Fast Ambiguity Resolution using Galileo Multiple Frequency Carrier Phase Measurement

Rapid and high-precision positioning with a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) is feasible only when very precise carrier-phase observations can be used. There are two kinds of mathematical models for ambiguity resolution. The first one is based on both pseudorange and carrier phase measurements, and the observation equations are of full rank. The second one is only based on carrier phase measurement, which is a rank-defect model. Though the former is more commonly used, the latter has its own advantage, that is, ambiguity resolution will be freed from the effects of pseudorange multipath. Galileo will be operational. One of the important differences between Galileo and current GPS is that Galileo will provide signals in four frequency bands. With more carrier-phase data available, frequency combinations with long equivalent wavelength can be formed, so Galileo will provide more opportunities for fast and reliable ambiguity resolution than current GPS. This paper tries to investigate phase only fast ambiguity resolution performance with four Galileo frequencies for short baseline. Cascading Ambiguity Resolution (CAR) method with selected optimal frequency combinations and LAMBDA method are used and compared. To validate the resolution, two tests are used and compared. The first one is a ratio test. The second one is lower bound success-rate test. The simulation test results show that, with LAMBDA method, whether with ratio test or lower bound success rate validation criteria, ambiguity can be fixed in several seconds, 8 seconds at most even when 1 sigma of carrier phase noise is 12 mm. While with CAR method, at least about half minute is required even when 1 sigma of carrier phase noise is 3 mm. It shows that LAMBDA method performs obviously better than CAR method.