GNSS permanent networks
International GNSS Service (IGS)
On the international level, approx. 100 institutions are involved in providing GNSS data for various applications in the scope of the IGS. This includes making the data of the GNSS permanent stations available and generating useful products such as orbit data, earth rotation parameters, etc. for highly precise applications.
EUREF Permanent Network (EPN)
In Europe the GPS reference network EUREF serves as a uniform reference system ETRS89 with its respective reference frame. EPN is a permanent GNSS network, consisting of approx. 200 automatic stations, which permanently monitors the quality of EUREF and provides data in real-time. swisstopo processes a subnetwork of the EPN whose results are generated on a daily basis. Through this international cooperation, the European countries are able to define their networks in a compatible reference frame.
Permanent station Zimmerwald
Switzerland is integrated into the international (IGS) and the European permanent networks (EPN) through the permanent station Zimmerwald. In the long-term, therefore, the compatibility of the Swiss network to the European and international networks is guaranteed with an accuracy of 1 cm.
Automated GNSS Network for Switzerland (AGNES)
AGNES consists of 30 permanently operating GNSS stations. The data of the permanent network AGNES are primarily used for actively providing users with the new reference frame LV95 and for maintaining the reference frame at all times with a high accuracy. For this purpose the data are processed daily, at times even hourly. This allows the detection of possible interferences and changes of the stations, e.g. due to tectonic movements.
swisstopo maintains the swipos positioning service for real-time applications.
Analysis center
In addition, AGNES is used in the national survey (densification) as well as in various scientific applications (tectonics and meteorology).