Theory for the ambiguity function method

probability model and global solution

Journal Article (2025)
Author(s)

P. J.G. Teunissen (Curtin University, University of Melbourne, TU Delft - Mathematical Geodesy and Positioning)

L. Massarweh (TU Delft - Mathematical Geodesy and Positioning)

DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00190-025-01945-7 Final published version
More Info
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Publication Year
2025
Language
English
Journal title
Journal of Geodesy
Issue number
4
Volume number
99
Article number
28
Downloads counter
146
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Abstract

In this contribution, we introduce some new theory for the classical GNSS ambiguity function (AF) method. We provide the probability model by means of which the AF-estimator becomes a maximum likelihood estimator, and we provide a globally convergent algorithm for computing the AF-estimate. The algorithm is constructed from combining the branch-and-bound principle, with a special convex relaxation of the multimodal ambiguity function, to which the projected-gradient-descent method is applied to obtain the required bounds. We also provide a systematic comparison between the AF-principle and that of integer least-squares (ILS). From this comparison, the conclusion is reached that the two principles are fundamentally different, although there are identified circumstances under which one can expect AF- and ILS-solutions to behave similarly.