Realizing a terrestrial reference frame using the Global Positioning System

We describe a terrestrial reference frame (TRF) realization based on Global Positioning System (GPS) data alone. Our approach rests on a highly dynamic, long‐arc (9 day) estimation strategy and on GPS satellite antenna calibrations derived from Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment and TOPEX/Poseidon low Earth orbit receiver GPS data. Based on nearly 17 years of data (1997–2013), our solution for scale rate agrees with International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF)2008 to 0.03 ppb yr−1, and our solution for 3‐D origin rate agrees with ITRF2008 to 0.4 mm yr−1. Absolute scale differs by 1.1 ppb (7 mm at the Earth's surface) and 3‐D origin by 8 mm. These differences lie within estimated error levels for the contemporary TRF. Key Points GPS is used alone to realize a competitive terrestrial reference frame (TRF) This is enabled by new estimates of GPS satellite antenna phase variations GPS data from orbiters have an important impact on TRF and annual geocenter motion