Analysis of GALILEO Satellite Positioning Error in Local Geodetic Networks: Case Study: Rumiñahui, Ecuador

Abstract

The present study focused on the analysis of the error of GALILEO satellite positioning in local geodetic networks, with a specific focus on the Rumiñahui canton, Ecuador. The main objective was to compare the coordinates determined with the European satellite system with those obtained through a GPS geodetic network. To carry out this research, five points of the geodetic network were tracked using multi-constellation and multi-frequency GNSS equipment, carrying out independent sessions of up to 8 hours. In addition, it was linked to the GNSS Continuous Monitoring Network of Ecuador – REGME through 2 EMCs. The collected data were processed in commercial software and the mean square error between GPS and GALILEO coordinates was subsequently calculated. The results indicated that the RMSE between the two networks was 4.3 centimeters, this value suggests that the Galileo system offers adequate precision for engineering applications such as cadastre, topography or photogrammetry. From the study it is concluded that the implementation of geodetic networks using the Galileo system is viable for projects that have the aforementioned requirements. It is recommended to replicate this methodology in different locations throughout the country, in order to validate the precision of the European system in all regions of Ecuador, and ensure its applicability in various geographic contexts.