Signal, Orbit and Attitude Analysis of Japan’s first QZSS satellite Michibiki

Abstract

Results are presented for Michibiki, the first satellite of Japan’s Quasi-Zenith Satellite System. Measurements for the analysis have been collected with five GNSS tracking stations in the service area of QZSS, which track five out of the six signals transmitted by the satellite. The analysis discusses the carrier-to-noise density ratio as measured by the receiver for the different signals. Pseudorange noise and multipath are evaluated with dual-frequency and triple-frequency combinations. QZSS uses two separate antennas for signal transmission, which allows the determination of the yaw-orientation of the spacecraft. Yaw-angle estimation results for an attitude mode switch from yaw-steering to orbit normal orientation are presented. Estimates of differential code biases between QZSS and GPS observations are shown in the analysis of the orbit determination results for Michibiki. The estimated orbits are compared to the broadcast ephemerides and their accuracy is assessed with overlap comparisons.