The benefits of multi-constellation GNSS for cadastral positioning applications in harsh environments

Currently, the real-time kinematic (RTK) method is common to be used in the global navigation satellite system (GNSS) positioning solutions, whereas it was primarily used for cadastral measurements, especially measurements of land parcels in Indonesia. In addition, the real-time precise point positioning (RTPPP) method is currently used extensively in Indonesia for positioning applications. Indonesia’s position located in the Asia-Pacific region makes it possible to observe a huge number of multi-GNSS satellite signals from GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and Beidou which are very favorable for such measures. One particular problem in point positioning in Indonesia is that the measurements are often made in harsh environments covered by vegetation or buildings. This research is aimed at determining the quality of measurement data in static, RTK, and RTPPP methods in harsh environments and determining the contribution of multi-satellite constellations to the measurement of the three methods in harsh areas. Data acquisition of the methods was conducted in various locations covered by vegetation and building obstruction in the baseline distance scheme of 2.5 km, 5 km, 10 km, 20 km, and 50 km. In addition, an analysis of the level of accuracy and precision of static, RTK, and RTPPP measurement methods was conducted. In harsh environments, the accuracy and precision results of the static and RTK methods using multi-satellite constellations may provide solutions that meet the standards of land parcel measurement. Results obtained on a 50-km baseline are still good. However, the results of the baseline distance scheme show that the longer the baseline, the greater tendency for accuracy to decrease. The RTPPP method is not capable of generating data with a fixed solution for all satellite constellation schemes.