Quality variation of GPS satellite clocks on-orbit using IGS clock products

Over 60% clocks on board of the GPS satellites are working longer than their designed life. Therefore realizing their stabilities in a long time scales is essential to GPS navigation and positioning plus IGS time scale maintaining. IGS clock products from 2001 to 2010 are used to analyze the GPS satellite clock qualities such as frequency stabilities and clock noise level. We find out that for the clocks of Block IIA satellites the frequency stabilities and clock noise are 10 times worse than that of the Block IIR and IIR-M satellites. Moreover, the linear relationships between frequency stabilities and clock residuals have been deduced with an accuracy of better than 0.02 ns. Specially, it is noticed that the clock of the PRN27 is instable and the relationship between the frequency stability and residuals is at least a quadratic curve. Therefore, we suggested that GPS satellite clocks should be weighted by their quality levels in application, and the observations of the Block IIA should not be used for real-time positioning which required precision better than one meter.     

Time synchronization of new-generation BDS satellites using inter-satellite link measurements

Autonomous satellite navigation is based on the ability of a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), such as Beidou, to estimate orbits and clock parameters onboard satellites using Inter-Satellite Link (ISL) measurements instead of tracking data from a ground monitoring network. This paper focuses on the time synchronization of new-generation Beidou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) satellites equipped with an ISL payload. Two modes of Ka-band ISL measurements, Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) mode and the continuous link mode, were used onboard these BDS satellites. Using a mathematical formulation for each measurement mode along with a derivation of the satellite clock offsets, geometric ranges from the dual one-way measurements were introduced. Then, pseudoranges and clock offsets were evaluated for the new-generation BDS satellites. The evaluation shows that the ranging accuracies of TDMA ISL and the continuous link are approximately 4?cm and 1?cm (root mean square, RMS), respectively. Both lead to ISL clock offset residuals of less than 0.3?ns (RMS). For further validation, time synchronization between these satellites to a ground control station keeping the systematic time in BDT was conducted using L-band Two-way Satellite Time Frequency Transfer (TWSTFT). System errors in the ISL measurements were calibrated by comparing the derived clock offsets with the TWSTFT. The standard deviations of the estimated ISL system errors are less than 0.3?ns, and the calibrated ISL clock parameters are consistent with that of the L-band TWSTFT. For the regional BDS network, the addition of ISL measurements for medium orbit (MEO) BDS satellites increased the clock tracking coverage by more than 40% for each orbital revolution. As a result, the clock predicting error for the satellite M1S was improved from 3.59 to 0.86?ns (RMS), and the predicting error of the satellite M2S was improved from 1.94 to 0.57?ns (RMS), which is a significant improvement by a factor of 3–4.     

Early analysis of precise orbit and clock offset determination for the satellites of the global BeiDou-3 system

Eight new-generation BeiDou satellites (BeiDou-3) have been launched into Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), allowing for global coverage since March 2018, and they are equipped with new hydrogen atomic clocks and updated rubidium clocks. Firstly, we analyzed the signals for the carrier-to-noise-density ratio (C/N0) and pseudorange multipath (MP) by using international GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) Monitoring and Assessment System (iGMAS) station data, and found that B1C has a lower C/N0, and B2a has the same level of C/N0 as the B1I and B3I signals. For pseudorange multipath, compared with the BeiDou-2 satellites, the obvious systematic variation of MP scatters related to the elevation angle is greatly improved for the BeiDou-3 and BeiDou-3e satellites signals. For the signals of the BeiDou-3 satellites, the order of the Root Mean Square (RMS) values of multipath and noise is B3I?<?B1I?<?B2a?<?B1C. Then, the comparison of the precise orbit determination and clock offset determination for the BeiDou-2, BeiDou-3, and BeiDou-3 experimental (BeiDou-3e) satellites was done by using 10 stations from iGMAS. The 3D precision of the 24?h orbit overlap is 24.55, 25.61, and 23.35?cm for the BeiDou-3, BeiDou-3e, and BeiDou-2 satellites, respectively. BeiDou-3 satellite has a comparable precision to that of the BeiDou-2 satellite. For the precision of clock offset estimation, the Standard Deviation (STD) of the BeiDou-3 MEO satellite is 0.350?ns, which is an improvement of 0.042?ns over that of the BeiDou-2 MEO satellite. The stabilities of the BeiDou-3 and BeiDou-3e onboard clocks are better than those of BeiDou-2 by factors of 2.84 and 1.61 at an averaging time of 1000 and 10,000?s, respectively.     

导航卫星原子钟舱温度控制方法及其验证

原子钟是导航卫星的重要组成部分,可为卫星系统提供高准确及高稳定度的时间频率源.原子钟工作性能与环境温度变化密切相关,为保证其在轨连续、稳定运行,热控系统需为其提供良好的工作温度环境.本文以某导航卫星原子钟舱温度控制为研究内容,给出原子钟舱热控设计方案、控制算法,并进行仿真分析和试验验证.在轨遥测数据表明,卫星原子钟舱热控方案和控制算法设计合理,仿真分析及试验结果有效,各原子钟在轨工作温度满足要求,原子钟温度稳定度满足并优于设计指标近一个数量级.     

Monitoring atomic clocks on board GNSS satellites

A method for monitoring atomic clocks on board Global Navigation Satellites System (GNSS) satellites is described to address the issue of clock related signal integrity in safety–critical applications of GNSS. The carrier-phase time transfer is employed in the clock monitoring method which enables tight tracking of the satellite onboard clocks and thus improves detectability of clock anomalies. Detecting onboard clock anomalies requires the ability to monitor clocks in real time, and a Kalman filter can then be utilized to estimate the phase offsets between the satellite clocks and ground clocks. This study, using the difference between the measured and predicted phase offset as a test statistic, sets a threshold for clock anomalies based on the prediction interval approach. Finally the validity of the monitoring method is examined by processing a set of real GNSS data that includes two recent incidents of clock anomalies in GNSS satellites.     

发展我国的空间用高准确度原子钟

原子钟在科学技术、军事和商业中应用甚广,在空间任务,特别是卫星导航系统中起着决定性作用。目前我国还没有自己的空间用高准确度原子频标,发展适合空间应用的星载原子钟是我们面临的迫切任务。     

Evaluation and analysis on positioning performance of BDS/QZSS satellite navigation systems in Asian-Pacific region

By using the observation data and products of precise obit and clock offset from Multi-GNSS Experiment (MGEX) of the International GNSS Service (IGS) and GNSS Research Centre, Curtin University in this paper, the positioning performance of BDS/QZSS satellite navigation system has been analyzed and evaluated in aspects of the quantity of visible satellites, DOP value, multipath effect, signal-to-noise ratio, static PPP and kinematic PPP. The analysis results show that compared to BDS single system when the cutoff angle are 30°and 40°, the DOP value of BDS/QZSS combined system has decreased above 20%, and the quantity of visible satellites increased about 16–30% respectively, because of the improved spatial geometric configuration. The magnitude of satellite multipath effect of BDS system shows the trend of MEO?>?IGSO?>?GEO, which is consistent with that of QZSS satellite system, as the constellation structure of the two systems is similar. The variation tendencies of signal-to-noise ratio with respect to elevation angle of the two systems are almost the same at all frequencies, showing that at the same elevation angle the signal-to-noise ratio of MEO satellites is higher than that of IGSO satellites, as the higher obit is the lower transmitting power is obtained. For having a specially designed obit, the variation of signal-to-noise ratio of BDS system is more stable. However, the magnitude of signal-to-noise ratio of QZSS system appears the trend of frequency 3?>?frequency 2?>?frequency 1. The static PPP performance of the BDS/QZSS combination system has been improved more significantly than the BDS single system in E, N and U directions. When the cutoff angle are at 7°, 15° and 30°, the PPP accuracy is increased about 25–34% in U direction, 10–13% and 23–34% in E and N directions respectively. When the elevation angle is large (40°), compared to BDS single system at lower elevation angles (7° and 15°) the PPP accuracy of the BDS/QZSS combination system is improved above 30% in U direction. In kinematic PPP performance, compared to BDS single system, the accuracy, availability and reliability of the BDS/QZSS combination system has been improved too, especially at large elevation angles (30° and 40°), the kinematic PPP accuracy in E and U directions has been improved about 10–50%, and above 50% in U direction. It can be concluded that the combination with QZSS system can improve the positioning accuracy, reliability and stability of BDS system. In the future, with the improvement of the satellite construction of Japan’s QZSS system and the global networking of China’s BDS satellites, the QZSS satellites will contribute greatly to improve the positioning accuracy, reliability, availability and stability of GNSS systems in areas such as cities, mountains, densely-packed buildings and severely covered areas in Asian-Pacific region.     

星载原子钟在轨剩余寿命预测方法研究

原子钟是导航卫星最关键载荷之一, 开展原子钟健康状态评估与寿命预测相关工作, 对于及时掌握原子钟性能和运行状况, 确保卫星导航系统提供高可用性连续性完好性的服务, 具有重要意义。结合星载原子钟在轨失效特性分析, 提出了一种综合考虑原子钟随机失效与耗损失效的剩余寿命预测方法。该方法融合利用原子钟寿命周期内产生的多源多维数据, 通过概率统计和机器学习的途径实现原子钟的剩余寿命预测。经案例验证, 所提方法合理有效, 具有一定的工程应用价值。      

A new stochastic model considering satellite clock interpolation errors in precise point positioning

Precise clock products are typically interpolated based on the sampling interval of the observational data when they are used for in precise point positioning. However, due to the occurrence of white noise in atomic clocks, a residual component of such noise will inevitable reside within the observations when clock errors are interpolated, and such noise will affect the resolution of the positioning results. In this paper, which is based on a twenty-one-week analysis of the atomic clock noise characteristics of numerous satellites, a new stochastic observation model that considers satellite clock interpolation errors is proposed. First, the systematic error of each satellite in the IGR clock product was extracted using a wavelet de-noising method to obtain the empirical characteristics of atomic clock noise within each clock product. Then, based on those empirical characteristics, a stochastic observation model was structured that considered the satellite clock interpolation errors. Subsequently, the IGR and IGS clock products at different time intervals were used for experimental validation. A verification using 179 stations worldwide from the IGS showed that, compared with the conventional model, the convergence times using the stochastic model proposed in this study were respectively shortened by 4.8% and 4.0% when the IGR and IGS 300-s-interval clock products were used and by 19.1% and 19.4% when the 900-s-interval clock products were used. Furthermore, the disturbances during the initial phase of the calculation were also effectively improved.     

HORACE: A compact cold atom clock for Galileo

HORACE (HOrloge à Refroidissement d’Atomes en Cellule = clock based on atoms cooled from vapour cell) is a compact cold caesium atom clock developed in SYRTE at Paris Observatory. This clock can operate both on ground and in microgravity environment. Design of HORACE is based on isotropic light cooling, allowing performing the whole clock sequence (cooling, atomic preparation, Ramsey interrogation and detection) at the same place. Compared to more conventional cold atom clocks such as atomic fountains, the use of isotropic light cooling simplifies both the optical part of the setup and the detection sequence, and leads to a drastic size reduction of the physics package. Very good short-term performances have been demonstrated at SYRTE since relative frequency instability of 2.2 × 10⁻¹³ τ^−1/2 has been obtained. Optimization of the long term stability is still under progress and current results show relative frequency instability around 3 × 10⁻¹⁵ in 10⁴ s of integration. With these performances, HORACE appears as a good candidate both for Galileo’s ground segment clock and for onboard Galileo clock.     

Beidou wide-area augmentation system clock error correction and performance verification

On December 27, 2018, the Beidou-3 System (BDS-3) has completed the deployment of 18 Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites combined as a space constellation. In addition to the augmentation information for the new system signals B1C and B2a, the BDS-3 is compatible with the three augmentation information broadcast by the BDS-2 system for B1I and B3I signals: equivalent clock error correction, User Differential Ranging Error (UDRE) and Grid Ionosphere Vertical Error (GIVE). In this paper, the observation data of Beidou monitoring network are used to analyze the pseudo-range observation quality of the smooth transition signals B1I and B3I of BDS-2 and BDS-3. At the same time, the relationship between the equivalent clock error correction and the prediction error of the satellite clock is analyzed by using the Two-Way Satellite Time and Frequency Transfer (TWSTFT) data. The results show that the correlation between the equivalent clock error correction and the monitored clock error by using the TWSTFT data is greater than 60%. We calculate the UDRE by using the equivalent clock error correction. The results show that the satellite equivalent clock error correction can improve the accuracy of User Equivalent Range Error (UERE) by about 50%. This paper also compares the positioning accuracy of the BDS-2 satellites with the BDS-2 satellites combined BDS-3 satellites. The results show that the three-dimensional positioning accuracy is improved by about 30% after the BDS-3 satellites are added.     

Performance improvement of real-time PPP ambiguity resolution using a regional integer clock

Obtaining reliable GNSS uncalibrated phase delay (UPD) or integer clock products is the key to achieving ambiguity-fixed solutions for real-time (RT) precise point positioning (PPP) users. However, due to the influence of RT orbit errors, the quality of UPD/integer clock products estimated with a globally distributed GNSS network is difficult to ensure, thereby affecting the ambiguity resolution (AR) performance of RT-PPP. In this contribution, by fully utilising the consistency of orbital errors in regional GNSS network coverage areas, a method is proposed for estimating regional integer clock products to compensate for RT orbit errors. Based on Centre National d’Études Spatiales (CNES) RT precise products, the regional GPS/BDS integer clock was estimated with a CORS network in the west of China. Results showed that the difference between the estimated regional and CNES global integer clock/bias products was generally less than 5 cm for GPS, whereas clock differences of greater than 10 cm were observed for BDS due to the large RT orbit error. Compared with PPP using global integer clock/bias products, the AR performance of PPP using the regional integer clock was obviously improved for four rover stations. For single GPS, the horizontal and vertical accuracies of ambiguity-fixed PPP solutions were improved by 56.2% and 45.3% on average, respectively, whereas improvements of 67.5% and 50.5% in the horizontal and vertical directions, respectively, were observed for the combined GPS/BDS situation. Based on a regional integer clock, the RMS error of a kinematic ambiguity-fixed PPP solution in the horizontal direction could reach 0.5 cm. In terms of initialisation time, the average time to first fix (TTFF) in combined GPS/BDS PPP was shortened from 18.2 min to 12.7 min. In view of the high AR performance realised with the use of regional integer clocks, this method can be applied to scenarios that require high positioning accuracy, such as deformation monitoring.     

北斗卫星导航系统实时定轨与钟差处理策略

目前鲜有对北斗卫星导航系统（BeiDouNavigationSatelliteSystem,BDS）实时精密定轨与钟差确定的研究,文章提出了BDS实时轨道与实时钟差处理策略,包括了观测与动力学模型、实时轨道与实时钟差处理流程与评估方法。尤其对于实时钟差,为了提高计算效率,联合使用两个独立并行的线程估计非差绝对钟差和历元间相对钟差。利用多模全球卫星导航系统试验(MGEX)与全球连续检测评估系统（iGMAS）实测数据进行了北斗实时轨道与钟差解算,BDS实时轨道径向平均精度对于GEO卫星优于20cm,对于IGSO与MEO一般优于10cm;钟差精度对于GEO卫星为0.5~4.5ns,对于IGSO／MEO为0.2~2.0ns。基于目前的轨道与钟差结果,实时精密单点定位（PrecisePointPositioning,PPP）结果可以达到分米量级。     

Analysis of GNSS clock prediction performance with different interrupt intervals and application to real-time kinematic precise point positioning

Continuous and timely real-time satellite orbit and clock products are mandatory for real-time precise point positioning (RT-PPP). Real-time high-precision satellite orbit and clock products should be predicted within a short time in case of communication delay or connection breakdown in practical applications. For prediction, historical data describing the characteristics of the real-time orbit and clock can be used as the basis for performing the prediction. When historical data are scarce, it is difficult for many existing models to perform precise predictions. In this paper, a linear regression model is used to predict clock products. Seven-day GeoForschungsZentrum (GFZ) final clock products sampled at 30 s are used to analyze the characteristics of GNSS clocks. It is shown that the linear regression model can be used as the prediction model for the satellite clock products. In addition, the accuracy of the clock prediction for different satellites are analyzed using historical data with different periods (such as 2 and 10 epochs). Experimental results show that the accuracy of the clock with the linear regression prediction model using historical data with 10 epochs is 1.0 ns within 900 s. This is higher accuracy than that achieved using historical data of 2 epochs. Finally, the performance analysis for real-time kinematic precise point positioning (PPP) is provided using GFZ final clock prediction results and state space representation (SSR) clock prediction results when communication delay or connection breakdown occur. Experimental results show that the positioning accuracy without prediction is better than that with prediction in general, whether using the final clock product or the SSR clock product. For the final clock product, the positioning accuracy in the north (N), east (E), and up (U) directions is better than 10.0 cm with all visible GNSS satellites with prediction. In comparison, the 3D positioning accuracy of N, E, and U directions with visible GNSS satellites whose prediction accuracy is better than 0.1 ns using historical data of 10 epochs is improved from 15.0 cm to 7.0 cm. For the SSR clock product, the positioning accuracy of N, E, and U directions is better than 12.0 cm with visible GNSS satellites with prediction. In comparison, the 3D positioning accuracy of N, E, and U directions with visible GNSS satellites whose prediction accuracy is better than 0.1 ns using historical data of 10 epochs is improved from 12.0 cm to 9.0 cm.     

铷原子钟物理部分的低剂量率辐射效应研究

铷原子钟物理部分是铷原子钟的原子鉴频器,决定铷原子钟的短期和长期稳定度（1s以上）,其中使用了金属铷、玻璃、镍铁合金等材料和一些双极性晶体管、运算放大器等器件,其核心部件铷泡是一个采用特殊真空工艺制造的器件,这些材料、器件和工艺的低剂量率辐射效应需要实验评价。本文提出并完成了铷原子钟物理部分的低剂量率辐射实验,采用Co60γ源,辐射剂量率0.01rad（Si）/s,总剂量50krad（Si）,对铷原子钟物理部分和铷泡的辐射效应分别进行了实验评估。这项研究更加真实地逼近了空间的电离辐射,实验数据对于星载铷原子钟的在轨运行监测和下一代星载铷原子钟的抗辐射设计具有重要的作用。     

北斗首颗备份卫星性能初步分析

主要从卫星钟差预报、轨道测定精度、伪距波动情况等角度分析了I6卫星与北斗卫星导航系统（BDS）其他现役倾斜地球同步轨道（IGSO）卫星的异同,并从位置精度因子（PDOP）和格网可用性评估了I6卫星入网对BDS的贡献。利用星地双向时频传递设备观测的星地钟差数据,评估了I6卫星星载原子钟的预报性能,结果表明,I6卫星发播的卫星钟参数外推5h预报误差的均方根误差（RMS）为232ns,外推1h预报误差的RMS为073ns,与现役IGSO卫星钟差预报水平相当;对多星联合精密定轨结果分析表明,与北斗现役I3卫星相比,姿态控制方式优化后的I6卫星在地影期间的轨道精度并未发生明显衰减,克服了现有北斗二号卫星在地影期间轨道精度下降,从而影响北斗服务的连续性、可用性问题;利用大口径抛物面天线采集到的数据对I6卫星的伪距波动进行了分析,结果表明I6卫星单个观测弧段内其伪距波动峰峰差约为1m,与其他IGSO卫星一致;进行PDOP仿真计算,结果表明I6卫星的加入使得喀什地区的PDOP最大值由1282下降为726,PDOP大于6的时段所占百分比由2911%下降为1721%;对格网电离层产品实施解算,结果表明I6卫星的加入使得6个电离层格网点的可用度提升至95%以上。     

Near real-time BDS GEO satellite orbit determination and maneuver analysis with reversed point positioning

The Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellite is a crucial part of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) constellation. However, due to various perturbation forces acting on the GEO satellite, it drifts gradually over time. Thus, frequent orbit maneuvers are required to maintain the satellite at its designed position. During the orbit maneuver and recovery periods, the orbit quality of the maneuvered satellite computed with broadcast navigation ephemeris will be significantly degraded. Furthermore, the conventional dynamic Precise Orbit Determination (POD) approach may not work well, because of a lack of publicly available satellite information for modeling the thrust forces. In this paper, a near real-time approach free of thrust forces modeling is proposed for BDS GEO satellite orbit determination and maneuver analysis based on the Reversed Point Positioning (RPP). First, the station coordinates and receiver clock offsets are estimated by GPS/BDS combined Single Point Positioning (SPP) with single-frequency phase-smoothed pseudorange observations. Then, with the fixed station coordinates and receiver clock offsets, the RPP method can be conducted to determine the GEO satellite orbits. When no orbit maneuvers occur, the proposed method can obtain orbit accuracies of 0.92, 2.74, and 8.30?m in the radial, along-track, and cross-track directions, respectively. The average orbit-only Signal-In-Space Range Error (SISRE) is 1.23?m, which is slightly poorer than that of the broadcast navigation ephemeris. Using four days of GEO maneuvered datasets, it is further demonstrated that the derived orbits can be employed to characterize the behaviors of GEO satellite maneuvers, such as the time span of the maneuver as well as the satellite thrusting accelerations. These results prove the efficiency of the proposed method for near real-time GEO satellite orbit determination during maneuvers.     

Modeling and initial assessment of the inter-frequency clock bias for COMPASS GEO satellites

The COMPASS system is a project established by China to develop an independent global satellite navigation system, which has five GEO (Geostationary Orbit) satellites and thirty Non-GEO satellites. An apparent inter-frequency clock bias (IFCB) for COMPASS GEO satellites is investigated using the real data. The bias also is modeled by the different models. Based on the 15 months (DOY 121, 2011–214, 2012) single-day-estimated results, the periodic variation of IFCBs of the COMPASS GEO satellite is studied using a harmonic analysis. The notable periods of 12 h and 8 h are noted. The harmonics-based models with different periods and different orders and quadratic function based model are used to describe the IFCB. The performances show that the 4-order harmonics-based model with the periods of 24, 12, 8 and 6 h is most optimal than others for describing the IFCB of COMPASS GEO satellite. Its amplitudes and phases estimated from a least square fit are used to study the features of the IFCB. The results show that the current amplitudes and phases do not present special features. Although the irregular amplitudes and phases of the model are disadvantageous for the long-term prediction of IFCB, it is obvious that the modeling IFCB can simple its service and a few of coefficients can replace the IFCB series. The performance of the model in short-term prediction IFCB is tested using the ten-day data (DOY 215-224, 2012).     

Design and experiment of onboard laser time transfer in Chinese Beidou navigation satellites

High-precision time synchronization between satellites and ground stations plays the vital role in satellite navigation system. Laser time transfer (LTT) technology is widely recognized as the highest accuracy way to achieve time synchronization derived from satellite laser ranging (SLR) technology. Onboard LTT payload has been designed and developed by Shanghai Astronomical Observatory, and successfully applied to Chinese Beidou navigation satellites. By using the SLR system, with strictly controlling laser firing time and developing LTT data processing system on ground, the high precise onboard laser time transfer experiment has been first performed for satellite navigation system in the world. The clock difference and relative frequency difference between the ground hydrogen maser and space rubidium clocks have been obtained, with the precision of approximately 300 ps and relative frequency stability of 10E−14. This article describes the development of onboard LTT payload, introduces the principle, system composition, applications and LTT measuring results for Chinese satellite navigation system.     

国际原子时进展中的原子钟

对近几年国际原子时 (TAI)进展中不同类型原子钟和不同时间实验室原子钟贡献的权重进行了比较 。