IGS network: Application of GPS to geodesy

Abstract

The Global Positioning System's satellites transmit time-dependent signals on two frequencies. When received on the ground and analyzed, these signals yield many benefits to geodesy, including terrestrial reference frames, plate and local motion, earth rotation parameters, and atmospheric information. The International GPS Service self-organized to efficiently coordinate a worldwide reference network of stations and analyze the data through international, voluntary collaboration. The products of this analysis are geodetically significant in themselves, and are used to great advantage by investigators in focused studies.