Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Network-based triple-frequency carrier phase ambiguity resolution between reference stations using BDS data for long baselines

  • Original Article
  • Published:
GPS Solutions Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Network-based ambiguity resolution (AR) between reference stations is the prerequisite to realize a precise real-time kinematic positioning service. With the help of BDS triple-frequency signals, we can efficiently deal with the ionospheric delay and tropospheric delay, and achieve rapid and reliable AR. To overcome the inaccurate ionospheric delay estimated by the geometry-free three carrier ambiguity resolution (GF TCAR) technique, which leads to failure in the original ambiguity resolution, we propose an ionospheric-free (IF) TCAR method to resolve the ambiguity between the reference stations over long baselines. Taking full advantage of the known positions of the reference stations, the easily resolved extra-wide-lane (EWL) ambiguity, and the IF phase combinations, we can reliably fix the wide-lane (WL) ambiguity. A Kalman filter is applied to estimate precise IF ambiguities and the original ambiguity is resolved with the fixed WL ambiguity. A numerical analysis with triple-frequency BDS data from three long baselines of a CORS network is provided to compare the AR performance of GF TCAR with that of IF TCAR. The results show that both methods can reliably resolve the WL ambiguity with a remarkable correctly-fixed rate of higher than 99%, and the reliably-fixed rates of the IF TCAR slightly increase from 92.19, 94.67 and 94.61–98.26, 99.54 and 97.51% for the three baselines. Herein “correctly-fixed” and “reliably-fixed” mean the difference between the float ambiguity and the true one are less than ± 0.5 and ± 0.25 cycles, respectively. On the other hand, the AR performance of the original signals with the IF TCAR method is much better than that with the GF TCAR method attaining a 100% correctly-fixed rate, while the GF TCAR method can hardly fix the original ambiguity with the largest bias being as much as 4 cycles because of the amplified systematic bias.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Chen W, Hu C, Chen Y, Ding X, Kowk CW (2001) Rapid static and kinematic positioning with Hong Kong GPS active network. In: Proceedings of ION GPS 2001, Institute of Navigation, Salt Lake City, UT, September 11–14, 346–352

  • Euler HJ, Keenan R, Zebhauser B, Wübbena G (2001) Study of a simplified approach in utilizing information from permanent reference station arrays. In: Proceedings of ION GPS 2001, Institute of Navigation, Salt Lake City, UT, September 11–14, 379–391

  • Feng Y (2008) GNSS three carrier ambiguity resolution using ionosphere-reduced virtual signals. J Geodesy 82(12):847–862. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00190-008-0209-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feng Y, Li B (2008) A benefit of multiple carrier GNSS signals: Regional scale network-based RTK with doubled inter-station distances. J Spat Sci 53(2):135–147. https://doi.org/10.1080/14498596.2008.9635154

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feng Y, Li B (2010) Wide area real time kinematic decimeter positioning with multiple carrier GNSS signals. Sci China Earth Sci 53(5):731–740. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-010-0032-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feng Y, Rizos C (2005) Three carrier approaches for future global, regional and local GNSS positioning services: concepts and performance perspectives. In: Proceedings of ION GNSS 2005, Institute of Navigation, Long Beach, CA, September 13–16, 2277–2278

  • Feng Y, Rizos C (2009) Network-based geometry-free three carrier ambiguity resolution and phase bias calibration. GPS Solut 13(1):43–56. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10291-008-0098-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gao Y, Li Z, McLellan JF (1997) Carrier phase based regional area differential GPS for decimeter-level positioning and navigation. In: Proceedings of ION GPS 1997, Institute of Navigation, Kansas City, MO, September 16–19, 1305–1313

  • Gao W, Gao C, Pan S, Yu G, Hu H (2017) Method and assessment of BDS triple-frequency ambiguity resolution for long-baseline network RTK. Adv Space Res 60(12):2520–2532. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asr.2017.01.029

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grejner-Brzezinska DA, Kashani I, Wielgosz P, Smith DA, Spencer PSJ, Robertson DS, Mader GL (2007) Efficiency and reliability of ambiguity resolution in network-based real-time kinematic GPS. J Surv Eng 133(2):56–65. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9453(2007)133:2(56

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gu S, Lou Y, Shi C, Liu J (2015) BeiDou phase bias estimation and its application in precise point positioning with triple-frequency observable. J Geodesy 89(10):979–992. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00190-015-0827-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hatch R (1982) The synergism of GPS code and carrier measurements. In: Proceedings of the third International Symposium on Satellite Doppler Positioning, Physical Sciences Laboratory of New Mexico State University, Feb. 8–12, pp. 1213–1231

  • Hatch R, Jung J, Enge P, Pervan B (2000) Civilian GPS: the benefits of three frequencies. GPS Solut 3(4):1–9. https://doi.org/10.1007/PL00012810

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hopfield H (1969) Two-quartic tropospheric refractivity profile for correcting satellite data. J Geophys Res 74(18):4487–4499. https://doi.org/10.1029/JC074i018p04487

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Landau H, Vollath U, Chen X (2002) Virtual reference station systems. J GPS 1(2):137–143

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li B (2008) Generation of third code and phase signals based on dual-frequency GPS measurements. In: Proceedings of ION GNSS 2008, September 16–19, Institute of Navigation, Savannah, GA, pp 2820–2830

  • Li B, Feng Y, Shen Y (2010) Three carrier ambiguity resolution: distance-independent performance demonstrated using semi-generated triple frequency GPS signals. GPS Solut 14(2):177–184. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10291-009-0131-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li B, Shen Y, Feng Y, Gao W, Yang L (2014) GNSS ambiguity resolution with controllable failure rate for long baseline network RTK. J Geodesy 88(2):99–112. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00190-013-0670-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li B, Feng Y, Gao W, Li Z (2015) Real-time kinematic positioning over long baselines using triple-frequency BeiDou signals. IEEE T Aero Elec Sys 51(4):3254–3269. https://doi.org/10.1109/TAES.2015.140643

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Melbourne WG (1985) The case for ranging in GPS-based geodetic systems. In: Proceedings of the first international symposium on precise positioning with the Global Positioning System, Institute of Navigation, Rockville, MD, April 15–19, 373–386

  • Niell AE (1996) Global mapping functions for the atmosphere delay at radio wavelengths. J Geophys Res 101(B2):3227–3246. https://doi.org/10.1029/95JB03048

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raquet J, Lachapelle G, Fortes LPS (1998) Use of a covariance analysis technique for predicting performance of regional area differential code and carrier phase networks. In: 11th international technical meeting of the Satellite Division of the US, September 15–18. Institute of Navigation, Nashville, pp 1345–1354

  • Rizos C (2002) Network RTK research and implementation: A geodetic perspective. J GPS 1(2):144–150. https://doi.org/10.5081/jgps.1.2.144

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rizos C, Han S (2003) Reference station network based RTK systems-concepts and progress. Wuhan Univ J Nat Sci 8(2):566–574. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02899820

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spits J (2012) Total electron content reconstruction using triple frequency GNSS signals. Ph.D Dissertation. Université de Liège, Belgique

  • Tang W, Deng C, Shi C, Liu J (2014) Triple-frequency carrier ambiguity resolution for Beidou navigation satellite system. GPS Solut 18(3):335–344. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10291-013-0333-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Teunissen PJG (2007) Influence of ambiguity precision on the success rate of GNSS integer ambiguity bootstrapping. J Geodesy 81(5):351–358. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00190-006-0111-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wielgosz P, Kashani I, Grejner-Brzezinska D (2005) Analysis of long-range network RTK during a severe ionospheric storm. J Geodesy 79(9):524–531. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00190-005-0003-y

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wübbena G (1985) Software developments for geodetic positioning with GPS using TI4100 code and carrier measurements. In: Proceedings of the first International Symposium on Precise Positioning with the Global Positioning System. Int. Assoc. of Geod, Rockville, Md

  • Xu Y, Ji S, Chen W, Weng D (2015) A new ionosphere-free ambiguity resolution method for long-range baseline with GNSS triple-frequency signals. Adv Space Res 56(8):1600–1612. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asr.2015.07.013

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang X, He X (2016) Performance analysis of triple-frequency ambiguity resolution with BeiDou observations. GPS Solut 20(2):269–281. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10291-014-0434-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work is sponsored partially by National Key Research and Development Program of China (Grant No. 2017YFB0503702, 2016YFB0501802), and partially by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (Grant No. 2042017kf0043, 2042018gf0001). The authors are grateful for the constructive suggestions by the anonymous reviewers.

Data statement

The BDS triple-frequency observation data used in this contribution are available from the corresponding author upon request.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. GNSS Research Center, Wuhan University, 129 Luoyu Road, Wuhan, 430079, China

    Weiming Tang, Mingxing Shen, Chenlong Deng & Jianhui Cui

  2. Collaborative Innovation Center for Geospatial Technology, 129 Luoyu Road, Wuhan, 430079, China

    Weiming Tang

  3. Xihe Space Time (Wuhan) Network Technology Co. Ltd, Wudayuan Road, Wuhan, 430223, China

    Jia Yang

Authors
  1. Weiming Tang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mingxing Shen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Chenlong Deng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jianhui Cui
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Jia Yang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chenlong Deng.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Tang, W., Shen, M., Deng, C. et al. Network-based triple-frequency carrier phase ambiguity resolution between reference stations using BDS data for long baselines. GPS Solut 22, 73 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10291-018-0737-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10291-018-0737-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation