Spatial Target Location Errors Derived from Measurements Collected from Sixteen Satellite Constellations

In this report, tables of sample cumulative probability distributions of minimum PDOP values and shortest distances between target and target trackers were developed, where the target is a spatial one and where the target trackers are constrained to any one of 16 satellite constellations. Shortest distance was used as a parameter in this work because target location errors involving direction to target increases as distance to target increases. The tables pertain to the first, second, and third shortest distance and to minimum PDOPs computed from slant range observations taken from 3,4 or 5 target trackers. Tables of expected values of minimum PDOPs and shortest distances are also provided. Values in the tables of expected values of minimum PDOPs and tables of shortest distances can be combined with a prior error analysis to determine 99 percent confidence sphere radii about estimated target locations. Values of minimum PDOPs can be used to determine 99 percent confidence sphere radii about target locations estimated from 3,4, or 5 slant range observations. Keywords Satellite constellations, Shortest distance to target Position dilution of precision.