Integrated Quality Indicators and Stochastic Modelling for Real-Time

In the last decade the use of high precision Global Navigational Satellite Systems (GNSS) has increased markedly and the range of user applications has grown well beyond the traditional domain of surveying and engineering. This growth has been facilitated by the establishment of Continuously Operating Reference Station (CORS) networks and a new form of positioning known as Network Real-Time Kinematic (NRTK). However, the growth in the range of user applications has brought with it some interesting challenges for equipment manufacturers, software developers, and providers of NRTK services. One such challenge is ensuring that the quality of positioning consistently satisfies the demands of the customer. Currently there is nor reliable, nor readily available, quality indicator that can inform users as to the quality of their positioning. A further shortcoming in NRTK positioning is that the stochastic models employed are generally simplistic and overly optimistic. The consequence is that often the precision of NRTK coordinates is incorrectly estimated, leading to a false sense of user confidence. There is a considerable scope to improve the stochastic model and its ability to accurately reflect the quality of the raw GNSS observables. The research summarised here is concerned with the development of the Real-Time Qualit