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LEO-constellation-augmented multi-GNSS real-time PPP for rapid re-convergence in harsh environments

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Abstract

GNSS signals are blocked in forests, urban canyons, and indoors. Precise positioning can hardly be guaranteed in these challenging environments. A low earth orbit (LEO) constellation serving as a navigation system can provide stronger signal power to ground receivers due to its shorter transmission path than GNSS. The fast motion of LEO satellites contributes to the fast change of spatial geometry, allowing for rapid convergence of precise point positioning (PPP), and is effective in detecting carrier phase cycle slips. This study comprehensively analyzed the LEO-constellation-augmented multi-GNSS for real-time PPP in various challenging environments, including the blocking of satellite signals, cycle slips, the two issues occurring simultaneously, and significant multipath effects. An improved cycle slip detection and fixing algorithm taking advantage of LEO satellites is proposed. The GPS, BDS, and a 96-satellite polar-orbiting LEO constellation are designed, and observations at a mid-latitude station are simulated. The results show that the inclusion of LEO satellites shortens the convergence time and significantly improves the cycle slip fixing performance of multi-GNSS PPP. Three to four visible LEO satellites can shorten the GPS/BDS/LEO (GCL, C is the designation used in RINEX for BDS) PPP convergence time to 4 min compared to 20 min for the GPS/BDS (GC) solutions. Additionally, the correct cycle slip fixing time shortens from 3.3 min for the GC solution to 0.8 min for the GCL solution. When LEO satellites are free of cycle slips, the GNSS integer cycle ambiguities can be instantaneously fixed, and PPP instantaneous re-convergence is obtained. When significant multipath effects are considered, the time for GNSS/LEO first correct fixing is 3 min longer. The PPP solutions are noisier because the relatively shorter continuous observation time of LEO satellites is not beneficial for the smooth of multipath errors. In the case of GNSS and LEO satellites under both signal shielding and cycle slips, the GNSS/LEO PPP re-convergence and cycle slip fixing both degrade when the cut-off elevation increases from 20° to 40°, since LEO satellites are almost out of sight at a cut-off elevation of 40°. It is concluded that the inclusion of LEO satellites considerably improves the GNSS PPP in terms of the (re-)convergence and cycle slip fixing performance.

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Data availability

The multi-GNSS precise clock products can be achieved at ftp://cddis.nasa.gov/gnss/products/. The other data, including the GNSS and LEO simulated orbits, ground tracking observations, and experimental solutions, can be provided to readers by contacting the corresponding author.

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Acknowledgements

This research was funded by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2020YFB0505800), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 41874032), and the Postdoctoral Science Foundation of China (2021M691902). Thanks to Analytical Graphics Inc. (AGI) for providing the STK software.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Space Science, Shandong University, Weihai, 264209, China

    Min Li, Tianhe Xu, Meiqian Guan, Fan Gao & Nan Jiang

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  1. Min Li
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  2. Tianhe Xu
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  3. Meiqian Guan
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  4. Fan Gao
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  5. Nan Jiang
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Correspondence to Tianhe Xu.

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Li, M., Xu, T., Guan, M. et al. LEO-constellation-augmented multi-GNSS real-time PPP for rapid re-convergence in harsh environments. GPS Solut 26, 29 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10291-021-01217-9

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