33 research outputs found
Low-cost GPS/GLONASS Precise Positioning in Constrained Environment
GNSS and particularly GPS and GLONASS systems are currently used in some geodetic applications to obtain a centimeter-level precise position. Such a level of accuracy is obtained by performing complex processing on expensive high-end receivers and antennas, and by using precise corrections. Moreover, these applications are typically performed in clear-sky environments and cannot be applied in constrained environments. The constant improvement in GNSS availability and accuracy should allow the development of various applications in which precise positioning is required, such as automatic people transportation or advanced driver assistance systems. Moreover, the recent release on the market of low-cost receivers capable of delivering raw data from multiple constellations gives a glimpse of the potential improvement and the collapse in prices of precise positioning techniques. However, one of the challenge of road user precise positioning techniques is their availability in all types of environments potentially encountered, notably constrained environments (dense tree canopy, urban environments…). This difficulty is amplified by the use of low-cost receivers and antennas, which potentially deliver lower quality measurements. In this context the goal of this PhD study was to develop a precise positioning algorithm based on code, Doppler and carrier phase measurements from a low-cost receiver, potentially in a constrained environment. In particular, a precise positioning software based on RTK algorithm is described in this PhD study. It is demonstrated that GPS and GLONASS measurements from a low-cost receivers can be used to estimate carrier phase ambiguities as integers. The lower quality of measurements is handled by appropriately weighting and masking measurements, as well as performing an efficient outlier exclusion technique. Finally, an innovative cycle slip resolution technique is proposed. Two measurements campaigns were performed to assess the performance of the proposed algorithm. A horizontal position error 95th percentile of less than 70 centimeters is reached in a beltway environment in both campaigns, whereas a 95th percentile of less than 3.5 meters is reached in urban environment. Therefore, this study demonstrates the possibility of precisely estimating the position of a road user using low-cost hardware
Low-cost GPS/GLONASS Precise Positioning Algorithm in Constrained Environment
Le GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System), et en particulier sa composante actuelle le système américain GPS et le système russe GLONASS, sont aujourd'hui utilisés pour des applications géodésiques afin d'obtenir un positionnement précis, de l'ordre du centimètre. Cela nécessite un certain nombre de traitements complexes, des équipements coûteux et éventuellement des compléments au sol des systèmes GPS et GLONASS. Ces applications sont aujourd'hui principalement réalisées en environnement « ouvert » et ne peuvent fonctionner en environnement plus contraint. L'augmentation croissante de l'utilisation du GNSS dans des domaines variés va voir émerger de nombreuses applications où le positionnement précis sera requis (par exemple des applications de transport/guidage automatique ou d'aide à la conduite nécessitant des performances importantes en terme de précision mais aussi en terme de confiance dans la position –l'intégrité- et de robustesse et disponibilité). D'autre part, l'arrivée sur le marché de récepteurs bas-coûts (inférieur à 100 euros) capables de poursuivre les signaux provenant de plusieurs constellations et d'en délivrer les mesures brutes laisse entrevoir des avancées importantes en termes de performance et de démocratisation de ces techniques de positionnement précis. Dans le cadre d'un utilisateur routier, l'un des enjeux du positionnement précis pour les années à venir est ainsi d'assurer sa disponibilité en tout terrain, c'est-à -dire dans le plus grand nombre d'environnements possibles, dont les environnements dégradés (végétation dense, environnement urbain, etc.) Dans ce contexte, l'objectif de la thèse a été d'élaborer et d'optimiser des algorithmes de positionnement précis (typiquement basés sur la poursuite de la phase de porteuse des signaux GNSS) afin de prendre en compte les contraintes liées à l'utilisation d'un récepteur bas coût et à l'environnement. En particulier, un logiciel de positionnement précis (RTK) capable de résoudre les ambiguïtés des mesures de phase GPS et GLONASS a été développé. La structure particulière des signaux GLONASS (FDMA) requiert notamment un traitement spécifiques des mesures de phase décrit dans la thèse afin de pouvoir isoler les ambiguïtés de phase en tant qu'entiers. Ce traitement est compliqué par l'utilisation de mesures provenant d'un récepteur bas coût dont les canaux GLONASS ne sont pas calibrés. L'utilisation d'une méthode de calibration des mesures de code et de phase décrite dans la thèse permet de réduire les biais affectant les différentes mesures GLONASS. Il est ainsi démontré que la résolution entière des ambiguïtés de phase GLONASS est possible avec un récepteur bas coût après calibration de celui-ci. La faible qualité des mesures, du fait de l'utilisation d'un récepteur bas coût en milieu dégradé est prise en compte dans le logiciel de positionnement précis en adoptant une pondération des mesures spécifique et des paramètres de validation de l'ambiguïté dépendant de l'environnement. Enfin, une méthode de résolution des sauts de cycle innovante est présentée dans la thèse, afin d'améliorer la continuité de l'estimation des ambiguïtés de phase. Les résultats de 2 campagnes de mesures effectuées sur le périphérique Toulousain et dans le centre-ville de Toulouse ont montré une précision de 1.5m 68% du temps et de 3.5m 95% du temps dans un environnement de type urbain. En milieu semi-urbain type périphérique, cette précision atteint 10cm 68% du temps et 75cm 95% du temps. Finalement, cette thèse démontre la faisabilité d'un système de positionnement précis bas-coût pour un utilisateur routier. ABSTRACT : GNSS and particularly GPS and GLONASS systems are currently used in some geodetic applications to obtain a centimeter-level precise position. Such a level of accuracy is obtained by performing complex processing on expensive high-end receivers and antennas, and by using precise corrections. Moreover, these applications are typically performed in clear-sky environments and cannot be applied in constrained environments. The constant improvement in GNSS availability and accuracy should allow the development of various applications in which precise positioning is required, such as automatic people transportation or advanced driver assistance systems. Moreover, the recent release on the market of low-cost receivers capable of delivering raw data from multiple constellations gives a glimpse of the potential improvement and the collapse in prices of precise positioning techniques. However, one of the challenge of road user precise positioning techniques is their availability in all types of environments potentially encountered, notably constrained environments (dense tree canopy, urban environments…). This difficulty is amplified by the use of low-cost receivers and antennas, which potentially deliver lower quality measurements. In this context the goal of this PhD study was to develop a precise positioning algorithm based on code, Doppler and carrier phase measurements from a low-cost receiver, potentially in a constrained environment. In particular, a precise positioning software based on RTK algorithm is described in this PhD study. It is demonstrated that GPS and GLONASS measurements from a low-cost receivers can be used to estimate carrier phase ambiguities as integers. The lower quality of measurements is handled by appropriately weighting and masking measurements, as well as performing an efficient outlier exclusion technique. Finally, an innovative cycle slip resolution technique is proposed. Two measurements campaigns were performed to assess the performance of the proposed algorithm. A horizontal position error 95th percentile of less than 70 centimeters is reached in a beltway environment in both campaigns, whereas a 95th percentile of less than 3.5 meters is reached in urban environment. Therefore, this study demonstrates the possibility of precisely estimating the position of a road user using low-cost hardware
Multi-GNSS Precise Point Positioning Software Architecture and Analysis of GLONASS Pseudorange Biases
With expanding satellite-based navigation systems, multi-Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Precise Point Positioning (PPP) presents an advantage over a single navigation system, which improves position accuracy and enhances availability of satellites and signals. The York GNSS PPP software was developed using C++ in the Microsoft.Net platform to utilize the existing multi-GNSS satellite constellations based on the software processor used by the Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) PPP online service. The software was built as a robust, scalable, modular tool that meets the highest of scientific standards compared to existing online PPP engines.There exists a correlation between receiver stations from heterogeneous networks, such as the IGS, in GNSS PPP processing and the increase in magnitude of the pseudorange and carrier-phase biases in both GPS + GLONASS and GLONASS-only PPP solutions. The correlation is due to mixed receiver and antenna hardware as well as firmware versions. Unlike GPS, GLONASS observations are affected by the Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) satellite signal structure, which introduces inter-frequency channel biases and other system biases.
The GLONASS pseudorange inter-channel frequency biases show a strong correlation with different receiver types, firmware versions and antenna types. This research estimated the GLONASS pseudorange inter-frequency channel biases using 350 IGS stations, based on 32 receiver types and 4 antenna types over a period of one week. An improvement of 19% was observed after calibrating for the pseudorange ICBs, in the horizontal components respectively, considering 20 minutes convergence period
GNSS precise point positioning :the enhancement with GLONASS
PhD ThesisPrecise Point Positioning (PPP) provides GNSS navigation using a stand-alone receiver with no base station. As a technique PPP suffers from long convergence times
and quality degradation during periods of poo satellite visibility or geometry. Many
applications require reliable realtime centimetre level positioning with worldwide
coverage, and a short initialisation time. To achieve these goals, this thesis considers
the use of GLONASS in conjunction with GPS in kinematic PPP. This increases
the number of satellites visible to the receiver, improving the geometry of the visible
satellite constellation.
To assess the impact of using GLONASS with PPP, it was necessary to build a real
time mode PPP program. pppncl was constructed using a combination of Fortran
and Python to be capable of processing GNSS observations with precise satellite
ephemeris data in the standardised RINEX and SP3 formats respectively. pppncl
was validated in GPS mode using both staticsites and kinematic datasets.In GPS
only mode,one sigma accuracy of 6.4mm and 13mm in the horizontal and vertical
respectively for 24h static positioning was seen. Kinematic horizontal and vertical
accuracies of 21mm and 33mm were demonstrated.
pppncl was extended to assess the impact of using GLONASS observations in addi-
tion to GPS instatic and kinematic PPP. Using ESA and Veripos Apex G2 satel-
lite orbit and clock products,the average time until 10cm 1D static accuracy was
achieved, over arange of globally distributed sites, was seen to reduce by up to
47%. Kinematic positioning was tested for different modes of transport using real
world datasets. GPS/GLONAS SPPP reduced the convergence time to decimetre
accuracy by up to a factor of three. Positioning was seen to be more robust in comparison to GPS only PPP, primarily due to cycle slips not being present on both
satellite systems on the occasions when they occurred,and the reduced impact of
undetected outliersEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Verip os/Subsea
Analysis of GNSS raw observations in PPP solutions
Global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) are an essential component in many areas of our daily life. They find application in diverse fields of private, commercial and scientific activities and are employed to meet the needs of police and military. Their fundamental importance for industrial countries is not the least the triggering point for the continuing modernisation of the existing and the development of new systems. The global satellite navigation systems are supplemented by regional satellite navigation systems (RNSS) and satellite based augmentation systems (SBAS). The diversity of systems, applied signal modulations and carrier frequencies, in particular in their combination, provide a broad range of opportunities along with new challenges.
The work presented herein focuses on the use of satellite navigation systems for precise positioning and timing applications and scientific analysis. For best and comprehensive results, an equivalent combination of all available systems and signals is a fundamental requirement. For these reasons, relative approaches based on observation differences are rather inappropriate. Hence, this thesis focuses primarily on the method of precise point positioning (PPP) by waiving linear combinations. The objective is the development of a universal PPP analysis approach for standalone PPP and network solutions. Raw observations conserve the physical properties of original observation. This allows a detailed analysis of individual signal characteristics, but leads to the necessity of handling them. The utilisation of raw observations comes along with maximum flexibility. It allows for the application of physical error models as well as individual weighting and edition of all individual observation types. The possibility of a joint processing of all observations and the estimation of all parameters in a single run results in a significant simplification of the processing procedure.
The first part of the thesis provides a general introduction to conventional GNSS analysis and highlights the limitations thereof. The second part introduces the technique of raw observations processing. It highlights the differences from the common ionosphere free processing approach and discusses the challenges. The concept presented for the analysis of GNSS raw observations is flexible and adjustable to any kind of GNSS application. This flexibility is attributed to a variety of different possible interpretations of the raw observation equation. In the frame of this thesis, a selection of different interpretations is introduced and demonstrated. One of the most important parameters for the analysis of raw observations is the so-called uncalibrated signal delays. The work presented exemplarily demonstrates their characteristics and discusses their implications for the analysis.
For maximum stability of the results, it is common practice to resolve and apply integer carrier phase ambiguities. The presented work discusses and demonstrates the feasibility of this methodology for the implemented approach. It shows that the new approach simplifies the resolution of inter-GNSS carrier phase ambiguities and extends the spectrum of resolvable ambiguities.
It is demonstrated that the proposed concept provides an “at least” equivalent alternative to the common processing strategies, applicable for highly precise standalone, as well as network PPP solutions, allowing for the simplified, consistent processing of different numbers of observation, suitable for an optimal, flexible, equivalent, joint processing of arbitrary GNSS observation types. It introduces a new dimension of analysis, with direct access to all individual observations and parameters
GPS Stochastic Modelling - Signal Quality Measures and ARMA Processes
This work extends the GPS stochastic model using SNR measurements and time series analysis of observation residuals. The proposed SNR-based observation weighting model significantly improves the results of GPS data analysis, while the temporal correlation of GPS observation noise can be efficiently described by means of ARMA processes. Furthermore, this work includes an up-to-date overview of the GPS error effects and a comprehensive description of various mathematical methods
Seamless Positioning and Navigation in Urban Environment
L'abstract è presente nell'allegato / the abstract is in the attachmen
Methods of navigation: An introduction to technological navigation
Ihminen on historian aikana aina navigoinut. Teknologinen navigointi syntyi merenkulussa, koska avomerellä tarvittiin mittauksia oman sijainnin määrittämiseksi.
Lentokoneet, ohjukset ja avaruusalukset sekä kuivalla maalla liikkuvat kulkuneuvot ja jopa jalankulkijat kaikki ”navigoivat” nykyteknologioiden avulla. Kehitys on pääosin kahden teknologian ansiota: satelliittipaikannuksen, kuten GPS:n (Global Positioning System), ja inertianavigoinnin. Myös tieto- ja viestintätekniikka on kehittynyt, erityisesti rekursiivinen lineaarinen suodatus eli Kalmanin suodin. Lisäksi pienet ja hinnaltaan huokeat digitaaliset anturit ovat mullistamassa jokapäiväisen navigoinnin.
Tässä kirjassa käsiteltäviä aiheita ovat navigoinnin perusteet, stokastiset prosessit, Kalmanin suodin, inertianavigoinnin teknologiat ja menetelmät, GNSS-signaalien rakenne, kantoaallon vaihemittaukset ja kokonaistuntemattomat, tosiaikainen GNSSpaikannus ja navigointi, differentiaalikorjausten viestintäratkaisut ja standardit, GNSStukiasemat ja -verkot, satelliittipohjaiset parannusjärjestelmät, ilmagravimetria sekä anturifuusio ja sattuman anturit.Historically, humankind has always navigated. Technological navigation originated in seafaring, because on the open ocean, measurements are needed in order to determine one’s own location as a part of navigation.
Aircraft, rockets and spacecraft as well as vehicles moving on dry land, and even pedestrians, all ”navigate” by means of modern technologies. This development is mainly due to two technologies: satellite positioning, such as GPS (the Global Positioning System) and inertial navigation. Also information and communication technologiy has evolved: especially recursive linear filtering or the Kalman filter. Furthermore, small and inexpensive digital sensors are revolutionising everyday navigation.
Subjects explained in this book are the fundamentals of navigation, stochastic processes, the Kalman filter, inertial navigation technology and methods, GNSS signal structure, carrier-phase measurement and ambiguities, real-time GNSS positioning and navigation, communication solutions and standards for differential corrections, GNSS base stations and networks, satellite-based augmentation systems, airborne gravimetry, sensor fusion and sensors of opportunity
Generation of a Land Cover Atlas of environmental critic zones using unconventional tools
L'abstract è presente nell'allegato / the abstract is in the attachmen