Performance of Galileo precise time and frequency transfer models using quad-frequency carrier phase observations

Abstract

GNSSs, such as Galileo and modernized GPS, BeiDou and GLONASS systems, offer new potential and challenges in precise time and frequency transfer using multi-frequency observations. We focus on the performance of Galileo time and frequency transfer using the E1, E5a, E5b and E5 observations. Dual-frequency, triple-frequency and quad-frequency models for precise time and frequency transfer with different Galileo observations are proposed. Four time and transfer links between international time laboratories are used to assess the performances of different models in terms of time link noise level and frequency stability indicators. The average RMS values of the smoothed residuals of the clock difference series are 0.033 ns, 0.033 ns and 0.034 ns for the dual-frequency, triple-frequency and quad-frequency models with four time links, respectively. With respect to frequency stability, the average stability values at 15,360 s are 9.51 × 10−15, 9.46 × 10−15 and 9.37 × 10−15 for the dual-frequency, triple-frequency and quad-frequency models with four time links, respectively. Moreover, although biases among different models and receiver the inter-frequency exist, their characteristics are relatively stable. Generally, the dual-/triple-/quad-frequency models show similar performance for those time links, and the quad-frequency models can provide significant potential for switching among and unifying the three multi-frequency solutions, as well as further enhancing the redundancy and reliability compared to the current dual-frequency time transfer method.