[IGSMAIL-8235] Call for IGS product Combination task Force

[Oliver Montenbruck]

Dear colleagues,

the International GNSS Service has identified multi-GNSS excellence as 
its primary strategic goal. In accordance with this goal, the IGS has 
continuously built up and expanded its multi-GNSS capabilities over the 
last decade. This includes both the integration of an ever-increasing 
number of multi-GNSS stations into the IGS network as well as the 
generation of multi-GNSS orbit, clock, and bias products to name just a 
few.

On the other hand, the combination of products, which appears essential 
for the provision of robust and quality-controlled end-products to its 
users, is still limited to the legacy GPS and GLONASS constellations. 
While various IGS entities have studied product combination concepts and 
even generated prototype software tools and products in recent years, 
these efforts have not yet led to an operational generation of combined 
products covering the full spectrum of GNSS constellations supported by 
the individual analysis centers. At the same time, product combination 
for the four global navigation satellite systems is already routinely 
exercised by external entities, thus questioning the leading role of the 
IGS as the primary source for high-performance GNSS products.

With this background, the installation of a new task force has been 
proposed at the recent IGS workshop, to coordinate and advance existing 
efforts for product combination across the various IGS bodies. Proposed 
tasks would include

  * Review and trade-off of existing concepts, algorithms, and tools for
    multi-constellation product combination within and outside the IGS
  * Quality assessment and identification of harmonization needs for the
    various (legacy and multi-GNSS) products to support combination
    (e.g. step size, availability of ERP, SINEX and attitude data, etc.)
  * Definition and consolidation of requirements for a harmonized IGS
    product combination tool and process covering the needs of different
    IGS entities. This should address both the type of products that
    need to be combined (orbit, clock, bias, coordinates, ERPs, etc.),
    the supported constellations (global vs. regional) and satellites
    (MEO/IGSO/GEO), the basic concepts and algorithms (e.g. frame
    alignment, Helmert transformations, VCE, reference signals and
    clock, etc.), as well as possible system-related aspects
    (proprietary vs. open source, platform, language, throughput, etc.)
  * Definition of roadmap and responsibilities for generation of a
    consolidated combination tool chain and the progressive build-up of
    a combined-product portfolio within the IGS

This call invites IGS members and stakeholders across the various 
working groups and analysis centers to contribute to these goals. 
Membership to the task force assumes a binding commitment to actively 
support its work through analyses, discussions, development, and 
documentation.

Please address your interest in participation to 
oliver.montenbruck at dlr.de who will coordinate the setup and initial work 
of the task force until a final decision on the task force leadership 
can be taken by its members. Applications should be received before 8 
Aug 2022 to enable a timely formation of the task force and start of work.

With best regards,

Oliver Montenbruck


-- 
Oliver Montenbruck
DLR, German Space Operations Center
Oberpfaffenhofen
D-82234 Wessling
Germany

Tel.    +49 (8153) 28-1195
Fax     +49 (8153) 28-1450
e-mail  oliver.montenbruck at dlr.de