Check and calibration of a single GNSS receiver by using the VRS RTN positioning method

Abstract

The constant evolution of the demands of geodetic applications requires instruments, products and services with certified specifications and measurement accuracy.Particularly Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) are now closely approaching the same uncertainty as measurements provided by total stations, in current geodetic applications. In addition, the small occupation time required to measure points, leads to the increased use of them.The technological advancement of GNSS receivers and the installation of many networks of permanent and continuously operated reference stations in the world have now resulted in the use of a single GNSS receiver to determine coordinates and geometric features worldwide.This paper proposes a methodology for both, the check and calibration of a single GNSS receiver, using the VRS method, which is subset of the network RTK positioning methods (from now on mentioned as RTN methods).In both procedures the appropriate statistical checks were carried out in order to conclude about the proper function of the receiver under check.The methodology succeeds the results by using efficient number and type of observations and simple mathematical models. So it is convenient to be used by professionals in order to improve and ensure their products. Moreover it may consists as a new supplement of the ISO, as the existing ISO 17,123-8 (ISO 17123-8, 2007) requires two GNSS receivers in order to be implemented by using the real time kinematic method. It is worth mentioned that ISO 17,123-8 informs the user only for the internal accuracy, namely the precision of the base receiver which is under check.Therefore the proposed methodology concludes not only about the precision of a single GNSS receiver being checked, but also about the provided accuracy due to the comparison with the true values.