Utilisation of the Japanese Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) Augmentation System for Precision Farming in Australia

Delivery of real-time centimetre-level positioning accuracy using GNSS in remote and rural parts of Australia is crucial to the widespread adoption and long term productivity of precise farming. Presently only 9% of the country is served by network real-time kinematic positioning (NRTK) services, leaving remaining users in remote parts of the country to either build, operate and maintain their own ad-hoc system or to continue working without the gains and benefits real-time GNSS precise positioning can provide. To overcome the significant barriers to adoption that emerge in a vast and sparsely populated country like Australia, an alternative mode of positioning is required and the associated augmentation message must be made uniformly and consistently available. One potential solution is to utilise a satellite-based communications infrastructure such as the Japanese Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) to deliver precise positioning augmentation message across Australia. This paper describes a collaborative project between Australia and Japan aiming at evaluating and demonstrating key attributes of the QZSS augmentation system, in particular the L-band Experimental (LEX) or L6 signal to positioning and tractors guidance on Australian farming land. Precise Point Positioning (PPP) augmentation corrections were transmitted via the QZSS L6 signal. Their positioning solutions were compared with NRTK and evaluated in terms of positioning accuracy and time of convergence. Finally, the capability of the system is demonstrated through the navigational accuracy of the delivered PPP solution in the operation of robotic tractor for precise farming.