Raw GNSS data from smartphones may be used to create a low-cost alternative to densify geodetic receiver networks. Recent Android smartphones with dual-frequency receivers are suitable for this purpose. With Android 7.0 and subsequent versions, Google enabled the accessibility of raw GNSS data for smartphones and allowed duty cycling to be disabled, enabling real-time analysis of raw GNSS observations. Several studies have focused on developing new techniques for increasing the accuracy of GNSS observations of smartphones equipped with GNSS receivers. Since GNSS observations provide a high spatiotemporal resolution, they are an effective data source for ionospheric research. In comparison to classic geodetic receivers, smartphone GNSS receivers are much more cost-effective. These GNSS chipsets are capable of detecting the ionospheric total electron content and ionospheric irregularities. The availability of these low-cost receivers would enhance the density of GNSS stations as well as provide more GNSS data for measurement and acquisition, thus enhancing the capabilities of GNSS-related applications. We investigate the ionospheric irregularity parameters TEC, ROTI, and S4 derived from two weeks of Google Pixel 4 XL measurements and we compare these measurements with geodetic GNSS observations for validation. The Google Pixel 4 XL can obtain dual-frequency GPS and Galileo measurements. Using GNSS geodetic data, we can examine the effects of ionospheric irregularities on smartphone observations. In this way, it is possible to evaluate the potential of smartphone GNSS measurements as an alternative to GNSS geodetic data.
The 28th IUGG General Assembly (IUGG2023) (Berlin 2023)