Impact of higher-order ionospheric terms on GPS estimates

Abstract

Dual frequency GPS observables only allow the elimination of the 1st-order ionospheric term. Although higher-order ionospheric terms may cause a range bias of several centimeters, accounting for such effects is not yet a common strategy for GPS data analysis. In comparison to previous investigations a rigorous application of 2nd and 3rd-order ionospheric corrections is examined for the estimation not only of receiver positions but of all included parameters. The results reveal a linear dependence of the frame's origin on the integrated electron density. Furthermore, satellite positions are affected at the centimeter level when applying the above-mentioned corrections. Since the ionospheric correction terms show a significant impact on various GPS estimates, their consideration becomes necessary for scientific applications. Hence, the modeling of 2nd and 3rd-order ionospheric correction terms is part of the optimized strategy in an ongoing reprocessing project dealing with a global GPS network and spanning the time period from 1994 up to present time. Copyright 2005 by the American Geophysical Union.