DGPS and EGNOS systems in hydrographic survey - accuracy analyses at the Polish sea area

Problem of positioning for maritime navigation and hydrography purposes, seen from the categories of the position error point of view, seems to have been solved on a global scale. Differential GPS, based on LF/MF reference stations, from 90-ties is the most popular radionavigation system for hydrography at the open sea. EGNOS - the first European satellite navigation system is a join project of the European Space Agency, Eurocontrol, European Commission represents the fist step to towards Galileo – autonomous navigation satellite system of the 2nd generation (GNSS-2). The system Operational Readiness Review (ORR), took place in June 2005 and resumed of more than eight years of studies, work. The Initial Operations Phase have therefore started in July 2005 as an effect of successful negotiations between ESA and European Satellite Services Provider. Presented paper reports final results of the long-term static measuring campaigns, which were done before the EGNOS System Test Bed (ESTB) ending. Two-week accuracy analyses were done and the position error statistic distributions of system were also compared with the classical DGPS based on LF/MF reference station.