Sequential combination of troposphere time series

Abstract

A new method for sequential combination of troposphere time series is presented. Unlike the EUREF [ The IAG (International Association of Geodesy) Reference Frame Sub-Commission for Europe.] time series analysis strategy which works in the post-processed mode, the method considered here is capable of combining troposphere solutions sequentially as a new batch of data becomes available. It provides combined troposphere estimates and their standard deviations. In addition to time series biases, the method determines weights to maintain the consistency of combined solutions using variance component estimation. The time series biases and the weights are determined sequentially using estimates obtained at the previous step of time series combination as the a priori information. The mathematical description of the method is presented. The results of experimental combination of troposphere solutions obtained by different EUREF and COST [The French acronym for European co-operation in the field of scientific and technical research.] -716 Analysis Centers confirm the ability of the method to combine troposphere time series grouped in daily batches (post-processing mode) and in hourly batches (near real-time mode).