Sources of Error in Satellite Navigation Positioning
Sources of Error in Satellite Navigation Positioning
DOI: 10.12716/1001.11.03.04
ABSTRACT: An uninterrupted information about the user’s position can be obtained generally from satellite
navigation system (SNS). At the time of this writing (January 2017) currently two global SNSs, GPS and
GLONASS, are fully operational, two next, also global, Galileo and BeiDou are under construction. In each SNS
the accuracy of the user’s position is affected by the three main factors: accuracy of each satellite position,
accuracy of pseudorange measurement and satellite geometry. The user’s position error is a function of both the
pseudorange error called UERE (User Equivalent Range Error) and user/satellite geometry expressed by right
Dilution Of Precision (DOP) coefficient. This error is decomposed into two types of errors: the signal in space
ranging error called URE (User Range Error) and the user equipment error UEE. The detailed analyses of URE,
UEE, UERE and DOP coefficients, and the changes of DOP coefficients in different days are presented in this
paper.
1 INTRODUCTION The user’s position error is a function of both the
pseudorange error called UERE (User Equivalent
An uninterrupted information about the user’s Range Error) and user/satellite geometry expressed by
position can be obtained generally from specialized Dilution Of Precision (DOP) coefficient. Assuming
electronic position‐fixing system, in particular, that the measurements errors for all satellites are
satellite navigation system (SNS). At the time of this identical and independent, the UERE may be defined
writing (January 2017) two global SNSs, the American as the root square of the various errors and biases.
GPS and the Russian GLONASS, are fully Multiplying the UERE by the appropriate DOP value
operational, two next, also global, Galileo in Europe produces the expected precision of the GPS
and BeiDou in China are under construction positioning at the one sigma level (el Rabbany 2016,
(www.globaln‐ews.ca, www.gpsworld.com, Misra & Enge 2006). The best guideline for position
www.insidegnss.com). error analyses is pseudorange error budget.
In the case of each SNS the accuracy of the user’s
position determined using a single standalone
receiver is affected by the three main factors: 2 USER EQUIVALENT RANGE ERROR
position’s accuracy of each satellite used for
calculation, Overall UERE is the ranging error along the vector
accuracy of pseudorange measurements, between the user’s receiver and a particular satellite.
actual satellite geometry. This error is decomposed into two types of errors: the
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signal in space ranging error called URE (User Range tens or even hundreds of meters of error. To reduce or
Error) or SISRE (Signal In Space Ranging Error) and estimate the multipath effects, various methods were
the user equipment error UEE. developed – antenna‐based mitigation, improved
receiver technology and signal and data processing
(Beitz 2016, Hofmann‐Wellenhof 2008).
UERE URE 2 UEE 2 (1)
Group delay errors occur in the user’s receiver. In
the case of CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access)
URE accounts for pseudorange error due to the
receiver (currently GPS, in the future Galileo and
space segment and terrestrial segment while UEE for
BeiDou) these errors are very small (fractional
effects of propagation and receiver processing. In the
nanosecond) when all measurements are made using
case of URE dominate three different error sources –
a single signal type. In the case of FDMA (Frequency
clock error (estimation, prediction, curve fit and
Division Multiple Access) receiver (currently
stability), ephemeris error (estimation, prediction and
GLONASS) the signals from different satellites have
curve fit) and satellite group delay error. Additionally
different center frequencies and consequently
before May 2, 2000 URE of GPS (one only global fully
experience different group delays that can be
operational SNS at that time) was dominated, very
significant.
significantly, by Selective Availability (SA), the
intentional distortion of the civil signal’s clock Noise and interference errors produce jitter in the
correction and ephemeris parameters. estimates of a signal’s time of arrival (Beitz 2016).
Ephemeris errors result when navigation message Finally we can say that in the case of GPS system
does not transmit the correct satellite location. It is during last years URE decreased considerably, i.e. in
typical that the radial component of this error is the 2001 – 1.6 m, in 2014 – 0.7 m. In this period Standard
smallest: the tangential and cross‐track errors may be Positioning Service (SPS) Performance Standard (PS)
larger by an order of magnitude. Fortunately, the changed also; before 2008 it was 6 m RMS, later it was
larger components do not affect ranging accuracy to considered that equivalent RMS decreased to 4 m
the same degree. Fundamental to SNS is the one‐way only. Additionally in 2008 the worst of any healthy
ranging measurement that ultimately depends on the satellite it was 7.8 m (95%), currently it is about 3 m
clock predictability. These satellite clock errors affect (95%) only (Munchen 2016).
both the C/A and P code users in the same way.
In the case of UEE dominate five distinct error
sources – ionospheric, tropospheric, multipath, group 3 DILUTION OF PRECISION COEFFICIENTS
delay and noise and interference [Beitz 2016]. To
eliminate ionospheric error single frequency SNS
receivers apply model of ionosphere with eight Satellite navigation system (SNS) positioning
coefficients transmitted in navigation message by accuracy is measured by the combined effect of the
satellites. If the GPS receiver can work in differential unmodeled measurement errors and the effect of the
mode the Pseudo Range Corrections (PRC) satellite geometry. The last effect can be measured by
transmitted by reference stations can be used. The a single dimensionless coefficient called the dilution
corrections to the clock, ephemeris and ionospheric of precision (DOP). A low DOP coefficient represents
information can be provided by geostationary a better positional precision due to the wider angular
satellites of SBAS (Satellite Based Augmentation reparative between the satellites used to calculate a
Systems) also. That’s why the number of integrated user’s position. The lower value of this coefficient, the
SNS/SBAS receivers increases since few years better the geometric strength, and vice versa. DOP
incessantly. Dual frequency SNS receivers can use the value is computed based on the relative user’s
simultaneously measurements of pseudorange on two receiver – satellite geometry at any instance, that is, it
transmitted satellite frequencies (Januszewski 2012, requires the availability of both the receiver and the
Misra & Enge 2006). satellite coordinates. Due to the relative motion of the
satellites and the user the value of the DOP will
Unlike the ionosphere, the troposphere is non‐ change over time (Forsell 2008).
dispersive medium for all frequencies carrier of all
SNS and SBAS. The refractive index n doesn’t depend The various DOP forms are used, depending on
upon the frequency of the signal. As this index is the user’s need. GDOP (Geometric Dilution of
larger than unity, the speed of propagation of SNS Precision) coefficient determines the multiplication
and SBAS signals is lower than in free space and, factor of the estimated distance measurement error
therefore, the apparent range to a satellite appears for the estimation of total position and time errors. Its
larger. The phase and group velocities on all satellites value is the root sum square of the variances along
frequencies, the measurements of code and carrier of the coordinate axes, that’s why the quantity can be
all these frequencies experience a common delay. The regarded as the distance between two points in space
disadvantages is that an elimination of the and, consequently, it is independent of the selection of
tropospheric refraction by dual frequency methods, coordinate system (Prasad & Ruggieri 2005).
unlike ionospheric delay is not possible (Januszewski The GDOP represents the combined effect of two
2013, Misra & Enge 2006). coefficients: PDOP (Position Dilution Of Precision)
Multipath is mainly caused by reflecting surfaces and TDOP (Time Dilution Of Precision). PDOP can be
near the user’s receiver, a satellite emitted signal broken into two components: HDOP (Horizontal
arrives at the receiver by more than one path. Dilution Of Precision) coefficient and VDOP (Vertical
Secondary effects are reflections at the satellite during Dilution Of Precision) coefficient. PDOP represents
signal transmission. In code tracking the result can be the contribution of the satellite geometry to the 3D
positioning accuracy and HDOP the contribution to
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the 2D positioning accuracy. Because the receiver can 4 (3D position cannot be determined) No Fix (in
track only those satellites above horizon (Hmin > 0O), percentage) greater than 0, is equal 0.3 and 1.4,
VDOP will always be larger than HDOP. respectively,
for all four SNSs HDOP coefficient can be less than
In order to know the distribution four DOP 2, coefficient VDOP is greater than 2 and PDOP
coefficients, VDOP, HDOP, PDOP and GDOP, values and GDOP are greater than 3, the value of all DOP
of all four global mentioned above SNSs author’s coefficients can be for all SNSs greater than 20 but
simulating program was used. The calculations based for GLONASS system this percentage is the
on reference ellipsoid WGS−84 were made for the greatest,
observer at latitudes 50 – 60O for masking elevation the percentage of HDOP coefficient value less than
angle Hmin = 5O (the most frequently used value in 2 is for GPS system greater than for other three
SNS receiver) and Hmin = 25O (representative for the SNSs, considerably,
positioning in restricted area where the visibility of the percentage of HDOP coefficient less than 3 and
satellites can be limited). The parameters of spatial PDOP and GDOP coefficients less than 4 is the
segment, the number of MEO satellites and time lowest for GLONASS system.
interval of constellation repeatability of all four SNSs
are presented in the table 1. The geographical The number of satellites (ls) used in GPS or DGPS
longitude of ascending node and argument of latitude position determination and the changes of HDOP and
of all GPS and GLONASS satellites were taken from VDOP coefficient values in different days in Gdynia
current constellations of these operational systems, in are presented in the table 4. All data were registered
the case of Galileo and BeiDou it was nominal future each minute. For all series of measurements the
constellation. number ls is for GPS system greater than for DGPS
system, in the case of DOP coefficients the both
external values of interval are for VDOP greater than
Table 1. Global satellite navigation systems, parameters of
for HDOP. Additionally we can say that if ls is greater
spatial segment and time interval of constellation
repeatability (www.beidou.gov.cn; www.glonass‐ both coefficients can be and in the most cases are less
ianc.rsa.ru; www.gps.gov; European GNSS, 2016, and vice versa if ls is lower both coefficients can be
www.gsc.europa.eu). and are greater (table 5).
_______________________________________________
System Orbit Orbit Number of Number
altitude inclination orbital periods / of MEO Table 2. Distribution of Dilution Of Precision (DOP)
[ km ] [ o] time interval satellites coefficient values (v) for satellite navigation systems,
_______________________________________________
[ min ] BeiDou (BeiD), Galileo (GAL), GLONASS (GLO) and GPS,
BeiDou 21,500 55 13 / 10,091.48 27 elevation mask 5 O, latitude 50 – 60O (own study).
_______________________________________________
Galileo 23,222 56 17 / 14,360.75 24 DOP
GLONASS 19,100 64.8 17 / 11,488.44 24
System Coefficient value − v
__________________________________
GPS 20,183 55 2 / 1435.94 31 _______________________________________________
1<v≤1.5 1.5<v≤2 2<v≤3 3<v≤4 4<v≤8
_______________________________________________
HDOP BeiD 3.2 87.4 9.4 − −
GAL 4.3 75.6 20.1 − −
For each system and for each angle (Hmin) one GLO 4.1 71.1 24.8 − −
thousand (1000) geographic–time coordinates of the GPS 6.9 89.9 3.2 − −
observer were generated by random–number VDOP BeiD 28.1 64.4 6.9 0.6 −
generator with uniform distribution: GAL 23.8 67.8 8.4 − −
latitude interval 0 – 600 minutes (10O), GLO 16.9 68.9 14.2 − −
longitude interval 0 − 21600 minutes (360O), GPS 41.6 48.6 9.8 − −
time interval in minutes equal time of constellation PDOP BeiD − − 88.7 11.2 0.1
repeatability (table 1). GAL − − 83.2 16.8 −
GLO − − 78.8 21.2 −
For each geographic–time coordinates the values GPS − − 91.2 8.6 0.2
of all four DOP coefficients were calculated. This
GDOP BeiD − − 70.3 27.8 1.9
value (v) was divided for Hmin = 5O into 5 intervals GAL − − 68.7 30.8 0.5
(1≤v<1.5, 1.5≤v<2, 2≤v<3, 3≤v<4, 4≤v<8) and for Hmin = GLO − − 61.3 38.7 −
25O into 8 intervals (v<2, 2≤v<3, 3≤v<4, 4≤v<5, 5≤v<6, _______________________________________________
GPS − − 79.5 19.7 0.8
6≤v<8, 8≤v<20, v≥20).
Distributions of Dilution Of Precision (DOP)
coefficients values at latitudes 50 – 60O for all four The values of three DOP coefficients indicated by
global SNS for masking elevation angle Hmin = 5O and five different stationary GPS receivers (Furuno GP 33,
25O are presented in the table 2 and 3 respectively. We Leica MX 420, Magnavox MX 200, Saab R5 Su‐preme
can say that in the first case: Nav, Simrad MX512) located in Gdynia for
DOP coefficient value is for all SNSs greater than 1 different masking elevation angles Hmin and different
and less than 3 except for BeiDou (less than 4), numbers of satellites visible and used for position
the percentage of the lowest values of HDOP (less determination are presented in the table 6. In the case
than 1.5) is the greatest for GPS system, of Furuno 33 receiver the lowest value of Hmin is 5O.
coefficient HDOP value is for all SNSs greater than The stationary receivers destined for maritime
1 and less than 3, users can indicate one (Furuno and Magnavox), two
coefficients PDOP and GDOP are for all SNSs (Leica and Simrad) or three (Saab) DOP coefficients.
greater than 2 and less than 8, From among five mentioned above receivers HDOP
and in the second case: coefficient is indicated by all except for Furuno,
as for two SNSs, Galileo and GPS, the number of VDOP by Leica, Saab, Simrad, PDOP by Furuno and
satellite visible above Hmin = 25O can be less than Saab. GDOP and TDOP are not indicated.
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All receivers except for Magnavox have 12 Table 5. The number of satellites ls used in DGPS position
channels (MX 200 – 6 only) for GPS pseudorange determination and DOP coefficients values October 4, 2016
mea‐surements but the number of satellites visible in Gdynia (54O31,0849’N, 018O33,2738’E), Leica MX 420
(lv) and used (lu) for position determination is Navigation System receiver, H min = 5O (own study).
_______________________________________________
different and these numbers depend on angle Hmin. Time [UTC] ls HDOP VDOP
_______________________________________________
Numbers lv and lu are the greatest (12) for Saab if 1133 7 1.5 2.4
Hmin = 0O and 5O. Additionally we can recapitulate 1134 8 1.0 1.4
that: 1116 9 0.9 1.1
HDOP value is the greatest for Magnavox for each 1117 9 1.7 2.4
_______________________________________________
Hmin. This receiver has 6 channels only and
therefore the number of satellites used for position All values of DOP coefficients presented in the
fix and for calculate DOP coefficients cannot be tables 2 and 3 for given geographic‐time coordinates
greater than 6, were calculated by author for this constellation of four
VDOP coefficient value is for each Hmin greater satellites for which GDOP was the lowest. However
than HDOP value in the case of all three receivers in some receivers, e.g. Magnavox MX200, the user has
(Leica, Saab, Simrad) indicating VDOP and the the possibility to choose satellite selection criterion.
difference between these values is the greatest for The most frequently used and recommended was the
Hmin = 25O for two last receivers, best (the lowest) DOP.
some receivers, e.g. Furuno, indicate one DOP
coefficient value only. As in the case of Furuno GP Currently the receivers, particularly professional
33 all positions were calculated in mode 3D, it was models, use own and at the same time unknown
considered that this coefficient means PDOP, algorithm for the DOP coefficients calculation. That’s
if Hmin ≤ 10O HDOP value is the lowest for Saab, if why in different receivers DOP values for the same
Hmin = 15O and 20O for Saab and Leica, if Hmin = 25O satellite constellation are in given moment and for the
for Leica, same geographic coordinates different (table 6), e.g. if
if Hmin ≤ 5O VDOP value is the lowest for Saab, if Hmin = 15O the number of satellites visible by two
Hmin > 5O for Leica. receivers, Saab and Simrad, was the same (12) but the
number of satellites used for position fix was
different, 9 and 7, respectively. Because of this
difference HDOP and VDOP coefficients values were
1.0 & 2.0 and 1.2 & 2.3, respectively.
Table 3. Distribution of Dilution Of Precision (DOP) coefficients values (v) for satellite navigation systems, BeiDou, Galileo,
GLONASS and GPS, and No Fix in percent, elevation mask 25 O, latitude 50 – 60O (own study).
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
DOP
System
______________________________________________________________________________
No Fix Coefficient value − v
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
[%] v≤2 2<v≤3 3<v≤4 4<v≤5 5<v≤6 6<v≤8 8<v≤20 v>20
VDOP BeiDou − − 43.2 32.9 0.7 0.4 5.6 12.0 5.2
Galileo 0.3 − 54.3 10.1 2.0 1.5 2.9 14.9 14.0
GLONASS − − 42.4 24.3 3.6 2.5 2.7 3.7 20.8
GPS 1.4 − 36.5 32.2 15.1 5.9 3.0 4.0 1.9
HDOP BeiDou − 6.5 69.2 11.8 5.3 1.9 0.9 2.4 3.0
Galileo 0.3 2.5 62.0 6.1 5.0 5.1 5.0 7.4 6.6
GLONASS − 2.5 60.9 11.7 1.9 0.9 1.3 6.8 14.0
GPS 1.4 17.2 56.1 15.0 3.5 1.7 1.8 2.0 1.3
PDOP BeiDou − − − 42.1 33.2 − 2.4 14.9 7.4
Galileo 0.3 − − 50.3 14.0 1.8 3.3 15.1 15.2
GLONASS − − − 32.4 33.8 3.7 4.1 4.7 21.3
GPS 1.4 − − 37.2 29.6 13.7 9.2 5.8 2.3
GDOP BeiDou − − − 13.6 39.4 22.3 0.1 14.7 9.9
Galileo 0.3 − − 15.3 43.3 5.7 2.7 12.7 20.0
GLONASS − − − 4.4 47.5 15.4 4.4 6.2 22.1
GPS 1.4 − − 18.4 31.0 20.1 16.6 9.4 3.1
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Table 4. The number of satellites ls used in position determination and DOP coefficients values in different days in Gdynia
(54O31,0849’N, 018O33,2738’E) for GPS and DGPS systems, Leica MX 420 Navigation System receiver, Hmin = 5O (own study).
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
System Day UTC Ls HDOP VDOP
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
DGPS October 4, 2017 0824 − 1224 7 – 9 0.9 – 1.7 1.1 – 2.4
October 5, 2017 0709 – 1108 8 – 9 0.9 – 1.2 1.2 – 1.8
October 6, 2017 0710 – 0910 7 – 9 0.9 – 1.2 1.0 – 2.1
GPS October 6, 2016 0911 − 1011 11 − 12 0.8 – 0.9 1.1 – 1.6
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Table 5. The number of GPS satellites and DOP coefficients for different receivers and different masking elevation angle
Hmin, Gdynia (54O31,0849’N, 018O33,2738’E), October 17, 2016 (own study).
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
H
min Receiver
_______________________________________________________________________
Number of satellites Coefficient
[__________________________________________________________________________________________________
o] visible used HDOP VDOP PDOP
0 Leica MX 420 12 9 1.0 1.5 −
Magnavox MX 200 11 6 1.3 − −
SaaB R5 Supreme Nav 12 12 0.7 1.2 1.4
Simrad MX512 12 8 1.0 2.0 −
5 Furuno GP−33 12 10 − − 1.76
Leica MX 420 12 9 1.0 1.4 −
Magnavox MX 200 11 6 1.3 − −
SaaB R5 Supreme Nav 12 12 0.7 1.2 1.4
Simrad MX512 12 8 1.0 2.0 −
10 Furuno GP−33 12 9 − − 1.90
Leica MX 420 11 8 1.0 1.5 −
Magnavox MX 200 10 6 1.3 − −
SaaB R5 Supreme Nav 12 10 0.9 1.7 1.9
Simrad MX512 12 8 1.0 2.0 −
15 Furuno GP−33 11 8 − − 2.35
Leica MX 420 11 8 1.0 1.5 −
Magnavox MX 200 10 6 1.3 − −
SaaB R5 Supreme Nav 12 9 1.0 2.0 2.2
Simrad MX512 12 7 1.2 2.3 −
20 Furuno GP−33 11 8 − − 2.36
Leica MX 420 11 7 1.0 1.6 −
Magnavox MX 200 8 5 1.5 − −
SaaB R5 Supreme Nav 12 9 1.0 2.0 2.2
Simrad MX512 12 7 1.2 2.3 −
25 Furuno GP−33 11 7 − − 3.41
Leica MX 420 11 7 1.0 1.6 −
Magnavox MX 200 6 5 1.5 − −
SaaB R5 Supreme Nav 12 7 1.3 3.5 3.7
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Simrad MX512 12 6 1.4 3.5 −
4 CONCLUSIONS REFERENCES
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