SNR-based multipath error correction for GPS differential phase

Carrier phase multipath is currently the limiting error source for high precision Global Positioning System (GPS) applications such as attitude determination and short baseline surveying. Multipath is the corruption of the direct GPS signal by one or more signals reflected from the local surroundings. Multipath reflections affect both the carrier phase measured by the receiver and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). A technique is described which uses the SNR information to correct multipath errors in differential phase observations. The potential of the technique to reduce multipath to almost the level of receiver noise was demonstrated in simulations. The effectiveness on real data was demonstrated with controlled static experiments. Small errors remained, predominantly from high frequency multipath. The low frequency multipath was virtually eliminated. The remaining high frequency receiver noise can be easily removed by smoothing or Kalman filtering     

Adaptive SNR-based carrier phase multipath mitigation technique

An improved technique that mitigates specular multipath in Global Positioning System (GPS) differential carrier phase measurements is described. It adaptively estimates the spectral parameters (frequency, amplitude, phase offset) of multipath in the associated signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and then constructs a profile of the multipath error in the carrier phase. A multipath correction is subsequently made by subtracting the profile from the actual phase measurement data. The technique is demonstrated on ground based experimental data, as well as flight data from the atmospheric research satellite CRISTA-SPAS. Ground experiments were conducted on static platforms in severe multipath environments. Multipath was deliberately introduced by either strategic placement of reflectors or electronic injection. This allowed for some control over the strength and frequency of the multipath. Averaging the results from 43 ground and 18 flight data sets, the differential carrier phase multipath was reduced by 47%. The complete results for both ground and flight tests are presented and are accompanied by discussions of individual cases     

多径效应对GPS载波相位观测量的影响

推导了ＧＰＳ接收机中多径效应引入的最大载波相位跟踪误差的闭合形式。得到以下结论：当直达信号跟踪误差不超过１码片时,最大载波测相多径误差为１／４周,该值出现在测码伪距多径误差最小的情况下;当直达信号跟踪误差超过或等于１码片时,接收机跟踪多径信号,信号误检发生。     

Receiver-channel based adaptive blind equalization approach for GPS dynamic multipath mitigation

Aiming at mitigating multipath effect in dynamic global positioning system (GPS) satellite navigation applications, an approach based on channel blind equalization and real-time recursive least square (RLS) algorithm is proposed, which is an application of the wireless communication channel equalization theory to GPS receiver tracking loops. The blind equalization mechanism builds upon the detection of the correlation distortion due to multipath channels; therefore an increase in the number of correlator channels is required compared with conventional GPS receivers. An adaptive estimator based on the real-time RLS algorithm is designed for dynamic estimation of multipath channel response. Then, the code and carrier phase receiver tracking errors are compensated by removing the estimated multipath components from the correlators’ outputs. To demonstrate the capabilities of the proposed approach, this technique is integrated into a GPS software receiver connected to a navigation satellite signal simulator, thus simulations under controlled dynamic multipath scenarios can be carried out. Simulation results show that in a dynamic and fairly severe multipath environment, the proposed approach achieves simultaneously instantaneous accurate multipath channel estimation and significant multipath tracking errors reduction in both code delay and carrier phase.     

Multipath-adaptive GPS/INS receiver

Multipath interference is one of the contributing sources of errors in precise global positioning system (GPS) position determination. This paper identifies key parameters of a multipath signal, focusing on estimating them accurately in order to mitigate multipath effects. Multiple model adaptive estimation (MMAE) techniques are applied to an inertial navigation system (INS)-coupled GPS receiver, based on a federated (distributed) Kalman filter design, to estimate the desired multipath parameters. The system configuration is one in which a GPS receiver and an INS are integrated together at the level of the in-phase and quadrature phase (I and Q) signals, rather than at the level of pseudo-range signals or navigation solutions. The system model of the MMAE is presented and the elemental Kalman filter design is examined. Different parameter search spaces are examined for accurate multipath parameter identification. The resulting GPS/INS receiver designs are validated through computer simulation of a user receiving signals from GPS satellites with multipath signal interference present The designed adaptive receiver provides pseudo-range estimates that are corrected for the effects of multipath interference, resulting in an integrated system that performs well with or without multipath interference present.     

GPS多径信号的自适应滤波估计方法

 研究全球定位系统(GPS)多径信号估计的问题。通过分析自适应滤波器的原理,建立了数字中频信号处理的数学模型,提出一种用自适应滤波实现GPS多径幅度、码相位和载波相位估计的方法。该方法采用不同延迟的伪随机序列对信号进行解扩、解调和累加,得到了作为期望信号的系列自适应滤波相关值。对该方法与其他3种方法进行了理论上的分析比较,得出本方法具有信噪比高、自适应滤波性能好、带有码相位信息和不存在载波模糊度问题等优点。根据各种滤波器算法的特点和本应用的需求,给出了选用递归最小二乘算法实现的方法。通过计算机仿真,验证了提出的方法能够在14 dB的信噪比下,以1个采样间隔的时间延迟分辨率和0.005周的载波相位估计精度估计出GPS L1的多径信号。     

Adaptive Maximum Likelihood Receiver for Direct-Ranging Applications

Recent interest in direct-ranging navigation methods has prompted new research into practical receiver structures which provide improved signal processing. Maximum likelihood receivers are compared with conventional phase-locked receivers by theoretical and simulation methods as phase estimators based on signal measurements only. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) enhancement is examined and filter recommendations made. An adaptive maximum likelihood receiver is then developed which uses both signal measurements and a priori data to improve phase estimation accuracy. Simulation results indicate a 33.3 dB processing gain yielding a ranging error standard deviation of ±15 feet for zero dB received SNR. Nonadaptive and adaptive receivers are fabricated, flight tested, and experimental results reported.     

Performance analysis of GPS carrier phase observable

The accuracy analysis of Global Positioning System (GPS) carrier phase observable measured by a digital GPS receiver is presented. A digital phase-locked loop (DPLL) is modeled to extract the carrier phase of the received signal after a pseudorandom noise (PRN) code synchronization system despreads the received PRN coded signal. Based on phase noise characteristics of the input signal, the following performance of the first, second, and third-order DPLLs is analyzed mathematically: (1) loop stability and transient process; (2) steady-state probability density function (pdf), mean and variance of phase tracking error; (3) carrier phase acquisition performance; and (4) mean time to the first cycle-slipping. The theoretical analysis is verified by Monte Carlo computer simulations. The analysis of the dependency of the phase input noise and receiver design parameters provides with an important reference in designing the carrier phase synchronization system for high accuracy GPS positioning     

Attitude determination using dedicated and nondedicatedmultiantenna GPS sensors

We show that the use of nondedicated Global Positioning System (GPS) sensors to determine the attitude parameters of a vessel yields the same level of performance as the use of a dedicated multiantenna receiver, namely an agreement of the order of 0.1° (1σ). The test platform is a survey launch operating at cruising speeds of 10 to 15 kt. The dedicated multiantenna receiver is a four-antenna Ashtech 3DF unit, while the nondedicated sensor array consists of three NovAtel GPSCard^TM receivers. The approach used to resolve the relative carrier phase integer ambiguities between the antennas is discussed and the use of antenna baseline constraints is analyzed. A least-squares procedure which utilizes all the position information from the antennas for the estimation of the attitude parameters and their accuracy is presented. The attitude determination results from the two configurations tested are intercompared     

Array antennas for DGPS

Multipath interference limits the speed and accuracy of determining position by “differential” GPS techniques. A geodetic surveyor, for example, requires multipath interference rejection of about 36+20 log₁₀ sin ϵ dB, where ϵ is the elevation angle of the satellite being observed. Signal processing in a GPS receiver cannot satisfy this requirement. A receiving antenna is required that can sufficiently reject signals arriving from below the horizon. Available antennas have inadequate rejection, and brute-force methods of improving them, by enlarging their ground-planes, are impractical. A compact, ground-planeless, dual-band, GPS antenna with improved multipath rejection has been designed and field-tested. This antenna resembles a vertical post rather than a horizontal platter; within its 0.1-m diameter, 0.4-m tall radome is a vertical array of turnstile elements. In field tests, a three-element array antenna rejected multipath better than a 0.5-m diameter ground-plane antenna by an average of 5 dB. A five-element array antenna appears superior to a 0.9-m diameter ground-plane antenna     

Subspace array processing for the suppression of FM jamming in GPS receivers

The mitigation of FM interference in GPS receivers is considered. In difference to commonly assumed wideband and narrowband interferers, the FM interferers are wideband, but instantaneously narrowband, and as such, have clear time-frequency (TF) signatures that are distinct from the GPS coarse acquisition (C/A) spread spectrum code. In the proposed technique, the estimate of the FM interference instantaneous frequency (IF) and the interference spatial signature are used to construct the spatiotemporal interference subspace. The IF estimates can be provided using existing effective linear or bilinear TF methods. The undesired signal arrival is suppressed by projecting the input data on the interference orthogonal subspace. With a multisensor receiver, the distinctions in both the spatial and TF signatures of signal arrivals allow effective interference suppressions. The deterministic nature of the signal model is considered and the known underlying structure of the GPS C/A code is utilized. We derive the receiver signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) under exact and perturbed IF values. The effect of IF estimation errors on both pseudorange measurements and navigation data recovery is analyzed. Simulation results comparing the receiver performances under IF errors in single and multiantenna GPS receivers are provided.     

Effects of ionospheric scintillation on differential demodulation of GPS data

Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers that must operate under fading propagation conditions can use differential phase-shift keying (DPSK) and reference bits to reliably demodulate GPS data. The demodulation performance of such receivers is analyzed for nonfading and Rayleigh fading channels. Theoretical results derived here are compared with measured error rates taken during scintillation testing of a prototype GPS/DPSK receiver.     

5G微基站环境下GNSS接收机性能及观测质量分析

我国已全面进入5G时代,为研究5G微基站电磁环境对全球卫星导航系统(GNSS)接收机工作性能及观测数据质量的影响,基于自主建设差分基准站的零基线观测数据,采用静态相对定位方法,通过观测数据质量分析、载波与伪距的双差残差序列、对比相对静态定位结果,综合评估5G微基站对GNSS接收机工作性能及观测数据质量的影响。实验表明：当前环境下,GNSS差分基准站及接收机处于近距离建设的5G微基站时,载波相位观测噪声变化范围为5cm,伪距观测噪声变化范围为15cm,零基线测试结果变化范围为1mm。在实验距离内,5G微基站对于GNSS接收机工作性能及数据观测质量影响较小,可以忽略。     

低成本GNSS接收机芯片载波相位测量技术

当前具备载波相位测量的GNSS接收机能够实现高精度定位,但其成本高、体积大,难以广泛应用于大批量的手机、平板电脑等消费电子产品。针对ST公司的STA8090接收机芯片并改进其软件和晶振以获得载波相位信息,采用双差和三差方程测试评估载波相位测量的精度,与测绘型接收机进行对比。基于改进的STA8090接收机芯片构建双天线定姿系统原型样机,静态测试评估了相对定位和定向精度。研究结果表明,千米级静态相对定位精度优于0.01m,在1.23m基线条件下定向精度优于0.1°。因此,采用低成本GNSS接收机芯片实现高精度载波相位测量的技术方案是可行的,具备广阔的市场应用前景。     

The Effect of Multipath Reflections on Spaceborne Interferometer Accuracy

This paper presents a discussion of multipath disturbance of a satellite interferometer. A mathematical expression is developed, in which an upper bound of the error of the measured angle difference and position locations owing to multipath is expressed in terms of geometrical system parameters and the amplitude and phase of the multipath signal. Because diffuse reflection from a rough surface is predominant, the spectrum of multipath reflections is calculated. Multipath rejection by filtering is discussed, and curves for the position errors are presented.     

Modeling and analysis for the GPS pseudo-range observable

In this paper, a digital system for the Global Positioning System (GPS) pseudo-range observable is modeled and analyzed theoretically. The observable is measured in a GPS receiver by accurately tracking the pseudorandom noise (PRN) code phase of the input GPS signal using a digital energy detector and a digital delay lock loop (DDLL). The following issues are presented: (1) mathematical modeling of the digital PRN code acquisition and tracking system, (2) the closed-form expression derivation for the detection and false-alarm probabilities of the acquisition process and for the variance of code phase tracking error, and (3) the linear and nonlinear performance analysis of the DDLL for optimizing the receiver structures and parameters with tradeoff between the tracking errors due to receiver dynamics and due to input noise     

Gating Functions for Multipath Mitigation in GNSS BOC Signals

A new multipath mitigation technique is proposed for binary offset carrier (BOC) signals in global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) using the concept of gating function originally conceived for the GPS coarse-acquisition (C/A) code. Specially-tailored pulses are utilized to diminish the number of false-lock points of the code discriminator response and to improve the multipath mitigation capability. The code loop includes only four real correlators (two extra correlators are required for the simplified bump-jumping algorithm with BOC(n,n) signals). Results obtained with BOC(n,n) and BOC(2n,n) signals show that this technique eliminates the multipath ranging errors for reflected rays with relative delays typically above twenty percent of the spreading code chip duration, thus comparing favorably with the conventional receiver correlation techniques.     

面向低成本GNSS接收机终端的周跳修复策略

载波相位周跳是影响低成本GNSS接收机观测质量的主要因素之一.提出了一种面向低成本GNSS接收机终端的周跳修复策略,通过两种不同观测结果的联合检测以避免时钟和星历突变导致的误修复,并利用载噪比和多项式拟合误差检测载波观测中的无效观测,旨在提升低成本接收机在多径等复杂场景下载波相位观测的可用性.该策略仅使用了单频载波相位和载噪比信息,适用于各类低成本的接收设备.分别在开阔场景和多径场景下使用小米8手机和F9P接收机进行观测试验,结果表明,所有的有效载波相位观测得到了正确修复,仅约0.7％的无效观测被误修复,验证了所提策略的有效性.     

伪距解除相关法在GPS/SINS紧组合系统中的应用研究

介绍了伪距解除相关法的原理 ,设计了一种加权平均跟踪误差估计器 ,用以估计 GPS接收机码环跟踪误差。研究结果表明 ,与未对伪距测量值进行修正时相比 ,应用伪距解除相关技术可以减小组合系统的导航误差 ,提高系统的导航精度