Point accuracy of combined pseudorange and carrier phase differential GPS under forest canopy

One 6-channel and two 12-channel single frequency GPS receivers observing C/A (course/acquisition) code and carrier phase were tested to determine positional point accuracies under conifer and deciduous tree canopies. Positional accuracies were determined for 38 subcanopy sites by differential processing of C/A code observations only and combined use of C/A code and carrier phase. Observation periods of 2.5-30 min were evaluated. Mean positional accuracy ranged from 1.17 to 3.70 m for the 12channel receivers based on 2.5-30 min of observation of C/A code. Mean accuracy ranged from 0.79 to 2.25 m for combined use of C/A code and carrier phase. The accuracy was 7.34 m with 30 min of C/A code observations with the 6-channel receiver. With combined use of C/A code and carrier phase the mean accuracy of the 6-channel receiver increased to 0.98-2.44 m. The accuracy increased with decreasing basal area and improving geometric satellite distribution. The mean accuracy was significantly higher for the 12-channel receivers than for the 6-channel receiver and significantly higher by combined use of C/A code and carrier phase than use of C/A code only.