Geometric Combination of Multiple Terrestrial Network Solutions
Publication: Journal of Surveying Engineering
Volume 134, Issue 4
Abstract
Terrestrial network solutions prepared by different institutes and/or at different epochs imply different reference frame definitions, since various reference stations and processing strategies may be involved. A combination procedure, utilizing a time-variant similarity transformation model, enables a geometric integration of multiple solutions into a common reference frame definition. Additional benefits, including an elimination of systematic bias and a cross check on the quality of each individual network solution, could also be achieved. In this study, a combination approach which takes into account complete geometric interrelations between multiple solutions is developed. With the observable dependency analysis procedure, the proposed approach guarantees a self-consistent, more meaningful, combination solution regardless of the choice of a reference solution. Numerical tests have been performed on actual International Global Navigation Satellite System (GNNS) Service (IGS) and National Geodetic Survey (NGS) solutions using the Geodetic Network Analysis Tool software developed along with this study. Results reveal potential problems if the proposed analysis procedure is not implemented in a combination solution.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Acknowledgments
This research was supported by the National Geodetic Survey, NOAA, under Contract No. UNSPECIFIEDNCNL2000-6-00004. Comments by three anonymous reviewers are also gratefully acknowledged.
References
Altamimi, Z., and Boucher, C. (2003). “Multi-technique combination of time series of station positions and Earth orientation parameters.” Proc., IERS Workshop on Combination Research and Global Geophysical Fluids, IERS Tech. Note No. 30, B. Richter, W. Schwegmann, and W. R. Dick, eds., Verlag des Bundesamts für Kartographie und Geodäsie, Frankfurt am Main, Germany, 102–106.
Altamimi, Z., Sillard, P., and Boucher, C. (2002), “ITRF2000: A new release of the international terrestrial reference frame for Earth Science applications.” J. Geophys. Res., 107(B10), ETG2/1-19.
Boucher, C., and Altamimi, Z. (1989). “The initial IERS Terrestrial Reference Frame.” IERS Tech. Note No. 1, Observatoire de Paris, Paris.
Boucher, C., and Altamimi, Z. (1992). “The EUREF terrestrial reference system and its first realizations.” Tech. Rep. No. 52, Veröffentlichungen der Bayerischen Kommissionen für die Internationalen Erdmessung, München, Germany.
Boucher, C., and Altamimi, Z. (2001). “ITRS, PZ90 and WGS84: Current realizations and the related transformation parameters.” J. Geodesy, Berlin, 75(11), 613–619.
DeMets, C., Gordon, R., Argus, D., and Stein, S. (1990). “Current plate motions.” Geophys. J. Int., 101(2), 425–478.
Dong, D., Herring, T. A., and King, R. W. (1998). “Estimating regional deformation from a combination of space and terrestrial geodetic data.” J. Geodesy, Berlin, 72(4), 200–214.
Ferland, R. (2004). “Reference frame working group technical report.” International GPS Service 2001-2002 Technical Rep. IGS Central Bureau, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, Calif.
Grafarend, E. (1984). “Variance-covariance-component estimation of Helmert type in the Gauß-Helmert model.” ZFV. Z. Vermessungswes., 109, 34–44.
Han, J. Y., and van Gelder, B. H. W. (2006). “Stepwise parameter estimations in a time-variant similarity transformation.” J. Surv. Eng., 132(4), 141–148.
Herring, T. A., King, R. W., and McClusky, S. C. (2006). GLOBK reference manual: Global Kaman filter VLBI and GPS analysis program, Release 10.3, Dept. of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Mass.
Ray, J., et al. (1999). “IERS working group on ITRF datum. Final report.” International Earth Rotation Service, Paris, ⟨http://hpiers.obspm.fr/iers/itrf/ITRF-WG.Report⟩ (Aug. 2008).
Ray, J., and Altamimi, Z. (2005). “Evaluation of co-location ties relating the VLBI and GPS reference frames.” J. Geodesy, Berlin, 79(4–5), 189–195.
Sahin, M., Cross, P. A., and Sellers, P. C. (1992). “Variance component estimation to satellite laser ranging.” Bull. Geod., 66(3), 284–295.
Schwarz, C. R. (1989). “North American datum of 1983.” NOAA Professional Paper No. NOS2, U.S. Dept. of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Silver Spring, Md.
Snay, R. A. (1999). “Using the HTDP software to transform spatial coordinates across time and between reference frames.” Surv. Land Inf. Sys., 59(1), 15–25.
Soler, T. (1998). “A compendium of transformation formulas useful in GPS work.” J. Geodesy, Berlin, 72(7–8), 482–490.
Soler, T., and Snay, R. A. (2004). “Transforming positions and velocities between the international terrestrial reference frame of 2000 and North American datum of 1983.” J. Surv. Eng., 130(2), 49–55.
Steed, J. B. (1995). “Geocentric datum of Australia.” Surv. World, 4(1), 14–17.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Copyright
© 2008 ASCE.
History
Received: Oct 9, 2007
Accepted: Mar 14, 2008
Published online: Nov 1, 2008
Published in print: Nov 2008
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.