Distributed Positioning: A Network-Supported Method for Satellite Positioning Performance Improvement

• Published in: Journal of navigation Vol. 55; no. 3; pp. 477 - 484
• Main Authors: Filjar, Renato, Huljenić, Darko, Dešić, Saša
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.09.2002
• Subjects: Accuracy; Algorithms; Applied sciences; Augmentation; Communications networks; Energy consumption; Exact sciences and technology; Global positioning systems; GNSS; GPS; Integration; R&D; Radiolocalization and radionavigation; Research & development; Satellites; Signal processing; Telecommunications; Telecommunications and information theory; Augmentation; Integration; GNSS; Positioning; Improvement; Satellite navigation; GPS system; System performance; Telecommunication network; Distributed system; Communication technology; Algorithm
• ISSN: 0373-4633; 1469-7785
• DOI: 10.1017/S0373463302001996

Recent studies show that basic satellite positioning is reaching its limits in terms of performance improvements. Further enhancements in positioning performance can be based almost entirely on augmentation and procedures supported by other systems. Considering the complexity of the interrelationship with additional systems, intrinsically different solutions are being developed to solve the positioning performance improvement problem. Here we present a new concept in positioning. Dubbed distributed positioning, it merges basic satellite positioning with advanced and assisted positioning procedures. The resulting complex synergy unavoidably includes the use of additional technologies in mobile communications, wireless Internet, and advanced computer systems. The real advantage from the introduction of distributed positioning lies in its capability to provide a significant improvement in overall positioning performance. Latest navigation status and up-to-date local environment models are much easier to apply on rover positioning, compared with classical assisted-GPS positioning procedures. Distributed positioning presents a completely different approach in positioning performance improvement, opening new prospects in research and development not only in the field of the satellite positioning, but also in telecommunications and computer engineering.