Expected Position Error for an Onboard Satellite GPS Receiver

Abstract

The Global Positioning System (GPS) constellation provides ranging information that delivers inexpensive, high precision positioning for terrestrial users. Satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) can use an onboard GPS receiver resulting in meter-level navigation solution accuracy. There are limitations to using GPS for positioning for satellites above LEO. The number of GPS satellites who's signal can be received decreases as the receivers altitude approaches that of the GPS constellation. Above the GPS constellation, the available GPS signals for ranging will originate from satellites on the opposite side of Earth. This research calculates the available GPS signals to the receiver and determines the expected position error, while considering the effects from a low signal to noise ratio, poor geometry, and signal shift caused by high relative velocity.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 2015
Accession Number
ADA614967

Entities

People

  • Anthony S. Williams

Organizations

  • Air Force Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Air Force
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Computer Programming
  • Computer Programs
  • Doppler Effect
  • Earth Orbits
  • Elliptical Orbits
  • Geosynchronous Orbits
  • Global Navigation Satellite Systems
  • Global Positioning Systems
  • Low Earth Orbits
  • Navigation
  • Reliability
  • Satellite Constellations
  • Spacecraft
  • United States Government

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering.
  • Inertial Navigation Systems.
  • Radar Systems Engineering.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Orbital Debris