Statistical analysis of accuracy and precision of GNSS receivers used in network RTK

Abstract

It is important to make accurate and precise measurements in surveying applications. The concepts of accuracy and precision are not synonymous, even though they are commonly used in place of each other. Nowadays, real-time kinematic (RTK) method is widely used at surveying. As the RTK method can be done depending on a reference station, in countries which establish Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) Network, method known as Network-RTK (N-RTK) can be done depending on the CORS Network. Continuously Operating Reference Stations-Turkey Network (CORS-TR), which consists of 146 reference stations that allow positioning both real time and post-process, was established in 2009. In this study, accuracy and precision of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) receivers are tried to determine depending on different correction techniques. For this purpose, 12-h GNSS observations were performed at SLCK-Turkish National Fundamental GPS Network (SLCK-TNFGN) point. The observations were adjusted based on CORS-TR. N-RTK measurements were performed with different GNSS receivers, and accuracies of the receivers were investigated. In order to determine precisions of the receivers, means of RTK measurements were calculated and precisions of the receivers were determined. As a result of investigation, it is seen that accuracy and precision of receivers at 2D positioning and height vary depending on correction technique.