An alternative processing strategy in global positioning system densification networks

An alternative methodology applied to compute the reference epoch coordinates of geodetic network stations by reducing each observation to reference epoch based on the time of observation, not in mean observation time, also called observation epoch, is discussed. The data provided for the computations in the study belong to the Istanbul GPS Network (IGNA). GPS measurements collected in a considerably long period from March 21 to September 8, 2005, were processed. Each computed baseline vector at the time of observation was shifted to the reference epoch utilizing velocities of the baselines in this strategy. The important point in this strategy is that instead of coordinates, baseline components at the time of observation rather than mean observation time as observation epoch are shifted to the reference epoch considering the time more precisely due to the amount of tectonic crustal movements in Anatolia. The point positioning accuracies of the new proposed strategy are between 4.5 and 17 mm.