Permanent GNSS Network Optimization Considering TectonicMotions

The contribution discusses the optimal design of a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) network compromising between the estimation of the tectonic motion with other geodetic criteria. It considers the case of a pre-existing network to be densified by the addition of new stations. An optimization principle that minimizes the error of the estimated background motion and maximizes the spatial uniformity of the stations is formulated. A means to solve approximately the proposed target function is presented. The proposed procedure is preliminary tested for the case of the densification of the Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI) GNSS network in Italy. © 2020, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.