A three-dimensional positioning method based on three satellites

Abstract

A three-dimensional positioning method for global positioning system (GPS) receivers based on three satellites was proposed. In the method, the measurement equation used for positioning calculation was expanded by means of two measures. In this case, the measurement equation could be solved, and the function of positioning calculation could be performed. The detailed steps of the method and how to evaluate the positioning precision of the method were given, respectively. The positioning performance of the method was demonstrated through some experiments. It is shown that the method can provide the three-dimensional positioning information under the condition that there are only three useful satellites.

Keywords

global positioning system / three satellites / positioning calculation / positioning precision

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