Assessing Low-Cost GNSS Network Performance for Atmospheric and Positioning Applications: A preliminary Multi-Station Analysis of a low-cost Network

In recent years, low-cost Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) networks have gained prominence as viable solutions for high-resolution atmospheric and precision positioning applications due to their affordability, scalability, and ease of deployment. Unlike traditional GNSS infrastructures, which require substantial financial investment and technical expertise, low-cost GNSS networks use accessible, commercially available GNSS receivers and simplified processing methods. This study builds upon previous research into low-cost GNSS networks, analyzing an expanded set of stations from the Centipede network (https://docs.centipede.fr/) observed at different times of the year. The investigation evaluates the precision and accuracy of low-cost GNSS networks in positioning and atmospheric monitoring by comparing them to high-cost systems across diverse environmental conditions. Key metrics include signal quality, real-time data streaming latency, and accuracy in positioning, as well as Zenith Tropospheric Delay (ZTD) estimates. ZTD is a critical metric in atmospheric science that directly affects climate models and weather prediction accuracy, making it an essential benchmark for assessing GNSS network performance. The ZTD values in this study are processed using multiple software solutions to assess temporal consistency and environmental resilience, offering insights into the robustness of low-cost GNSS systems under various atmospheric conditions. Findings indicate that low-cost GNSS networks effectively enhance spatial resolution for atmospheric monitoring and precision positioning, achieving reliable accuracy that, in many cases, approaches that of traditional GNSS systems. The study’s results confirm the broader potential of high-density, accessible GNSS networks in fields beyond atmospheric science, including urban planning, land surveying, and infrastructure monitoring. This adaptability underscores the significant role low-cost GNSS networks can play in expanding GNSS infrastructure, particularly in resource-limited regions where traditional GNSS systems have been less accessible due to cost constraints.