Consulting / Analyses
swisstopo collects and analyses basic data for all geodetic activities. Here the focus is on the creation and maintenance of a spatial reference, both for location and for height. swisstopo advises third parties with respect to geodetic issues and carries out calculations.

swisstopo offers the following geodetic services:
- Three-dimensional computations with geopotential models: geoid (geoid-ellipsoid separation, deviations from the vertical), quasi-geoid (geoid anomalies), gravity (normal gravity, interpolated gravity), etc.
- Computation of rigorous heights, e.g. orthometric and normal heights from geopotential numbers
- Extremely precise calculation of coordinates of reference points through GNSS measurements and evaluations in the LV95 reference frame, supported by the permanent AGNES stations
- Calculation of magnetic inclination and declination
- Transformations and interpolations of coordinates and heights into existing constrained reference frames (LV03, LN02, etc.)
Here the following methods are applied:
- GNSS (static)
- Precision levelling
- Gyroscope measurements
- Gravity measurements
- Plumb-line deflection measurements
The fields of application for geodetic services are as follows:
- High-precision basic measurements with GNSS to calculate reference points in the LV95 reference frame
- Geodetic deformation for the investigation of tectonic movements in the earth's crust (terrestrial and with GNSS)
- Orientation transfer by means of gyroscope measurements for projects with no line of sight to the exterior (e.g. in tunnel construction)
- Staking out astronomic or magnetic azimuths for scientific purposes or special applications
- Measurement of astronomic-geodetic profiles with GNSS, levelling and plumb-line deflection measurements, e.g. validation of geoid models
- Measurement of orthometric height differences (combined levelling and gravity measurements) for infrastructure projects with the corresponding requirements
- Conventional engineering surveys on behalf of internal partners, e.g. the armed forces
P.O. Box
3084 Wabern
- Tel.
- +41 58 469 01 11
Relevant authority
Geodesy and Federal Directorate of Cadastral Surveying