A statistical approach to estimate Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) receiver signal tracking performance in the presence of ionospheric scintillation

Vadakke Veettil, Sreeja; Aquino, Marcio; Spogli, Luca; Cesaroni, Claudio

Abstract

Ionospheric scintillation can seriously impair the Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) receiver signal tracking performance, thus affecting the required levels of availability, accuracy and integrity of positioning that supports modern day GNSS based applications. We present results from the research work carried out under the Horizon 2020 European Commission (EC) funded Ionospheric Prediction Service (IPS) project. The statistical models developed to estimate the standard deviation of the receiver Phase Locked Loop (PLL) tracking jitter on the Global Positioning System (GPS) L1 frequency as a function of scintillation levels are presented. The models were developed following the statistical approach of generalized linear modelling on data recorded by networks in operation at high and low latitudes during the years of 2012 to 2015. The developed models were validated using data from different stations over varying latitudes, which yielded promising results. In the case of mid-latitudes, as the occurrence of strong scintillation is absent, an attempt to develop a dedicated model proved fruitless and, therefore, the models developed for the high and low latitudes were tested for two mid-latitude stations. The developed statistical models can be used to generate receiver tracking jitter maps over a region, providing users with the expected tracking conditions. The approach followed for the development of these models for the GPS L1 frequency can be used as a blueprint for the development of similar models for other GNSS frequencies, which will be the subject of follow on research.

Citation

Vadakke Veettil, S., Aquino, M., Spogli, L., & Cesaroni, C. (2018). A statistical approach to estimate Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) receiver signal tracking performance in the presence of ionospheric scintillation. Journal of Space Weather and Space Climate, 8, A51. https://doi.org/10.1051/swsc/2018037

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 24, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Nov 23, 2018
• Publication Date: Nov 23, 2018
• Deposit Date: Oct 16, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 16, 2018
• Journal: Journal of Space Weather and Space Climate
• Publisher: EDP Open
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 8
• Pages: A51
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1051/swsc/2018037
• Keywords: Global Navigation Satellite Systems, receiver signal tracking performance, statistical modelling, ionospheric scintillation
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1169790
• Publisher URL: https://www.swsc-journal.org/articles/swsc/abs/2018/01/swsc180031/swsc180031.html