Validation of the Accuracy and Convergence Time of Real Time Kinematic Results Using a Single Galileo Navigation System

Zbigniew Siejka

doi:10.3390/s18082412

Abstract

For the last two decades, the American GPS and Russian GLONASS were the basic systems used in global positioning and navigation. In recent years, there has been significant progress in the development of positioning systems. New regional systems have been created, i.e., the Japanese Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) and Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS). A plan to build its own regional navigation system named Korean Positioning System (KPS) was announced South Korea on 5 February 2018. Currently, two new global navigation systems are under development: the European Galileo and the Chinese BeiDou. The full operability of both systems by 2020 is planned. The paper deals with a possibility of determination of the user’s position from individual and independent global navigation satellite system (GNSS). The article is a broader concept aimed at independent determination of precise position from individual GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou and Galileo systems. It presents real time positioning results (Real Time Kinematic-RTK) using signals from Galileo satellites only. During the test, 14 Galileo satellites were used and the number of simultaneously observed Galileo satellites varied from five to seven. Real-time measurements were only possible in certain 24-h observation windows. However, their number was completed within 6 days at the end of 2017 and beginning of 2018, so there was possible to infer about the current availability, continuity, convergence time and accuracy of the RTK measurements. In addition, the systematic errors were demonstrated for the Galileo system.

Highlights

For a long time, satellite navigation and positioning relied mainly on the American GPS
Real-time measurements were only possible in certain 24-h observation windows. Their number was completed within 6 days at the end of 2017 and beginning of 2018, so there was possible to infer about the current availability, continuity, convergence time and accuracy of the Real Time Kinematic (RTK) measurements
We find in papers the results of research, which refer to the use of newly built navigation systems Galileo and BeiDou in combination with GPS and GLONASS

Summary

Introduction

Satellite navigation and positioning relied mainly on the American GPS. The Russian GLONASS was used as an additional system. Thanks to the two new Galileo and BeiDou, positioning without GPS is possible. The Galileo system has already passed the initial phase of orbital validation (In-orbit Validation-IOV), which included testing and checking of four operational satellites and related terrestrial infrastructure. Galileo is in the reaching of Full Operational. The completed Galileo constellation will consist of 30 satellites located on the Middle Earth Orbits (MEO) [1]. The constellation of 18 Galileo satellites at the end of 2016, and thanks to the provision of precise products in the real time by IGS (International GNSS Service) Real

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