Clock networks for height system unification

A simulation study

verfasst von
Hu Wu, Jürgen Müller, Claus Lämmerzahl
Abstract

The unification of local height systems has been a classical geodetic problem for a long time, the main challenges of which are the estimation of offsets between different height systems and the correction of tilts along the levelling lines. It has been proposed to address these challenges with clock networks. The latest generation of optical clocks as well as the dedicated frequency links, for example optical fibres, are now approaching to deliver the comparison of frequencies at the level of 1.0 × 10 -18. It corresponds to an accuracy of about 1.0 cm in height difference. Clock networks can thus serve as a powerful tool to connect local height systems. To verify the idea, we carried out simulations using the EUVN/2000 (European Unified Vertical Network) as apriori input. Four local height systems were simulated from the EUVN/2000 by introducing individual offsets and tilts, and were reunified by using measurements in clock networks. The results demonstrate the great potential of clock networks for height system unification. In case that the offsets between different height systems and tilts along national levelling lines in both longitudinal and latitudinal directions are considered, three or four clocks measurements for each local region are sufficient for the unification. These clocks are to be interconnected and should be properly arranged so that they can sense the levelling tilts where necessary. Our results also indicate that even clocks with one magnitude poorer accuracy than the desired ones can still unify the height systems to some extent, but it may cause a shift for the reunified system.

Organisationseinheit(en)
Institut für Erdmessung
QuantumFrontiers
Externe Organisation(en)
Zentrum für angewandte Raumfahrt­technologie und Mikro­gravitation (ZARM)
Typ
Artikel
Journal
Geophysical journal international
Band
216
Seiten
1594-1607
Anzahl der Seiten
14
ISSN
0956-540X
Publikationsdatum
28.11.2018
Publikationsstatus
Veröffentlicht
Peer-reviewed
Ja
ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete
Geophysik, Geochemie und Petrologie
Elektronische Version(en)
https://doi.org/10.1093/gji/ggy508 (Zugang: Geschlossen)