Session 1: Integrated PNT Technology

Chair: Prof. Wei Gao, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China Prof. Jinling Wang, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia

Abstract: Next generation of Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) technology will increasingly rely on the integration of multi-sources of measurements from various sensors and systems to meet challenging issues in various PNT applications. This session offers opportunities to discuss topics of interest such as (but not limited to): data fusion from multiple sensors; modelling, optimal estimation algorithms, statistical quality control, integrity monitoring, test methods, aspects of implementations integrating diverse sensors; coupling of GNSS with inertial sensors, odometers, radar, LiDAR, optical cameras, barometers, infrared or ultrasound sensors; use of network connected devices for navigation, including smartphones, navigation apps, GNSS-based personal navigation systems with online maps, etc.

Session 2: GNSS Atmospheric Sounding

Chair: Prof. Kefei Zhang, The RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia  Dr. George Liu, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China

Abstract: The global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), as a significant space-based geospatial infrastructure, have recently experienced significant developments. The next decade will herald next generation GNSS systems; such as Beidou, Galileo, Glonass, QZSS, EGNOS and WAAS and witness a high demand and rapid growth of the positioning technologies with a low-cost and high-accuracy positioning capability anywhere and anytime. Combined with big data analytics and advanced sensor technologies, this will open a new chapter of geodetic innovation in science, technology and engineering. The multi-GNSS constellations, coupled with the ground-based national positioning infrastructure, are considered as a new, robust atmospheric sounding sensor and technique that has been extensively used for studying atmosphere, weather, climate and space weather. This session is dedicated to the emerging research topics related to GNSS atmospheric sounding. This includes contributions in studying both the lower atmosphere (e.g. water vapor, liquid water, ash, and extreme weather) and the upper atmosphere (e.g. ionospheric effects), in particular contributions from the following areas: GNSS reflectometry and refractometry (e.g. new developments in radio occultation, GNSS for severe weather, dynamics of troposphere and ionosphere, climate benchmarking and nowcasting applications, new satellite programs for atmosphere sounding, scatterometry, reflectometry and tomography techniques). The latest research related to atmospheric models for GNSS signal corrections, modeling of geophysical processes, ionospheric perturbations and space weather, data assimilation of GNSS-derived products into models are most welcomed.

Session 3: A New Horizon in GNSS Methods and Models

Chair: Prof. Yang Gao, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada Prof. Shaojun Feng, Imperial College London, UK

Abstract: New methods and models that lead to the creation of new technologies and applications for positioning, navigation and timing. New methods and models for the significant improvement of availability, accuracy and integrity in challenging environments. Innovation for integration and fusion of a variety of sensors, constellations and signals. Topics addressing special challenges and opportunities for positioning, navigation and timing are especially welcome.

Session 4: Advances in new GNSS applications: It is down to you to make use of it

Chair: Prof. Yanming Feng, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia Prof. Wu Chen, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong

Abstract: The session covers recent developments in both traditional and relatively new applications, such as in transport safety, sports and Internet of Things and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) navigation and the user requirements in terms of performance, cost, and timeliness, power management, communications and computation. We will also look at the benefits of multiple GNSS signals to space missions, aviation and location-based services etc. Implementation and demonstration of recent results on advanced scientific and timing applications will be presented.

Session 5: Multi-GNSS PPP and PPP RTK

Chair: Prof. Xiaohong Zhang, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China Prof. Jianghui Geng, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China

Abstract: New algorithms and methods in support of high precision GNSS applications based on PPP and PPP-RTK. Topics of interest include but are not limited to: reliable cycle slip detection and repair, improving re-convergence after signal outages; multi-GNSS and multi-frequency PPP and PPP-RTK; algorithms and methods for improving the convergence and accuracy of PPP techniques, PPP ambiguity resolution for GLONASS, Galileo and BeiDou; performance evaluation of positioning and navigation systems, PPP-RTK in wide areas, integration of network RTK and PPP-RTK; interoperability of PPP correction services with different user equipment; methods for precise prediction of satellite orbits and clocks; estimation and assessment of inter-system, inter-frequency and other relevant biases for multi-frequency GNSS; functional models and novel numerical approaches, carrier phase multipath mitigation, algorithms for precise positioning in challenged urban environments.

Session 6: High precision GNSS

Chair: Prof. Bofeng Li, Tongji University, Shanghai, China Prof. Tianhe Xu, Shandong University, Weihai, China

Abstract: Since the 1980s GPS has been widely applied in the engineering and scientific community. Extensive efforts have been made to improve precision/accuracy from meter to centimeter, and even millimeter nowadays for various applications. Particularly with the rapid development of multi-frequency and multi-GNSS, experts have intensified the research on innovative theories, methods and algorithms to further improve the accuracy, reliability, and availability of GNSS applications. On the other hand, thanks to the appearance of low-cost receivers, the GNSS location based service market is booming. However the signal quality (e.g., accuracy, continuity and anti-interruption) of such receivers can never been guaranteed, which raises new challenges for existing algorithms. To tackle these challenges, in this session, the following topics will be covered: (1)    High precision RTK theory and algorithm over long baselines with multi-frequency and multi-GNSS (2)    Theories of high dimensional integer ambiguity resolution and validation for multi-frequency and multi-GNSS (3)    High precision navigation algorithms with low cost receivers (4)    Innovative applications of multi-frequency and multi-GNSS

Session 7:  Indoor Positioning and Location-based Services

Chair: Prof. Ruizhi Chen, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China             Prof. Jian Wang, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, China

Abstract: Positioning is one of the core technologies for the applications of Location Based Service (LBS), Internet of Everything (IoE), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Super-Intelligence of Future (Robot + Human being). High availability high precision indoor/outdoor ubiquitous positioning plays a crucial role in the future lives of the population, it is the prime power of science and technology to promote mass innovation and entrepreneurship, and it is also an important part of supporting the national strategic demand.  The outdoor positioning has become more mature with the support of GNSS, the positioning availability has been significantly improved with the support of wide-area augmentation service and the positioning accuracy can be less than 1 meter. On the other hand, the indoor positioning has gradually become the academic research and industrial investment hotspots with the improving market requirements, especially in the related industries of mass consumption.  The companies that invest research and development include not only the startups, but also the giants of enterprise such as Apple, Google, Qualcomm, Intel, Cisco, Alibaba, Baidu and Huawei etc..  At present, the high availability positioning technology can reach an accuracy of 2-5 meters in the world.  The high precision, low cost and wide-area coverage indoor positioning technology is still the biggest obstacle to implement high precision indoor/outdoor ubiquitous positioning. The contents of this topic include two categories: indoor positioning technology and intelligent LBS application.  The indoor positioning technology mainly includes: the positioning technology based on radio-frequency signal, the positioning technology based on audio signal, visual positioning technology, indoor SLAM technology, new indoor positioning sensors and related positioning technologies, indoor GNSS positioning technology and high precision indoor positioning technology based on multi-source fusion.  The intelligent LBS application includes but is not limited to: intelligent parking, indoor robot, precision marketing, people flow line analysis, mobile health, virtual/mixed reality application, indoor GIS and 3D modeling, indoor navigation and artificial intelligence etc..

Session 8: GNSS Augmentation Systems and Applications

Chair: Prof. Chuang Shi, The Wuhan University, Wuhan, China             Prof. Dongkai Yang, The Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Beijing, China

Abstract: The satellite navigation augmentation system uses the ground base station and satellite supplement signal, information precise processing and other technologies, to enhance the performance of the satellite navigation system in positioning precision, signal availability, service stability, system integrity and other aspects. Further, it can satisfy the requirements of different industry users and different public users. The contents of this topic include: BDS/GNSS ground based augmentation system(GBAS), satellite based augmentation system(SBAS), BDS regional augmentation system(CORS), wide-area real-time precise positioning system, wide-area / regional fusion augmentation, A-BDS/GNSS, the satellite navigation augmentation service system oriented to intelligent transportation, aviation management, precision agriculture, smart city, ocean, internet of things and mass precise location services etc. include relevant theories, algorithms, core technologies, software/hardware, system introduction and application achievements etc..