Evaluation of co-location ties relating the VLBI and GPS reference frames

Abstract

We have compared the VLBI and GPS terrestrial reference frames, realized using 5 years of time-series observations of station positions and polar motion, with surveyed co-location tie vectors for 25 sites. The goal was to assess the overall quality of the ties and to determine whether a subset of co-location sites might be found with VLBI–GPS ties that are self-consistent within a few millimeters. Our procedure was designed to guard against internal distortion of the two space-geodetic networks and takes advantage of the reduction in tie information needed with the time-series combination method by using the very strong contribution due to co-location of the daily pole of rotation. The general quality of the available ties is somewhat discouraging in that most have residuals, compared to the space-geodetic frames, at the level of 1–2 cm. However, by a careful selection process, we have identified a subset of nine local VLBI–GPS ties that are consistent with each other and with space geodesy to better than 4 mm (RMS) in each component. While certainly promising, it is not possible to confidently assess the reliability of this particular subset without new information to verify the absolute accuracy of at least a few of the highest-quality ties. Particular care must be taken to demonstrate that possible systematic errors within the VLBI and GPS systems have been properly accounted for. A minimum of two (preferably three or four) ties must be measured with accuracies of 1 mm or better in each component, including any potential systematic effects. If this can be done, then the VLBI and GPS frames can be globally aligned to less than 1 mm in each Helmert component using our subset of nine ties. In any case, the X and Y rotations are better determined, to about 0.5 mm, due to the contribution of co-located polar motion.