Test network

In geodesy, a test network is a precise surveying network in which various effects that are difficult to model are investigated through lengthy measurement campaigns and on a strictly scientific basis. The aim of test networks is to improve the theory and modeling of land surveying.

Phenomena examined with test networks include:

• Influences of local or regional geodynamics
• Effects of vertical deviation and of interference potentials on geodetic measurements
• Irregularities in the refraction of light along measuring beams
• Climatic disturbances of the astronomical refraction
• Influences of error propagation on position determination

In the 1970s and 1980s, primarily terrestrial test networks were set up, e.g. B. from the TU Hannover in the western Harz and from the TU Vienna in the Vienna Basin . Subsequent test networks mainly concerned satellite geodesy (e.g. the ISAGEX campaigns, radio interferometry ( VLBI ) and high-precision GPS networks (e.g. in the Swiss Turtmann project and in the European network )).