GPS Satellite Surveys and Vertical Control
Publication: Journal of Surveying Engineering
Volume 115, Issue 2
Abstract
Analysis of Global Positioning System (GPS) survey data has shown that GPS can be used to establish precise relative positioning in a three‐dimensional system. The results of many tests and operational projects have clearly shown that GPS survey methods can replace classical horizontal terrestrial survey methods. Comparable accuracies have also been achieved for GPS‐derived ellipsoid height differences. The problem of converting these ellipsoid height differences to orthometric height differences remains to be resolved. Can the accuracies achieved for these orthometric height differences provide a viable alternative to classical geodetic leveling techniques? Some results of analyses performed by the authors in estimating orthometric heights from GPS surveys indicate that with appropriate planning, consideration of GPS survey specifications for connection to bench marks, proper field observing procedures, and proper strategy for estimating geoid heights and final orthometric height values, it is possible to use GPS survey methods to estimate orthometric heights to meet a wide range of engineering requirements for vertical control. Therefore, another question needs to be addressed. What are the accuracy requirements of most engineering and mapping applications? This is best answered by users of the data and will influence how much effort should be directed toward determining more accurate geoid heights.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
1.
Brennecke, J., et al. (1983). “A European astro‐gravimetric geoid.” Reihe B: Angewandtw Geodäsie—Heft Nr. 269., Verlag des Instituts für Angewandte Geodäsie, Frankfort, FRG.
2.
Engelis, T., Tscherning, C. C., and Rapp, R. H. (1984). “The precise computation of geoid undulation differences with comparison to results obtained from GPS.” Geophys. Res. Letters, 1(9), Sept., 821–824.
3.
Fury, R. J. (1984). “Prediction of deflections of the vertical by gravimetric methods.” NOAA Technical Report NOS NGS 28, National Geodetic Information Center, NOAA, Rockville, Md., 25 pp.
4.
Fury, R. J. (1986). “Geoid height estimation technology development to improve computed orthometric height as a complement to GPS.” Internal report, National Geodetic Survey, NOAA, Rockville, Md.
5.
Hein, G. W. (1985). “Orthometric height determinations using GPS observations and integrated geodesy adjustment model.” NOAA Technical Report NOS 110 NGS 32. National Geodetic Information Center, NOAA, Rockville, Md., 16 pp.
6.
Heiskanen, W. A., and Moritz, H. (1981). Physical geodesy. Reprint, Institute of Physical Geodesy, Steyrergasse 17, A‐8010, Graz, Austria.
7.
Hothem, L. D. (1988). “Geometric survey standards and specifications for geodetic surveys using GPS relative positioning techniques.” Version 5, May, National Geodetic Information Center, Rockville, Md., 50 pp.
8.
Hothem, L. D., Goad, C. C., and Remondi, B. W. (1984): “GPS satellite surveying—practical aspects,” The Canadian Surveyor. 38(3), Autumn, 177–192.
9.
Kearsley, A. H. W. (1984). “Precision limitations and data requirements for the determination of relative geoid heights from gravimetry.” Report No. 26, Dept. of Geodesy, Univ. of Uppsala, Institute of Geophysics, Sweden, 111 pp.
10.
Kearsley, A. H. W. (1985). “Towards the optimum evaluation of the inner zone contribution to geoidal heights.” Aust. J. Geod. Photo. Surv., (42), June, 75–98.
11.
Kearsley, A. H. W. (1986a). “The determination of precise geoid height differences using ring integration.” Proc. of International Symposium on the Definition of the Geoid., Florence, Italy, May 26–30, 151–174.
12.
Kearsley, A. H. W. (1986b). “Data requirements for determining precise relative geoid heights from gravimetry.” J. of Geophysical Research. 91(B9), 9193–9201.
13.
Kearsley, A. H. W. (1987). “Tests on the recovery of precise geoid height differences from gravimetry, unpublished manuscript, School of Surveying of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, Australia. 34 pp.
14.
King, R. W., et al. (1985). Surveying with GPS. Monograph No. 9, School of Surveying, Univ. of South Wales, Kensington, NSW, Australia 2033, Nov., 138 pp.
15.
Milbert, D. G., and Holdahl, S. R. (1988). “Combining leveling and GPS measurements through the integrated geodesy approach.” EOS. Transaction, AGU, 69(16), 325, Apr. 19.
16.
Moritz, H. (1983). “Local geoid determination in mountain regions.” Report No. 352, Dept. of Geodetic Science and Surveying, Ohio State Univ., Columbus, Ohio, 47.
17.
Proc. of the First International Symposium on Precise Positioning with the Global Positioning System (1985). National Geodetic Information Center, NOAA, Rockville, Md., Apr. 15–19, 946 pp.
18.
Proc. of the Fourth International Geodetic Symp. on Satellite Positioning (1986). Defense Mapping Agency and National Geodetic Survey, Austin, Tex., Apr. 28–May 2.
19.
Rapp, R. H. (1981). “The Earth's gravity field to degree and order 180 using Seasat altimeter data, terrestrial gravity data, and other data.” Report No. 322, Dept. of Geodetic Science and Surveying, Ohio State Univ., Columbus, Ohio.
20.
Rapp, R. H., and Cruz, J. Y. (1986). “Spherical harmonic expansions of the Earth's gravitational potential to degree 360 using 30' mean anomalies.” Report No. 376, Dept. of Geodetic Science and Surveying, Ohio State Univ., Columbus, Ohio.
21.
Remondi, R. W. (1984). “Using the Global Positioning System (GPS) phase observable for relative geodesy: modeling, processing, and results,” thesis presented to the University of Texas, at Austin, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
22.
Standards and specifications for geodetic control networks (1984). Federal Geodetic Control Committee, National Geodetic Information Center, NOAA, Rockville, Md., 33 pp.
23.
Strange, W. E. (1985). “High‐precision, three‐dimensional differential positioning using GPS.” Proc. of the First Int. Symp. on Precise Positioning with the Global Positioning System, Rockville, Md., Apr. 15–19, 543–548.
24.
Schwarz, K. P., Sideris, M. G., and Forsberg, R. (1987). “Orthometric heights without leveling.” J. Surv. Engrg., ASCE, 113(1), 28–40.
25.
Tscherning, C. C. (1974). “A FORTRAN IV program for the determination of the anomalous potential using stepwise least squares collocation.” Report No. 212, Dept. of Geodetic Science and Surveying, Ohio State Univ., Columbus, Ohio.
26.
Vanicek, P. and John, S. (1983). “Evaluation of geoid solutions for Canada using different kinds of data,” presented to IAG Symposium on Improved Gravity Field Estimations on Global Basis, Hamburg, F.R.G., Aug. 19.
27.
Vincenty, T. (1987a). “On the use of GPS vectors in densification adjustment.” Surveying and Mapping, 47(2), 103–108.
28.
Vincenty, T. (1987b). “Geoid heights for GPS densifications.” ACSM Bulletin, Dec.
29.
Wells, D. (1986). Guide to GPS Positioning, Prepared by Canadian GPS Associates, ISBN: 0‐920‐114‐73‐3, P.O. Box 3184, Postal Station B, Fredericton, New Brunswick E3A 5G9, Canada, 650 pp.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Surveying Engineering
Volume 115 • Issue 2 • May 1989
Pages: 262 - 281
Copyright
Copyright © 1989 ASCE.
History
Published online: May 1, 1989
Published in print: May 1989
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.