Estimating Zenith Tropospheric Delay Based on GPT2w Model

Abstract

To precisely and conveniently estimate zenith tropospheric delay (ZTD), troposphere refractivity is deduced through global pressure and temperature 2w (GPT2w) model and surface meteorology devices, ZTD is estimated based on integration of refractivity in the zenith direction. When surface meteorological measurements are absent, all parameters including surface meteorology and lapse rate are estimated by GPT2w. Validation is carried out using observed data in the year 2012 at 8 international GNSS service (IGS) stations. Results indicate that when surface meteorological parameters are available, the annual accuracy is improved by 27% than Saastamoinen model. Meanwhile, annual bias of the other scheme is decreased by 21% than the GPT2w+Saastamoinen model. For most stations, the bias shows seasonal characteristics, high elevation, high longitude and low latitude can bring less bias.

Keywords

• Zenith tropospheric delay (ZTD)
• GPT2w model
• refractivity
• meteorological parameters