• Login
• Admin

Farah, Ashraf Mohamed Ahmed (2004) GPS/Galileo simulation for reduced dynamic LEO satellite orbit determination. PhD thesis, University of Nottingham.

Preview

PDF - Requires a PDF viewer such as GSview, Xpdf or Adobe Acrobat Reader Download (45MB) | Preview

Abstract

Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) have an endless number of applications in industry, science, military, transportation and recreation & sports. Two systems are currently in operation namely GPS (the USA Global Positioning System) and GLONASS (the Russian GLObal NAvigation Satellite System), and a third is planned, the European satellite navigation system GALILEO. The potential performance improvements achievable through combining these systems could be significant and expectations are high. Computer software can be used to simulate the overall process of GNSS (signal transmission and reception) and produce realistic simulated GNSS measurements. Using such simulated measurements, current and future GNSS systems and possible new applications of GNSS can be investigated. Thus data simulation is the perfect research tool in GNSS fields.

Oceanography, is one application of GNSS, which requires position determination with a high accuracy. LEO satellites are used to measure the precise height of the sea surface for studying the dynamics of the world's oceans. Achieving maximum benefit from the altimetric data collected by LEO satellites requires a radial orbit accuracy of 10 cm, or better. It is in determining this orbit where GNSS may be utilised. GPS already delivers high quality position information for LEO satellite orbits such as Topex/Poseidon (1992- present). However LEO satellite orbits determination can still benefit from using GPS combined with GALILEO as there will be more visible satellites and a higher quality of measurements. Investigation of LEO satellite orbit determination using GPS or GALILEO or both systems requires GPS and GALILEO measurements. Due to the lack of real GALILEO measurements, as the system is still in development, the simulation of GPS and GALILEO measurements is required. In order to generate realistic simulated GPS and GALILEO data, the errors, which predominate in GNSS measurements, must be accurately modelled.

During this research, it has been shown that it is possible to generate realistic simulated GPS data through the more realistic simulation of the ionospheric, tropospheric and multipath delays. Models with a high spatial resolution have been implemented to simulate the real behaviour of the ionosphere and troposphere. The behaviour of the resulting simulated GPS data is shown to follow the behaviour of real GPS data with a strong agreement. It has also been possible to generate GALILEO simulated data through modifying the simulation software using the GALELEO Design technical specifications. The potential impact of using GPS and GALILEO on LEO satellite orbit determination could be investigated on Topex/Poseidon mission which real GPS data was available from the beginning of this study. The performance of GPS, GALILEO, combined GPS/GALILEO and combined GPS-modernised/GALELEO constellations have been investigated in relation to the reduced dynamic orbit determination of the LEO satellite Topex/Poseidon. It can be concluded that the GALILEO constellation will provide high quality real time LEO satellite orbits compared with GPS. GALELEO constellation will provide slightly better quality real time LEO satellite orbits over the combined GPS-present/GALELEO constellation. However the best quality real time LEO satellite orbits will result from the combined GPS-modernised/GALILEO constellation.

Item Type:	Thesis (University of Nottingham only) (PhD)
Supervisors:	Hill, C.J. Moore, T.
Keywords:	Artificial satellites in navigation, Global Positioning System
Subjects:	T Technology > TL Motor vehicles. Aeronautics. Astronautics
Faculties/Schools:	UK Campuses > Faculty of Engineering > Department of Civil Engineering
Item ID:	11288
Depositing User:	EP, Services
Date Deposited:	20 May 2010 10:07
Last Modified:	15 Oct 2017 00:43
URI:	https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/11288

Actions (Archive Staff Only)

Edit View