Preprint

·2025 OPEN ACCESS

Positioning Accuracy of Low-Cost GNSS Systems: A Comparative Study with Geodetic Solutions

Burak Akpınar YTU , Cüneyt Aydın YTU , Seda Özarpacı YTU , Nedim Onur Aykut YTU , Alpay Özdemir YTU , Güldane Oku Topal YTU , Özge Güneş YTU , Fahri Karabulut YTU , Efe Turan Ayruk YTU , Hamza Çetinkaya YTU ,

Abstract

The increasing availability and affordability of low-cost Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) systems have made them a viable alternative for various geospatial applications. However, their performance and positioning accuracy require rigorous evaluation, especially when compared to geodetic-grade GNSS systems. This study investigates the accuracy of low-cost GNSS systems in positioning by comparing their results with those obtained from high-precision geodetic GNSS systems.To evaluate the performance of low-cost GNSS systems, campaign type GNSS measurements were conducted at four points using both low-cost and geodetic GNSS systems. The collected data were processed using the Canadian Spatial Reference System Precise Point Positioning (CSRS-PPP) and the AUSPOS relative positioning services. The positioning results from these services were analyzed to assess the performance of low-cost GNSS systems relative to their geodetic counterparts. Preliminary findings indicate that low-cost GNSS systems exhibit promising accuracy levels in comparison to geodetic systems. The results highlight the potential and limitations of low-cost GNSS technology for scientific and practical applications.This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on low-cost GNSS technologies and provides insights into their applicability in fields such as tectonic monitoring and geodetic research. Future work will focus on refining processing techniques to further enhance the reliability of low-cost GNSS systems.

Keywords

GNSS applications Geodetic datum Satellite system Computer science Precise Point Positioning GNSS augmentation Geospatial analysis Global Positioning System Remote sensing Geodesy Real-time computing Geography Telecommunications

Subject Areas

GNSS positioning and interference ·Aerospace Engineering ·Physical Sciences
Geophysics and Gravity Measurements ·Oceanography ·Physical Sciences
Inertial Sensor and Navigation ·Aerospace Engineering ·Physical Sciences