Short- and long-term dynamic accuracies determination of satellite-based positioning devices using a specially designed testing facility

Short-term dynamic accuracy is one of the most significant parameters for agricultural application of satellite-based positioning on straight segments. This is an important characteristic of guidance devices for every user. Two standards are proposed for dynamic testing of satellite-based positioning devices for utilization in agriculture. Previous approaches were typically based on the use of RTK records as a reference for error calculation. A test procedure based on a highly precise testing facility was developed, having a mechanical offset of the test cart less than 0.002 m. The new mathematical approach for straight line segment definition, based on two representative points was developed. This approach enables error-free calculation of off-track errors and determination of U-turn influence based on two additional parameters. Long-term testing was performed (24 h), using a Garmin GPS 18 device for test validation. The obtained results showed that this method can be successfully used for testing dynamic characteristics of GNSS devices. The results were as follows: mean value of the off-track errors was -0.39 m, standard deviation of all measured off-track errors was 1.51 m, being 1.3m in 95% of the measured off-track errors. The pass-to-pass average error was 0.90 m, being under 0.662 m in 95% of the detected passes. The designed facility and developed procedure can also be successfully applied to the testing of high precision devices, e.g., RTK. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.