Estimating Position from Millisecond Samples of GPS Signals (the “FastFix” Algorithm)
A new approach to GPS positioning is described in which the post-processing of ultra-short sequences of captured GPS signal data can produce an estimate of receiver location. The algorithm, called ‘FastFix’, needs only 2–4 ms of stored L1-band data sampled at ∼16 MHz. The algorithm uses a least-squa...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2020-11-01
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| Series: | Sensors |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/20/22/6480 |
| _version_ | 1797548076868567040 |
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| author | Timothy C. A. Molteno |
| author_facet | Timothy C. A. Molteno |
| author_sort | Timothy C. A. Molteno |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | A new approach to GPS positioning is described in which the post-processing of ultra-short sequences of captured GPS signal data can produce an estimate of receiver location. The algorithm, called ‘FastFix’, needs only 2–4 ms of stored L1-band data sampled at ∼16 MHz. The algorithm uses a least-squares optimization to estimate receiver position and GPS time from measurements of the relative codephase, and Doppler-shift of GNSS satellite signals. A practical application of this algorithm is demonstrated in a small, lightweight, low-power tracking tag that periodically wakes-up, records and stores 4 ms of GPS L1-band signal and returns to a low-power state—reducing power requirements by a factor of ∼10,000 compared to typical GPS devices. Stationary device testing shows a median error of 27.7 m with a small patch antenna. Results from deployment of this tag on adult Royal Albatross show excellent performance, demonstrating lightweight, solar-powered, long-term tracking of these remarkable birds. This work was performed on the GPS system; however, the algorithm is applicable to other GNSS systems. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T14:53:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d3792cb73c534f799914f5da003ea375 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1424-8220 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T14:53:15Z |
| publishDate | 2020-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Sensors |
| spelling | doaj.art-d3792cb73c534f799914f5da003ea3752023-11-20T20:48:59ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202020-11-012022648010.3390/s20226480Estimating Position from Millisecond Samples of GPS Signals (the “FastFix” Algorithm)Timothy C. A. Molteno0Department of Physics, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New ZealandA new approach to GPS positioning is described in which the post-processing of ultra-short sequences of captured GPS signal data can produce an estimate of receiver location. The algorithm, called ‘FastFix’, needs only 2–4 ms of stored L1-band data sampled at ∼16 MHz. The algorithm uses a least-squares optimization to estimate receiver position and GPS time from measurements of the relative codephase, and Doppler-shift of GNSS satellite signals. A practical application of this algorithm is demonstrated in a small, lightweight, low-power tracking tag that periodically wakes-up, records and stores 4 ms of GPS L1-band signal and returns to a low-power state—reducing power requirements by a factor of ∼10,000 compared to typical GPS devices. Stationary device testing shows a median error of 27.7 m with a small patch antenna. Results from deployment of this tag on adult Royal Albatross show excellent performance, demonstrating lightweight, solar-powered, long-term tracking of these remarkable birds. This work was performed on the GPS system; however, the algorithm is applicable to other GNSS systems.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/20/22/6480GPSGNSSnavigationcodephasewildlife tracking |
| spellingShingle | Timothy C. A. Molteno Estimating Position from Millisecond Samples of GPS Signals (the “FastFix” Algorithm) Sensors GPS GNSS navigation codephase wildlife tracking |
| title | Estimating Position from Millisecond Samples of GPS Signals (the “FastFix” Algorithm) |
| title_full | Estimating Position from Millisecond Samples of GPS Signals (the “FastFix” Algorithm) |
| title_fullStr | Estimating Position from Millisecond Samples of GPS Signals (the “FastFix” Algorithm) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Estimating Position from Millisecond Samples of GPS Signals (the “FastFix” Algorithm) |
| title_short | Estimating Position from Millisecond Samples of GPS Signals (the “FastFix” Algorithm) |
| title_sort | estimating position from millisecond samples of gps signals the fastfix algorithm |
| topic | GPS GNSS navigation codephase wildlife tracking |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/20/22/6480 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT timothycamolteno estimatingpositionfrommillisecondsamplesofgpssignalsthefastfixalgorithm |