Abstract
Tidally induced sub-daily Earth Rotation Parameters (ERP) variations, when not properly accounted for, can cause apparent orbit and ERP rate errors, which can significantly exceed the IGS solution errors. All International GPS Service (IGS) Analysis Centers currently apply the conventional sub-daily ERP model in their transformations from ITRF (International Terrestrial Reference Frame) to ICRF (International Celestial Reference Frame), both of which are used for IGS global analyses. However, some IGS Analysis Centers did not apply the sub-daily ERP model when transforming ICRF orbit solutions to ITRF, which is used for IGS orbit/clock products. This transformation inconsistency can cause significant orbit RMS differences that could exceed the 5-cm level. Independent ERP rate solutions are sensitive even to small errors in the sub-daily ERP model, and can be used to verify the sub-daily ERP model at, or below 0.1 mas/day precision level.
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