Recent Improvements to the StarFire Global DGPS Navigation Software

Ronald R. Hatch, Richard T. Sharpe

NavCom Technology, Inc., 20780 Madrona Avenue, Torrance, CA 90744.

DOI:                 

Abstract

A general review of NavCom Technology’s StarFire Global DGPS system is followed by a description of a number of improvements which have been either recently introduced or are in the process of being introduced. These improvements include: (1) an improved mode switching between various differential aiding signals and between dual-frequency and singlefrequency operation when the L2 signal is lost; (2) a high-rate, high-accuracy, and efficient time-difference of carrier-phase position propagation process, which is used to generate the position coordinates between the onesecond epochs; (3) an improved RAIM measurement error detection process; (4) a simplified process of computing the earth tides caused by both the sun and the moon; and (5) a built-in RTK capability (referred to as RTK Extend) which can make use of the synergism between the Global and RTK correction streams to continue RTK accuracy for up to 15 minutes when the RTK corrections are lost due to obstructed line-of-site or other problems with the local RTK corrections. Each of these will be addressed at least briefly. The more significant improvements will be addressed at greater length.

Keywords

Global DGPS, RAIM, RTK, StarFire

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	Hatch RR, Sharpe RT, and Yang Y (2003): A simple RAIM and fault isolation scheme, Proceedings of the 16th Int. Tech. Mtg. of the Satellite Division of the U.S. Inst. Of Navigation, Portland, Oregon, 9-12 Sept., 801-808.
[2]	Hatch RR, Sharpe RT, and Yang Y (2004): An innovative algorithm for carrier-phase navigation, Proceedings of the 17th Int. Tech. Mtg. of the Satellite Division of the U.S. Inst. of Navigation, Long Beach, California, 21-24 Sept.
[3]	Sinko J (1995): A compact earth tides algorithm for WADGPS, Proceedings of 8th Int. Tech. Mtg. of the Satellite Division of the U.S. Inst. of Navigation, Palm Springs, California, 12-15 Sept., 35-44.