An analysis of PPP-GPS-based decentralized train multi-sensor navigation system

GPS precise point positioning (PPP) is increasingly being used in many precise positioning applications to achieve sub-meter level accuracy using a stand-alone user receiver. To achieve the full-scale navigation parameters of position, velocity and attitude, GPS is often combined with the inertial navigation system (INS) to deliver navigation solutions in high update rate. However, GPS signals cannot always be tracked in difficult areas, which leads to an integration performance degradation because of INS sensor errors. Therefore, the authors propose a PPP-GPS/INS/odometer/map-matching integrated navigation system. The positioning performance based on the different International GNSS Service (IGS) products for train kinematic positioning applications is investigated. A field test was conducted on a specific low-density line to evaluate the proposed system. The test results confirm that the proposed multi-sensor navigation system can provide seamless navigation in both GPS available and unavailable situations with the accuracy of decimeter. Different IGS satellite orbits and clock offset products were used to generate the PPP results, and it was concluded that the IGS final products provide the best performance, with a distance root mean square (DRMS) of 0.138 m, and the IGS ultra-rapid product can also generate acceptable positioning solutions with a DRMS of 0.222 m.