ALBERT

Description: In this simulation study we analyze the benefit of ground-space optical two-way links (OTWL) for Galileo precise orbit determination (POD). OTWL is a concept based on continuous wave laser ranging and time transfer with modulated signals from and to ground stations. The measurements are in addition to Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) observations. We simulate the measurements with regard to 16 Galileo Sensor Stations. In the simulation study we assume that the whole Galileo satellite constellation is equipped with terminals for OTWL. Using OTWL together with Galileo L-band, in comparison with an orbit solution calculated with L-band-only, demonstrates the advantage of combining two ranging techniques with different influences of systematic errors. The two-way link allows a station and satellite clock synchronization. Furthermore, we compare the ground-space concept with the satellite-to-satellite counterpart known as optical two-way inter-satellite links (OISL). The advantage of OTWL is the connection between the satellite system and the solid Earth as well as the possibility to synchronize the satellite clocks and the ground station clocks. The full network, using all three observation types in combination is simulated as well. The possibility to estimate additional solar radiation pressure (SRP) parameters within these combinations is a clear benefit of these additional links. We paid great attention to simulate systematic effects of all observation techniques as realistically as possible. For L-band these are measurement noise, tropospheric delays, phase center variation of receiver and transmitter antennas, constant and variable biases as well as multipath. For optical links we simulated colored and distance-dependent noise, offsets due to the link repeatability and offsets related to the equipment calibration quality. In addition, we added a troposphere error for the OTWL measurements. We discuss the influence on the formal orbit uncertainties and the effects of the systematic errors. Restrictions due to weather conditions are addressed as well. OTWL is synergetic with the other measurement techniques like OISL and can be used for data transfer and communication, respectively.

Description: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100001659

Description: Technische Universität München (1025)

Description: Ambiguity resolution of a single receiver is becoming more and more popular for precise GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) applications. To serve such an approach, dedicated satellite orbit, clock and bias products are needed. However, we need to be sure whether products based on specific frequencies and signals can be used when processing measurements of other frequencies and signals. For instance, for Galileo E5a frequency, some receivers track only the pilot signal (C5Q) while some track only the pilot-data signal (C5X). We cannot compute the differences between C5Q and C5X directly since these two signals are not tracked concurrently by any common receiver. As code measurements contribute equally as phase in the Melbourne-Wuebbena (MelWub) linear combination it is important to investigate whether C5Q and C5X can be mixed in a network to compute a common satellite MelWub bias product. By forming two network clusters tracking Q and X signals, respectively, we confirm that GPS C5Q and C5X signals cannot be mixed together. Because the bias differences between GPS C5Q and C5X can be more than half of one wide-lane cycle. Whereas, mixing of C5Q and C5X signals for Galileo satellites is possible. The RMS of satellite MelWub bias differences between Q and X cluster is about 0.01 wide-lane cycles for both E1/E5a and E1/E5b frequencies. Furthermore, we develop procedures to compute satellite integer clock and narrow-lane bias products using individual dual-frequency types. Same as the finding from previous studies, GPS satellite clock differences between L1/L2 and L1/L5 estimates exist and show a periodical behavior, with a peak-to-peak amplitude of 0.7 ns after removing the daily mean difference of each satellite. For Galileo satellites, the maximum clock difference between E1/E5a and E1/E5b estimates after removing the mean value is 0.04 ns and the mean RMS of differences is 0.015 ns. This is at the same level as the noise of the carrier phase measurement in the ionosphere-free linear combination. Finally, we introduce all the estimated GPS and Galileo satellite products into PPP-AR (precise point positioning, ambiguity resolution) and Sentinel-3A satellite orbit determination. Ambiguity fixed solutions show clear improvement over float solutions. The repeatability of five ground-station coordinates show an improvement of more than 30% in the east direction when using both GPS and Galileo products. The Sentinel-3A satellite tracks only GPS L1/L2 measurements. The standard deviation (STD) of satellite laser ranging (SLR) residuals is reduced by about 10% when fixing ambiguity parameters to integer values.

Description: Klinikum rechts der Isar der Technischen Universität München (8934)

Description: Solar radiation pressure (SRP) is the dominant non-gravitational perturbation for GPS satellites. In the IGS (International GNSS Service), this perturbation is modeled differently by individual analysis centers (ACs). The two most widely used methods are the Empirical CODE orbit Model (ECOM, ECOM2) and the JPL GSPM model. When using ECOM models, a box-wing model or other a priori models, as well as stochastic pulses at noon or midnight, are optionally adopted by some ACs to compensate for the deficiencies of the ECOM or ECOM2 model. However, both box-wing and GSPM parameters were published many years ago. There could be an aging effect going with time. Also, optical properties and GSPM parameters of GPS Block IIF satellites are currently not yet published. In this contribution, we first determine Block-specific optical parameters of GPS satellites using GPS code and phase measurements of 6 years. Various physical effects, such as yaw bias, radiator emission in the satellite body-fixed − X and Y directions and the thermal radiation of solar panels, are considered as additional constant parameters in the optical parameter adjustment. With all the adjusted parameters, we form an enhanced box-wing model adding all the modeled physical effects. In addition, we determine Block-specific GSPM parameters by using the same GPS measurements. The enhanced box-wing model and the GSPM model are then taken as a priori model and are jointly used with ECOM and ECOM2 model, respectively. We find that the enhanced box-wing model performs similarly to the GSPM model outside eclipse seasons. RMSs of all the ECOM and ECOM2 parameters are reduced by 30% compared to results without the a priori model. Orbit misclosures and orbit predictions are improved by combining the enhanced box-wing model with ECOM and ECOM2 models. In particular, the improvement in orbit misclosures for the eclipsing Block IIR and IIF satellites, as well as the non-eclipsing IIA satellites, is about 25%, 10% and 10%, respectively, for the ECOM model. Therefore, the enhanced box-wing model is recommended as an a priori model in GPS satellite orbit determination.

Description: Projekt DEAL