Precise orbit determination of the Fengyun-3C satellite using onboard GPS and BDS observations

• DOI: 10.1007/s00190-017-1027-9
• Publication Date: 2017-04-24T08:23:43Z
• Authors: Min Li; Wenwen Li; Chuang Shi; Kecai Jiang; Xiang Guo; Xiaolei Dai; Xiangguang Meng; Zhongdong Yang; Guanglin Yang; Mi Liao
• Keywords: Orbit Determination; Occultation; Orbit (dynamics); Medium Earth orbit

The GNSS Occultation Sounder instrument onboard the Chinese meteorological satellite Fengyun-3C (FY-3C) tracks both GPS and BDS signals for orbit determination. One month’s worth of dual-frequency data during March 2015 from FY-3C is analyzed in this study. measurement quality evaluated terms quantity as well code multipath error. Severe errors ranges are observed especially high elevations medium earth satellites (MEOs). estimated piecewise linear model $$2{^{\circ }}\times 2{^{\circ }}$$ grid applied precise determination (POD) calculations. POD firstly performed with data, which shows consistency approximate 2.7 cm 3D RMS (root mean square) by overlap comparisons; orbits then used reference evaluating precision combined BDS-based POD. It indicated that inclusion geosynchronous (GEOs) could degrade seriously. precisions estimates 3.4 30.1 when GEOs involved, respectively. However, if excluded, can reach similar respect to POD, showing differences about 0.8 cm, while be improved 8.4 cm. These results indicate performance alone better than 10 only five inclined three MEOs. As GNOS receiver track six positioning at its maximum channel, it expected further more observations generated without such restrictions.