Cycle Slip Detection and Ambiguity Resolution

Abstract

Ambiguity problems can arise during phase measurement when the receiver loses its lock on the signal, and phase measurement must be reinitiated. This phenomenon is called cycle slip, i.e. the cycle count must begin again because of a signal interruption. The consequence of a cycle slip is an observable jump by an integer number of cycles in the adjacent carrier phase, and a new ambiguity parameter is required in the related observation model. Accurate cycle slip detection thus ensures correct ambiguity parameterisation. Here, we begin with a discussion of cycle slip detection, after which we will focus on integer ambiguity resolution, including integer ambiguity search criteria. We also provide an outline and discussion of the historical ambiguity function method.