Volume 16, Number 1, 127-133, DOI: 10.1007/s10291-011-0245-5

Signal, orbit and attitude analysis of Japan’s first QZSS satellite Michibiki

André Hauschild, Peter Steigenberger and Carlos Rodriguez-Solano

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Abstract

Results are presented for Michibiki, the first satellite of Japan’s Quasi-Zenith Satellite System. Measurements for the analysis have been collected with five GNSS tracking stations in the service area of QZSS, which track five of the six signals transmitted by the satellite. The analysis discusses the carrier-to-noise density ratio as measured by the receiver for the different signals. Pseudorange noise and multipath are evaluated with dual-frequency and triple-frequency combinations. QZSS uses two separate antennas for signal transmission, which allows the determination of the yaw orientation of the spacecraft. Yaw angle estimation results for an attitude mode switch from yaw-steering to orbit-normal orientation are presented. Estimates of differential code biases between QZSS and GPS observations are shown in the analysis of the orbit determination results for Michibiki. The estimated orbits are compared with the broadcast ephemerides, and their accuracy is assessed with overlap comparisons.

Keywords  QZSS – Michibiki – QZS-1 – CONGO – Multipath analysis – Yaw attitude estimation – Orbit determination

The GNSS In Progress column is dedicated to current issues and latest advances in the area of GNSS and accepts short contributions. The Column Editor is Dr. Oliver Montenbruck (oliver.montenbruck@dlr.de) of the German Space Operations Center (DLR/GSOC), who can be contacted prior to submission if necessary.

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