Comparison of the Coordinates Solutions Between the Absolute and the Relative Phase Center Variation Models in the Dense Regional GPS Network in Japan

Abstract

Coordinates solutions are compared between the absolute and the relative phase center variation (PCV) models using the dense regional GPS network data in Japan before 1400 GPS week. In the result for the regional network sites and the western Pacific IGS fiducial network sites during 2005 and 2006 (GPS weeks 1303 through 1399) the coordinates repeatabilities applying the absolute PCV models are better than those adopting the relative PCVs, although the advantages are not significant for the period between 1996 and 1999 (GPS weeks 869 through 1042). The former result indicates the solutions applying the absolute PCV models are more precise than those adopting the relative PCVs even for the weeks when IGS precise orbits are calculated using the relative PCV models. The latter result may be caused by the sparse distribution of the IGS fiducial sites in the region, and the impreciseness of IGS precise orbits caused by the immature regional reference frame.