Relativistic effects in BDS-3 high-accuracy intersatellite time synchronization

• DOI: 10.1016/j.asr.2023.02.036
• Publication Date: 2023-03-02T02:11:43Z
• Authors: Jianhua Yang; Xiaogong Hu; Wei Zhou; Sanshi Zhou; Chengpan Tang; Yezhi Song; Li Liu; Yufei Yang; Qiuning Tian; Jinhuo Liu; Yuchen Liu; Nan Xing; Yuexin Ma
• Keywords: UTC offset; Time shifting

The Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSSs) apply conventional relativistic corrections to correct apparent clock offsets. However, with the continuous improvements made time synchronization approaches and onboard atomic clocks, this model has obviously limits accuracy of BDS-3 intersatellite synchronization, also limited performance clocks. This study demonstrates that amplitude GNSS periodic errors can reach 0.08 ns for MEO IGSO satellites within a day, 0.40 month. frequency stability errors’ signal 1.33E-14 (approximately10000 s) 1.78E-15 (approximately1 day), absolute influences on predicted offset 0.05 (1 h), 1.08 day). Notably, above signals caused by are found in results current high-accuracy based links (ISLs). After adopting higher-accuracy correction model, instability offsets is reduced, RMS 24 h fitting residual be reduced approximately 60% from 0.12 ns. average 2 95% error decreases 17% 0.38 0.32 These indicate improve both satellites’ prediction capability. study, thus contributes research signal-in-space BDS-3.