Premio AUTeC per la migliore Tesi di Dottorato in Cartografia e Topografia

This is the result of three years of work and research around GNSS permanent stations and Networks, GNSS data processing and GNSS surveys technics and methodologies for several applications. It is possible to associate the main field of the research to the two main goals of GNSS Networks: Realize a Reference system and distribute it to the users community. Earth surface is continuously changing due to several phenomena, which may be distinguished in periodic and irreversible phenomena. With respect to periodic phenomena a mean position of a point on Earth surface can be defined. With respect to irreversible phenomena each point occupies a specific position just for an infinitesimal instant: estimated coordinates of a point (spatial referencing) must be also time referenced. A Reference System (RS) is, at first, defined by mathematical/physical laws rules. Then, a realization (Reference Frame, RF) follows, by physical and geometrical measurements. Terrestrial reference systems are needed to georeference the positions of points located on the Earth. They can be distinguished in: · Global Reference Systems They are defined on the whole planet and realized by global networks of fundamental points. Fundamental points coordinates are estimated by spatial geodesy techniques. · Local Reference Systems They are defined at the local scale (continental or regional) and realized by subnetworks of fundamental points. Fundamental points coordinates are estimated by terrestrial geodesy techniques. In this category is possible to mention the ED1950 (for Europe) and ROMA1940 (for Italy). Local reference systems, since they born before spatial geodesy, are nowadays decreasing of importance in terms of points georeferencing, but they still have historical significance and are used in cartographic applications. After the birth of spacial geodesy, like GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System), it was possible to define and realize global reference systems. The nodal point of this innovation is the realization of the global reference system by GNSS permanent stations networks. During the Ph.D. activities a deep analysis of global reference systems research was carried out. In particular, GNSS data processing techniques and skills were acquired. This aspect of the research achieved the goal with the author involvement, as Geodesy and Geomatics Group member, into the realization by the Italian Military Geographic Institute (IGM) of the European Reference System in Italy. The switch form the old static realization (IGM95) to a GNSS permanent station based realization was made official and published by IGM in February 2009 with the National Dynamic Network (RDN) presentation: 100 GNSS permanent stations homogenously distributed in the Italian Country. Also the official permanent station of the La Sapienza Rome University, M0SE, of which maintenance and inclusion in the European Permanent network