On September 29th, North America’s largest and most progressive realtime GNSS network, Leica Geosystems’ SmartNet, became the first network to adopt the draft NGS RTN Guidelines across multiple states, and can now provide an accurate tie to the new NAD83 (NA2011) National Spatial Reference System. For the first time, SmartNet users throughout the U.S. are working within a common frame of reference.
(Norcross, Ga., 18 October 2012) The Leica Geosystems SmartNet, which provides realtime positioning to more than 2,000 subscribers in 17 U.S. states and four Canadian provinces—making it the world’s largest realtime GNSS network (RTN)—continued its record of technological dominance by becoming the first network to adopt the draft National Geodetic Service’s (NGS) RTN guidelines across its entire network. "This is huge for our subscribers," said Director, Reference Station Operations Wendy Watson, "We are now providing centimeter-level accuracy, on a common frame of reference, everywhere in our network. That’s never been done before, and we’re proud to be first!"
The adjustment was a significant technical challenge, and will require some adaptations by current SmartNet subscribers. "It’s critical for subscriber and all their field crews to understand the effects of this adjustment in the field," said Watson, "It affects all SmartNet users and all SmartNet stations. For most of the US subscribers there will be minor shifts in their positional data but in some areas like California the shift is greater. To compensate for these changes in the field, users will need to perform a transformation, localization, or calibration, and tie to existing control. We’ve provided webinars on this, which are archived at our site, and SmartNet representatives are happy to answer any and all questions. And also, we have a complete suite of online tools to assist users at http://adjustment.smartnetna.com."
The SmartNet Adjustment Launch commenced on Saturday, September 29th at 9:00 p.m. ET and the SmartNet network was only down for the weekend—service resumed without a hitch on Monday, October 1st, at 12:00 a.m.
"All SmartNet stations are now positioned to ensure an unprecedented level of internal precision and consistency between themselves, while at the same time providing an accurate tie to the new NAD83 (NA2011) National Spatial Reference System," Watson explained, "By implementing the draft NGS RTN Guidelines, we positioned all of our stations to provide the requisite 2 cm horizontal and 4 cm vertical accuracy to the NSRS, while at the same time achieving the 1 cm level internal consistency needed to provide the high-precision and high-quality network corrections our users have come to expect. While we understand this change may have its challenges short term for some of our users, getting our entire network on the same, NGS-approved basis will improve the quality and consistency of everyone’s work”
Leica Geosystems – when it has to be right
With close to 200 years of pioneering solutions to measure the world, Leica Geosystems products and services are trusted by professionals worldwide to help them capture, analyze, and present spatial information. Leica Geosystems is best known for its broad array of products that capture accurately, model quickly, analyze easily, and visualize and present spatial information. Those who use Leica Geosystems products every day trust them for their dependability, the value they deliver, and the superior customer support. Based in Heerbrugg, Switzerland, Leica Geosystems is a global company with tens of thousands of customers supported by more than 3,500 employees in 28 countries and hundreds of partners located in more than 120 countries around the world. Leica Geosystems is part of the Hexagon Group, Sweden.