Estonian Permanent GNSS Reference Station Network

ESTPOS is the Estonian Permanent GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) Reference Station Network. The first CORS (Continously Operating Reference Station) in Suurupi (SUUR) was established already in 1996. In 2007-2008, a network of 9 GNSS permanent stations was established. In 2014-2016, the network was densified with 19 new CORS and upgraded with modern equipment and software. As of 2024, the ESTPOS network consists of 28 GNSS permanent stations which are distributed homogenously throughout the territory of Estonia. In addition to the 28 permanent stations operated by the Land Board, data from the Finnish and Latvian GNSS permanent stations as well as from the stations operated by the Estonian Maritime Administration are used. Therefore, the border areas of Estonia have a much better coverage.

Four ESTPOS stations are included in the EUREF Permanent GNSS Network (EPN). As of June 2019, 25 ESTPOS stations are included in the EUREF densification network and meet the requirements of EUREF class A standards. The EUREF densification project is based on ESTPOS data gathered in 2007-2019. During this period continous geodetic system monitoring with the help of GNSS reference stations has been conducted in Estonia. The data gathered during these years were processed with the Bernese GNSS software and combined to a multi-year solution using the CATREF software.

All rerefence stations are equipped with Leica Ring Choke antennas (AR25) and GNSS receivers (GR25 and GR50) that can access signals from a variety of constellations: GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and Beidou. However, due to software limitations only GPS, GLONASS and Galileo can be utilized in post-processing and network RTK solutions.

The ESTPOS network is necessary for monitoring the components of the Estonian reference system, first and foremost for tracking changes in horizontal and vertical deformations, as Estonia is located on the periphery of the Scandinavian post-glacial rebound area. A modern GNSS permanent station network also ensures the availability of precise spatial data in the country and allows real time point positioning with an accuracy of 2-3 cm.

ESTPOS is widely used by the Land Board and other governmental institutions in Estonia, and for educational and research purposes. ESTPOS is currently not availble for commercial use.

ESTPOS network

Contact

Jaanus Metsar


Last update: 05.01.2024 14:46
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