Comparison of Various GPS Processing Solutions toward an Efficient Validation of the Hellenic Vertical Network: The ELEVATION Project
Publication: Journal of Surveying Engineering
Volume 142, Issue 1
Abstract
A research project called ELEVATION (Evaluation of the HelLEnic Vertical Network in the FrAme of the European SysTems and Control Networks InterconnectiON—Application in the Areas of Attica and Thessaloniki) for the validation of the Hellenic vertical network is currently in progress. Two investigation areas in central and northern Greece were chosen for the project. The areas include several benchmarks of the national trigonometric and leveling networks. In the current research, static global positioning system (GPS) observations as well as classical terrestrial leveling were performed to assess the internal accuracy of the two networks. This paper presents some of the numerical tests based on GPS and leveling measurements and outlines the goals of the project. The strategies followed in the processing of GPS data are presented, with emphasis on their future use within this project. GPS observations were processed using various commercial as well as scientific software packages to examine the influence of the processing algorithms on the final results. Significant differences between the results of the various software packages were revealed, particularly in the case of challenging observation conditions. Finally, comparisons of the estimated geoid heights at GPS benchmarks (BMs) to Earth Gravitational Model 2008 (EGM2008) geoid information are presented as a first step toward the evaluation of the Hellenic vertical network. These comparisons indicate that the two investigation areas are of different internal accuracy, namely, 8.3 and 15.8 cm in terms of the standard deviation of the differences at the Attica and Thessaloniki test areas.
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Acknowledgments
Our research project is cofinanced by the European Union European Social Fund and national funds under the Operational Program Education and Lifelong Learning 2007–2013 in the frame of the action Archimedes III—Funding of Research Groups in T.E.I. Mr. Xanthos Papanikolaou from the National University of Athens is acknowledged for the processing with Bernese software. Figs. 2 and 3 were created using Generic Mapping Tools 4.5.12. The thorough reading of the two anonymous reviewers and their valuable comments and suggestions improved significantly the final version of our paper.
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Journal of Surveying Engineering
Volume 142 • Issue 1 • February 2016
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© 2015 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jun 3, 2014
Accepted: Oct 7, 2015
Published online: Dec 16, 2015
Published in print: Feb 1, 2016
Discussion open until: May 16, 2016
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