Towards Geodetic-Level Accuracy in Low-Cost GNSS: Tectonic Velocity Determination Capabilities of the U-Blox ZED-F9P Over a Year Multi-GNSS PPP-AR Time Series

Abstract

The growing availability of low-cost dual-frequency GNSS receivers is enhancing their suitability for various kinds of geodetic applications. Geodetic monitoring of the continuous crustal deformation using GNSS time series analysis is one of the commonly used geodetic applications. To maintain the most accurate estimated parameters such as secular velocity, seasonal signal parameters and offsets, geodetic-grade GNSS receivers are commonly used in the GNSS time series analysis. However, due to the increasing availability of low-cost dual-frequency GNSS receivers and advancements in software and hardware, these receivers have now reached a level that supports the GNSS time series analysis. In this study, over a year of multi-GNSS PPP-AR time series of the u-blox ZED-F9P low-cost GNSS receiver are investigated by evaluating the accuracy of the estimated parameters, comparing them with data from a geodetic-grade GNSS receiver monumented on a building roof. The results show that the minimum detrended standard deviation obtained from White Noise (WN) estimation is achieved using GPS + GLONASS + Galileo PPP for both receivers. The computed annual velocity and amplitude differences obtained from the GNSS time series between the u-blox ZED-F9P and the geodetic-grade GNSS receivers using GPS + GLONASS + Galileo PPP-AR are found as 0.6 mm / 0.4 mm / 0.8 mm and 1.5 mm / 0.4 mm / 0.2 mm for north, east, and up components, respectively. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.