Assessment of Observations with GPS and GPS/GLONASS Satellites in rapid static mode for Precise Point Positioning

Abstract

The use of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) has become a common way of determining planimetric and vertical coordinates used in geodesy, engineering surveying, and related disciplines. The GNSS observation can be achieved using the static baseline, real Time kinematics (RTK) or the continuously operating reference system (CORS). The three are good methods of positioning that gives good and accurate coordinates. The static mode of observation considered by some researchers as the best in determining position of points at a good accuracy is used in this research in addition to its convenience. The satellites are tracked as standalone Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite and as GPS and Global Navgation Satellite System (GLONASS) combined. A ground surveying method using total station is also employed to run traverse and leveling on the same points for the purpose of comparison of the results. The GNSS observations were accomplished using Hi target V30 while traversing and leveling were carried out using a South NTS 352 total station instrument. The observations were done on the same points with the two instruments which give three sets of data comprising of planimetric and vertical coordinates. Discrepancies among the data set were obtained and subjected to statistical test. The result shows some discrepancies among the data sets, the statistical test indicated a significant difference among the methods and data of the three methods on the planimetric coordinates. However in the vertical coordinates, the methods show no significant difference but the vertical coordinate showed a significant difference among the three data sets.