Ionospheric Effects on GNSS RTK

Paper in proceeding, 2022

GNSS signals are influenced by free electrons as they propagate through the ionosphere. Studies have shown how the spatial variations of electron density in the ionosphere, affects measurements with network-Real Time Kinematic (NRTK) (Emardson et al 2011). This paper aims to predict what can be expected from measurements during the next solar maximum that is expected to occur around 2025 and discusses how it would affect RTK for automated transport applications. The ionospheric activity and its impact on positioning in the coming solar cycle maximum is discussed. This study focuses on data from Kiruna in northern Sweden (67.8N), mainly captured in January 2014 - in the middle of the most active time during the last cycle - which has been analyzed to predict the coming solar cycle. Based on the data, it was concluded that there is a risk of occasions with simultaneous signal slips on several satellites caused by the ionosphere which could cause temporary (minutes) loss of positioning ability for the RTK equipment. It is expected to occur a couple of times per month during the most active months of the solar cycle.