Geometric Combination of Multiple Terrestrial Network Solutions

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