ASSESSING QUALITY OF CORSNET-NSW INFRASTRUCTURE FOR USE IN REGIONAL NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA

Abstract

CORSnet-NSW is a network of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) covering the state of NSW and providing centimetre-level real-time positioning. This research paper aims to determine the level of accuracy and precision of CORSnet-NSW in regional parts of the network and compare them to that of traditional RTK under identical conditions. It investigates what effects satellite geometry and proximity to a CORS station have on NRTK measurements. It also verifies the CORSnet-NSW claim of network wide 2cm accuracy. The claim was found to be true at the 68% Confidence Interval. Changes in satellite geometry were not found to affect the results for the most part. It was also found that CORSnet-NSW precision was affected by the proximity of the rover to the base/calibration points more than its proximity to a CORSnet-NSW station. However, even though the CORSnet-NSW results were better than expected, traditional RTK remains the most precise and consistent method. This research paper provides GNSS users in regional NSW with the evidence they need to make informed decisions regarding which type of RTK method is fit for their purposes.