On the relation between network RTK performance and ionospheric activity

Abstract

GNSS RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) positioning techniques are based on precise but ambiguous carrier phase observations. The ambiguities can be resolved by properly modelling the ionospheric influence. However, under perturbed ionospheric conditions, the ionospheric modelling may become inaccurate and thus to lead to degraded network performance. The paper addresses the adverse space weather effects on GNSS-based positioning and discusses possible problems of reference network concepts that can be attributed to ionospheric interference in particular. For the purpose, analysed is the relation between the residual ionospheric error and the ionospheric activity. Generally, the ionospheric impact is noticeably stronger during ionospheric perturbations/storms, which raises the question of how the reference networks perform during such unfavourable conditions. Analysed also is the feasibility and effectivity of an operational space weather monitoring service for improving the performance and maintaining the integrity of network RTK.