Inter-Satellite Link Enhanced Orbit Determination for BeiDou-3. (13th June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yang, Yufei; Yang, Yuanxi; Hu, Xiaogong; Chen, Jinping; Guo, Rui; Tang, Chengpan; Zhou, Shanshi; Zhao, Liqian; Xu, Junyi
• Is Part Of: Journal of navigation. Volume 73:Number 1(2020)
• Page Start: 115
• Page End: 130
• Publication Date: 2019-06-13
• Subjects: BeiDou-3, -- Inter-satellite link, -- Enhanced orbit determination, -- iGMAS; Navigation -- Periodicals; 623.8905
• DOI: 10.1017/S0373463319000523
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0373-4633

Abstract

Abstract : The third generation of the BeiDou navigation satellite system (BDS-3) is a global navigation system, and is expected to be in full operation by 2020. High-precision orbits are a precondition for BDS-3 to provide a highly accurate service, which needs a global tracking and monitoring capability for the operational satellites. However, it is difficult for BDS to construct global ground monitoring stations. Fortunately, Ka-band Inter-Satellite Link (ISL) antennae fitted to the BDS-3 satellites can be used to extend the visible arc of the Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites and to enhance the ground stations for orbit determination. This paper analyses the ISL-enhanced orbit determination for eight BDS-3 satellites, using the data from ten Chinese domestic stations and 13 international Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Monitoring and Assessment System (iGMAS) overseas stations. The results show that the Three-Dimensional (3D) position Root Mean Square (RMS) error of the Overlapping Orbit Differences (OODs) is approximately 1 m when only ten regional stations are used. When the ISL measurements are added, the 3D position RMS error is decreased to 0·5 m, and the accuracy of the 24-hour orbit prediction can also be improved from 2 m to 0·7 m, which is even better than that of the orbits determined using globally distributed stations. It can be expected that with the subsequent launch of BDS-3 satellites and the increasing number of ISLs, the advantage of the ISL enhanced orbit determination will become more significant.