Determination of synthetic covariance matrices — An application to GPS monitoring measurements

Abstract

This paper deals with a method to model variances and correlations for measurement quantities. The model of elementary errors is the base for this approach that leads to synthetic covariance matrices. Frequently measurements are correlated and these correlations influence the following processing and the respective results. The modelling and the influence on the results are presented on the base of precise measurements using the Global Positioning System (GPS). Due to the fact that monitoring measurements should lead to the detection of displacements and deformations within the level of cm up to mm the correct modelling of the correlations is important. The standard deviation of the displacement vector using GPS measurements for the detection of tectonic movements in Romania may be smaller up to 69 %. This allows the significant detection of smaller displacements.