Models for Fitting Gravimetric Geoids and GPS Results

The aim of this investigation is to study how to use a gravimetric (quasi) geoid for levelling by GPS data in an optimal way.The advent of precise geodetic GPS has made the use of a technique possible,which might be called GPS_ gravimetric geoid determination.In this approach,GPS heights above the reference ellipsoid are determined for points whose levelled (orthometric) height H is above sea level people have already surveyed;for these points,we thus have the values of the geoid undulation N .These values are then used to constrain the geoid undulations N′ obtained from the gravimetric solution.

The effect of topographic density variations on the geoid and orthometric heights in Hong Kong

Utilizing the adopted average topographic density of 2670 kg/m^(3)in the reduction of gravity anomalies introduces errors attributed to topographic density variations,which consequently affect geoid modeling accuracy.Furthermore,the mean gravity along the plumbline within the topography in the definition of Helmert orthometric heights is computed approximately by applying the Poincar e-Prey gravity reduction where the topographic density variations are disregarded.The Helmert orthometric heights of benchmarks are then affected by errors.These errors could be random or systematic depending on the specific geological setting of the region where the leveling network is physically established and/or the geoid model is determined.An example of systematic errors in orthometric heights can be given for large regions characterized by sediment or volcanic deposits,the density of which is substantially lower than the adopted topographic density used in Helmert's definition of heights.The same applies to geoid modeling errors.In this study,we investigate these errors in the Hong Kong territory,where topographic density is about 20%lower than the density of 2670 kg/m^(3).We use the digital rock density model to estimate the effect of topographic density variations on the geoid and orthometric heights.Our results show that this effect on the geoid and Helmert orthometric heights reach maxima of about 2.1 and 0.5 cm,respectively.Both results provide clear evidence that rock density models are essential in physical geodesy applications involving gravimetric geoid modeling and orthometric height determination despite some criticism that could be raised regarding the reliability of these density models.However,in regions dominated by sedimentary and igneous rocks,the geological information is essential in these applications because topographic densities are substantially lower than the average density of 2670 kg/m^(3),thus introducing large systematic errors in geoid and orthometric heights.

Methodology for local correction of the heights of global geoid models to improve the accuracy of GNSS leveling

At present,one of the methods used to determine the height of points on the Earth’s surface is Global Navigation Satellite System(GNSS)leveling.It is possible to determine the orthometric or normal height by this method only if there is a geoid or quasi-geoid height model available.This paper proposes the methodology for local correction of the heights of high-order global geoid models such as EGM08,EIGEN-6C4,GECO,and XGM2019e_2159.This methodology was tested in different areas of the research field,covering various relief forms.The dependence of the change in corrected height accuracy on the input data was analyzed,and the correction was also conducted for model heights in three tidal systems:"tide free","mean tide",and"zero tide".The results show that the heights of EIGEN-6C4 model can be corrected with an accuracy of up to 1 cm for flat and foothill terrains with the dimensionality of 1°×1°,2°×2°,and 3°×3°.The EGM08 model presents an almost identical result.The EIGEN-6C4 model is best suited for mountainous relief and provides an accuracy of 1.5 cm on the 1°×1°area.The height correction accuracy of GECO and XGM2019e_2159 models is slightly poor,which has fuzziness in terms of numerical fluctuation.

Modeling a Local Geoid: Application in Thies, Senegal

Many applications in geodesy, hydrography and engineering require determining heights linked to the geoid. Direct leveling, which is the traditional method of obtaining these elevations, is slow, time consuming and expensive. The contribution of space techniques can make it possible to overcome these constraints provided that we have a precision geoid model compatible with that obtained by the GNSS method. There are today relatively precise regional geoid models, at least outside of mountain ranges, in all developed countries, which is not yet the case in developing countries like Senegal. An alternative is to use local models restricted to a small area. Thus, this study aims to produce a geoid model by combining multi-source data for the city of Thies intended mainly to support leveling operations by GNSS. To achieve this objective, direct precision leveling and GNSS leveling (static mode) were carried out covering the study area. The reference points used are, among others, those of the RRS04 (Reference Network of Senegal 2004) and the NGAO53 (General Leveling of West Africa 1953). Additionally, gravimetric measurements were conducted using the Sensor Play-Data Recorder application. The calculation of the model was carried out by the SRBF (Spherical Radial Basis Function) method using the PAGravf4.5 software. The SRBF method uses EGM08 to first calculate height and gravity anomalies. These are then compared with the raw data in order to determine the residuals which will allow the model to be refined. In order to validate our model, control points (GNSS/leveled) were chosen based on a homogeneous geographical distribution in the area in order to evaluate their altitude. An accuracy of less than 2 cm was obtained. Comparing our model with the existing local model GGSV12v1 shows that our model is more accurate.

Establishment of a Geometric Geoid Model and Evaluation of the EGM2008 and EIGEN-6CA Models over the Dakar-Thies-Mbour Triangle in Senegal

High-accuracy geoid determination is an essential goal that many groups of scientists and countries are striving to achieve. Techniques for determining geoid models have evolved over time. Unfortunately, this all-important determination requires relatively substantial technical and financial resources, depending on the type of geoid to be determined. This situation justifies the inadequacy, and sometimes absence, of accurate geoid models in many countries, despite the new challenges of altimetric positioning using space or satellite positioning techniques. This study focuses on the establishment of a geometric geoid model using simplistic techniques that are accessible and applicable in restricted or wide areas, with or without gravimetric data. The study was applied to the Dakar-Thiès-Mbour triangle, the two regions in the extreme west of Senegal that are home to the most infrastructure projects with the highest socio-economic stakes, as well as mines currently being exploited, and therefore the highest stakes in terms of positioning. This study also enabled us to assess the accuracy of a number of global field models in Senegal, which are used by some professionals for altimetric positioning using Global Positioning Satellite Systems (GNSS) in the absence of a local geoid model. The estimated geoid model is based on the determination of undulation at various sample points in the study area. To this end, a campaign of GNSS observations and direct levelling was carried out on the various points spread across the study area. These measurements were then used to determine the undulation at each point. Bilinear interpolation was used to deduce the undulations throughout the study area, based on the altimeter conversion grid. This grid was evaluated using GPS/level control points.

Geoid interpolation in Gongzhuling City and the 1cm quasi geoid refinement

The refinement of the 1cm geoid holds significant importance in engineering applications,where the accuracy of the geoid is frequently constrained by its resolution.However,there has been limited exploration into the specific relationship between geoid resolution and accuracy.This article aims to address this gap by thoroughly examining said relationship.This study employs the CapRCR modification to calculate the geoid of Gongzhuling City.The findings indicate that the accuracy can be enhanced by 2%to 9%through encryption of the geoid resolution from 2.5′×2.5′to 1.5′×1.5′.Furthermore,this improvement can be augmented by 15%to 21%through encryption of the gravity anomaly to the same resolution.The accuracy of the geoid exhibits a linear relationship with the resolution of gravity anomalies.The theoretical accuracy of the geoid,excluding integration errors,is determined to be 1.21 cm.In engineering applications,opting for a resolution of 30''×30''can result in the geoid containing only an integration error of 2 mm.However,to attain an accuracy of 1 cm,it becomes imperative to further mitigate data errors.Consequently,the final refined quasi-geoid accuracy is established at 0.56 mm.

面向空间数据组织的地理空间剖分框架性质分析

为有效组织与管理海量空间数据,在融合国内外各种球面剖分模型优点基础上,设计了一套集空间数据组织与空间对象表达于一体的多层级地理空间剖分框架——基于地图分幅拓展的全球剖分模型(EMD模型)。在明确EMD模型的构建方法与编码方法基础上,对EMD框架方案进行了数学定义,并具体分析了其几何性质与几何精度,以确定EMD模型的应用领域与应用范围。最后利用GeoID编码完成空间对象表达实验,验证了该地理空间网格框架作为空间对象表达框架的优越性。

基于经纬度剖分的空间信息编码研究

随着人们对空间信息处理需求量的不断扩大,人们对于空间信息数据的分辨率、时态性等要求越来越高,原有的空间信息剖分、编码、存储等一系列理论将不能胜任新的需求.提出了一种经纬度地球剖分模型,在该剖分模型的基础上设计了树型编码体系——域式编码.该编码体系能够对每个剖分面片进行合理、有序、唯一、高效地标识,并且可和剖分面片的位置建立关联,同时也决定了空间信息后续的定位、索引和查询等操作.域式管理的核心是多级别、分层次,以及为了实现这个编码机制的分布式数据库系统.在剖分面片域式编码的基础上,借鉴计算机网络协议提出了全球空间信息处理的综合编码GeoID.该编码不仅考虑面片自身层次,而且将空间信息的时间、存储地址、存储模式、优先级等属性列入了编码范畴,大大提高了对空间信息处理的效率.提出的一系列解决方案对于海量空间数据处理提供了新的研究方法和理论,具有较强的实用性和推广价值.

Local geoid height approximation and interpolation using moving least squares approach

In this paper an introduction of the moving least squares approach is presented in the context of data approximation and interpolation problems in Geodesy.An application of this method is presented for geoid height approximation and interpolation using different polynomial basis functions for the approximant and interpolant,respectively,in a regular grid of geoid height data in the region 16.0417°≤φ≤47.9583°and 36.0417°≤λ≤69.9582°,with increment 0.0833°in both latitudal and longitudal directions.The results of approximation and interpolation are then compared with the geoid height data from GPS-Levelling approach.Using the standard deviation of the difference of the results,it is shown that the planar interpolant,with reciprocal of distance as weight function,is the best choice in this local approximation and interpolation problem.

Long Distance Transference of Height Datum Across Seas

This paper focuses on studying long distance transference of height datum across seas by combining ellipsoidal height derived from GPS with gravimetric geoid height.The Yellow Sea Height Datum is transferred to Yangshan Island which is 30 km away from Luchaogang in Shanghai.The stations heights derived in this way are compared with those determined from two independent sets of the tidal observations taken in two years,and the difference values are 1.0 cm and 6.0 cm,respectively.Moreover,the derived height differences between two sections on the island are also compared with the values derived from precise leveling with respect to the same section.The result shows that the inconsistencies are only 0.2 cm and 0.7 cm,respectively.

Determination of the geopotential and orthometric height based on frequency shift equation

The orthometric height (OH) system plays a key role in geodesy, and it has broad applications in various fields and activities. Based on general relativity theory (GRT), on an arbitrary equi-geo- potential surface, there does not exist the gravity frequency shift of an electromagnetic wave signal. However, between arbitrary two different equi-geopotential surfaces, there exists the gra- vity frequency shift of the signal. The relationship between the geopotential difference and the gravity frequency shift between arbitrary two points P and Q is referred to as the gravity frequency shift equation. Based on this equation, one can determine the geopotential difference as well as the OH difference between two separated points P and Q either by using electromagnetic wave signals propagated between P and Q, or by using the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite signals received simultaneously by receivers at P and Q. Suppose an emitter at P emits a signal with frequency f towards a receiver at Q, and the received frequency of the signal at Q is , or suppose an emitter on board a flying GPS satellite emits signals with frequency f towards two receivers at P and Q on ground, and the received frequencies of the signals at P and Q are and , respectively, then, the geopoten-tial dif- ference between these two points can be determined based on the geopotential frequen- cy shift equation, using either the gravity frequency shift ? f or ? , and the corresponding OH difference is further determined based on the Bruns’ formula. Besides, using this approach a unified world height datum system might be realized, because P and Q could be chosen quite arbitrarily, e.g., they are located on two separated continents or islands.

Earth Gravity Field Recovered from CHAMP Science Orbit and Accelerometer Data

The earth gravity field model CDS01S of degree and order 36 has been recovered from the post processed Science Orbits and on-board accelerometer data of GFZ’s CHAMP satellite. The model resolves the geoid with an accuracy of better than 4 cm at a resolution of 700 km half-wavelength. By using the degree difference variances of geopotential coefficients to compare the model CDS01S with EIGEN3P, EIGEN1S and EGM96, the result indicates that the coefficients of CDS01S are most close to those of EIGEN3P. The result of the comparison between the accuracies of geopotential coefficients in the above models, indicates that the accuracy of coefficients in CDS01S is higher than that in EGM96.The geoid undulations of CDS01S and GGM01C up to 30 degrees are calculated and the standard deviation is 4.7 cm between them.

Comparison of Different Height Systems

Geopotential, dynamic, orthometric and normal height systems and the corrections related to these systems are evaluated in this paper. Along two different routes, with a length of about 5 kilometers, precise leveling and gravity measurements are done. One of the routes is in an even field while the other is in a rough field. The magnitudes of orthometric, normal and dynamic corrections are calculated for each route. Orthometric, dynamic, and normal height differences are acquired by adding the corrections to the height differences obtained from geometric leveling. The magnitudes of the corrections between the two routes are compared. In addition, by subtracting orthometric, dynamic, and normal heights from geometric leveling, deviations of these heights from geometric leveling are counted.

Review of the Research Progress on Static Earth Gravity Field and Vertical Datum in China during 2019—2023

The contribution presents the representative research progress on global static gravity field modeling,regional geoid/quasigeoid determination,vertical datum study,as well as the theory,algorithm and software for gravity field study in China from 2019 to 2023,which are the highlights of the chapter 6“Progress in Earth Gravity Model and Vertical Datum”in the“2019—2023 China National Report on Geodesy”that submitted to the International Association of Geodesy(IAG).In addition,suggestions are proposed to promote the research in the fields of earth gravity field,geoid/quasigeoid and vertical datumin China according to trends of international geodesy and related disciplines.

Precise geoid computation using Stokes-Helmert’s scheme and strict integrals of topographic effects

The high-precision local geoid model was computed based on the improved Stokes-Helmert0 s boundary value problem and strict integrals of topographic effects. This proposed method involves three steps.First, the mathematical form of Stokes-Helmert0 s boundary value problem was derived, and strict computational formulas regarding topographic effects were provided to overcome the disadvantage of planar approximations. Second, a gravimetric geoid model was constructed using the proposed StokesHelmert0 s scheme with a heterogeneous data set. Third, a least squares adjustment method combined with a multi-surface function model was employed to remove the bias between the gravimetric geoid model and the GNSS/leveling data and to refine the final local geoid model. The accuracy of the final geoid model was evaluated using independent GNSS/leveling data. Numerical results show that an external precision of 1.45 cm is achievable.

Refining geoid and vertical gradient of gravity anomaly

We have derived and tested several relations between geoid （N） and quasi-geoid （~） with model validation. The elevation correction consists of the first-term （Bouguer anomaly） and second-term （vertical gradient of gravity anomaly）. The vertical gradient was obtained from direct measurement and terrain calcula- tion. The test results demonstrated that the precision of geoid can reach centimeter-level in mountains less than 5000 meters high.

Unification of national surveying vertical datum

The vertical datum of China is composed of leveling datum for heights and chart datum for depths. The determination of national leveling datum and its disadvantages were discussed firstly. The local mean sea level and chart datum with its guarantee rate of navigation safety were studied secondly. The models of unification of national surveying vertical datum, such as optimization model of mean sea level, adoption of New Chinese quasi-geoid of 2000(CQG2000) and time-invariant global geoid were suggested finally.

Coseismic gravity and displacement changes of Japan Tohoku earthquake(Mw 9.0)

The greatest earthquake in the modern history of Japan and probably the fourth greatest in the last 100 years in the world occurred on March 11, 2011 off the Pacific coast of Tohoku.Large tsunami and ground motions caused severe damage in wide areas, particularly many towns along the Pacific coast. So far, gravity change caused by such a great earthquake has been reported for the 1964 Alaska and the 2010 Maule events. However, the spatial-temporal resolution of the gravity data for these cases is insufficient to depict a co-seismic gravity field variation in a spatial scale of a plate subduction zone. Here, we report an unequivocal co-seismic gravity change over the Japanese Island, obtained from a hybrid gravity observation（combined absolute and relative gravity measurements）. The time interval of the observation before and after the earthquake is within 1 year at almost all the observed sites, including 13 absolute and 16 relative measurement sites, which deduced tectonic and environmental contributions to the gravity change. The observed gravity agrees well with the result calculated by a dislocation theory based on a self-gravitating and layered spherical earth model. In this computation, a co-seismic slip distribution is determined by an inversion of Global Positioning System（GPS） data. Of particular interest is that the observed gravity change in some area is negative where a remarkable subsidence is observed by GPS, which can not be explained by simple vertical movement of the crust. This indicated that the mass redistribution in the underground affects the gravity change. This result supports the result that Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment（GRACE） satellites detected a crustal dilatation due to the 2004 Sumatra earthquake by the terrestrial observation with a higher spatial and temporal resolution.

Monthly gravity field recovery from GRACE orbits and K-band measurements using variational equations approach

The Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment（GRACE） mission can significantly improve our knowledge of the temporal variability of the Earth＇s gravity field.We obtained monthly gravity field solutions based on variational equations approach from GPS-derived positions of GRACE satellites and K-band range-rate measurements.The impact of different fixed data weighting ratios in temporal gravity field recovery while combining the two types of data was investigated for the purpose of deriving the best combined solution.The monthly gravity field solution obtained through above procedures was named as the Institute of Geodesy and Geophysics（IGG） temporal gravity field models.IGG temporal gravity field models were compared with GRACE Release05（RL05） products in following aspects：（i） the trend of the mass anomaly in China and its nearby regions within 2005-2010; （ii） the root mean squares of the global mass anomaly during 2005-2010; （iii） time-series changes in the mean water storage in the region of the Amazon Basin and the Sahara Desert between 2005 and 2010.The results showed that IGG solutions were almost consistent with GRACE RL05 products in above aspects（i）-（iii）.Changes in the annual amplitude of mean water storage in the Amazon Basin were 14.7 ± 1.2 cm for IGG,17.1 ± 1.3 cm for the Centre for Space Research（CSR）,16.4 ± 0.9 cm for the GeoForschungsZentrum（GFZ） and 16.9 ± 1.2 cm for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory（JPL） in terms of equivalent water height（EWH）,respectively.The root mean squares of the mean mass anomaly in Sahara were 1.2 cm,0.9 cm,0.9 cm and 1.2 cm for temporal gravity field models of IGG,CSR,GFZ and JPL,respectively.Comparison suggested that IGG temporal gravity field solutions were at the same accuracy level with the latest temporal gravity field solutions published by CSR,GFZ and JPL.

DISCUSSION ON SOME FFT PROBLEMS TO DETERMINE THE GEOID

The aim of this investigation is to study some FFT problems related to the application of FFT to gravity field convolution integrals.And the others,such as the effect of spectral leakage,edge effects,cyclic convolution and effect of padding,are also discussed.A numerical test for these problems is made.A large area of Western China selected for the test is located between 30°N～36°N and 96°E～102°E and includes 1 858 gravity observations on land.The results show that the removal of the bias in the residual gravity anomalies is important to avoid spectral leakage.One hundred percent zero padding is highly recommended for further research of the geoid to remove cyclic convolution errors and edge effects.1_D FFT is recommended for precise local geoid determination because it does not use kernel approximation.