Validation of the GPS leveling method through the gradient analysis of the geoidal wave. Case study of Ecuador

Abstract

We validated the GPS leveling as an alternative to the traditional geometric leveling method. Validation compares the geometric slopes derived from the GNSS positioning technique, heights resulting from geometric leveling campaigns and geoid undulations extracted from the Global Geopotential Model EGM08. This analysis was performed in the Ecuadorian mainland, where we identified areas in which the gradient of the geoidal undulation is less pronounced. The spatialization of the gradient or variation-based methods allowed to analyze the performance of the GPS leveling method, under the hypothesis that less variability in geoid undulation implies less discrepancies in the GPS unevenness. GNSS observations were determined on the leveling plates belonging to the Basic Vertical Control Network. The results of the study are given based on the relative error resulting from the comparison of the traditional differential leveling method with the corresponding values obtained from the GNSS positioning, considering different distances for the spread of unevenness.