Geoid determination through the combined least-squares adjustment of GNSS/levelling/gravity networks – a case study in Linyi, China

Abstract

A detailed discussion of the adjustment problems used to combine GNSS/levelling/gravity network data is provided in this paper. The two primary problems inherent to heterogeneous data networks, namely, parametric models that describe the datums and systematic distortions among the available data sets and stochastic models that describe the observational residuals, are described. For parametric models, a relationship between the transformation parameters and the effects of datums and systematic distortions inherent among different height data types is established based on a least squares criterion. For stochastic models, the stochastic errors in GNSS/levelling/gravity data are evaluated, and a Helmert variance component estimation approach is introduced to refine weighting models. Finally, the proposed model is applied to determine the hybrid geoid in Linyi, China. The numerical results validate the capability and effectiveness of the proposed combined adjustment technique for hybrid geoid computations, revealing an achievable external accuracy of ±1.22 cm compared with GNSS/levelling measurements, which can be increased by 0.44 cm compared with classic adjustments of GNSS/levelling/geoid height data.