New Global Navigation Satellite System Ambiguity Resolution Method Compared to Existing Approaches

Abstract

Integer carrier phase ambiguity resolution is the process of resolving unknown cycle ambiguities of doubledifferenced carrier phase data as integers, and it is a prerequisite for rapid and high-precision global navigation satellite system positioning and navigation. Besides integer estimation, integer ambiguity resolution also involves validation of the integer estimates. In this contribution a new ambiguity resolution method is presented, based on the class of integer aperture estimators, which for the first time reveals an overall approach to the combined problem of integer estimation and validation. Furthermore, it is shown how the different discrimination tests that are currently in use in practice can be cast into the framework of the new approach.