Time-Correlated GPS Noise Dependency on Data Time Period

Abstract

GPS position time series contain time-correlated noise. The estimated parameters using correlated time series data, as station velocities, are then more uncertain than if the time series data were uncorrelated. If the level of the time-correlated noise is not taken into account, the estimated formal uncertainties will be smaller. By estimating the type and amplitude of the noise content in time series, more realistic formal uncertainties can be assessed. However, time-correlated noise amplitude is not constant in long time series, but depends on the time period of the time series data. Older time series data contain larger time-correlated noise amplitudes than newer time series data. This way, shorter time series with older data time period exhibit time-correlated noise amplitudes similar to the whole time series. This paper focuses on the source of the time-correlated noise amplitude decrease from older to newer time series period data. The results of several tested sources are presented. Neither the increasing ambiguity fixation rate, nor the increasing number of tracking stations, nor the increasing number of observed satellites are likely the source of the noise reduction. The quality improvement of the equipment of both tracking network and constellation is likely the main source of the correlated noise evolution. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013.