“Apart from the refinement of existing techniques through the use of computers and the introduction of electromagnetic and optical distance measurement devices, instrumental research and development has been conducted by scientists and engineers outside the geodetic profession. This separateness of geodetic instrument research and development is seen as a deficiency by some, because of the reduced interaction between measurement techniques and the problems to which they apply. However, geodesy does not seem extraordinarily different from other environmentally oriented sciences in this respect and certainly has been quick to adopt new techniques once the benefits become evident.” (NAS 1978, p. 6)
Abstract
After reviewing the overall goals of geodesy, the paper focuses on the unique properties of inertial survey systems in the geodetic arsenal: three-dimensionality; ability to determine relative positions and changes in the anomalous components of the earth’s gravity field; and independence of line-of-sight observations and the effects of refraction, both traditional antagonists in geodetic operations. Inertial survey systems, including field and office computational procedures, are briefly reviewed. Their short-comings are pointed out and certain remedies offered. Future possible improvements in hardware and software, as well as the development of hybrid systems (e.g., with gravity gradiometers), are discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
K.R. BRITTING (1971):Inertial Navigation Systems Analysis. Wiley & Sons, N.Y.
D.B. DE BRA (1979):Impact of Technology on Geodesy. Impact of Technology on Geophysics. Geophysics Research Board, National Academy of Sciences, Washington, D.C., pp. 22–30.
C.S. DRAPER (1977):Inertial Technology for Surveying and Geodesy. Proc. 1st Intl. Symp. on Inertial Technology for Surveying & Geodesy, Ottawa, Oct. 12–14, pp. 5–41. Canadian Inst. of Surveying, Ottawa.
S.R. ELLMS (1977):A Description of the Auto-Surveyor System and Its Sub-System Accuracies. Proc. 1st Intl. Symp. on Inertial Technology for Surveying & Geodesy, Ottawa, Oct. 12–14, pp. 78–89. Canadian Inst. of Surveying.
M.J. HADFIELD (1978):Location, Navigation and Survey-Adaptability of High Precision ESG Inertial Systems in the 1980’s. IEEE PLANS 1978, Position Location and Navigation Symp., San Diego, Nov. 6–9.
J.E. HAGGLUND and A. HITTEL (1977):Evolution of the Ferranti Inertial Survey System. Proc. 1st Intl. Symp. on Inertial Technology for Surveying & Geodesy, Ottawa, Oct. 12–14, pp. 257–277, Canadian Inst. of Surveying.
J. HANNAH and D.E. PAVLIS (1980):Post-Mission Adjustment Techniques for Inertial Surveys. Dept. of Geodetic Science Rep. 305, Ohio State Univ., Columbus.
J.R. HUDDLE (1978):Theory and Performance for Position and Gravity Survey with an Inertial System. J. of Guidance and Control, Vol. 1, No. 3, pp. 183–188.
I.A.G. (INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF GEODESY) (1967):Geodetic Reference System 1967. I.A.G. Special Publication No. 3.
A. MANCINI and R.E. MOORE (1977):Introduction. Proc. 1st Intl. Symp. on Inertial Technology for Surveying & Geodesy, Ottawa, Oct. 12–14, pp. 1–4.
E.H. METZGER and A. JIRCITANO (1977):Application Analysis of Gravity Gradiometers for Mapping of Earth Gravity Anomalies and Derivation of the Density Distribution of the Earth Crust. Proc. 1st Intl. Symp. on Inertial Technology for Surveying & Geodesy, Ottawa, Oct. 12–14, pp. 334–342.
I.I. MUELLER (1980):Reference Coordinate Systems for Earth Dynamics: A Preview. Proc. IAU Colloq. 56 on Reference Coordinate Systems for Earth Dynamics, Sept. 8–12, Warsaw, Poland, E.M. Gaposchkin and B. Kolaczek, eds., D. Reidel, pp. 1–22.
I.I. MUELLER, J. HANNAH and D. PAVLIS (1981):Inertial Technology for Surveying. XVI FIG Congress, Montreux, Switzerland, Paper No. 501.4.
NAS (1978)Geodesy: Trends and Prospects. Committee on Geodesy, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences, Washington, D.C.
NAS (1979)Impact of Technology on Geophysics. Geophysics Research Board, National Academy of Sciences, Washington, D.C.
K.P. SCHWARZ (1978):Accuracy of Vertical Deflection Determination by Present-Day Inertial Instrumentation. Proc. 9th GEOP Conference, Applications of Geodesy to Geodynamics, I.I. Mueller, ed., Dept. of Geodetic Science Rep. 280. Ohio State Univ., Columbus.
K.P. SCHWARZ (1980a):Error Propagation in Inertial Surveying. Canadian Surveyor, Vol. 34, No. 3, pp. 265–276.
K.P. SCHWARZ (1980b):Gravity Field Approximations Using Inertial Survey Systems. Canadian Surveyor, Vol. 34, No. 4, pp. 383–395.
K.P. SCHWARZ (1981):Error Characteristics of Inertial Survey Systems. XVI FIG Congress, Montreux, Switzerland, Paper No. 511.1.
S.G. SMITH (1979):Strapped-Down Systems and Gyroscope Technology. J. of Navigation, Vol. 32, No. 1, pp. 91–101.
M.S. TODD (1981):Rapid Geodetic Survey System (RGSS) White Sands Tests for Position, Height, and the Anomalous Gravity Vector Components. Proc. 41st Annual Meeting, ACSM, Washington, D.C., Feb. 22–27, pp. 492–502.
M.B. TRAGESER (1977):The Floated Gravity Gradiometer Is Geodesy. Proc. 1st Intl. Symp. on Inertial Technology for Surveying & Geodesy, Ottawa, Oct. 12–14, pp. 322–333. Canadian Inst. of Surveying.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Mueller, I.I. Inertial survey systems in the geodetic arsenal. Bull. Geodesique 55, 272–285 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02527052
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02527052