Relative navigation of GEO satellites in formation using double-difference carrier phase measurements with integer ambiguity resolution

Abstract

A carrier phase differential global positioning system relative navigation estimator is developed for relative navigation of two GEO satellites in orbit. This technique is applied to the high altitude satellites such as geostationary and geosynchronous satellites. This is helpful in determining the satellite formations in the higher altitudes. The algorithm incorporates carrier phase ambiguity resolution technique to determine the relative position between two satellites. The carrier phase and code ranging measurements from GPS to GEO satellite are modeled and simulated using MATLAB software. A satellite visibility algorithm is applied in order to determine the visible GPS satellite.