GNSS Products

As one of the analysis centers of the International GNSS Service (IGS), we process thousands of GNSS observations each day to derive precise station coordinates, satellite orbits, satellite clock corrections, and Earth rotation parameters. In line with the current IGS product policy, we provide geodetic products in ultra-rapid (latency 3-9h), rapid (latency (1 day), and final (latency two weeks) mode. Currently, GPS and GLONASS are processed.

All three processing lines follow the same strategy. Based on a well-defined subset of IGS tracking stations (see Figure 1), a least-squares adjustment is used to derive the unknowns. Within this network approach, satellite orbits and clock corrections (i.e., deviation of the satellite clock with respect to the GPS time) are determined. For GPS observations, phase ambiguities are fixed. The generation of IGS products follows the least-squares adjustment and depends on the processing line. The ultra-rapid line provides orbits (15-minute sampling) and clock corrections (5-minute sampling) only but includes predictions for both for the next 24h. These products are of interest to users with real-time or near real-time applications. The daily processing also provides orbit and clock corrections but also Earth rotation parameters. The most precise results are derived in the final processing carried out for the latest week. Here, orbits are determined by stacking daily orbits to three-day arcs, which minimize orbit jumps at the day boundaries. Satellite clocks are also provided with 30-second sampling, which is very helpful for PPP users. In addition, Earth rotation parameters are determined. Station coordinates are provided in the SINEX format. All products are given in the current reference frame (i.e., IGb14 since May 17th, before IGS14). A detailed description of our GNSS processing strategy can be found in the GFZ Analysis Center Notes.

The processing and product generation is performed using the GFZ developed EPOS.P8 software, which is in line with the current geodetic conventions. Our product's high accuracy is ensured by the comparisons and combinations done by the IGS Analysis Center Coordinator.

GFZ contributed also to the third reprocessing campaign of the International GNSS Service. For the first time, the reprocessing included three systems (GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo). To ensure the highest accuracy and consistency the IERS2010 conventions are applied. Compared to previous reprocessing efforts the following models were updated:

• final: Männel, B., Brandt, A., Nischan, T., Brack, A., Sakic, P., Bradke, M. (2020): GFZ final product series for the International GNSS Service (IGS). GFZ Data Services. https://doi.org/10.5880/GFZ.1.1.2020.002
• rapid: Männel, B., Brandt, A., Nischan, T., Brack, A., Sakic, P., Bradke, M. (2020): GFZ rapid product series for the IGS. GFZ Data Services. https://doi.org/10.5880/GFZ.1.1.2020.003
• ultra-rapid: Männel, B., Brandt, A., Nischan, T., Brack, A., Sakic, P., Bradke, M. (2020): GFZ ultra-rapid product series for the IGS. GFZ Data Services. https://doi.org/10.5880/GFZ.1.1.2020.004

• repro3: Männel, Benjamin; Brandt, Andre; Bradke, Markus; Sakic, Pierre; Brack, Andreas; Nischan, Thomas (2021): GFZ repro3 product series for the International GNSS Service (IGS). GFZ Data Services. doi.org/10.5880/GFZ.1.1.2021.001

• Satellite orbits: sp3
• Satellite clock corrections: clk
• Earth rotation parameters: erp
• Station coordinates: snx
• Bias corrections: bia
• troposphere delays and gradients: tro
• spacecraft attitude: att
• IGS long product naming convention: version 1.0