Removing biases in dual frequency GNSS receivers using SBAS

Abstract

A method for removing biases in dual frequency GNSS receivers circumvents the need for ionosphere corrections by using L2(P) in combination with either L1(P) or L1(C/A) to form ionosphere-free ranges. A table of biases is stored in microprocessor controller memory and utilized for computing a location using corrected ionosphere-free pseudo ranges. A system for removing biases in dual frequency GNSS receivers includes a dual frequency GNSS receiver and a controller microprocessor adapted to store a table of bias values for correcting pseudo ranges determined using L2(P) in combination with either L1(P) or L1(C/A).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), and in particular to removing biases in dual frequency GNSS receivers.

2. Description of the Related Art

The Global Positioning System (GPS) was established by the United States government, and employs a constellation of 24 or more satellites in well-defined orbits at an altitude of approximately 26,500 km. These satellites continually transmit microwave L-band radio signals in two frequency bands, centered at 1575.42 MHz and 1227.6 MHz., denoted as L1 and L2 respectively. These signals include timing patterns relative to the satellite's onboard precision clock (which is kept synchronized by a ground station) as well as a navigation message giving the precise orbital positions of the satellites. GPS receivers process the radio signals, computing ranges to the GPS satellites, and by triangulating these ranges, the GPS receiver determines its position and its internal clock error. Different levels of accuracies can be achieved depending on the techniques deployed. For example, processing carrier phase observations both from a mobile/remote receiver and from one or more fixed-position reference stations is often referred to as Real-Time-Kinematic or RTK, and can produce sub-centimeter accuracy.

To gain a better understanding of the accuracy levels achievable by using the GPS system, it is necessary understand the two types of signals available from the GPS satellites. The first type of signal includes both the Coarse Acquisition (C/A) code, which modulates the L1 radio signal and the precision (P) code, which modulates both the L1 and L2 radio signals. These are pseudorandom digital codes that provide a known pattern that can be compared to the receiver's version of that pattern. By measuring the time-shift required to align the pseudorandom digital codes, the GPS receiver is able to compute an (DN 4165)

unambiguous pseudo range to the satellite. Both the C/A and P codes have a relatively long “wavelength,” of about 300 meters (1 microsecond) and 30 meters ( 1/10 microsecond), respectively. Consequently, use of the C/A code and the P code yield position data only at a relatively coarse level of resolution.

The second type of signal utilized for position determination is the carrier signal. The term “carrier”, as used herein, refers to the dominant spectral component which remains in the radio signal after the spectral content caused by the modulated pseudorandom digital codes (C/A and P) is removed. The L1 and L2 carrier signals have wavelengths of about 19 and 24 centimeters, respectively. The GPS receiver is able to “track” these carrier signals, and in doing so, make measurements of the carrier phase to a small fraction of a complete wavelength, permitting range measurement to an accuracy of less than a centimeter.

Satellite-based augmentation systems (SBASs), such as the FAA's Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) and the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS), broadcast correction components for global navigation satellite system (GNSS, including the Global Positioning System (GPS)) positioning that include ionosphere correction maps, fast clock correctors, slow clock correctors and orbit correctors. A single-frequency GPS receiver receives these components over an SBAS broadcast signal, and using a troposphere model, differentially corrects its measured pseudo ranges, ultimately improving receiver positioning accuracy.

One of the problems with existing SBAS systems is that they are designed for use with single-frequency receivers, with which the ability of the SBAS system to correct ionosphere errors is one of the main limitations to achieving higher accuracy. SBAS systems model the ionosphere as a thin shell and fit ionosphere delay readings obtained with a network of dual-frequency GPS receivers to this shell. SBAS satellites then broadcast a vertical delay map of the shell to SBAS-enabled GPS receivers so that the single-frequency GPS receiver can correct ionosphere errors in its measured pseudo ranges. In the receiver, vertical delays are interpolated from the map and scaled according to an obliquity factor. However, the SBAS approach to correcting ionosphere errors is a first order approach and can have errors exceeding one half meter during normal operation and even tens of meters during high solar activity. This is particularly true as ionosphere gradients become large and the assumption of a thin shell breaks down.

Whitehead U.S. Pat. No. 6,397,147 discloses real-time, single-receiver relative GPS positioning using a technique where differential correction terms are computed at particular locations and instants of time, adjusted for atmospheric delays and then applied at later instants of time. The later GPS-defined positions are thus determined accurately relative to the earlier positions because the ionosphere errors are canceled out. This patent is assigned to a common assignee herewith and is incorporated herein by reference. Such relative positioning accuracy is often sufficient for applications not requiring absolute positioning accuracy, such as agricultural and machine control operations where the primary concern is positioning the equipment relative to its initial location or starting point. For example, agricultural equipment is often guided over fields in parallel swaths which are preferably located accurately relative to each other, but need not be precisely positioned in absolute GPS or other earth-based coordinates.

SBAS systems are designed to correct only L1(C/A) pseudo ranges including the problematic ionosphere delay component, but a dual frequency receiver can circumvent the need for ionosphere corrections by using L2(P) in combination with either L1(P) or L1(C/A) to form the ionosphere-free ranges. A bias, known as the inter-frequency bias, exists between L1(P) and L2(P). This bias is different for each GPS space vehicle and takes on a value ranging from a fraction of a meter to a couple of meters. The GPS satellites broadcast this bias in a term known as Tau-Group-Delay (τ_GD), but due to word size, this broadcast has a limited resolution of 0.14 meters.

There is another bias, on the order of a few decimeters, between L1(C/A) and L1(P) that is also satellite dependant, but is not broadcast over the GPS navigation message (today). This bias is the inter-signal group delay code bias, referred to in the modernized GPS ICDs as ISC_L1C/A. Various organizations, particularly the Center for Orbit Determination in Europe (CODE) predict and maintain estimates of ISC_L1C/A using a global network of monitoring Dual-Frequency GPS receivers.

A good discussion of these biases can be found in “Dual-Frequency GPS Precise Point Positioning with WADGPS Correctors” by Hyunho Rho and Richard Langely, Navigation Journal of The Institute of Navigation, Summer 2007, No. 2, Vol. 54, pp. 139-151.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Although SBAS systems are designed for operation with single-frequency receivers, dual-frequency receivers can apply the corrections as well if proper care is taken. The advantage of a dual-frequency receiver is that ionosphere-free code and carrier combinations can be formed that allow the receiver to circumvent the need for the SBAS ionosphere map. Thus, only SBAS clock and orbit correctors are required.

The L1(C/A)/L2(P) ionosphere-free combination is preferred over L1(P)/L2(P) due to the robustness of tracking L1(C/A) over tracking of L1(P). The aforementioned inter-frequency and inter-signal biases must be taken into account to properly apply SBAS corrections to the ionosphere-free combination involving L1(C/A) and L2(P). The τ_GD clock correction is not used when utilizing ionosphere-free observations, however, SBAS systems assume that τ_GD is applied so errors in broadcast τ_GD will be implicitly present in the SBAS corrections.

One additional bias, B_USER-SBAS, that must be considered, and which is not mentioned in other literature, takes into account any remaining errors; particularly biases of the SBAS system relative to the user's receiver. Such biases have been observed and may arise due to differences in the user receiver's tracking loops as compared to tracking loops deployed within the receivers comprising the SBAS network. The biases may also contain a portion resulting from systematic errors in the SBAS processing algorithms or receivers. Disclosed here is a method to compute a bias term, B_TOTAL, that includes B_USER-SBAS as well as biases caused by un-modeled satellite inter-signal and inter-frequency delays. This method involves post-processing data that is collected using a dual-frequency GPS receiver situated in a known location. We note that different SBAS systems (WAAS and EGNOS for example) may lead to different biases.

All bias terms must be taken into account to achieve the highest-level of accuracy in a dual-frequency GPS Receiver employing SBAS corrections. Only the bias τ_GD is readily available to a conventional GPS receiver since it is broadcast in the GPS navigation message, albeit not at a high resolution (only 0.14 meters resolution). The remaining biases are not readily available to a conventional GPS receiver. The system of the present invention provides a means to upload and store the needed biases in a table within the receiver. The upload means can occur on a periodic basis to account for slow drifts in the biases, or to account for bias change due to satellite replacements. Also disclosed is a means to compute the needed biases.

To further improve performance, an additional step can be taken. Rather than relying solely on a troposphere model (such as the one provided in RTCA/DO-229D), the approach disclosed here is to estimate actual troposphere perturbations to a nominal model in real-time as the state of a Kalman filter. Such approaches have been taken in prior art, but not in combination with a dual-frequency receiver that forms ionosphere-free observations that are corrected with SBAS orbit and clock correctors, all in a real-time application giving superior navigation accuracy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the process of calibrating biases.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the use of the B_TOTAL biases in a GNSS receiver.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

I. Introduction and Environment

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, up, down, front, back, right and left refer to the invention as oriented in the view being referred to. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the embodiment being described and designated parts thereof. Global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) are broadly defined to include GPS (U.S.), Galileo (proposed), GLONASS (Russia), Beidou (China), Compass (proposed), IRNSS (India, proposed), QZSS (Japan, proposed) and other current and future positioning technology using signals from satellites, with or without augmentation from terrestrial sources.

II. Preferred Embodiments

The GPS control segment computes satellite clock biases relative to the inonsphere-free pseudo ranges, P_iono—free. Let C₁, P₁ and P₂ denote the pseudo ranges observed by a GPS receiver on L1(C/A), L1(P), and L2(P) respectively. Then, the ionosphere-free pseudo range is given byP_iono—free=K₁P₁−K₂P₂ whereK₁=F₁²/(F₁²−F₂²)=2.546K₂=F₂²/(F₁²−F₂²)=1.546and F₁=1575.42 MHz, F₂=1227.60 MHzNote that K₁−K₂=1.

Due to group delays and inter-signal delays, there are slight biases between the three observables C₁, P₁ and P₂. Accordingly, define the inter-signal code bias, ISC_L1/CA, asISC_L1/CA=P₁−C₁ and the inter-frequency bias, B_P2−P1, asB_P2−P1=P₂−P₁ B_P2−P1 is related to the group delay, known as τ_GD in the GPS Interface Control Document, ICD-GPS-200, by the following relationship:τ_GD=K₂B_P2−P1

Since we are concerned with satellite biases, we shall write the observation equations with the assumption that the GPS receiver clock is perfect, and that there are no atmosphere effects, multipath noise, thermal noise or other error sources aside from satellite clock errors. This greatly simplifies the equations, allowing us to focus on the relevant clock terms. With the assumption of perfect user clock, we eventually solve for this common-mode term when computing the GPS solution.

Ignoring all but satellite clock biases, the three observation equations become:C₁=R−(T_SV−τ_GD)−ISC_L1/CA P₁=C₁+ISC_L1/CA=R−(T_SV−τ_GD)P₂=P₁+B_P2−P1=R−(T_SV−τ_GD)+B_P2−P1 where R is geometric range (true range), and T_SV is the satellite clock bias relative to ionosphere-free observation, P_iono—free. The GPS Control Segment uses the P₁/P₂ ionosphere-free observation when computing its estimate of T_SV which is why T_SV is relative to P_iono—free.

There are actually two ionosphere-free combinations of interest; one involves the use of a P₁/P₂ code combination while the other uses the more reliable C₁/P₂ combination. These are:

$\begin{array}{c}{P}_{\mathrm{iono\_free}}=K_1{P}_1-K_2{P}_2\\ =R-T_{\mathrm{SV}}+{\tau }_{\mathrm{GD}}-K_2{B}_{P2-P1}\\ =R-T_{\mathrm{SV}}\end{array}$ $\mathrm{and}$ $\begin{array}{c}{P}_{\mathrm{iono\_free}}^{\mathrm{CA}}=K_1{C}_1-K_2{P}_2\\ =R-T_{\mathrm{SV}}+{\tau }_{\mathrm{GD}}-K_2{B}_{P2-P1}-K_1{\mathrm{ISC}}_{L1/\mathrm{CA}}\\ =R-T_{\mathrm{SV}}-K_1{\mathrm{ISC}}_{L1/\mathrm{CA}}\end{array}$ where we have used the relationship τ_GD=K₂B_P2−P1 to simplify.

Both ionosphere-free observations, are, as their name implies, free of any ionosphere induced delays. They are desirable since they enable a receiver to overcome one of the largest remaining sources of error in single frequency SBAS positioning: the un-modeled ionosphere. SBAS cannot provide a perfect ionosphere map, and it is better to simply cancel out the ionosphere effects using these ionosphere-free observations.

When SBAS sends clock correctors, the clock correctors are relative to the C₁ observable, not the ionosphere-free observations. In computing these corrections, the SBAS system assumes (see RTCA/DO-229D) that the user receiver will apply the GPS broadcast clock model, T_SV^GPS as well as the broadcast group-delay, τ_GD^GPS. The superscript “GPS” indicates that T_SV^GPS and τ_GD^GPS are estimates provided by the GPS Control Segment rather than the true values. The GPS navigation message, which is modulated on the GPS transmitted signals, contains coefficients of a time-based polynomial fitting T_SV^GPS. The navigation message contains a single word providing the group-delay, τ_GD^GPS. Each satellite sends its respective, satellite-specific values for the above quantities.

The SBAS clock correction, T_SBAS, although provided by SBAS systems as a single quantity, can be broken down into its individual constituents as follows:T_SBAS=T_SV−T_SV^GPS+ISC_L1/CA−(τ_GD−τ_GD^GPS)

In the above equation, it is assumed that SBAS does a perfect job of correcting the clock errors in the C₁ observable. In other words, the SBAS system makes no errors when predicting T_SV, ISC_L1/CA, and (which, we note, it does as a lumped clocked correction rather than separately as we have shown). While this is not precisely true, it is a sufficient assumption for the purpose of explanation, and as will later be shown, long-term systematic errors are treated as biases that we can compute and eliminate.

According to the SBAS specification, the SBAS clock correction is added to the C₁ observable while the conventions outlined in the ICD-GPS-200 are followed with respect to use of T_SV^GPS and τ_GD^GPS. Thus, the SBAS-corrected pseudo range becomesSABS corrected L1(C/A) pseudo range=C₁+T_SV^GPS−τ_GD^GPS+T_SBAS or, substituting in the constituents of C₁ and T_SBAS we getSBAS corrected L1(C/A) pseudo range=[R−(T_SV−τ_GD)−ISC_L1/CA]+T_SV^GPS−τ_GD^GPS+[T_SV−T_SV^GPS+ISC_L1/CA−(τ_GD−τ_GD^GPS)]=RAs can be seen, if SBAS does a perfect job correcting the clocks, the corrected pseudo range becomes the true geometric range R, (ignoring all non-clock errors) as desired.

Now, consider a similar application of the SBAS correctors to the ionosphere-free combination based on C₁/P₂; namely P_iono—free^CA. Here, according to the ICD-GPS-200, we should not subtract τ_GD^GPS, at least that is the case when using the P₁/P₂ ionosphere-free observable. We will denote the SBAS-corrected ionosphere-free observable as P_{iono—free—corrected} P_{iono—free—corrected}^CA=K₁C₁−K₂P₂+T_SV^GPS+T_SBAS+B_ISC—TGD

The term, B_ISC—TGD, is a bias that must be added for proper application of SBAS correctors to the C₁/P₂-based ionosphere-free combination. Its need (and its value) will become evident in the subsequent derivation. Expanding terms, we get

$\begin{array}{c}{P}_{\mathrm{iono\_free}\mathrm{\_corrected}}^{\mathrm{CA}}=R-T_{\mathrm{SV}}-K_1{\mathrm{ISC}}_{L1/\mathrm{CA}}+T_{\mathrm{SV}}^{\mathrm{GPS}}+\\ \left[\left(T_{\mathrm{SV}}-T_{\mathrm{SV}}^{\mathrm{GPS}}\right)+{\mathrm{ISC}}_{L1/\mathrm{CA}}-\left({\tau }_{\mathrm{GD}}-{\tau }_{\mathrm{GD}}^{\mathrm{GPS}}\right)\right]+\\ B_{\mathrm{ISC\_TGD}}\\ =R-\left(K_1-1\right){\mathrm{ISC}}_{L1/\mathrm{CA}}-\left({\tau }_{\mathrm{GD}}-{\tau }_{\mathrm{GD}}^{\mathrm{GPS}}\right)+B_{\mathrm{ISC\_TGD}}\\ =R-K_2{\mathrm{ISC}}_{L1/\mathrm{CA}}-\left({\tau }_{\mathrm{GD}}-{\tau }_{\mathrm{GD}}^{\mathrm{GPS}}\right)+B_{\mathrm{ISC\_TGD}}\end{array}$ In order to get the desired result, B_ISC—TGD must be taken as follows:B_ISC—TGD=K₂ISC_L1/CA+(τ_GD−τ_GD^GPS)With this, we haveP_{iono—free—corrected}^CA=R We see that B_ISC—TGD accounts for the inter-signal code bias, ISC_L1/CA, as well as any errors or round-off in the precision of τ_GD^GPS.

One more bias that must be included is one not included in previous literature, which we shall denote as B_USER-SBAS. This bias accounts for differences between the code tracking-loops in the SBAS's network of GPS receivers and code tracking-loops in a user's GPS receiver (different multipath mitigation techniques and receiver group-delays can result in different biases). It also accounts for any other implementation-specific biases between the SBAS system and user receiver. One way to describe B_USER-SBAS is a bias that models the difference between the pseudo range measured in a receiver that would be corrected perfectly by SBAS, and the pseudo range measured in a receiver that is actually being deployed. The total bias that must be taken into account when using SBAS corrector with the ionosphere-free C₁/P₂ combination isB_TOTAL=B_ISC—TGD+B_USER-SBAS

In the exemplary embodiment, this bias, B_TOTAL, is stored in the non-volatile memory of the user's GPS receiver, one for each GPS space vehicle. The biases have been observed to be nearly constant, varying slowly over time and only taking dramatic steps upon replacement of a space vehicle. Consequently, frequent uploads of biases to receiver non-volatile memory is not necessary. Uploads can be done on a periodic basis which will typically be on the order of several months to a year. Biases should be monitored for substantial changes so that new bias tables can be made available. We note that one component of the biases, the ISC_L1/CA bias, is monitored by the Center for Orbit Determination in Europe (CODE) where results are made public via the Internet. However, for best results it is recommended that biases are monitored and computed using the exact type of GPS receivers for which the bias will be utilized. Particularly since CODE uses a network of receivers from different manufacturers to compute their bias estimates based on an average of all contributing receiver data.

Rather than compute B_TOTAL as the sum of individual components, it can be computed as one lumped bias. This is accomplished by replacing B_ISC—TGD with B_TOTAL in the equation for P_{iono—free—corrected}^CA. The process of computing B_TOTAL will be referred to as calibration mode.

During calibration mode, a receiver is situated in a known location and configured to gather carrier-smoothed, ionosphere-free pseudo ranges corrected with SBAS orbit and clock correctors. Smoothing can take place indefinitely since there is no divergence between code and carrier with the ionosphere-free combinations.

The carrier-smoothed, ionosphere-free pseudo ranges, corrected with SBAS are computed asP_{iono—free—corrected}^CA=(K₁C₁−K₂P₂)^SMOOTH+T_SV^GPS−T_USER+T_SBAS+TropoModelwhere(K₁C₁−K₂P₂)^SMOOTH is the carrier-smoothed, ionosphere-free pseudo rangeT_SV^GPS is the GPS broadcast SV clock modelT_USER is the user clock estimate, common to all observationsT_SBAS is the SBAS clock correction (both fast and slow)TropoModel is a nominal model of the troposphere delay, as for example, the model in RTCA/DO 229, Appendix A

A residual is formed for each satellite by subtracting the geometric (truth) range of the satellite from P_{iono—free—corrected}^CA. The truth range, R_truth, is computed using the GPS broadcast ephemeris (correcting with SBAS orbit correctors) and the known receiver location, ideally adjusted for solid Earth tide variations in altitude.

The residual includes the desired bias, B_TOTAL, plus other error terms. That isresidual=P_{iono—free—corrected}^CA−R_truth=B_TOTAL+OtherOther is all other sources of error aside from those constant errors making up B_TOTAL.The term “Other” would include the following:

• • Un-modeled troposphere—This is the troposphere perturbations from the model. We attempt to estimate this source of error in post processing.
  • Errors in the user clock, T_USER,—These errors are common to all satellites and are removed in post processing by estimating it and differencing it away.
  • Time varying errors in T_SBAS,—These are due to the fact the SBAS system is not perfect. They are treated as noise. Note that any constant errors that persist for days will be lumped into B_TOTAL.
  • Effects of Solid Earth tides.—These are actually not errors but variations in the receiver location (up to 30 cm) due to solid Earth tide fluctuations in receiver altitude. A model of solid Earth tides should be utilized to adjust the receiver truth location accordingly. If a model is not used, data should be taken over multiple days so that the Earth tidal effects can be averaged out.
  • Multipath and other noise—the antenna should be a choke ring or equivalent and placed in a good location.

Residual terms are gathered, ideally over multiple days for better averaging away of noise effects. Post processing of the residuals then yields the desired biases. In the crudest form of post-processing, residual data is simply plotted and systematic shifts in residuals are visually determined. The eye is generally good at averaging out time-varying effects, such as those mentioned above.

A more systematic approach to calibrating the biases is to use a Kalman filter or a least-squares method to estimate and remove the effects of un-modeled troposphere errors, common clock errors, and to effectively time-average the data. The state vector of a Kalman filter is comprised of a troposphere perturbation state and a clock state, both of which are allowed to vary (a random-walk process), and the B_TOTAL biases, one per satellite, each of which is assumed to be constant in the Kalman process model. The troposphere state is a perturbation from the model of the troposphere, and its effect on the residual observations is through a mapping function based on satellite elevation angle. By estimating and removing troposphere and clock effects, the Kalman filter is able to effectively estimate the B_TOTAL bias terms (essentially these biases are a time-average of what is left in the residual errors after removing troposphere and clock offsets).

As mentioned, B_TOTAL encompasses inaccuracies in the assumed τ_GD and ISC_L1C/A as well as SBAS system-to-user-receiver biases. Clearly, portions of B_TOTAL (such as the ISC_L1C/A or τ_GD contribution) can be determined in advance by other methods, for example, ISC_L1C/A can be determined simply by averaging P₁−C₁. In this case, the known bias contributions are removed up-front during the calibration process. Only the remaining portions of B_TOTAL are then calculated and, following calibration, these remaining portions are summed together with the known biases to yield the desired total bias, B_TOTAL.

Having performed the bias calibrations, a table of satellite biases (a separate B_TOTAL for each satellite) is made available for upload to receivers in the field. This could be via the internet (with a web-based server for example) or the bias table could be loaded onto a memory stick that is plugged into the individual receivers. The user may manually enter the bias table into the receiver through issuing a command over one of the receiver's RS-232 com ports, or the process may be automated, such as simply connecting the receiver to a PC and letting software take over. The receiver then stores the biases in non-volatile memory for subsequent use. Other approaches can be taken which are obvious to those skilled in the art. Biases are re-computed and made available on a periodic basis or as new satellites are launched.

FIG. 1 shows the process of calibrating biases. Blocks 101 through 105 provide a high-level summary of the process steps described above. Slight variations to these steps and their sequence will be apparent to those skilled in the art and within the scope of the present invention. At step 101 a reference receiver is situated at a known location. Ionosphere-free, carrier-smoothed pseudo ranges are computed at 102 and SBAS corrections are applied at 103. Residual errors between true ranges and SBAS-corrected ranges are computed and output at 104 and the B_TOTAL biases are determined at 105.

In summary, a single receiver situated at a known location can be used to calibrate biases (producing a table of B_TOTAL at 106) that can later be provided (by some means) to a large number of receivers in the field. The process of FIG. 2 is done periodically to monitor and capture slow changes in biases, or is done when new satellites enter the constellation.

With the biases known and accounted for, the SBAS orbit and clock are applied to the ionosphere-free range observations resulting in improved accuracy in a dual-frequency GPS receiver. As was the case during calibration, smoothing of ionosphere-free code against ionosphere-free carrier (for example, a Hatch filter) is employed for best results. Smoothing can take place indefinitely since there is no divergence between code and carrier with the ionosphere-free combinations. This is unlike a single-frequency receiver where smoothing intervals must be limited as a result of code/carrier divergence. In practice, a two hour smoothing window would typically be sufficient for many applications.

FIG. 2 outlines the use of the B_TOTAL biases in a GNSS receiver. As shown in block 121, the biases are first uploaded into the receiver. During operation, the GNSS receiver computes ionosphere-free pseudo ranges at 122 and then (optionally) applies carrier smoothing to these ranges at 123. Corrections are then made using SBAS clock correctors at 124, the B_TOTAL biases at 125 and modeled or estimated troposphere delays at step 126. Using the corrected pseudo ranges, a location is then computed as shown in 127. SBAS ephemeris corrections are applied as well. In fact, all SBAS corrections can be applied as described in RTCA/DO 229D, Appendix A with the exception of the ionosphere corrections. The other major difference is that we have introduced the B_TOTAL bias corrections and we no longer apply τ_GD since it is not used with ionosphere-free pseudo ranges.

In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention an additional step is taken to improve accuracy. This step is the estimation of residual troposphere content in the observed pseudo ranges. Having removed ionosphere error using ionosphere-free combinations and correcting clock and orbit errors using SBAS corrections, troposphere model errors start to become relevant and limit overall accuracy. However, with a sufficient numbers of satellites (5 or more), perturbations in the troposphere relative to the model can be estimated in real-time.

A state that models a troposphere zenith delay perturbation is estimated by a Kalman filter that also simultaneously estimates receiver location, clock, and other navigation quantities of interest. In another embodiment, the Kalman filter can ignore a nominal model altogether and estimate the entire zenith troposphere, not just a perturbation to a nominal model. In constructing the Kalman filter, measurements are assumed to be impacted by the troposphere zenith delay scaled by a mapping function that maps zenith into a slant delay based on satellite elevation angle.

A Kalman filter state vector will consist of position (x,y,z), time, t, and troposphere, τ plus possibly other quantities such as velocity or past positions.

$X=\left[\begin{array}{c}x\\ y\\ z\\ t\\ \tau \\ ⋮\end{array}\right]$

The Kalman residual, for satellite, j, is defined asresidual^j=R_measured^j−R_predicted^j whereR_measured^j=the j^th satellite's measured pseudo rangeandR_predicted^j=the j^th satellite's predicted range, where the prediction is based on the current state, X, of the Kalman filter.

The Kalman filter is based on a linearization of the non-linear range equations. The partials of the residual with respect to X giving∂(residual^j)=−[H^j][∂X]whereH^j=[u_x^j, u_y^j, u_z^j, 1, M^j, . . . ] is the j^th row of what is frequently referred to as the design matrix and is the matrix needed for Kalman filter design, or least squares solution. The first 3 elements of H^j, [u_x^j, u_y^j, u_z^j,], are a unit vector from satellite j to the current location X, and M^j is a troposphere mapping function for satellite j. The clock, t, is mapped through unity (the 4^th element of H^j).

The troposphere mapping function, is taken as

$M^j=\frac{1.001}{\sqrt{0.002001+{\sin }^2\left({\mathrm{El}}^j\right)}}$ where El^j is the elevation angle of satellite j.

The Kalman time-update of troposphere state can follow a simple linear model which exponentially correlates over time. The following equation shows the Kalman process model for the update of the troposphere state, τ, from time k, to time k+1,τ(k+1)=f_Tropτ(k)+g_Tropn(k)f_Trop=exp^(−Ts/Tc),g_Trop=√{square root over (P−f_Trop²P)}Here, n(k) is unit white noise, T_s is the Kalman sample period, Tc is the troposphere time-correlation period, and P is the troposphere auto-correlation power. Typical values for Tc are one to several hours and P is on the order of centimeters since τ(k) represents a perturbation from nominal troposphere.

The equations given above are sufficient, for one skilled in the art, to design a Kalman filter estimator for the navigation state that includes a troposphere delay estimate in addition to receiver location and receiver clock.

It is to be understood that the invention can be embodied in various forms, and is not to be limited to the examples discussed above.

Claims

1. A GNSS receiver system for receiving signals from GNSS satellites, including at least one SBAS satellite, which receiver system includes: a receiver including a nonvolatile memory adapted for storing a table of bias corrections for at least one GNSS satellite;each bias correction including at least one of a group delay correction component and an inter-signal bias correction component; andan ionosphere-free pseudo range being SBAS-corrected using data broadcast in the SBAS signal as well as data in the bias correction table according to the formula:

2. The GNSS receiver system of claim 1, which includes: a Kalman filter adapted for estimating the troposphere as its state.

3. The system of claim 1, which includes: said GNSS receiver comprising a dual frequency receiver using one of:L2(P) and L1(P); andL2(P) and L1(C/A).

4. The system of claim 1, which includes means for calibrating the biases using either: a Kalman filter or a least squares method to: estimate and remove the effects of un-modeled troposphere errors and clock errors; and to effectively time-average the data.

5. The method of claim 1, which includes means for providing a separate BTOTAL value for each of multiple GNSS satellites.

6. A GNSS receiver system for receiving pseudo range signals from GNSS satellites, including at least one SBAS satellite, which receiver system includes: a receiver including a nonvolatile memory adapted for storing a table of bias corrections for at least one GNSS satellite;a microprocessor controller connected to said GNSS receiver;each bias correction including at least one of a group delay correction component and an inter-signal bias correction component;the pseudo range signals being bias-corrected using data broadcast in the SBAS signal as well as data in the bias correction table; andthe pseudo range being SBAS-corrected using a GNSS broadcast clock model and a broadcast group delay, each satellite sending respective satellite-specific correction values and the biases being calibrated using a Kalman filter or a least squares method to estimate and remove the effects of un-modeled troposphere errors and clock errors and to effectively time-average the data.