Critical error effects and analysis in carrier phase-based airborne GPS positioning over large areas

For high accuracy airborne differential GPS positioning over large areas, i.e. a monitor-remote separation over 50 km, residual errors from the atmosphere and orbit, as well as multipath effects are the main error sources which limit the potential positioning accuracy. The effects of these critical errors are quantified and analyzed using test data collected during an airborne positioning campaign. Four Trimble 4000 SSE receivers were used, with two serving as monitors and the other two as remote receivers installed in the aircraft. Monitor-aircraft separations of up to 200 km were experienced during the test. A formula is derived for analytical estimation of orbital error effects. Results and discussions relevant to the critical error analysis are presented with emphasis on their effects on the positioning results.

[1]  Oscar L. Colombo,et al.  Errors in Long Distance Kinematic GPS , 1991 .

[2]  G. Lachapelle,et al.  A test of airborne kinematic GPS positioning for aerial photography , 1988 .

[3]  Günter W. Hein,et al.  Terrestrial and aircraft differential kinematic GPS positioning , 1988 .

[4]  Michael S. Braasch,et al.  Guidance accuracy considerations for realtime GPS interferometry , 1991 .

[5]  D. J. Allerton,et al.  Book Review: GPS theory and practice. Second Edition, HOFFMANNWELLENHOFF B., LICHTENEGGER H. and COLLINS J., 1993, 326 pp., Springer, £31.00 pb, ISBN 3-211-82477-4 , 1995 .

[6]  M. E. Cannon,et al.  High accuracy airborne GPS positioning: testing, data processing and results , 1994, Proceedings of 1994 IEEE Position, Location and Navigation Symposium - PLANS'94.

[7]  M. E. Cannon,et al.  A consistency test of airborne GPS using multiple monitor stations , 1992 .

[8]  D. Wells,et al.  Guide to GPS positioning , 1987 .

[9]  William B. Krabill,et al.  Aircraft Positioning Using Global Positioning System Carrier Phase Data , 1987 .

[10]  M. Elizabeth Cannon,et al.  High Accuracy GPS Semi-Kinematic Positioning: Modelling and Results , 1989 .

[11]  J. R. Lucas,et al.  Verification of airborne positioning using Global Positioning System carrier phase measurements , 1989 .

[12]  Gérard Lachapelle,et al.  Satellite navigation for high precision aircraft navigation with emphasis on atmospheric effects , 1994, Proceedings of 1994 IEEE Position, Location and Navigation Symposium - PLANS'94.

[13]  K. P. Schwarz,et al.  A Discussion of GPS/INS Integration for Airborne Photogrammetric Applications , 1991 .