Abstract's details
Sentinel-3B - GPS L2C tracking tests during commissioning phase
CoAuthors
Event: 2018 Ocean Surface Topography Science Team Meeting
Session: Precision Orbit Determination
Presentation type: Type Oral
Contribution: PDF file
Abstract:
Sentinel-3B, the twin satellite of Sentinel-3A, has been launched on 25 April 2018. During commissioning phase the radar altimeter satellite will fly in tandem (30 sec apart) with Sentinel-3A. This is mainly done for calibration and validation of the SAR altimeter instrument.
The commissioning phase of Sentinel-3B and thus the tandem flight with Sentinel-3A will, however, also be used to do several tests with the RUAG GPS receivers on-board Sentinel-3B. Future missions like the Sentinel-C and –D satellites and the Jason-CS (Sentinel-6) satellite will carry the RUAG GNSS receiver as well. The receiver on Sentinel-3B already has the capability to track the GPS L2C signal, which will become in particular important for the future when the number of GPS satellites with L2C signal capability will be increased from currently 19 satellites up to the full GPS constellation. To test the receiver’s L2C tracking performance the redundant receiver on Sentinel-3B will run in parallel to the main receiver and with L2C tracking enabled, either exclusively or in a mixed L2P(Y)&L2C configuration.
The POD processing chain based on L2C data can be validated and a direct comparison to the results from the main receiver (running in nominal configuration) is possible. A performance comparison to Sentinel-3A, which is flying only 30 sec apart, can also be done.
The commissioning phase of Sentinel-3B and thus the tandem flight with Sentinel-3A will, however, also be used to do several tests with the RUAG GPS receivers on-board Sentinel-3B. Future missions like the Sentinel-C and –D satellites and the Jason-CS (Sentinel-6) satellite will carry the RUAG GNSS receiver as well. The receiver on Sentinel-3B already has the capability to track the GPS L2C signal, which will become in particular important for the future when the number of GPS satellites with L2C signal capability will be increased from currently 19 satellites up to the full GPS constellation. To test the receiver’s L2C tracking performance the redundant receiver on Sentinel-3B will run in parallel to the main receiver and with L2C tracking enabled, either exclusively or in a mixed L2P(Y)&L2C configuration.
The POD processing chain based on L2C data can be validated and a direct comparison to the results from the main receiver (running in nominal configuration) is possible. A performance comparison to Sentinel-3A, which is flying only 30 sec apart, can also be done.