Aircraft positioning using GPS/GLONASS code observations

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to present the problem of the integration of the global positioning system (GPS)/global navigation satellite system (GLONASS) data for the processing of aircraft position determination. Design/methodology/approach The aircraft coordinates were obtained based on GPS and GLONASS code observations for the single point positioning (SPP) method. The numerical computations were executed in the aircraft positioning software (APS) package. The mathematical scheme of equation observation of the SPP method was solved using least square estimation in stochastic processing. In the research experiment, the raw global navigation satellite system data from the Topcon HiperPro onboard receiver were applied. Findings In the paper, the mean errors of an aircraft position from APS were under 3 m. In addition, the accuracy of aircraft positioning was better than 6 m. The integrity term for horizontal protection level and vertical protection level parameters in the flight test was below 16 m. Research limitations/implications The paper presents only the application of GPS/GLONASS observations in aviation, without satellite data from other navigation systems. Practical implications The presented research method can be used in an aircraft based augmentation system in Polish aviation. Social implications The paper is addressed to persons who work in aviation and air transport. Originality/value The paper presents the SPP method as a satellite technique for the recovery of an aircraft position in an aviation test.