GPS Errors and Biases Flashcards
Range (Distance)
D = d + e
D= (range)
d= (True Range)
e = (errors)
GPS satellite - related errors
- Ephemeris (orbital) error
- Selective availability
- Clock Error
GPS Errors: GPS Receiver (Related Errors)
- Clock error
- Multipath error
- System noise
- Antenna phase center variations
GPS Errors: Signal Propagation (atmospheric refraction) errors
Ionospheric delay tropospheric delay
GPS Errors: Satellite Geometric Effects
Geometric Effects
GPS Satellite-related errors: Ephemeris (Orbital) error
Caused by gravitational forces and solar radiation, affecting satellite orbits
Errors range from 2m to 5m
Ephemeris data:
Show satellite’s position and velocity
Predicts positions from past GPS observations at control stations
GPS Satellite-related errors - Ephemeris (Orbital) error – Continued:
Mitigation:
a. Differential correction in DGPS positioning
b. Post-mission precise orbital service from global GPS
networks
International GPS Service for Geodynamics (IGS)
U.S. National Geodetic Survey (NGS)
Geomatics Canada
Accuracy: few centimeters to 10 centimeters
GPS Satellite Related Errors - Selective Availability (SA)
Why?
Implemented for national security
Denying precise positioning to unauthorized users
Began on March 25, 1990
Ended on May 1, 2000
GPS Satellite-related Errors - Selective Availability (SA)
Two errors:
1.Delta from satellite clock
2.Epsilon (orbit data manipulation)
DGPS helps mitigate epsilon errors, particularly for close-proximity users
GPS Satellite-related Errors -Selective Availability
Ended on May 1, 2000, greatly improving accuracy
With SA: 100m horizontal error, 156m vertical error (95%
probability).
Without SA: 22m horizontal error, 33m vertical error (95% probability)
Its removal boosted GPS markets, including vehicle navigation
and enhanced-911
GPS Satellite-related Errors - Satellite clock error
GPS satellite clocks have slight imperfections.
Clock errors range from 8.64 to 17.28 ns/day.
One nanosecond error equals about 30 cm range error, totaling 2.59 m to 5.18 m due to the clock.
GPS Satellite related Errors - Satellite clock error – Continued
How to address it:
Eliminate it through differencing between receivers (between-receiver single difference)
Apply the satellite clock correction provided in the navigation message
GPS Receiver Related Errors - Receiver clock error
GPS receivers use less accurate crystal clocks compared to
satellite atomic clocks
Results in larger clock errors that that of GPS satellite clocks
GPS Receiver Related Errors - Receiver clock error – Continued
How to fix:
* Remove through between-satellite single difference
* Treat as an additional parameter during estimation
* Use precise external clocks (costs vary from a few thousand to
about $20,000)
GPS Receiver Related Errors - Multipath Error
Affects carrier-phase and pseudorange measurements, with pseudorange having a larger error.
Occurs when GPS signals reach the
receiver antenna through multiple paths.
Direct GPS signal
Multipath signals
GPS Receiver Related Errors - Multipath error - Continued
How to Fix:
Utilize advanced receiver technology
Select sites without nearby reflecting objects
Employ a choke ring antenna
GPS Receiver Related Errors - Antenna Phase Center (APC) variation - continued
How to fix:
Align antennas in the same direction for short baselines
Often overlooked in most practical GPS applications due to its
minor magnitude
GPS Receiver Related Errors - Antenna Phase Center (APC) variation
A GPS antenna converts incoming satellite signals into electric
current.
Antenna Phase Center (APC) is where the GPS signal is
received.
Error
APC isn’t always at the antenna’s physical center.
Cause: Elevation, azimuth, and signal intensity
Magnitude: A few centimeters
GPS Receiver Related Errors -Receiver measurement noise
Arises from the receiver electronics limitations.
High-quality systems have minimum noise.
GPS Receiver Related Errors - Receiver measurement noise - Continue
GPS receivers conducts self-tests. High-cost systems need user evaluation, including
a. Zero baseline: Identifies biases, cycle slips
b. Short baseline: Detects noise, multipath, and antenna/preamplifier noise
Error: 0.6m