Height datum unification

within a global vertical reference system

Laura Snchez
Deutsches Geodtisches Forschungsinstitut (DGFI)

Geodesy for Planet Earth, IAG Scientific Assembly 2009

September 2, 2009
Buenos Aires, Argentina
 Objectives

1. To satisfy H = h - with high precision world-wide;

2. To define and realize a global vertical reference system supporting
geometric and physical heights;
3. To integrate the existing local height systems into the global one.

Height datum unification within a global vertical reference system

IAG Scientific Assembly, 2009-09-02, Buenos Aires, Argentina
 Basic approach

Height datum unification within a global vertical reference system

IAG Scientific Assembly, 2009-09-02, Buenos Aires, Argentina
 Modern definition of a vertical reference system

Consistent modelling of geometric and physical parameters, i.e.

h = HN + ( H + N ) in a global frame with high accuracy (> 10-9)

Geometrical Component Physical Component

Coordinates: Coord.: Potential differences
h (t), dh/dt -WP(t) = W0(t) WP(t); dW0/dt
Definition: Definition:
ITRS + Level ellipsoid (h0 = 0) W0= const. (as a convention)
a. (a, J2, , GM) or
Realization:
b. (W0, J2, , GM)
Realization: 1. Selection of a global W0 value
1. Related to the ITRS (ITRF) 2. Determination of the local W0,j
2. Conventional ellipsoid values
3. Connection of W0,j with W0
Conventions: 4. Geometrical representation of
IERS Conventions W0 and W0,j (i.e. geoid comp.)
Ellipsoid constants, W0, U0 values, 5. Potential differences into
reference tide system have to be physical heights (H or HN)
aligned to the physical
conventions! Zero tide system

Height datum unification within a global vertical reference system

IAG Scientific Assembly, 2009-09-02, Buenos Aires, Argentina
 Realization of W0 (W0,j) by solving GBVP

Ocean areas Land areas

Fixed gravimetric GBVP Scalar-free GBVP
provides the global reference level (W0) provides the local reference levels (Wj)
Formulation 2T = 0 outside boundary surface ; T = W U
T 2 2
T T = g j W j
= g r r r
r
W j = W0, j U 0 = W0 W0, j
Constraints T = 0 at ; T d = ki ; T d = k ; k + k
j i j = 0 T00 T d = 0
sea land

GM

B j S ( ) d + G S ( ) d
Solution R R
T= +
4 n =1 4
n
R

2
j = 1 ; B1 = g (gravity disturbances) j=1J ; B j = g j W j
r
g1 = g ; g2 = C ; etc.

vertical datum unification strategies

Height datum unification within a global vertical reference system

IAG Scientific Assembly, 2009-09-02, Buenos Aires, Argentina
 Strategies for the vertical datum unification

A global vertical reference system has to be connected to the geometric

terrestrial reference system (TRS) to satisfy h = H + world-wide. This is
possible by constraining the determination of the Wj terms to:

P hP (W0 j WPj ) TPj 2W j = 0

Height datum unification within a global vertical reference system

IAG Scientific Assembly, 2009-09-02, Buenos Aires, Argentina
 Strategies for the vertical datum unification

Oceanic approach Coastal approach Terrestrial approach

(SStop around gauges) (reference tide gauges) (geometrical reference
Satellite altimetry and GPS positioning at tide stations)
satellite-only GGM, gauges, (geopotential GPS positioning at reference
SSTop at coast lines numbers), terrestrial stations (including border
including also tide gravity and satellite- points), geopotential
gauge records. only GGM. numbers, terrestrial gravity
and satellite-only GGM.
1 j 1
TP hP P = W
( )
j
T T0 = W
j j 1 j 1
TP + C Pj hP P = W j
P
2 2
2 2
1 j
2
( ) (
1
)
TP + C Pj TPj +1 + C Pj +1 = W j +1 W
2
j

Solution of observation equations by a combined adjustment !

Height datum unification within a global vertical reference system

IAG Scientific Assembly, 2009-09-02, Buenos Aires, Argentina
 Numerical tests: coastal approach

Solution of the fixed GBVP on ocean areas: W0 = 62 636 853,1 m2 s-2

Geometry of the mean sea surface: CLS01 model (Hernandez, Schaeffer 2001),
Gravity disturbances from CHAMP-GRACE GGM, n=150, coefficients @ 2000.0
Solution of the scalar-free GBVP at reference tide gauges
SIRGAS coordinates, EGM2008 model (coefficients @ 2000.0), zero tide system.

Height datum unification within a global vertical reference system

IAG Scientific Assembly, 2009-09-02, Buenos Aires, Argentina
 Numerical tests: coastal approach

Solution of the fixed GBVP on ocean areas: W0 = 62 636 853,1 m2 s-2

Geometry of the mean sea surface: CLS01 model (Hernandez, Schaeffer 2001),
Gravity disturbances from CHAMP-GRACE GGM, n=150, coefficients @ 2000.0
Solution of the scalar-free GBVP at reference tide gauges
SIRGAS coordinates, EGM2008 model (coefficients @ 2000.0), zero tide system.

Height datum unification within a global vertical reference system

IAG Scientific Assembly, 2009-09-02, Buenos Aires, Argentina
 Numerical tests: coastal and oceanic approach
Input data:
Local quasigeoid models
GNSS positioning
Geopotential numbers from levelling
HN, h, , SSTop at epoch 2000.0, zero tide system

Height datum unification within a global vertical reference system

IAG Scientific Assembly, 2009-09-02, Buenos Aires, Argentina
 Outlook

To extend the numerical tests to the entire SIRGAS region. This implies:
Determination of SSTop at all the reference tide gauges;
GNSS positioning at the same tide gauges to distinguish sea level
changes form vertical movements of the Earths crust;
Continental adjustment of the first order vertical networks;
To estimate the connection terms Wi at the definition period of the
local reference levels, i.e. all heights (h, HN, , SSTop) must be reduced
to a common reference epoch;
To determine the Wi using regional (or local) geoids of high resolution.
The GGMs do not provide the required accuracy and resolution;
To follow the IAG recommendations about a reliable and precise global
reference level (a W0 conventional value).

Height datum unification within a global vertical reference system

IAG Scientific Assembly, 2009-09-02, Buenos Aires, Argentina