Geodetic Reference frames
The realisation and utilisation of geodetic reference systems for practical surveying, for the basis of geographic information systems (GIS) and for cartography is made possible by using geodetic reference frames. These represent a realisation of the systems in the form of geodetic control networks and permanent stations, the coordinates of which are specified in the reference system.

Global reference frames | |
---|---|
ITRFyyyy |
IERS Terrestrial Reference Frame yyyy |
ETRFyyyy |
European Terrestrial Reference Frame yyyy |
CHTRFyyyy |
Swiss Terrestrial Reference Frame yyyy |
EVRFyyyy |
European Vertical Reference Frame |
IHRFyyyy |
International Height Reference Frame |
Local Swiss reference frames |
|
---|---|
LV95 |
National control network 1995 (official reference frame) |
LHN95 |
National vertical network 1995 (scientific height reference frame) |
LV03 |
National surveying 1903 (old reference frame) |
LN02 |
National precise levelling 1902 (official heigt reference frame) |
Local European reference frames
In addition to European reference frame ETRF89 (GNSS network EUREF), national reference frames (triangulation / levelling) are still in use in all European countries. The local reference frames are adapted to the special requirements of a given region (e.g. Switzerland) and should therefore only be used in that region. For further information about these frames and their transformation parameters, please consult the relevant national survey institutions.
Country |
Local reference frame 3D / Position |
Height | Info |
---|---|---|---|
CH / FL |
LV95 LV03 |
LHN95 LN02 |
swisstopo |
D | ETRS89/UTM |
DHHN2016 |
BKG |
F | RGF93 NTF |
NGF-IGN69/78 | IGN |
I | ETRF2000/RDN IGM95 |
GE42 (2018) GE42 (1971) |
IGM |
A | ETRS89/UTM MGI/GK |
Levelled heights (Triest) | BEV |
Documents
-
Formulas and constants for the calculation of the Swiss conformal cylindrical projection and for the transformation between coordinate systems
PDF, 20 page(s), 428 KB, English -
Approximate formulas for the transformation between Swiss projection coordinates and-WGS84
PDF, 4 page(s), 72 KB, English -
swisstopo document 8: Development of the new national survey (LV95) in Switzerland. Part 3: Terrestrial reference systems and reference frames (in German)
PDF, 70 page(s), 8 MB, German
P.O. Box
3084 Wabern
- Tel.
- +41 58 469 01 11
Relevant authority
Geodesy and Federal Directorate of Cadastral Surveying