DCB estimation and analysis using the single receiver GPS/GLONASS observations under various seasons and geomagnetic activities

Abstract

Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) have many applications in surveying, geodesy, and everyday life, so the accuracy of observations is very important. To have accurate results, many errors should be corrected, including ionospheric errors. Estimating the Differential Code Bias (DCB) and Total Electron Content (TEC) is essential to reduce ionospheric errors. This study's main aim is to determine how the combination of GPS (Global Positioning System) and GLONASS (GLObal NAvigation Satellite System) observations affect the estimation of DCB of satellites (SDCB) and receivers (RDCB) under the effects of geomagnetic storms and seasonal changes. The MATLAB-based software GR_DCB (GPS and GLONASS DCB estimation) was developed to estimate the SDCB and RDCB based on GPS and GLONASS observations. Theresults were tested using data from the International GNSS Service (IGS) network from nine stations and compared to previous studies to assess the effectiveness of the developed code. The findings are consistent with IGS products and more precise than previous studies that relied solely on GPS observations. An analysis of the effects of the geomagnetic storm on DCB variance is considered for June 22–23, 2015. During the geomagnetic storm, all GPS and GLONASS stations exhibited a fall in RDCB, led by a modest increase in some stations. The SDCB had no observed change on storm days compared with quiet days. The seasonal change affected GPS and GLONASS stations RDCB. Winter, which has the highest RDCB mean values, is also the season when a deviation in RDCB is the greatest. Autumn and Summer had the lowest dispersion in RDCB over the season and the lowest RDCB values.