Analysis of 20 years of GPS data from SWEREF consolidation points – using BERNESE and GAMIT-GLOBK software

• The SWEREF 99 national geodetic reference frame has been used in Sweden since 2007 and it was adopted by EUREF in 2000 as the national realisation of ETRS89 in Sweden [Jivall and Lidberg, 2000]. The SWEREF 99 reference frame is defined by an active approach through the 21 original (fundamental) SWEPOS GNSS stations, hence relying on positioning services such as the network real time kinematic (NRTK) and post processing services. The SWEREF 99 coordinates are assumed to be fixed in time and no temporal variations are expected. However, the stability of the stations and their coordinates can be altered due to equipment change or software as well as local movements at the reference stations.To be able to check all alterations mentioned above and having a backup national network of GNSS points, approximately 300 passive so-called consolidation points are used. The consolidation points are a subset (the main part) of the so-called SWEREF points established from 1996 and onwards. All 300 points are remeasured with static GNSS for 2x24 hours using choke ring antennas on a yearly basis with 50 points each year. The original data processing was done with the Bernese GNSS software in a regular basis and the reprocessing was carried out with both the Bernese and the GAMIT-GLOBK software packages during 2017-2018.The resulting coordinates in SWEREF 99 from GAMIT and Bernese processing are equal at 1–2 mm level for the horizontal and 4 mm for the vertical components (1 sigma) when using almost the same models and processing strategy. The result from the original processing, which partly is based on other models and parameters, differs slightly more for the north component compared to the reprocessing results (RMS of 2 mm compared to 1 mm).Our analysis both of Bernese and GAMIT results shows that the standard uncertainties for a single SWEREF 99 coordinate determination (with 2x24 hrs observation) is about 2 mm for the horizontal components and 6 mm in height. It is interesting to note that the coordinate repeatability is on the same level also for the original processing, where we have differences in models and parameters used during the years. This indicates that our concept for determining SWEREF 99 coordinates has worked well on the mentioned uncertainty level.We performed trend analysis and statistical tests for the points having minimum three observations to investigate the stability of the estimated SWEREF 99 coordinates. The low rate of redundancy (just one redundant observation in case of three observations) was a problem so a modified version of the F-test was developed which gave good agreement with visual interpretation of the time series. This strategy showed that about 10% of the points had trends (with notable movements), but we should be aware of the low redundancy. With more observations in the future, we can determine trends more reliably.We will continue to analyse the point coordinate repeatability and trends when we get more data. Further on, some reprocessing is needed to be compatible with the SWEREF 99 update 2021 at SWEPOS. We will also study the effect of using different satellite systems and finally prepare for the publication of updated coordinates in the Digital Geodetic Archive (DGA) provided by Lantmäteriet.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Geovetenskap och miljövetenskap -- Multidisciplinär geovetenskap (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Earth and Related Environmental Sciences -- Geosciences, Multidisciplinary (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

GPS

SWEREF 99

reference frame

geodesy

Swedden

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