The ascos Reference Network

In 1998, Ruhrgas began to deploy GNSS techniques for the location, surveying and subsequent documentation of gas supply pipelines with the support of ALLSAT. Following the completion of a three-month pilot project, Ruhrgas resolved to develop and implement a reference network of its own that made simultaneous use of the GPS and GLONASS satellite systems.

The computing centre required for networking operations was set up at ALLSAT in Hannover. The inspection and analysis of potential sites, the installation of reference stations and the post-processing for the network coordinates was also provided by ALLSAT.

After the field tests using special ALLSAT RTK testing software packages had been completed successfully, the reference network passed into the production phase under the name ascos. The service has been opened up for external users as well and has been extended throughout Germany.

Allsat GmbH network+services not only offers an all-in-one installation package for a GNSS reference network configuration, but also provides all-round support and ongoing supervision.

ALLSAT provides technical support for the network clients during their use of the ascos service. For instance, the user is informed about the current status of the service directly. The decisive factor here is centralised monitoring: status information from the reference network is constantly analysed at ALLSAT.

Two networking software packages are installed here and used in parallel at the ALLSAT control centre so as to optimise the services available for the users.