Preliminary performance analysis of BeiDou-2/GPS navigation systems over the low latitude region

Abstract On a regional or worldwide scale, satellite-based navigation systems can offer three-dimensional Position, Velocity, and Timing (PVT) services to an indefinite number of users. BeiDou-2 is China’s regional navigation satellite system that encompasses the Asia-Pacific region. BeiDou-2’s space section comprises GEO, MEO, and IGSO satellites, making it unique among the navigation systems. This research focuses on key aspects, including satellite visibility and signal strength, as a function of the elevation angle across the low latitude region (Indian region). In addition, the results were compared with those obtained using the GPS. The data is acquired from a GNSS receiver located at the Hyderabad station (latitude:17°24′28″, longitude:78°31′04″). The results show that BeiDou-2 satellites have better visibility than GPS satellites at all elevation angles. However, visibility is low at high elevations; therefore, multiple systems are required to obtain user information. As the elevation angle increases, the carrier-to-noise density ratio (C/No) also increases. Additionally, the standard deviation (STD) was calculated and compared to that of the GPS. Despite the average signal strength of GPS satellites remaining high throughout the elevation range, the STD of BeiDou-2 satellites was found to be low. These results indicate that further work is needed to improve the interoperability of multiple navigation systems and to provide more accurate location information to Indian users.