An open-source software for geodetic deformation analysis in GNSS networks

Measurements can be done with classical terrestrial techniques in geodetic deformation networks, as well as by using Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technique, which is one of the most widely used modern techniques today. GNSS is a high-accuracy technique that is widely used today for monitoring and detecting deformations in the earth’s crust and engineering structures. However, difficulties are encountered in the evaluation of measurements due to the intensive use of statistics in deformation analysis and the high numerical calculation load. Considering the possible consequences of deformations in the earth’s crust and engineering structures, strategies and evaluation software are needed to determine them quickly. In this study, an open-source software that can be used in the analysis of deformation surveys carried out in campaigns with the static GNSS technique were developed by using R programming language since open-source deformation analysis software is missing in the field of deformation analysis. The method chosen for the determination of deformations is presented. The general features of the developed software are introduced, and a case study was carried out to test the computational performance of the software and to investigate which parameters are effective in determining the amount of deformation in GNSS networks correctly. As a result of the study, it was seen that ambiguity resolution rates and ionospheric activity affect the accuracy of the deformations determined in GNSS networks.