The Impact of Different Mapping Function Models and Meteorological Parameter Calculation Methods on the Calculation Results of Single-Frequency Precise Point Positioning with Increased Tropospheric Gradient

Abstract

Tropospheric delay is one of the main errors in precise point positioning (PPP). The inaccuracy of the tropospheric delay model will inevitably lead to a decrease in PPP accuracy. Therefore, the influence of the tropospheric gradient on the positioning accuracy should be considered in the processing of tropospheric delay. At the same time, the effects of different mapping function models and meteorological parameter calculation methods on the tropospheric delay accuracy of single-frequency PPP (SF PPP) are analyzed. Twelve MGEX stations, which are evenly distributed in the world, are used in this article. Taking into account the seasonal variation of the tropospheric delay, the observation times adopted are 2016, 2017, and 2018 for different seasons (winter, day of year (DOY): 22–28; spring, DOY: 92–98; summer, DOY: 199–205; and autumn, DOY: 275–281). Then, according to different mapping function models and meteorological parameter calculation methods, a total of 7056 tests and 9072 tests are performed, respectively. The following results were obtained after comparative analysis. (1) When the same method is used for calculating meteorological parameters, the percentage with improved tropospheric delay repeatability calculated by the Hopfield mapping function model (MFM3) is the highest, reaching more than 70%, and by Vienna Mapping Functions 3 (VMF3, grid resolution is 1°), the mapping function model (MFM8) is the lowest, less than 67.5%. The percentage with improved position repeatability is highest in the north (N) direction and lowest in the up (U) direction. (2) Using the same mapping function model, the correction of the tropospheric gradient model has a greater impact on calculating the repeatability percentage of the tropospheric delay and the position. Compared with standard atmospheric parameters, other calculation methods of meteorological parameters have little effect on the percentage increase of the tropospheric delay value and the positioning result after adding the tropospheric gradient model. It shows that different calculation methods of meteorological parameters have little effect on the calculation of tropospheric delay and position, different mapping function models have a large effect on the calculation of tropospheric delay and position, and the tropospheric gradient model has the greatest influence on the calculation of tropospheric delay and position.