Application of Generalized approach to Datum Transformation between Local Classical and Satellite-based Geodetic Networks

Abstract

The major problem with transforming from a classical to a satellite-based network is the typically low and heterogeneous accuracy of the classical network coordinates, especially in the height component. The accuracies and the statistical correlations between the point coordinates are expressed in the variance-covariance matrix (VCV). There is a great advantage if this prior information is included in the transformation model, together with the VCV matrix of the satellite-based network. An analysis of the northern part of the geodetic network of the State of Israel was conducted, using real data coming from both classical and satellite-based networks. The detailed investigation of the VCV matrix of the northern part of the G1 network, the satellite geodetic geodynamic network, and the M points from the classical network, confirmed the suitability of the so-called "Generalized Approach" to datum transformation.