Experimental Characterization of GNSS Carrier Phase Diffraction Errors in a Controlled Environment

Experimental Characterization of GNSS Carrier Phase Diffraction Errors in a Controlled Environment | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Experimental Characterization of GNSS Carrier Phase Diffraction Errors in a Controlled Environment Uttama Dutta, Jan M. Johansson, Rüdiger Haas, Sten E. G. Bergstrand, and 1 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8398238/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 9 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract This study presents a rigorous analysis of signal diffraction, a pervasive yet often overlooked error source in high-precision GNSS positioning. The research uses a controlled environment and an extensive data set. Using a movable wall of constant height, we demonstrate that diffraction impact is inversely proportional to the obstacle distance, with errors at 1 m distance far exceeding those at 3 m. Position estimates from Precise Point Positioning (PPP) analysis and residuals from double difference analysis were used to show the effect on geodetic results.The study further validates the physical diffraction mechanism through signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) data using a Knife-edge diffraction (KED) model. It is seen that, while the KED model works well for horizontal distances of 2 m, in the near field of the antenna, the model requires improvement to explain observed SNR anomalies.Further, we show that signal disturbance commences when an obstacle intrudes upon the first Fresnel zone, even while it remains below the direct line-of-sight. The results conclusively demonstrate that low-elevation satellites suffer the most severe diffraction effects due to their longer propagation paths through the diffracted field. Consequently, based on our extensive data processing and analysis, we propose practical guidelines for field operations.It is recommended to ensure that the obstructive environment does not subtend an angle greater than 11 \((^{\rm o})\) on the antenna. This would guarantee data integrity in demanding applications like PPP and Real Time Kinematic (RTK). GNSS Diffraction Fresnel zones PPP RTK SNR Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Reviews received at journal 17 May, 2026 Reviews received at journal 25 Apr, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 14 Apr, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 13 Apr, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 12 Apr, 2026 Reviewers invited by journal 12 Apr, 2026 Editor assigned by journal 23 Feb, 2026 Submission checks completed at journal 19 Dec, 2025 First submitted to journal 18 Dec, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-8398238","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":595813626,"identity":"bbb8b30d-828b-4f54-846c-14616b1af047","order_by":0,"name":"Uttama Dutta","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAAz0lEQVRIiWNgGAWjYPACGwYDBuYGIhWzMYPINKAWRtK0HCZBi8H9/oOfbtSclzdnP9i64eOeOgb5dgJaDY4xM0vnHLttuLMnse3mjGdA684cIKiFQTqH7XaCwYHEtts8Bw4wGEgkELbld86/cwkG5x+23f5zAOiw+Q8IamGTzm07kGBwA2gLwwFgYNzAr4NB8liymXVuX7LhhhsP2272HDjMY3CGgMP4Dh98fDvnm528wfnkYzd+HKiTk28/QMAadMBDovpRMApGwSgYBdgAAL+ESjPxaJf4AAAAAElFTkSuQmCC","orcid":"","institution":"Chalmers University of Technology","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Uttama","middleName":"","lastName":"Dutta","suffix":""},{"id":595813627,"identity":"05b0f200-b533-4e8a-9a65-aaa87d9a6676","order_by":1,"name":"Jan M. 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The research uses a controlled environment and an extensive data set. Using a movable wall of constant height, we demonstrate that diffraction impact is inversely proportional to the obstacle distance, with errors at 1 m distance far exceeding those at 3 m. Position estimates from Precise Point Positioning (PPP) analysis and residuals from double difference analysis were used to show the effect on geodetic results.The study further validates the physical diffraction mechanism through signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) data using a Knife-edge diffraction (KED) model. It is seen that, while the KED model works well for horizontal distances of 2 m, in the near field of the antenna, the model requires improvement to explain observed SNR anomalies.Further, we show that signal disturbance commences when an obstacle intrudes upon the first Fresnel zone, even while it remains below the direct line-of-sight. 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