An analysis of the Effect of orbital perturbation on GNSS Precise Point Positioning (PPP) technique

Abstract

Post-processing of GNSS observations especially when reference is made to COR stations require that corrections for satellite orbital perturbation need to be applied to the downloaded CORs ephemeris data prior to processing. This study has investigated the extent of the effect of orbital perturbations on Precise Point Positioning as well as provided a brief theoretical background on satellite orbit perturbation in relation to GNSS positioning. Analysis was done by comparison of the results obtained from by processing with: (1) Direct broadcast Ephemeris Only, (2) IGS Ultra-rapid Orbit solution (3) IGS Rapid orbit solution (4) IGS Final orbit Solution. Results obtained have shown an estimated East, North and Height error of 7m, 1m and 1m respectively