An Evaluation of Various Ionospheric Error Mitigation Methods used in Single Frequency PPP

Abstract

Precise Point Positioning (PPP) using dual frequency GPS receivers is capable of providing centimetre level point positioning accuracy anywhere around the world, without the need for a base station. However, when using single frequency GPS receivers, the accuracy of the positioning decreases, particularly in the height component. One main factor for this degradation in accuracy is the unmodeled ionospheric error. This paper investigates the performance of three different ionospheric error mitigation methods used in single frequency PPP in the Australian Region. They are the GRAPHIC (GRoup And PHase Ionospheric Correction) algorithm, the Global Ionospheric Maps (GIMs) and the Klobuchar model. Numerical results show that the GRAPHIC and GIMs methods are able to provide point positioning accuracy better than 1m for session duration less than an hour using geodetic quality single frequency receivers. For 12 to 24 hours data sets, the positioning accuracy can be as good as <0.1m.

Share and Cite:

S. Choy, K. Zhang and D. Silcock, "An Evaluation of Various Ionospheric Error Mitigation Methods used in Single Frequency PPP," Positioning, Vol. 1 No. 13, 2008, pp. -.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1] Abdel-salam M. (2005) Precise Point Positioning Using Un-Differenced Code and Carrier Phase Observations. PhD Dissertation, The University of Calgary, Canada.
[2] Arbesser-Rastburg B. (2006) The Galileo Single Frequency Ionospheric Correction Algorithm, (January 2007).
[3] ARINC Research Corporation (2000) GPS Interface Control Document ICD-GPS-200 (IRN-200C-004): Navstar GPS Space Segment and Aviation User Interfaces. CA, USA.
[4] Chen K. and Gao Y. (2005) Real-Time Precise Point Positioning Using Single Frequency Data. Proceedings of the ION GNSS 18th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division, Long Beach, CA, 13-16 September, 1514-1523.
[5] CODE (2007) Global Ionosphere Maps Produced by CODE. (January 2007).
[6] Gao Y. and Garin L. (2006) GNSS Solution: Precise Point Positioning and Its Challenges, Aided-GNSS and Signal Tracking. (December 2006).
[7] Gendt G. (2006) [IGSMAIL-5438]: IGS Switch to Absolute Antenna Model and ITRF 2005. (November 2006).
[8] Geoscience Australia (2007) Australian Regional GPS Network. (January 2007).
[9] Hernández-Pajares, M. (2007) Private Communication. Group Astronomy and Geomatics, Technical University of Catalonia.
[10] Hèroux P., Gao Y., Kouba J., Lahaye F., Mireault Y., Collins P., Macleod K., Tétreault P. and Chen K. (2004) Products and Applications for Precise Point Positioning - Moving Towards Real-Time. Proceedings of the ION GNSS 17th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division, Long Beach, CA, 21-24 September, 1832-1843.
[11] Hèroux P. (2006) Private Communication. Geodetic Survey Division of Natural Resources Canada.
[12] Hofmann-Wellenhof B. Lichtengegger H. and Collins J. (2001) GPS Theory and Practice. (5th edition) Springer-Verlag Wien New York.
[13] IGS (2007) International GNSS Service. (January 2007).
[14] Klobuchar J.A. (1987) Ionospheric Time-Delay Algorithm for Single-Frequency GPS Users. IEEE Transactions on Aerospace and Electronic Systems, AES-23(3), 325-331.
[15] Kouba J. (2003) A Guide to using International GPS Service (IGS) Products. (April 2006).
[16] Kwon J.H., Kim J.W. and Lee D.C. (2001) Absolute Kinematic GPS Positioning for Remote Area. Proceedings of the IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS) 2001, Sydney, Australia, 9-13 July, 2067-2069.
[17] Le A.Q. (2004) Achieving Decimetre Accuracy with Single Frequency Standalone GPS Positioning. Proceedings of the ION GNSS 17th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division, Long Beach, CA, 1881-1891.
[18] Montenbruck O. (2003) Kinematic GPS Positioning of LEO Satellites Using Ionosphere-Free Single Frequency Measurements. Aerospace Science and Technology, 7, 396-405.
[19] Muellerschoen R., Iijima B., Meyer R., Bar-Sever Y. and Accad E. (2004) Real-Time Point-Positioning Performance Evaluation of Single-Frequency Receivers Using NASA's Global Differential GPS System. Proceedings of the ION GNSS 17th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division, Long Beach, CA, 21-24 September, 1872-1880.
[20] ?vstedal O. (2002) Absolute Positioning with Single-Frequency GPS Receivers, GPS Solutions. 5(4), 33-44.
[21] Schaer S., Gurtner W. and Feltens J. (1998) IONEX: The IONosphere Map EXchange Format Version 1. Proceedings of the IGS AC Workshop, Darmstadt, Germany, 9-11 February.
[22] Simsky A. (2006) Standalone Real-Time Navigation Algorithm for Single-Frequency Ionosphere-Free Positioning Based on Dynamic Ambiguities (DARTS-SF). Proceedings of the ION GNSS 18th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division, Fort Worth, Texas, 301-308.
[23] SOPAC (2007) Scripps Orbit and Permanent Array Center. (January 2007).
[24] U.S. Naval Research Lab (2007) IGS Clock Products Working Group. (August 2007).
[25] Wang Z., Wu Y., Zhang K. and Meng Y. (2004) Triple Frequency Method for High-order Ionospheric Refractive Error Modelling in GPS Modernization, J of Global Positioning Systems Vol. 4, No.1+2, 291-295.
[26] Witchayangkoon B. (2000) Elements of GPS Precise Point Positioning, PhD Dissertation, The University of Maine, USA.
[27] Wu S., Yuan Y., Zhang K. and Grenfell R. (2006) Temporal and Spatial Variations of the Ionospheric TEC over Victoria for GPSnet-based Real-time Positioning, J of Global Positioning Systems, Vol.5, No.1-2, pp.52-57.
[28] Wyllie S., Zhang K. and Talbot N. (2006) An Analysis of the Temporal Correlation of the Ionospheric Bias Affecting GPS Carrier Phase Observations, Proceedings of IGNSS Symposium. Holiday Inn Surfers Paradise, Australia, 17–21 July (79).
[29] Yuan Y., Huo X. and Ou J. (2007) Models and Methods for Precise Determination of Ionospheric Delay using GPS. Progress in Natural Science, 2(17), 187-196.
[30] Yunck T. (1993) Coping With the Atmosphere and Ionosphere in Precise Satellite and Ground Positioning. Geophysical Monograph 73, 13.
[31] Zhang K.; Wu S. and Wu F. (2007) The Latest Development of a Network-based RTK System in Australia, International Journal of Science and Research, Vol. 2(1), pp.87-94.

Copyright © 2025 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc.

Creative Commons License

This work and the related PDF file are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.