Maintaining real-time precise point positioning during outages of the corrections broadcast by BDS-3 global short-message communication

Real-time precise point positioning (RTPPP) is a popular technique for precision applications, which is based on real-time service (RTS) products. However, one serious problem for RTPPP users is the potential communication break for a period from a few minutes to an hour. A significant decline in positioning accuracy may occur since the receiving of the RTS corrections is discontinuous. In this study, the real-time orbit and clock corrections are converted into the equivalent range corrections and broadcast by BeiDou global navigation satellite system (BDS-3) global short-message communication (GSMC). We focus on maintaining global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) RTPPP during outages of the range corrections. Three prediction methods are presented, including “linear function”, “mean value” and “last value” methods. The predicted corrections will be carried out with only at most 5 latest epochs of the registered corrections. The “last value” method shows the optimal prediction performance and the prediction errors of Galileo are minimal compared to GPS and BDS. Both simulated and vehicle kinematic experiments are conducted to evaluate the performance of RTPPP with the predicted corrections. The results show that the three proposed predicted corrections can maintain centimeter-to decimeter-level accuracy in both static and kinematic mode during outages of the BDS-3 GSMC that may be from a few minutes to an hour. Using the last registered equivalent range correction value is the most recommended choice to maintain multi-GNSS RTPPP.