An integer ambiguity resolution algorithm for real-time GPS attitude determination

The problem of integer ambiguity resolution must be solved to fully exploit the information contained in the GPS carrier phase measurements for real-time attitude determination. A new algorithm for integer ambiguity resolution that uses single-difference smoothed pseudorange measurements is proposed that has several advantages over the conventional algorithms such as the search methods and the motion-based algorithms. These advantages include minimal computational effort at each epoch and an analytically derived equation which calculates the expected time to ambiguity resolution. The validity and the performance of the new algorithm are investigated through simulations although processing real data will be necessary to verify the usability of the proposed algorithm in real situations.