Coordinate system parameters

A coordinate system locates points in two dimensional or three dimensional space. The coordinate system transforms measurements from a curved surface (the earth) onto a flat surface (a map or plan). A coordinate system consists of at least a map projection and a datum.

A map projection transforms locations from the surface of an ellipsoid into locations on a plane or map using a mathematical model. Transverse Mercator and Lambert are examples of common map projections.

Positions on a map projection are commonly called "grid coordinates". Trimble Access abbreviates this to "Grid".

Because an exact model of the earth's surface cannot be created mathematically, localized ellipsoids (mathematical surfaces) have been derived to best represent specific areas. These ellipsoids are sometimes referred to as local datums. NAD 1983, GRS‑80, and AGD‑66 are examples of local datums.

GNSS RTK measurements (both single base and VRS) are referenced to the Global reference datum defined for the job. However, for most survey tasks, it is better to display and store results in terms of a local coordinate system. Before you start a survey, choose a coordinate system and zone. Depending on the requirements of the survey, you can choose to give the results in the national coordinate system, a local coordinate grid system, or as local geodetic coordinates.

In additional to a map projection and local datum, a local coordinate system for a GNSS survey consists of:

  • datum transformation
  • horizontal and vertical adjustments calculated after a site calibration

When Global coordinates are transformed onto the local ellipsoid using a datum transformation, local geodetic coordinates result. Local geodetic coordinates are transformed into local grid coordinates using the map projection. The result is northing and easting coordinates on the local grid. If a horizontal adjustment is defined, it is applied next, followed by the vertical adjustment.

When keying in a point or when viewing point details in Review job or Point manager, you can change the coordinates shown. In the Coordinate view field, select Local to display local geodetic coordinates. Select Grid to display local grid coordinates. See Coordinate view settings.

To conduct a real‑time survey in terms of local grid coordinates, define the datum transformation and map projection before starting the survey.

To survey in a local coordinate system, the GNSS positions in Global coordinates must first be transformed onto the local ellipsoid using a datum transformation. For many modern coordinate systems, the Global reference datum and the Local datum are equivalent. Examples are NAD 1983 and GDA2020. In these cases, there is a "null" transformation between the Global reference datum and the Local datum. Some older datums require a datum transformation between the Global reference datum and the Local datum.

Three types of datum transformation are supported:

  • Three‑parameter – The three‑parameter transformation involves three simple translations in X, Y, and Z. The three‑parameter transformation that Trimble Access uses is a Molodensky transformation, so there may also be a change in ellipsoid radius and flattening.

  • Seven‑parameter – This is the most complex transformation. It applies translations and rotations in X, Y, and Z, as well as a scale factor.

  • Datum grid – This uses a gridded data set of standard datum shifts. By interpolation, it provides an estimated value for a datum transformation at any point on that grid. The accuracy of a datum grid depends on the accuracy of the gridded data set it uses.

    A datum grid transformation uses interpolative methods to estimate the value of the datum transformation at any point in the area covered by the datum grid files. Two gridded datum files are required for this interpolation – a latitude datum grid file and a longitude datum grid file. When you export a datum grid using Trimble Business Center, the two datum grid files associated with the current project are combined into a single file for use in the Trimble Access software.

    If you use the Canadian NTv2 datum grid please note the data is provided on an "as is" basis. The Department of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) makes no guarantees, representations, or warranties respecting the data.

Calibration is the process of adjusting projected (grid) coordinates to fit the local control. A calibration calculates parameters for transforming Global coordinates into local grid coordinates (NEE).

You should calculate and apply a calibration before:

  • staking out points
  • computing offset or intersection points

If you calibrate a project and then survey in real time, the General Survey software gives real-time solutions in terms of the local coordinate system and control points.

You can reuse the calibration from a previous job if the new job is completely encompassed by the initial calibration. If a portion of the new job lies outside the initial project area, introduce additional control points to cover the unknown area. Survey these new points and compute a new calibration, and then use this as the calibration for the job.

To copy the calibration from an existing job to a new job, select the existing job as the current job and then create a new job and in the Template field select Last used job. Alternatively, use the Copy between jobs function to copy the calibration from one job to another.

If published datum transformation parameters are used, slight discrepancies can exist between local control and GNSS‑derived coordinates. These discrepancies can be reduced using minor adjustments. Trimble Access calculates these adjustments when you use the Site calibration function, if the coordinate system settings for the job include a projection and a datum transformation. They are called horizontal and vertical adjustments.

If required, you can use a geoid model file as part of the vertical adjustment calculation.

Trimble recommends that you use a geoid model to obtain more accurate orthometric heights from your GNSS measurements than from the ellipsoid. If required you can then perform a site calibration to adjust the geoid model by a constant value.

The geoid is a surface of constant gravitational potential that approximates mean sea level. A geoid model or Geoid Grid file (*.ggf) is a table of geoid‑ellipsoid separations that is used with the GNSS ellipsoid height observations to provide an estimate of elevation.

The geoid‑ellipsoid separation value (N) is obtained from the geoid model and is subtracted from the ellipsoid height (H) for a particular point. The elevation (h) of the point above mean sea level (the geoid) is the result. This is illustrated in the following diagram:

1 Ground
2 Geoid
3 Ellipsoid

When you select geoid model as the vertical adjustment type, the software takes the geoid‑ellipsoid separations from the geoid file chosen, and uses them to display elevations on the screen.

The benefit using the geoid model for the vertical adjustment is that you can display elevations without having to calibrate on elevation benchmarks. This is useful when local control or benchmarks are not available, as it makes it possible to work "on the ground" rather than on the ellipsoid.

If you are using a geoid model in a Trimble Business Center project, make sure you transfer that geoid file (or the relevant part of it) when transferring the job to a controller.