Brian Breitsch
M.S. FinalJun 21, 2017, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Engineering Conference Room
Optimal Linear Combinations of GNSS Phase Observables to Improve and Assess TEC Estimation Precision
Abstract: One of the principal observations
derived from GNSS (Global Navigation
Satellite Systems) signals is
ionospheric total electron content
(TEC), which is a measure of the
density of free electrons (i.e.\
ionosphere plasma density) integrated
along the signal path. TEC is typically
computed using the difference of dual-
frequency signals from a GNSS
satellite, thereby taking advantage of
the frequency dispersive effects of
ionosphere plasma on microwave-
band propagation. However, it is
difficult to distinguish between the
ionosphere and other frequency-
dependent effects, such as multipath
and satellite antenna phase effects.
Newly available triple-frequency GNSS
signals allow computation of geometry-
ionosphere-free combinations (GIFC)
that specifically highlight the impact of
residual errors from these effects. This
work aims to: 1) introduce a framework
for choosing linear estimator
coefficients for GNSS parameters, 2)
use this system to derive triple-
frequency TEC estimator and GIFC
coefficients, 3) introduce and
summarize typical GIFC signals from
real triple-frequency GPS data, 4)
highlight the various frequency-
dispersive effects that pervade these
signals, and 5) use statistics from
GIFC signals to assess the impact of
error residuals on TEC estimates made
using GPS signals.
derived from GNSS (Global Navigation
Satellite Systems) signals is
ionospheric total electron content
(TEC), which is a measure of the
density of free electrons (i.e.\
ionosphere plasma density) integrated
along the signal path. TEC is typically
computed using the difference of dual-
frequency signals from a GNSS
satellite, thereby taking advantage of
the frequency dispersive effects of
ionosphere plasma on microwave-
band propagation. However, it is
difficult to distinguish between the
ionosphere and other frequency-
dependent effects, such as multipath
and satellite antenna phase effects.
Newly available triple-frequency GNSS
signals allow computation of geometry-
ionosphere-free combinations (GIFC)
that specifically highlight the impact of
residual errors from these effects. This
work aims to: 1) introduce a framework
for choosing linear estimator
coefficients for GNSS parameters, 2)
use this system to derive triple-
frequency TEC estimator and GIFC
coefficients, 3) introduce and
summarize typical GIFC signals from
real triple-frequency GPS data, 4)
highlight the various frequency-
dispersive effects that pervade these
signals, and 5) use statistics from
GIFC signals to assess the impact of
error residuals on TEC estimates made
using GPS signals.
Adviser: Jade Morton
Co-Adviser: N / A
Non-ECE Member: Anton Betten
Member 3: Charles Rino
Addional Members: N / A
Co-Adviser: N / A
Non-ECE Member: Anton Betten
Member 3: Charles Rino
Addional Members: N / A
Publications:
N / A
N / A
Program of Study:
ECE-444
ECE-611
ECE-514
MATH-618
MATH-519
MATH-525
ECE-699
MATH-502
ECE-444
ECE-611
ECE-514
MATH-618
MATH-519
MATH-525
ECE-699
MATH-502