An Optimized Vector Tracking Architecture for Pseudo-Random Pulsing CDMA Signals.

The vector tracking loop (VTL) has high tracking accuracy and a superior ability to track weak signals in GNSS. However, traditional VTL architecture is established on continuous Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) signal and is incompatible with pseudolite positioning systems (PLPS) because PLPS generally adopts a pseudo-random pulsing CDMA signal structure to mitigate the near-far effect. Therefore, this paper proposes an optimized VTL architecture for pseudo-random pulsing CDMA signals. To avoid estimation biases in PLPS, the proposed VTL adopts irregular update periods (IUP) pre-filters which adjust the update cycles according to the active timeslot intervals. Meanwhile, as the active timeslots of different pseudolites do not overlap, the sampling time of the navigation filter inputs is inconsistent and time-varying, causing jitter degradation. Thus, the proposed VTL predicts the measurements so that they can be sampled at the same time, which improves tracking accuracy. Simulation is carried out to evaluate the performance of the proposed VTL. The results suggest that the proposed VTL outperforms the traditional pre-filter-based VTL and IUP pre-filter-based VTL.

Fault Detection and Exclusion Method for a Deeply Integrated BDS/INS System.

The Inertial Navigation System (INS) is often fused with the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) to provide more robust and superior navigation service, especially in degraded signal environments. Compared with loosely and tightly coupled architectures, the Deep Integration (DI) architecture has better tracking and positioning performance. Information is shared among channels, and the assistant information from INS helps to reduce the dynamic stress of tracking loops. However, this vector tracking architecture may result in easy propagation of errors among tracking channels. To solve this problem, a Fault Detection and Exclusion (FDE) method for the deeply integrated BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS)/INS navigation system is proposed in this paper. This method utilizes pre-filters' outputs and integration filter's estimations to form test statistics. These statistics can help to detect and exclude both step errors and Slowly Growing Errors (SGEs) correctly. The monitoring capability of the method was verified by a simulation which was based on a software receiver. The simulation results show that the proposed FDE method works effectively. Additionally, the method is convenient to be implemented in real-time applications because of its simplicity.

A New Cycle Slip Detection and Repair Method Using a Single Receiver's Single Station B1 and L1 Frequencies in Ground-Based Positioning Systems.

The detection and repair of the cycle slip is a key step for high precision navigation and positioning in indoor environments. Different methods have been developed to detect and repair cycle slips for carrier phase processing. However, most approaches are designed to eliminate the effects of the ionosphere in an outdoor environment, and many of them use pseudorange (code) information that is no longer suitable for indoor multipath environments. In this paper, a method based on the geometry-free combination without the pseudorange data is proposed to detect and fix cycle slips. A ground-based navigation system is built for data collection. Unlike the traditional dual-frequency cycle slip detection method, the Beidou B1, GPS L1 carrier phase combination is used instead of the B1, B2, or L1, L2 carrier phase combination, Ublox is used for data collecting. For fixing the cycle slips quickly, an improved adaptive Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm is employed. We compared the performance of the new method with the existing two methods using simulated data in different conditions. The results show that the proposed method has better performance than other methods.

RTK with the Assistance of an IMU-Based Pedestrian Navigation Algorithm for Smartphones.

Real-time kinematic (RTK) technique is widely used in modern society because of its high accuracy and real-time positioning. The appearance of Android P and the application of BCM47755 chipset make it possible to use single-frequency RTK and dual-frequency RTK on smartphones. The Xiaomi Mi 8 is the first dual-frequency Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) smartphone equipped with BCM47755 chipset. However, the performance of RTK in urban areas is much poorer compared with its performance under the open sky because the satellite signals can be blocked by the buildings and trees. RTK can't provide the positioning results in some specific areas such as the urban canyons and the crossings under an overpass. This paper combines RTK with an IMU-based pedestrian navigation algorithm. We utilize attitude and heading reference system (AHRS) algorithm and zero velocity update (ZUPT) algorithm based on micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS) inertial measurement unit (IMU) in smartphones to assist RTK for the sake of improving positioning performance in urban areas. Some tests are carried out to verify the performance of RTK on the Xiaomi Mi 8 and we respectively assess the performances of RTK with and without the assistance of an IMU-based pedestrian navigation algorithm in urban areas. Results on actual tests show RTK with the assistance of an IMU-based pedestrian navigation algorithm is more robust and adaptable to complex environments than that without it.

Elliptical Airy beam.

We found a new type of noncircular symmetrical Airy beam called an elliptical Airy beam (EAB). Using a simple single-pixel checkerboard hologram method, we achieved the EAB in an experiment. We observed its unique property of double focusing and the ability of the energy to flow towards the endpoints of the long axis during propagation. These particular properties will have some potential applications.