Towards Millimeter-Level Accuracy in GNSS-Based Space Geodesy: A Review of Error Budget for GNSS Precise Point Positioning

Abstract

The aim of the new generation of Global Geodetic Observing System is a millimeter-level accuracy in positioning, with a crucial role to be played by Global Navigation Satellites Systems (GNSS) in the Precise Point Positioning (PPP) mode. This is of course because GNSS constellations and receivers provide an efficient stand-alone technique with a homogeneous performance over large areas (positions, navigation and meteorology) when used in conjunction with the PPP mode, with also an ever-increasing data flow and different satellite line-of-sights. The requirement of accuracies reaching the millimeter or sub-millimeter implies a knowledge at this level of each line in the GNSS-PPP error budget, including, but not restricted to: clock biases, troposphere and ionosphere delays, multipath and ground deformations. In this review study, we consider this millimeter-/submillimeter level GNSS-PPP error budget, and possible mitigations and improvements in the frame of the existing global constellations: GPS, Galileo, GLONASS and BDS, in view of augmented constellations and/or Low Earth Orbit constellations, which will be available in the near future. We also pay a special attention to systematic biases that can/could exist between constellations.