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MGEX Pilot Project

The Multi-GNSS Experiment (MGEX) has been set-up by the IGS to track, collate and analyze all available GNSS signals. This includes signals from the BeiDou, Galileo, QZSS, and NAVIC systems, as well as from modernized GPS and GLONASS satellites and any space-based augmentation system (SBAS) of interest. Analysis centers characterize new satellites and signals, compare equipment performance and further develop processing software capable of handling multiple GNSS observation data. The IGS product portfolio will continuously be extended to cover precise ephemeris data and bias information for all constellations.Over a period of four years, a global network of multi-GNSS stations has been established and integrated with the existing network of GPS/GLONASS reference stations. In parallel, orbit and clock products for most new constellations are generated on a routine basis. It has therefore been decided in early 2016 to terminate the experimental phase of MGEX and to pursue the IGS multi-GNSS activities as a pilot project. Given the high recognition received so far, the name “MGEX” will be retained for the pilot project.

News

DateNews
2023/01/31Start of G079 signal transmission
2023/01/18Launch of 6th GPS III satellite G079
2022/12/13Publication of satellite metadata format description 1.00
2022/11/28Launch of the last GLONASS-M+ satellite R861
2022/10/10Launch of the GLONASS-K1B satellite R807
2022/07/07Launch of the GLONASS-K1B satellite R806
2022/05/25Fifth GPS III satellite G078 set healthy
2022/03/25QZS-1 decommisioned
2022/03/24QZS-1R declared operational
2022/01/31QZS-1R set healthy
2022/01/03Start of Galileo E224 signal transmissions
2022/01/02Start of Galileo E223 signal transmissions
2021/12/07RINEX 4.00 released
2021/12/05Launch of Galileo satellites E223 and E224
2021/11/17Start of QZS-1R test transmissions
2021/10/26Launch of QZS-1R
2021/05/18Test campaign for Galileo high accuracy service (HAS) announced
2020/11/04Launch of the 4th GPS III satellite Sacagawea
2020/10/25Launch of the GLONASS-M+ satellite R805
2020/06/30Launch of the 3rd GPS III satellite Matthew Henson
2020/08/22Launch of the 2nd GPS III satellite Magellan
2019/12/11Launch of the GLONASS-M+ satellite R805
2019/06/24Launch of a BeiDou-3 IGSO satellite
2019/05/27Launch of a GLONASS-M+ satellite
2019/05/17Launch of a BeiDou-2 GEO satellite
2019/04/20Launch of first BeiDou-3 IGSO satellite
2018/12/27Start of BeiDou global service
2018/12/23Launch of the first GPS III satellite
2018/11/18Launch of two BeiDou-3 MEO satellites
2018/11/01Launch of the first BeiDou-3 GEO satellite
2018/11/01Official start of QZSS services
2018/10/23Start of C34 and C35 signal transmission
2018/10/15Launch of two BeiDou-3 MEO satellites
2018/10/08Start of E33 signal transmission
2018/10/07Start of E15 signal transmission
2018/09/21Start of E36 signal transmission
2018/09/20Start of E13 signal transmission
2018/09/19Launch of two BeiDou-3 MEO satellites
2018/09/02Start of C25 and C26 signal transmission
2018/08/24Launch of two BeiDou-3 MEO satellites
2018/08/04Start of C23 and C24 signal transmission
2018/07/29Launch of two BeiDou-3 MEO satellites
2018/07/25Launch of four Galileo satellites
2018/07/09Launch of a BeiDou-2 IGSO satellite
2019/12/30Release of BeiDou-3 metadata (in Chinese)
2019/12/16Launch of two BeiDou-3 MEO satellites
2019/12/11Launch of a GLONASS-M+ satellite
2019/12/09Release of BeiDou-2 metadata
2019/11/23Launch of two BeiDou-3 MEO satellites
2019/11/04Launch of a BeiDou-3 IGSO satellite
2019/09/22Launch of two BeiDou-3 MEO satellites
2019/08/22Launch of the second GPS III satellite
2019/06/24Launch of a BeiDou-3 IGSO satellite
2019/05/27Launch of a GLONASS-M+ satellite
2019/05/17Launch of a BeiDou-2 GEO satellite
2019/04/20Launch of first BeiDou-3 IGSO satellite
2018/12/27Start of BeiDou global service
2018/12/23Launch of the first GPS III satellite
2018/11/18Launch of two BeiDou-3 MEO satellites
2018/11/01Launch of the first BeiDou-3 GEO satellite
2018/11/01Official start of QZSS services
2018/10/23Start of C34 and C35 signal transmission
2018/10/15Launch of two BeiDou-3 MEO satellites
2018/10/08Start of E33 signal transmission
2018/10/07Start of E15 signal transmission
2018/09/21Start of E36 signal transmission
2018/09/20Start of E13 signal transmission
2018/09/19Launch of two BeiDou-3 MEO satellites
2018/09/02Start of C25 and C26 signal transmission
2018/08/24Launch of two BeiDou-3 MEO satellites
2018/08/04Start of C23 and C24 signal transmission
2018/07/29Launch of two BeiDou-3 MEO satellites
2018/07/25Launch of four Galileo satellites
2018/07/09Launch of a BeiDou-2 IGSO satellite
2018/06/16Launch of a GLONASS-M satellite
2018/05/08Start of E27 signal transmission
2018/05/07Start of E31 signal transmission
2018/05/01Start of E21 signal transmission
2018/04/13Start of E25 signal transmission
2018/04/09Start of C29/C30 signal transmission
2018/04/11Launch of IRNSS-1I
2018/03/29Launch of two BeiDou-3 MEO satellites
2018/02/20Start of C21/C22 signal transmission
2018/02/19BeiDou Open Service Signal B3I ICD published
2018/02/12Launch of two BeiDou-3 MEO satellites
2018/01/26Start of C27 signal transmission
2018/01/21Start of C28 signal transmission
2018/01/12QZS-4 declared usable
2018/01/11Launch of two BeiDou-3 MEO satellites
2017/12/12Launch of four Galileo satellites
2017/11/20Dilssner F. (2017) A note on the yaw attitude modeling of BeiDou IGSO-6
2017/11/05Launch of two BeiDou-3 MEO satellites
2017/11/01Start of QZS-4 signal transmission
2017/10/09Launch of the fourth QZSS satellite MICHIBIKI-4
2017/10/06Galileo FOC satellite metadata published
2017/09/15Start of QZS-2 trial service
2017/09/10Start of QZS-3 signal transmission
2017/08/19Launch of the third QZSS satellite MICHIBIKI-3
2017/08/09Galileo FOC FM-13 declared usable
2017/08/01Galileo FOC FM-12 declared usable
2017/06/27Start of QZS-2 signal transmission
2017/06/01Launch of the second QZSS satellite MICHIBIKI-2
2017/05/29Galileo FOC FM-07/14 declared usable
2017/04/22Start of Galileo FOC FM-12/13 (E03/E04) signal transmission
2017/03/03Start of Galileo FOC FM-14 (E05) signal transmission
2017/03/02Start of Galileo FOC FM-07 (E07) signal transmission
2017/01/31IRNSS 1A clock failures
2017/01/19ESA: Galileo clock anomalies under investigation
2016/12/15Galileo initial open service declaration
2016/12/01Galileo FOC FM-10/11 declared available
2016/11/17Launch of Galileo FOC FM-07/12/13/14
2016/10/11PRN switch of BeiDou IGSO 6 from C15 to C13
2016/09/23Release of igs08_1915.atx including updated Galileo PCOs
2016/06/12Launch of BeiDou GEO 7
2016/05/24Launch of Galileo FOC FM-10/11 satellites
2016/04/29IRNSS renamed to NAVIC
2016/04/28Launch of IRNSS-1G GEO satellite
2016/03/29Launch of BeiDou IGSO 6
2016/03/10Launch of IRNSS-1F GEO satellite
2016/02/12MGEX status changed to Pilot Project by IGS Governing Board
2016/02/01Launch of BeiDou M3-S
2016/01/20Launch of IRNSS-1E IGSO satellite
2015/12/17Launch of Galileo FOC FM-8/9 satellites
2015/10/15New daily multi-GNSS differential code bias (DCB) product from CAS/IGG Wuhan
2015/10/01Resumed provision of 5-constellation orbit and clock product from Wuhan University (starting 2014)
2015/09/29Launch of second BeiDou-3 IGSO satellite
2015/09/11Launch of Galileo FOC FM-5/6 satellites
2015/09/01Integration of MGEX stations into IGS network
2015/08/05Release of RINEX Version 3.03
2015/07/25Launch of first BeiDou-3 MEO satellites
2015/07/21New IGS antenna phase center model igs08_1854.atx with Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS and NAVIC satellites (see IGS mail 7126)
2015/06/01QZSS added to GFZ multi-constellation orbit and clock product
2015/03/30Launch of first BeiDou-3 IGSO satellite
2015/03/28Launch of IRNSS-1D
2015/03/27Launch of Galileo FOC FM-3/4 satellites
2015/01/04Start use of ECOM2 solar radiation pressure model for CODE multi-GNSS orbit and clock product (week 1826)
2014/12/31Start of daily uploads for GPS L2C/L5 CNAV navigation data
2014/10/16Launch of IRNSS-1C
2014/08/22Launch of first pair of Galileo FOC satellites. Orbit injection failure
2014/07/01Addition of 10 new stations in Asia-Pacific region by Geoscience Australia
2014/06/27IGS Workshop, Pasadena. Recommendation to adopt GPS-style spacecraft axis conventions (+x to Sun hemisphere) for all GNSS satellites with yaw-steering attitude control mode (Galileo, QZSS, etc.) and to initiate a RINEX 3 transition plan
2014/04/28Start of routine CNAV transmission on GPS Block IIR-M satellites (L2C) and IIF satellites (L2C and L5)
2014/04/04Launch of IRNSS-1B
2014/03/23New BeiDou orbit and clock products provided by Wuhan University and GFZ (see section Products)
2014/02/24New differential code bias (DCB) product (see section Products); updated Galileo and QZSS event lists
2013/08/03Start of routine provision of JAXA's combined GPS+QZSS precise orbit and clock product for MGEX (see section Products)
2013/08/02Provision of GPS L2C/L5 CNAV data set from June 2013 campaign (see sections GPS Status Page)
2013/07/30RINEX files from 9 stations of the ESA/ESOC network are made available to the MGEX project including current and historic data (see MGEX station list)
2013/07/04Updated information on real-time streams and products (see sections Real-Time Data and Real-Time Products)
2013/07/01Launch of IRNSS-1; opened new section on Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS)
2013/05/29New multi-GNSS broadcast ephemeris product made available (see section Products)
2013/05/29Various new stations have been added to the MGEX network by CNES (REGINA network), DLR (CONGO network), and GFZ as well as individual providers (see section Network). A total of 74 stations is now available, most of which offer real-time data streams in addition to offline RINEX3 data
2013/03/01All participating institutions have now transitionend to the RINEX3 format for observation and navigation files submitted to the MGEX data archives. RINEX2 has been discontinued for MGEX purposes (but continues to be used for the operational IGS network)
2012/12/17First release of QZSS products by JAXA (see section Products)
2012/11/10Provision of orbit and clock products for Galileo and QZSS (see section Products)
2012/11/10Revised interactive network map (see section Network)
2012/11/10Draft parameters for BeiDou processing (see BeiDou page)
2012/10/25Recommended parameters for Galileo and GIOVE processing (see Galileo page)
2012/10/25Recommended parameters for QZSS processing (see QZSS page)

Charter

The past decade has seen tremendous changes in the availability and diversity of satellite navigation systems on both, a regional and a global scale. Next to the legacy GNSSs GPS and GLONASS, three regional systems (QZSS, BeiDou-2, and IRNSS/NavIC) are providing operational services in the Asia-Pacific region. With BeiDou-3 and Galileo, a total of four systems are now offering services on a global scale. By now, the majority of all navigation satellites support dual-frequency open service signals for civil users that satisfy a growing interest for high precision navigation in mass-market applications.

The IGS has been mindful of this evolution and systematically built-up new capabilities in support of multi-constellation GNSS (or simply, multi-GNSS) data collection and product generation through its Multi-GNSS Working Group and the Multi-GNSS Experiment (MGEX), which was later transitioned into the Multi-GNSS Pilot Project. Key accomplishments include the full incorporation of the initial multi-GNSS permanent ground stations into the IGS network, the harmonized provision of multi-GNSS data through the IGS data centers, and the generation of a diverse set of new multi-GNSS products by new and long-established IGS analysis centers.

The IGS defines multi-GNSS excellence as a primary goal for its new Strategic Plan. However, despite substantial progress and the efforts of numerous other Working Groups to incorporate new GNSSs into their work, it has been recognized by the IGS Governing Board that a homogenous level of support for all navigation systems has not yet been achieved.

In support of this goal, the Multi-GNSS Working Group continues to serve as a catalyst for multi-GNSS related activities within the various IGS working groups, and the IGS as a whole. As of 2020, key goals of the Multi-GNSS Working Group are:

  • Conduct and supervise the Multi-GNSS Pilot Project (“MGEX”) with the near-term goal of a comprehensive integration of multi-GNSS tracking and analysis into all IGS components and activities.
  • Consult and liaise with other IGS Working Groups to ensure adequate consideration of all GNSSs in standards and data formats. This includes, but is not limited to, receiver data, antenna information, biases, and conventions for precise point positioning.
  • Coordinate and promote the generation of comprehensive multi-GNSS orbit and clock products, and support the build-up of a multi-GNSS orbit/clock product combination process within the IGS.
  • Interact with GNSS providers and manufacturers to increase awareness of user needs in the field of precise multi-GNSS, and promote the release of relevant information and the proper support of new standards.
  • Increase public awareness for multi-GNSS related work in the IGS and facilitate access to relevant information through the IGS multi-GNSS website.

Beyond the traditional high-altitude navigation satellite systems, the Multi-GNSS Working Group will also offer a platform for exploring the use of constellations in low Earth orbit for stand-alone navigation and GNSS augmentation.

 

[Revised Dec 2020]

Members

Name Affiliation Country/Region Contribution
Kyohei Akiyama JAXA Japan JAX analysis center
Zhigou Deng GFZ Germany GFZ analysis center
Jan Dousa Geod. Obs. Pecny Czech Republic Data quality control
Richard Langley UNB Canada Constellation status monitor
Huicui Liu BACC China Data quality control
Vladimir Mitrikas IAC Russia IAC analysis center
Oliver Montenbruck DLR/GSOC Germany Chair Multi-GNSS Pilot Project
Felix Perosanz CNES France GRG analysis center
Lars Prange AIUB Switzerland COD analysis center
Shuli Song SHAO China SHA analysis center
Tim Springer PosiTim (@ESA/ESOC) Germany Selected data analyses
Peter Steigenberger DLR Germany Broadcast ephemerides and DCB product
Andrea Stürze BKG Germany Data quality control, real-time streams
Ningbo Wang AIR/CAS China DCB product
Qile Zhao Wuhan University China WUM analysis center

Contributing to MGEX

The Multi-GNSS Pilot Project encourages contributions to its overall goals by interested institutions and individuals. New contributions may cover data, products and analyses of all global and regional navigation satellite systems, but should complement existing MGEX capabilities and avoid redundancy. Specific areas of interest include support of NAVIC, 3rd generation BeiDou satellite signals, the combination and validation of multi-GNSS orbit and clock products, the characterization of the GNSS space segment (radiation pressure modeling, antenna calibrations, etc.), and the generation of real-time multi-GNSS products. Proposals for new contributions can be coordinated through the various members of the Multi-GNSS Pilot Project.

Referencing IGS and the MGEX Project

In accord with the overall policy of the IGS, all MGEX data and products are freely available for public use. To help IGS agencies justify funding requests, we request that users include a citation when use of IGS data or products results in a publication. For MGEX-related work, please reference

  • Montenbruck O., Steigenberger P., Prange L., Deng Z., Zhao Q., Perosanz F., Romero I., Noll C., Stürze A., Weber G., Schmid R., MacLeod K., Schaer, S. (2017) The Multi-GNSS Experiment (MGEX) of the International GNSS Service (IGS) – Achievements, Prospects and Challenges, Advances in Space Research 59(7):1671-1697, DOI: 10.1016/j.asr.2017.01.011
  • Montenbruck O., Steigenberger P., Khachikyan R., Weber G., Langley R.B., Mervart L., Hugentobler U. (2014) IGS-MGEX: Preparing the Ground for Multi-Constellation GNSS Science, InsideGNSS 9(1):42-49

For general IGS data and products, please include a citation of

  • Johnston G., Riddell A., Hausler G. (2017). The International GNSS Service. Teunissen P.J.G., & Montenbruck O. (Eds.), Springer Handbook of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (1st ed., pp. 967-982), Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-42928-1_33

For specific MGEX products, links to recommended references are provided in the products table.

Last Updated on 18 Mar 2024 07:47 UTC

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