Assessment of multi-GNSS precise orbit and clock products from different analysis centers based on precise point positioning

Performance of 24h static Precise Point Positioning (PPP) solutions based on multi-GNSS precise satellite orbit and clock products from four analysis centers and seven various constellation combinations was studied to evaluate their quality and characteristics. Data from ten European and four Chinese GNSS stations and 152 days long period from year 2020 were processed. Obtained coordinates were firstly compared with those provided by IGS final weekly combined solution. In Europe, the best agreement with this reference product was reached by solutions including Galileo signals, namely by a combination of GPS+GLONASS+Galileo systems with a mean RMS of 11 mm. This situation was different in China where inclusion of Galileo always led to worse results and the best agreement was achieved by a combination of GPS+GLONASS systems. Although product provided by German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ) could be selected as the best performing over Europe and product by Center for Orbit Determination in Europe (CODE) over China, differences between individual precise products were mostly at a minimal level. Secondly, coordinates repeatability over the processed period was computed in order to assess the positioning stability. In this regard, the lowest values in both horizontal and vertical direction were reached by GPS+GLONASS solutions. From the perspective of precise products, the repeatability results were dependent on the selected constellation where mainly a specific behavior of product from Wuhan University (WUM) for Galileo system was observed.Web of Science18339738

Multi-GNSS positioning for landslide monitoring: A case study at the Recica landslide

Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) positioning has characteristics of simple operation, high efficiency and high precision technique for landslide surface monitoring. In recent years, finalization of modern GNSS systems Galileo and BeiDou has brought a possibility of multi-GNSS positioning. The paper focuses on evaluation of possible benefits of multi-GNSS constellations in landslide monitoring. While simulating observational conditions of selected Recica landslide in the Czech Republic, one-month data from well-established permanent GNSS reference stations were processed. Besides various constellation combinations, differential and Precise Point Positioning techniques, observation data lengths and observation sampling intervals were evaluated. Based on the results, using a combination of GPS and GLONASS, or GPS, GLONASS and Galileo systems can be recommended, together with a static differential technique and observation periods for data collection exceeding eight hours. In the last step, data from GNSS repetitive campaigns realized at the Recica landslide during two years were processed with optimal setup and obtained displacement results were compared to standard geotechnical measurements.Web of Science19327025

New Adaptable All-in-One Strategy for Estimating Advanced Tropospheric Parameters and Using Real-Time Orbits and Clocks

We developed a new strategy for a synchronous generation of real-time (RT) and near real-time (NRT) tropospheric products. It exploits the precise point positioning method with Kalman filtering and backward smoothing, both supported by real-time orbit and clock products. The strategy can be optimized for the latency or the accuracy of NRT production. In terms of precision, it is comparable to the traditional NRT network solution using deterministic models in the least-square adjustment. Both RT and NRT solutions provide a consistent set of tropospheric parameters such as zenith total delays, horizontal tropospheric gradients and slant delays, all with a high resolution and optimally exploiting all observations from available GNSS multi-constellations. As the new strategy exploits RT processing, we assessed publicly precise RT products and results of RT troposphere monitoring. The backward smoothing applied for NRT solution, when using an optimal latency of 30 min, reached an improvement of 20% when compared to RT products. Additionally, multi-GNSS solutions provided more accurate (by 25%) tropospheric parameters, and the impact will further increase when constellations are complete and supported with precise models and products. The new strategy is ready to replace our NRT contribution to the EUMETNET EIG GNSS Water Vapour Programme (E-GVAP) and effectively support all modern multi-GNSS tropospheric products

New Adaptable All-in-One Strategy for Estimating Advanced Tropospheric Parameters and Using Real-Time Orbits and Clocks

We developed a new strategy for a synchronous generation of real-time (RT) and near real-time (NRT) tropospheric products. It exploits the precise point positioning method with Kalman filtering and backward smoothing, both supported by real-time orbit and clock products. The strategy can be optimized for the latency or the accuracy of NRT production. In terms of precision, it is comparable to the traditional NRT network solution using deterministic models in the least-square adjustment. Both RT and NRT solutions provide a consistent set of tropospheric parameters such as zenith total delays, horizontal tropospheric gradients and slant delays, all with a high resolution and optimally exploiting all observations from available GNSS multi-constellations. As the new strategy exploits RT processing, we assessed publicly precise RT products and results of RT troposphere monitoring. The backward smoothing applied for NRT solution, when using an optimal latency of 30 min, reached an improvement of 20% when compared to RT products. Additionally, multi-GNSS solutions provided more accurate (by 25%) tropospheric parameters, and the impact will further increase when constellations are complete and supported with precise models and products. The new strategy is ready to replace our NRT contribution to the EUMETNET EIG GNSS Water Vapour Programme (E-GVAP) and effectively support all modern multi-GNSS tropospheric products

Application of Multi-GNSS Positioning in Landslide Surface Deformation Monitoring

With a modernization of legacy GPS and GLONASS systems, as well as with a finalization of the new European Galileo and Chinese BeiDou systems, about 120 navigation satellites for Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) users around the world are available presently. Usage of multi-GNSS constellations has therefore become an important research topic in recent years, including the area of landslide monitoring. The main goal of this dissertation thesis was to analyze and study positioning accuracy and performance of different satellite systems combinations with focus on finding the optimal strategy for multi-GNSS data collection and processing in landslide monitoring applications. Five stabilized monitoring points allowing repetitive GNSS observation campaigns were established at the selected Recica landslide in the Czech Republic. Quality of current multi-GNSS precise products provided by different analysis centers (ACs) was evaluated to allow a selection of the optimal one. Although no substantial differences were found, products provided by GeoForschungsZentrum (GFZ) and Center for Orbit Determination in Europe (CODE) can be recommended in overall. Consequently, positioning accuracy provided by various constellation combinations was analyzed by using data from well-established GNSS reference stations while simulating observation conditions of the Recica landslide. The best results were obtained when processing signals from a combination of GPS and GLONASS, or GPS, GLONASS and Galileo systems, with a static relative differential technique and observation periods for data collection exceeding eight hours. Finally, data from GNSS repetitive campaigns realized at the Recica landslide during two years were processed with optimal setup and obtained displacement results were compared to standard geotechnical measurements. A horizontal displacement with an annual velocity of about 3 cm in the horizontal direction was found for three monitoring points while the other two points were more stable.With a modernization of legacy GPS and GLONASS systems, as well as with a finalization of the new European Galileo and Chinese BeiDou systems, about 120 navigation satellites for Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) users around the world are available presently. Usage of multi-GNSS constellations has therefore become an important research topic in recent years, including the area of landslide monitoring. The main goal of this dissertation thesis was to analyze and study positioning accuracy and performance of different satellite systems combinations with focus on finding the optimal strategy for multi-GNSS data collection and processing in landslide monitoring applications. Five stabilized monitoring points allowing repetitive GNSS observation campaigns were established at the selected Recica landslide in the Czech Republic. Quality of current multi-GNSS precise products provided by different analysis centers (ACs) was evaluated to allow a selection of the optimal one. Although no substantial differences were found, products provided by GeoForschungsZentrum (GFZ) and Center for Orbit Determination in Europe (CODE) can be recommended in overall. Consequently, positioning accuracy provided by various constellation combinations was analyzed by using data from well-established GNSS reference stations while simulating observation conditions of the Recica landslide. The best results were obtained when processing signals from a combination of GPS and GLONASS, or GPS, GLONASS and Galileo systems, with a static relative differential technique and observation periods for data collection exceeding eight hours. Finally, data from GNSS repetitive campaigns realized at the Recica landslide during two years were processed with optimal setup and obtained displacement results were compared to standard geotechnical measurements. A horizontal displacement with an annual velocity of about 3 cm in the horizontal direction was found for three monitoring points while the other two points were more stable.548 - Katedra geoinformatikyvyhově