An organisational model for a unified GNSS reference station network for Australia

Abstract

In Australia, there are many reference stations gathering data from Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). These so‐called GNSS reference stations are being used to enable precise positioning in support of applications across many industries. However, the lack of coverage in sparsely populated regional areas is affecting the realisation of the opportunities offered by precise positioning to key industries, such as agriculture and mining. Given that it is difficult for single organisations to justify covering large areas of regional Australia, there is a need for partnership models to support a unified GNSS reference station network for Australia. This paper begins by describing precise positioning using GNSS and differentiates between post processed and real time applications. Commercially available techniques for delivering real time precise positioning services are reviewed, including the Virtual Reference Station approach, the Master Auxiliary Concept and precise point positioning in real time mode (referred to as PPP‐RTK). The paper then goes on to describe the current situation with precise GNSS positioning networks in Australia and the problems of delivering real time services in sparsely populated regional areas. The key contribution of the paper is to propose a model to identify and discuss the roles played by organisations delivering precise positioning services. The paper concludes by outlining how such a model might be applied in order to understand the differing organisational roles required for the development and operation of a unified GNSS reference station network for Australia.