GNSS cors network of the University of Palermo: Design and first analysis of data

Abstract

Nowadays, technical and scientific researches are focused on the use of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) networks due to their global impact on the satellite positioning. This study aims to describe the main steps developed by the University of Palermo for the realization of the GNSS CORS network distributed in the western part of Sicily (Italy). Specifically, it focuses on data availability, preliminary studies and analyses involving the GNSS CORS network, the geodetic framework used, the coordinates and displacements time series retrieved over time and the statistical analysis with the Cumulative Distribution Function (CDF). The analyses allowed to verify the network operating service and the quality of the recorded data during the first period of testing procedure (2008 – 2012).