A model for the establishment of an integrated regional geodetic datum

Abstract

A model for the establishment of an integrated geodetic datum covering a region is treated. The integrated geodetic datum is understood here to comprise the geoid, the reference ellipsoid, and the positional coordinates. A comprehensive unified solution model including the three parameters comprising the datum is considered. The estimation model adopted rigorously incorporates determined prior information in the estimation of the datum parameters. Mathematical models together with the pertinent observation equations are presented, followed by a description of the procedure for the actual setting up of the datum. The observational scheme is based on a system of modular traverses anchored on a trilateration of GPS baselines.