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Precise Spacecraft Relative Positioning using Single-Frequency Pseudorange Measurements

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 December 2008

Marc-Philippe Rudel  and
Pini Gurfil
Marc-Philippe Rudel*
Affiliation:
(Technion, Israel Institute of Technology)
Pini Gurfil
Affiliation:
(Technion, Israel Institute of Technology)
*
(Email: marc.p.rudel@airlift.co.il)
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Abstract

The ranging accuracy provided by pseudorange-only techniques is usually no better than a few metres when no differential corrections are applied. Carrier-phase algorithms, on the other hand, yield higher-precision estimates – down to a few millimetres – but are prone to ambiguities difficult to resolve. An easier-to-implement method, using single-frequency pseudorange measurements only, is presented. It allows for a decimetre-level relative positioning accuracy. Results, derived from the GPS Relative Positioning Equations, are validated with actual satellite data from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) mission.

Keywords

Relative Positioning EquationsGRACEGNSSRGDOP
Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Navigation , Volume 62 , Issue 1 , January 2009 , pp. 119 - 134
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal Institute of Navigation 2008

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