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Flight test assessment of L1 and dual-frequency multi-constellation SBAS for civil aviation in Australia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 October 2025

Christopher Marshall ,
Eldar Rubinov ,
Chris Lambert ,
Julian Barrios ,
Miguel A. Fernández  and
Fernando Bravo
Christopher Marshall*
Affiliation:
FrontierSI, Level 17, Tower 4 Collins Square, 727 Collins Street, 3008, Melbourne, Australia Department of Infrastructure Engineering, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Australia
Eldar Rubinov
Affiliation:
FrontierSI, Level 17, Tower 4 Collins Square, 727 Collins Street, 3008, Melbourne, Australia
Chris Lambert
Affiliation:
Department of Infrastructure Engineering, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Australia
Julian Barrios
Affiliation:
GMV, Isaac Newton, 11 P.T.M. Tres Cantos, 28760, Madrid, Spain
Miguel A. Fernández
Affiliation:
GMV, Isaac Newton, 11 P.T.M. Tres Cantos, 28760, Madrid, Spain
Fernando Bravo
Affiliation:
GMV, Isaac Newton, 11 P.T.M. Tres Cantos, 28760, Madrid, Spain
*
Corresponding author: Christopher Marshall; Email: christopher.marshall@outlook.com
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Abstract

This paper analyses the performance of the Australian and New Zealand Satellite-Based Augmentation System (Aus-NZ SBAS) test-bed to evaluate its use in civil aviation applications with a focus on dual-frequency multi-constellation (DFMC) signals. The Aus-NZ SBAS test-bed performance metrics were determined using kinematic data recorded in flight across a variety of environments and operational conditions. A total of 14 tests adding up to 32 h of flight were evaluated. Flight test data were processed in both the L1 SBAS and DFMC SBAS modes supported by the test-bed broadcasts. The performance results are reviewed regarding accuracy, availability and integrity metrics and compared with the requirement thresholds defined by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) for Precision Approach (PA) flight operations. The experimentation performed does not allow continuity assessment as specified in the standard due to a long-term statistical requirement and inherent limitations imposed by the reference station network. Analysis of flight test results shows that DFMC SBAS provides several performance improvements over single-frequency SBAS, tightening both horizontal and vertical protection levels and resulting in greater service availability during the approach.

Keywords

SBASDFMCpositioning accuracyintegrity

Information

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Navigation , Volume 78 , Issue 1 , January 2025 , pp. 123 - 148
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The Royal Institute of Navigation

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References

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