolating the distance-dependent errors at the rover's location. One of the main issues in network RTK positioning is the selection of the interpolation method to use. The paper discusses four interpolation methods: two Low-Order Surface Models (2D and 3D surfaces), a Distance-Based Linear Interpolation Method, and a Least-Squares Collocation Model with Kriging applied. In addition, the selection of reference stations that create a cell highly influences the interpolation of the correction terms. As such cell design is an important part of the determination of network corrections and is closely related to the interpolation. In order to compare the performance of the different interpolation methods to a single reference station approach several test scenarios have been carried out. The overall improvement of the interpolation methods is given for low and medium atmospheric errors, and for various cell designs of a network. All test scenarios have shown that the least-squares collocation method performs better than the linear interpolation approaches. This method should be used prior to the other models implemented. Especially during periods of high atmospheric errors, least-squares collocation can successfully mitigate the distance dependent errors. This method is less sensitive to different cell designs keeping the effectiveness of network RTK corrections at a high level.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 2006 National Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation January 18 - 20, 2006 Hyatt Regency Hotel Monterey, CA
Pages:	869 - 880
Cite this article:	Geisler, I., "Performance Improvement of Network RTK Positioning," Proceedings of the 2006 National Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation, Monterey, CA, January 2006, pp. 869-880.
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