On the feasibility of ionosphere-modeled satellite positioning by a hierarchical ambiguity function methodology

The ambiguity function that is connected with global navigation satellite systems is subjected to a least-squares parameter estimation. A novel algorithm that is applicable to phase data either on the Russian frequency division or the American code division multiple access L-band signals is reported in detail. The positioning technology relies only on pseudoranges and carrier phases measured at one single epoch. The method involves techniques such as wide-lane combination, atmospheric delay correction, variance component estimation, and ambiguity functions in hierarchy. Preliminary experiments showed methodological feasibility in time-dependent relative satellite positioning. In the collocation case study of a 56.6-km baseline, it is also shown that the incorporation of a numerical model epoch-by-epoch for the ionosphere is of great benefit. For the Russian navigation system, 9.5 cm in the northsouth, 11.5 cm in the eastwest, and 22.9 cm in the vertical direction are achieved as root mean square errors. For the American counterpart, there are 7.4, 7.3, and 17.6 cm in positioning accuracy, respectively. Concluding remarks are made to raise some issues that warrant future research efforts.