Precise point positioning (PPP) and its integer ambiguity resolution-enabled variant, PPP-RTK (real-time kinematic), can benefit enormously from the integration of multiple global navigation satellite systems (GNSS). In such a multi-GNSS landscape, the positioning convergence time is expected to be reduced considerably as compared to the one obtained by a single-GNSS setup. It is therefore the goal of the present contribution to provide numerical insights into the role taken by the multi-GNSS integration in delivering fast and high-precision positioning solutions (sub-decimeter and centimeter levels) using PPP-RTK. To that end, we employ the Curtin PPP-RTK platform and process data-sets of GPS, BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) and Galileo in stand-alone and combined forms. The data-sets are collected by various receiver types, ranging from high-end multi-frequency geodetic receivers to low-cost single-frequency mass-market receivers. The corresponding stations form a large-scale (Australia-wide) network as well as a small-scale network with inter-station distances less than 30 km. In case of the Australia-wide GPS-only ambiguity-float setup, 90% of the horizontal positioning errors (kinematic mode) are shown to become less than five centimeters after 103 min. The stated required time is reduced to 66 min for the corresponding GPS + BDS + Galieo setup. The time is further reduced to 15 min by applying single-receiver ambiguity resolution. The outcomes are supported by the positioning results of the small-scale network.

The interacting multiple model (IMM) estimator has been proven to be effective in tracking agile targets. Smoothing or retrodiction, which uses measurements beyond the current estimation time, provides better estimates of target states. Various methods have been proposed for multiple model (MM) smoothing in the literature. A new smoothing method is presented here which involves forward filtering followed by backward smoothing while maintaining the fundamental spirit of the IMM. The forward filtering is performed using the standard IMM recursion, while the backward smoothing is performed using a novel interacting smoothing recursion. This backward recursion mimics the IMM estimator in the backward direction, where each mode-conditioned smoother uses standard Kalman smoothing recursion. The resulting algorithm provides improved but delayed estimates of target states. Simulation studies are performed to demonstrate the improved performance with a maneuvering target scenario. Results of the new method are compared with existing methods, namely, the augmented state IMM filter and the generalized pseudo-Bayesian estimator of order 2 smoothing. Specifically, the proposed IMM smoother operates just like the IMM estimator, which approximates N² state transitions using N filters, where N is the number of motion models. In contrast, previous approaches require N² smoothers or an augmented state.

The Chinese BeiDou system (BDS), having different types of satellites, is an important addition to the ever growing system of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). It consists of Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellites, Inclined Geosynchronous Satellite Orbit (IGSO) satellites and Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites. This paper investigates the receiver-dependent bias between these satellite types, for which we coined the name “inter-satellite-type bias” (ISTB), and its impact on mixed receiver attitude determination. Assuming different receiver types may have different delays/biases for different satellite types, we model the differential ISTBs among three BeiDou satellite types and investigate their existence and their impact on mixed receiver attitude determination. Our analyses using the real data sets from Curtin’s GNSS array consisting of different types of BeiDou enabled receivers and series of zero-baseline experiments with BeiDou-enabled receivers reveal the existence of non-zero ISTBs between different BeiDou satellite types. We then analyse the impact of these biases on BeiDou-only attitude determination using the constrained (C-)LAMBDA method, which exploits the knowledge of baseline length. Results demonstrate that these biases could seriously affect the integer ambiguity resolution for attitude determination using mixed receiver types and that a priori correction of these biases will dramatically improve the success rate.

Passive coherent location (PCL) systems, which use existing commercial signals (e.g., FM broadcast, digital TV) as the illuminators of opportunity, is an emerging technology in air defence systems. PCL systems have many advantages such as low cost, covert operation, and low vulnerability to electronic countermeasures, over conventional radar systems. However, the limitations of PCL include lack of control over illuminators, limited observability, and poor detection due to low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). This leads to high clutter with low probability of detection of target. Also, it is possible to transmit through multiple transmitters the same signal/frequency inside the coverage region of the receiver. Even though using multiple transmitters will facilitate better estimates of the target states due to spatial diversity, one cannot use these measurements without resolving transmitter- and measurement-origin uncertainties. Another limitation is that the elevation measurement, which is required to estimate the target altitude, is not available in most currently available PCL system receivers. In this paper, multiple target tracking algorithms for PCL systems are derived to handle low probability of detection and high nonlinearity in the measurement model due to high measurement error. Also, tracking algorithms are proposed to track multiple targets by resolving transmitter-origin uncertainty. Finally, algorithms are proposed for fusing multiple PCL system estimates by incorporating the altitude estimate uncertainty in order to improve the tracking accuracy and to increase the area coverage. The major contributions of this paper are the new algorithms for tracking using PCL systems with transmitter-origin and target-altitude uncertainties. The feasibility of using transmitters of opportunity for tracking airborne targets is shown on simulated and real data sets.