Analysis of the Common Mode Errors in the Regional GNSS Networks

V. L. Gorshkov, N. V. Scherbakova

Transactions of IAA RAS, issue 42, 95–100 (2017)

Keywords: Loading effects in GNSS stations, common-mode errors in GNSS networks, influence of meteorological parameters on GNSS-station positions.

Abstract

Positions of GNSS stations can have non-tectonic variations in the form of the impulse noise which may last for several weeks. The analysis of GNSS data in the regional monitoring networks indicates that these position variations are often present simultaneously in the whole region as an in-phase disturbance. These spatial correlated variations in the GNSS networks are usually caused by the so-called common-mode error (CME). Various loading effects are assumed as the main reason of the CME. The influence of various meteorological parameters (the atmospheric pressure; and temperature and thickness of snow) on the appearance of these CME is searched in this study by the GNSS and meteorological data in the Baltic region. The GNSS data was processed by the GIPSY6.3 software tools; then all atmospheric and land water loading effects were taken into account. These CMEs are observed sometimes by the GNSS stations which are many hundred kilometers away from each other and often correlate with the atmospheric pressure and other meteorological parameters. This reveals an imperfection in the loading models used and/or inadequate amounts of meteorological stations included in the loading calculation. The CMEs appear in wintertime especially often being explained partly by snow level which is not used in the loading models.

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