Integration of the Canadian Active Control System with the Global Reference Frame

摘要

The Canadian Spatial Reference System (CSRS) is the fundamental reference system for Canada and is maintained by the Geodetic Survey Division (GSD) of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). It is based on the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83), a modern space-based reference frame that is accurately connected to the International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF). This connection is facilitated by the Canadian Active Control System (CACS), a network of continuously-operating GPS tracking stations, several of which are collocated with VLBI and which serve as core stations for the International GPS Service (IGS). The CACS network supports a broad spectrum of applications ranging from scientific studies of crustal motion and Earth rotation, to navigation and real-time recreational use. CACS users also benefit from GSD's commitment to the development of and adherence to international standards. These commitments include GSD's role as the reference frame coordinator for IGS and its participation in the North American Reference Frame (NAREF) working group to densify the ITRF in North America. This paper describes GSD's approach to integrating the national CACS network into the ITRF to ensure the global consistency of its coordinates.