An Evaluation of OmniStar XP and PPP as a Replacement for DGPS in Airborne Applications

J.S. Booth, R.N. Snow

Abstract:	The traditional method of collecting airborne position data is with differential GPS. This method requires data from two receivers, one on the airplane and the other placed on a known location on the ground. The two datasets are processed in differential mode. This paper considers replacing this traditional GPS system. Two technologies are investigated, OmniSTAR XP and Precise Point Positioning (PPP). These technologies are put to the test using several airplane platforms with data spanning more than 33 flight hours. This paper discusses how GPS positions produced using the OmniSTAR technology and PPP processing compare with differential GPS data. The results in comparing Differential GPS solutions with those acquired using both PPP and OmniSTAR XP during takeoffs, landings, touchand- gos, turns, ascents, descents and high altitude maneuvers are presented. The data is presented as a comparison in latitude, longitude and height during each test day and also as a comparison of on condition data in runway coordinates. The OmniSTAR XP service, providing a real-time position solution without a second reference receiver, is shown to be sufficiently accurate, reliable and much more efficient than a traditional differential GPS system. Precise Point Positioning (PPP), a post-test processing technology that does not require a second set of receiver data and can be used to process airborne GPS data with accuracies as good as our current differential GPS system. The PPP technology using data from several Boeing airplane flights including locations in the Western United States as well as in a high latitude location is shown to be an adequate replacement for differential GPS. Both of these technologies will increase the efficiency of flight testing with no compromise to accuracy.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 22nd International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GNSS 2009) September 22 - 25, 2009 Savannah International Convention Center Savannah, GA
Pages:	1188 - 1194
Cite this article:	Booth, J.S., Snow, R.N., "An Evaluation of OmniStar XP and PPP as a Replacement for DGPS in Airborne Applications," Proceedings of the 22nd International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GNSS 2009), Savannah, GA, September 2009, pp. 1188-1194.
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