Successful integer least-squares carrier phase ambiguity estimation is the
key to fast and high precision GPS kinematic positioning. In order to descr
ibe the quality of the positioning results rigorously, one needs to know th
e probability distributions of both the integer and noninteger parameters i
n the GPS model. In this contribution these distributions are presented and
discussed. The probability mass function of the integer least-squares ambi
guities is needed to evaluate the ambiguity success rate and the joint dist
ribution of the GPS baseline and atmospheric delays is needed to evaluate t
he relevant confidence regions. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights r
eserved.