The data processing and analysis for the CE-5T1 GNSS experiment

Abstract In this paper the performance of a high sensitivity GPS/GLONASS receiver mounted on CE-5T1 Service Module is studied and the data received on the first Earth-lunar transfer orbit is processed and analyzed. At least four GLONASS satellites are visible for 46% of the data span while for 98% of the data span at least four GPS satellites are visible. GLONASS serves as a necessary supplement to GPS in real time positioning whenever less than four GPS satellites are tracked, and helps to optimize the observation geometry by reducing the Position Dilution of Precision (PDOP) values by up to 77%. However, noisier GLONASS pseudorange data should be properly weighted in order not to deteriorate the positioning accuracy. Studies indicate that when the inverse square of the pseudorange measurement error of each satellite is applied as the weight value, single point positioning (SPP) accuracy improves from 57.7 m (RMS) with GPS data alone to 44.6 m (RMS) with the addition of GLONASS data. Transmitter antenna Equivalent Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP)s of all the four blocks of GPS satellites as well as GLONASS satellites are derived from the received C/N0 data and show significant variance in sidelobe power patterns. In general, the EIRP patterns of GPS Block IIR-M and GLONASS satellite antennas have a comparatively flat power level of around 10 dB W within the off-boresight angle range of 30–80° and roll off at the off-boresight angle of about 80°, offering deep space applications greater benefits than the other three blocks of GPS satellites. In addition, an interesting close encounter happens between CE-5T1 spacecraft and GLONASS satellite R06. Investigations indicate that the PDOP value increases up to 1.4 times and the SPP accuracy deteriorates by more than 142% if satellite R06 is excluded in the positioning computation.