High-Accuracy Quasi-Geoid Determination Using Molodensky’s Series Solutions and Integrated Gravity/GNSS/Leveling Data

Guo, Dongmei; Chen, Xiaodong; Xue, Zhixin; He, Huiyou; Xing, Lelin; Ma, Xian; Niu, Xiaowei

doi:10.3390/rs15225414

Open AccessArticle

High-Accuracy Quasi-Geoid Determination Using Molodensky’s Series Solutions and Integrated Gravity/GNSS/Leveling Data

by

Dongmei Guo

^*

,

Xiaodong Chen

,

Zhixin Xue

,

Huiyou He

,

Lelin Xing

,

Xian Ma

and

Xiaowei Niu

State Key Laboratory of Geodesy and Earth’s Dynamics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430077, China

^*

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Remote Sens. 2023, 15(22), 5414; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs15225414

Submission received: 17 October 2023 / Revised: 16 November 2023 / Accepted: 16 November 2023 / Published: 18 November 2023

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Abstract

This study presents a methodology for constructing a quasi-geoid model with millimeter-level accuracy over the Shangyu area in China, following the guidelines of the International Association of Geodesy Joint Working Group 2.2.2, known as “The 1 cm geoid experiment”. Our approach combines two steps to ensure exceptional accuracy. First, we employ Molodensky’s theory to model the gravity field, accounting for non-level surfaces and considering complex terrain effects. Through an exhaustive analysis of these influential factors, we implement a comprehensive suite of applicable formulae within Molodensky’s series solution, enabling a thorough assessment of their impacts on height anomalies within the gravimetric quasi-geoid model. Second, we utilize a hybrid method that involves a multi-surface function using the least-squares method and a robust estimation technique. This approach enables the interpolation of quasi-geoid heights by incorporating ellipsoidal and leveling normal heights, as well as gravimetric quasi-geoid data. Through a numerical example, we demonstrate the efficiency of our solution concept, achieving an accuracy of 0.79 cm compared to independent global navigation satellite system (GNSS)/leveling measurements. By developing this methodology, our study contributes to the advancement of geodesy research and provides a valuable methodology for creating highly precise quasi-geoid models in geodetic applications.

Keywords: Molodensky’s theory; GNSS/leveling heights; quasi-geoid model; combined adjustment; accuracy analysis

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MDPI and ACS Style

Guo, D.; Chen, X.; Xue, Z.; He, H.; Xing, L.; Ma, X.; Niu, X. High-Accuracy Quasi-Geoid Determination Using Molodensky’s Series Solutions and Integrated Gravity/GNSS/Leveling Data. Remote Sens. 2023, 15, 5414. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs15225414

AMA Style

Guo D, Chen X, Xue Z, He H, Xing L, Ma X, Niu X. High-Accuracy Quasi-Geoid Determination Using Molodensky’s Series Solutions and Integrated Gravity/GNSS/Leveling Data. Remote Sensing. 2023; 15(22):5414. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs15225414

Chicago/Turabian Style

Guo, Dongmei, Xiaodong Chen, Zhixin Xue, Huiyou He, Lelin Xing, Xian Ma, and Xiaowei Niu. 2023. "High-Accuracy Quasi-Geoid Determination Using Molodensky’s Series Solutions and Integrated Gravity/GNSS/Leveling Data" Remote Sensing 15, no. 22: 5414. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs15225414

APA Style

Guo, D., Chen, X., Xue, Z., He, H., Xing, L., Ma, X., & Niu, X. (2023). High-Accuracy Quasi-Geoid Determination Using Molodensky’s Series Solutions and Integrated Gravity/GNSS/Leveling Data. Remote Sensing, 15(22), 5414. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs15225414

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High-Accuracy Quasi-Geoid Determination Using Molodensky’s Series Solutions and Integrated Gravity/GNSS/Leveling Data

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