Development of GNSS software for Ghana Survey and Mapping Division

Processing of Global Navigational Satellite System (GNSS) data forms the basis for the usage of differential systems for obtaining spatial data. All open sources or commercial software packages developed for data processing give specific details to suit the intended purpose of the software. To obtain a uniform format for submitted survey data, Survey and Mapping Division (SMD) in various jurisdictions have specified formats for data submission for all kinds of surveys. In this regard, “GNSS Ghana” Software (GGS), a GNSS standalone Windows-based application with a modern user-friendly interface was developed for geodetic applications such as, projection and datum transformation worldwide, GNSS data post-processing of Receiver Independent Exchange Format (RINEX) files, and generating reports to meet Ghana SMD reporting standards including cadastral computations and reports for submission. To assess the developed software, GNSS data from two International GNSS Service (IGS) stations (BJCO and YKRO) were processed using GGS and three other commercial software such as GNSS Solution Software (GSS), Spectrum Survey Software (SSS), and Leica Geo Office (LGO), and the positional results compared against the existing coordinate. The results revealed that the GGS outperformed the remaining three commercial software packages with a sub-meter level of accuracy. Further assessment was conducted on datum transformation using the coordinates of 21 existing geodetic control points in Ghana. Utilizing the 7-transformation parameters of Ghana, the results gave uncertainties of [0.10ft. ± 0.99ft.] in the eastings and [0.02ft. ± 1.61ft.] in the northings with a 99% confidence level.