Determining normal heights with the use of Precise Point Positioning

In this paper, the authors analysed the Precise Point Positioning (PPP) performance in determination of normal heights using observations from a test network consisting of ten sites. One-week observation interval was processed using standard PPP approach and Multi-Station PPP (MS-PPP) with ambiguity resolution using the NAvigation Package for Earth Observation Satellites v. 3.3.1 software. In post-processing corrections like the Earth rotation parameters, ocean loadings, antenna phase centre offsets and variations etc. needed to obtain the most accurate position were utilised. By processing the various lengths observing sessions (1 hour, 30 minutes, 15 minutes) the authors examined the degradation of the position determination precision with shortening the observation time. In the study both high-end receivers used most often at CORS, as well as commercial two-frequency receivers were utilised. Normal heights were obtained using PL–geoid–2011 model. The results of the research show that PPP is a viable alternative for Relative GNSS Positioning in the case of GNSS levelling.