Establishing a Reference Network

in Parts of Amhara Region,

Ethiopia Using Geodetic GPS
Equipment

Anna Miskas and Andrea Molnar

Contact: miskas@kth.se or amolnar@kth.se

Master’s of Science Thesis in Geodesy No. 3117

TRITA-GIT EX 09-12

Division of Geodesy
Royal Institute of Technology (KTH)
100 44 Stockholm, Sweden

June 2009
Acknowledgements
There is a long list of people from various fields and different backgrounds who
contributed both directly and indirectly with their knowledge, experience and simple
acts, all being of inestimable significance in accomplishing this project. Sometimes the
trivial matters seemed to be the most difficult barriers to overcome therefore we would
like to express our gratitude to everybody who had even the smallest contribution to our
project.

Firstly, we would like to thank Sigrun Santesson, Programme Coordinator for MFS, and
Huaan Fan, Director of Studies, who inspired and encouraged us to take the chance to do
our thesis work in a developing country. Their advices and ideas on how to start such a
project were of high importance.

Our warmest thanks go to Lars Palm, a consultant from the Swedish company Orgut
Consulting AB, who was our field supervisor. Besides welcoming and introducing us to
all our nice colleagues, helping us in every way, he also was a pleasant dinner company
and a hero when saving us from a flock of mad dogs.

We are very grateful to our supervisor in Sweden, Milan Hormeuz, docent and
researcher at the Department of Geodesy, for his technical assistance and the fast and
detailed answers through email. We always felt welcome to ask and review our plans
that gave us confidence during our work.

Thanks to our Professor in Geodesy and examiner, Lars E. Sjöberg, for his advice and
opinions during the writing of this thesis.

We are grateful for Teshome Taffa, Lecturer and Head of the Department of Land
Administration at the Bahir Dar University and Dr. Tadesse Amsalu manager for
EPLAUA for inviting us.

We are also very thankful for our always helpful colleagues Gebeyehu Belay, Daniel
Asmamaw, Birhan Abebe, Shewakena Aytenfisu, Desalegne Tilahun, Yigremew Alemu,
Asmare Mekonnen, Habtamu Senshew and all others who showed interest in our
project, making everything easier by sharing their knowledge and points of view, it was
very appreciated.

Thanks for the surveyors whom we shared office with for the nice atmosphere. Special
thanks to Daniel for helping us with all kinds of administrative problems, without his
help it would have been difficult to solve all practical issues.

3
We were also very fortunate to have such nice drivers: Tadesse, Brhan, Kindu and Ando
who were our guides as well, making our trips very joyful.

We would also like to thank Erick Asenjo Contreras, Bo-Göran Holmgren and Thomas
Dubois who happened to be there in other projects for the good company and for always
assisting us with the help we needed in our work.

We would also like to mention the small Swedish community for all their help, nice
dinners and a memorable Lucia-celebration.

Last but not least we would like to express our regards for all the other people who
helped us, the kind-hearted and generous people of Ethiopia for their welcoming and
helpfulness, they turned every day of our stay into pleasant memories.

Photo: Anna Miskas

4
This study has been carried out within the framework of the Minor Field Studies
Scholarship Programme, MFS, which is funded by the Swedish International
Development Cooperation Agency, Sida.

The MFS Scholarship Programme offers Swedish university students an opportunity to

carry out two months’ field work, usually the student’s final degree project, in a country
in Africa, Asia or Latin America. The results of the work are presented in an MFS report
which is also the student’s Master of Science Thesis. Minor Field Studies are primarily
conducted within subject areas of importance from a development perspective and in a
country where Swedish international cooperation is ongoing.

The main purpose of the MFS Programme is to enhance Swedish university students’
knowledge and understanding of these countries and their problems and opportunities.
MFS should provide the student with initial experience of conditions in such a country.
The overall goals are to widen the Swedish human resources cadre for engagement in
international development cooperation as well as to promote scientific exchange
between unversities, research institutes and similar authorities as well as NGOs in
developing countries and in Sweden.

The International Office at KTH, the Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm,

administers the MFS Programme for the faculties of engineering and natural sciences in
Sweden.

Sigrun Santesson
Programme Officer
MFS Programme

5
Abstract
Since a reform regarding land use became valid in 1975 in Ethiopia, the farmers got
long term rights to land owned by the state. In the beginning of the 2000’s a land
administration project, Sida - Amhara Rural Development Program, SARDP, was
initiated in the Amhara region, with the aim to survey, map and register the land parcels
on their holders. This reform resulted in unpredictable difficulties concerning land
partitioning and border determination. The problems originated from the fact that the
existing reference network, which is a basic condition for determination of location,
lacks in availability, precision and number of points.

The purpose of this project was to create a reliable, accurate reference system integrated
with the existing local reference system, accessible for everyone without any charges.
The new established reference network consisting of 12 points was created in east and
west Gojam region, in an area with approximately 140 km in east-west direction and 160
km in north-south direction.

This master thesis is a description of how this particular reference network was made. It
was carried out during 10 weeks as a Minor Field Study in the fall of 2008, in parts of
the Amhara region, Ethiopia.

For data collection 3 hours long static GPS measurements were performed in four
sessions with Leica 1200 receivers. An IGS station and a CORS station located in Addis
Ababa and in the town of Jima respectively were used as reference stations in the data
processing. To achieve higher accuracy ionospheric correction files and precise satellite
orbit data were imported for the processing.

The result of the project is presented in both geodetical and Cartesian coordinates, in the
frames of IGS05 and ITRF05 in the measurement epoch as well as in the standard epoch
of year 2000. The results will also be presented in the national system Adindan
UTM37N, which were transformed from IGS05 using a given parameter set from the
Ethiopian Mapping Authority, EMA.

Keywords: GPS, reference system, Adindan UTM37N, ITRF05, coordinate

transformation, Ethiopia, Amhara, EMA, Gojam, static measurement.

6
Preface
Already at an early stage of our studies we began considering doing an MFS for our
Master of Science Thesis. We began talking with our teachers to find a suitable and
interesting project. Through them we got in contact with Lars Palm, a Swedish
consultant for Orgut Consulting AB, currently working in the town of Bahir Dar in
Ethiopia at the Environmental Protection, Land Administration and Use Authority,
EPLAUA. He suggested several possible projects that would be of good use for
EPLAUA as well.

In the spring of 2008 we got our MFS-grant for the project that took place during
September-December in the same year.

When arriving to Ethiopia and EPLAUA we got a more detailed description of what
they wanted us to accomplish during our stay. The original plan was to create a network
that would cover a larger area from the town of Gondar down to the town of Dejen, but
because of the circumstances the network was established in a smaller area, with an
approximate size of 140 km by 160 km in a part of the Amhara region. Static GPS
measurement was the method used when creating the network.

This paper will firstly introduce the reader to the background and current situation
concerning land administration in the Amhara region. It will also give a brief
introduction to the country, in Chapter 1.

The following Chapter 2 is a brief literature overview of our main sources to this
project.

Chapter 3 will provide a short theoretical description of the satellite positioning

techniques, focusing on the more documented GPS system. Some theory about the seven
parameter Helmert transformation, network adjustment, reference frames and plate
tectonics are also mentioned in this chapter.

Chapter 4 will cover the most essential part of the work and will deal with the methods
required in the work and practical issues that had to be solved in the project.

Chapter 5 will treat the data processing both in situ and back in Stockholm. The one
done on site was basic, with the aim to just control the collected data. In Stockholm
additional data was downloaded to achieve as high accuracy as possible. This chapter
also handles the transformation steps with all parameters and links the GPS results to the
local datum, Adindan UTM37N.

Chapter 6 will deal with the results, the points’ coordinates and their accuracy.

General conclusions and suggestions for future use can be found in Chapter 7.

If something is unclear for future use of these coordinates please contact us either
through EPLAUA or through the following e-mails; miskas@kth.se or amolnar@kth.se.

7
Table of contents
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ..................................................................... 3
ABSTRACT ...................................................................................... 6
PREFACE ........................................................................................ 7
TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................................................ 8
ABBREVIATIONS ............................................................................ 11
1. INTRODUCTION ......................................................................... 12
1.1 BACKGROUND .................................................................................. 12
1.1.1 NETWORK TODAY ................................................................................................. 12
1.1.2 NEW NETWORK ................................................................................................... 12
1.2 ABOUT ETHIOPIA .............................................................................. 14
1.2.1 GEOGRAPHY ........................................................................................................ 14
1.2.2 POPULATION ....................................................................................................... 14
1.2.3 RELIGION ............................................................................................................ 14
1.2.4 CLIMATE ............................................................................................................. 15
1.2.5 ETHIOPIAN CALENDAR AND CLOCK ........................................................................... 15
1.2.6 MODERN HISTORY ................................................................................................ 15
1.2.7 GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS ................................................................................. 16
1.2.8 ECONOMY........................................................................................................... 16

2. LITERATURE OVERVIEW ............................................................... 17

3. THEORY ................................................................................... 18
3.1 GPS .............................................................................................. 18
3.1.1 PHASE AND CODE MEASUREMENTS ......................................................................... 20
3.1.2 PURPOSE OF SATELLITE POSITIONING ....................................................................... 21
3.1.3 RELATIVE AND ABSOLUTE MEASUREMENTS ............................................................... 21
3.1.4 FACTORS AFFECTING ACCURACY .............................................................................. 23
3.2 TRANSFORMATIONS .......................................................................... 24
3.3 NETWORK ADJUSTMENT ..................................................................... 25
3.4 REFERENCE FRAMES........................................................................... 25
3.4.1 CONVENTIONAL TERRESTRIAL FRAME ...................................................................... 26
3.4.2 REALIZATIONS OF THE CONVENTIONAL TERRESTRIAL FRAME ........................................ 26
3.5 PLATE TECTONICS .............................................................................. 26

8
4. METHOD USED IN THIS PROJECT ................................................... 27
4.1 PREPARATORY WORK ......................................................................... 27
4.1.1 NETWORK REQUIREMENTS..................................................................................... 28
4.2 INVENTORY OF EXISTING POINTS ........................................................... 28
4.3 DEMARCATION OF THE POINTS ............................................................. 29
4.3.1 POINT DESCRIPTION .............................................................................................. 29
4.3.2 POINT NAMES ...................................................................................................... 29
4.4 PLANNING ....................................................................................... 30
4.4.1 THEORETICAL PLANNING ........................................................................................ 30
4.4.2 PRACTICAL PLANNING ........................................................................................... 32
4.5 MEASUREMENTS .............................................................................. 34
5. DATA PROCESSING ..................................................................... 35
5.1 PRELIMINARY PROCESSING IN BAHIR DAR ............................................... 35
5.2 FINAL PROCESSING IN STOCKHOLM ....................................................... 35
5.2.1 OUR FIRST PLAN ................................................................................................... 35
5.2.2 SECOND AND FINAL PLAN ....................................................................................... 36
5.3 TRANSFORMING REFERENCE DATA TO MEASUREMENT EPOCH...................... 36
5.4 PROJECTION TO LOCAL SYSTEM............................................................. 38
5.5 DERIVING THE FINAL COORDINATES ....................................................... 39
6. RESULTS ................................................................................... 40
7. CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS................................................. 46
7.1 PLANNING ....................................................................................... 46
7.2 CONTACT WITH EMA ........................................................................ 46
7.3 DEMARCATION ................................................................................. 46
7.4 PRACTICAL PLANNING AND MEASUREMENTS............................................ 46
7.5 POST PROCESSING ............................................................................. 47
7.6 FUTURE USE AND DENSIFICATION .......................................................... 47
8. REFERENCES ............................................................................. 49
8.1 LITERATURE ..................................................................................... 49
8.2 INTERVIEWS ..................................................................................... 49
8.3 INTERNET ........................................................................................ 50

9
APPENDIX

APPENDIX A ‐ OVERVIEW MAP OF THE AM1 GEODETIC NETWORK

APPENDIX B ‐ POINT DESCRIPTIONS OF ALL THE POINTS CREATED IN THE AM1 GEODETIC
NETWORK

APPENDIX C ‐ EXAMPLE OF A FIELD TIME SCHEDULE

APPENDIX D ‐ INVITATION LETTER
APPENDIX E ‐ EXAMPLE OF A FIELD SHEET

LIST OF TABLES
TABLE 1 GENERAL GUIDELINES WHEN DECIDING SESSION LENGTHS FOR STATIC GPS MEASUREMENT. ......... 22
TABLE 2 SUMMARIZING ERROR SOURCES AND THEIR SIZE. .................................................................. 24
TABLE 3 TRANSFORMATION PARAMETERS FROM THE REFERENCE FRAME ITRF05 TO IGS05 ..................... 37
TABLE 4 TRANSFORMATION PARAMETERS FROM THE REFERENCE FRAME ITRF00 TO ITRF05 ................... 38
TABLE 5 HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT AT EACH POINT DERIVED FROM THE NUVEL 1A MODEL, EXPRESSED BOTH IN
NORTHING AND EASTING MOVEMENT AND AS A VELOCITY VECTOR IN X, Y AND Z DIRECTION. .................... 38

TABLE 6 TRANSFORMATION PARAMETERS FROM WGS84 TO LOCAL SYSTEM, ADINDAN UTM37N. .......... 39
TABLE 7 THE RESULTS OF EACH STEP IN TRANSFORMATION 1 OF THE ADIS REFERENCE STATION. ............... 40
TABLE 8 THE RESULTS OF EACH STEP IN TRANSFORMATION 2 OF THE ETJI REFERENCE STATION. ................ 40
TABLE 9 ADJUSTED CARTESIAN COORDINATES IN FRAME IGS05 WITH STANDARD DEVIATIONS IN THE EPOCH OF
2008 OCTOBER 30TH ................................................................................................................... 41
TABLE 10 ADJUSTED GEODETIC COORDINATES IN FRAME IGS05 WITH STANDARD DEVIATIONS IN THE EPOCH OF
2008 OCTOBER 30TH ................................................................................................................... 41
TABLE 11 ADJUSTED CARTESIAN COORDINATES IN FRAME IGS05 IN THE STANDARD EPOCH OF 2000. ....... 42
TABLE 12 ADJUSTED ADINDAN UTM37N COORDINATES IN THE EPOCH OF 2008 OCTOBER 30TH. ............. 42
TABLE 13 ADJUSTED ADINDAN UTM37N COORDINATES IN THE STANDARD EPOCH OF 2000. .................. 43
TABLE 14 ADJUSTED CARTESIAN COORDINATES IN FRAME ITRF05 IN EPOCH 2008 OCTOBER 30TH. ........... 43
TABLE 15 ADJUSTED CARTESIAN COORDINATES IN FRAME ITRF05 IN THE STANDARD EPOCH 2000. .......... 44
TABLE 16 ERROR ELLIPSES OF ALL ADJUSTED POINTS........................................................................... 44

10
Abbreviations
Adindan UTM37N Local projection system in the Amhara region in Ethiopia,
expressed in Universal Transversal Mercator projection in zone
37 N.
CORS Continuously Operating Reference Stations
DOP Dilution of Precision
EMA Ethiopian Mapping Authority
EPLAUA Environment Protection, Land Administration and Use
Authority
EPRDF Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front
GLONASS GLObal Navigation Satellite System
GNSS Global Navigation Satellite System
GPS Global Positioning System
HMK Handbok till mätningskungörelsen
(Guidelines from Lantmäteriet)
IGS International GPS Service
IONEX IONosphere map EXchange
ITRF International Terrestrial Reference Frame
NUVEL1A‐ NNR Horizontal plate motion model with no‐net‐rotation
ORGUT Orgut Consulting AB, Swedish Company
PPP Precise Point Position
RINEX Receiver Independent Exchange Format
SARDP Sida Amhara Rural Development Program
SPP Single Point Positioning
WGS84 World Geodetic System 1984

11
1. Introduction

1.1 Background
In Ethiopia, after the Marxist military regime, a major part of the citizens are peasants,
cultivating the land owned by the state. But since a reform regarding land use rights in
1975 was adopted, the people got long term rights to land, which still is owned by the
state. To implement this reform the institution Environmental Protection, Land
Administration and Use Authority, EPLAUA was created in 2000. Shortly after a land
administration project was initiated as part of Sida Amhara Rural Development
Program, SARDP, in the Amhara region. The project aims to survey, map and register
the land parcels on their holders (Cederborg and Hafström 2007), so the question of
location determination became of current interest. This reform resulted in unpredictable
difficulties concerning land partitioning and border determination, originating from the
fact that the existing reference network, which is a basic condition for location
determination lacks in availability, precision and number of points (Palm 2008).

Being the ground for all types of location determination, a reference network is the most
basic infrastructure in a country and has a crucial role in a country’s development and
growth. A reference network should be unified and valid for a large region, usually a
whole country. Our aim was to cover parts of the Amhara region as much as possible,
taking in consideration the given circumstances, like number of available cars, receivers,
surveyors etc, focusing on areas with higher priority, according to EPLAUA’s demands.

1.1.1 Network today

Ethiopian Mapping Authority, EMA, established 1954 is the official organization
holding surveying, mapping and remote sensing activities in Ethiopia. The existing
national geodetic network is composed of 1st, 2nd and 3rd order benchmark points
covering an area of about 560 000 km2, including the majority of the areas of high
potential in natural resources. The greater part of the network was created using
conventional triangulation traversing (EMA 2009). Points made with this method dates
more than 50 years back in time and have a poor accuracy, compared to the accuracy
that can be achieved with modern technology. Some parts measured in more recent
times were done using GPS methods. Information about the GPS-methods used to create
the new benchmarks was difficult to find because of poor documentation. Because of
this these points were treated as unsuitable to use for establishing the new network.

1.1.2 New network

The purpose of our project was to create a reliable, accurate reference network,
connected with the existing local frame. It should be accessible for everyone without
any charges, because of several reasons:

12
 • It is time‐consuming to acquire data from the authority responsible for the
reference networks, EMA.

• The limited amount of information the authorities hand out is often of poor quality
which obviously gives a less reliable result.

• Many of the benchmarks from the existing network have disappeared over time,
and there are poor records of which ones still exist, because the lack of
maintenance. (Palm 2008)

The coordinates after the data collection are expressed in WGS84, the standard reference
system for the Earth used by the GPS. To translate these geocentric coordinates to the
Ethiopian national reference system, transformation parameters are required. These can
either be a set of given parameters, otherwise they have to be calculated. In Amhara
region there are several sets of transformation parameters circulating, all given out by
the EMA at different occasions. A common feature for these is that the rotation of the
Ethiopian network related to the global system is zero, which is very unusual. This
motivated our initial plan to make some measurements in order to calculate the
transformation parameters ourselves. This presupposed the existence of points,
preferably surrounding the new network with coordinates in both WGS84 and
UTM37N, to make the calculations possible. But as it turned out on site, such first order
points were difficult to find, because of either lack of coordinates in the local system or
the location of points was too remote.

13
1.2 About Ethiopia
1.2.1 Geography
Ethiopia is located in northeast Africa, on the “Horn of Africa” and is occupying a
significant area, 1 230 000 square kilometers. It is almost three times the size of
Sweden. The country is sharing frontiers with Eritrea and Djibouti in the north and
northeast, Kenya in the south and Sudan in the west.

Figure 1 Simple map of Ethiopia and neighbouring countries.

Source: http://www.freewebs.com/vellache/Ethiopia.gif

1.2.2 Population
Ethiopia is the second most populated country in Africa with a population of 79 million,
after Nigeria, and the population growth is high. Four out of ten Ethiopians are under the
age of 15. Number of different ethnic groups and languages are unclear however the
official number of ethnic groups is 64. The two biggest groups are Oromo and Amhara
followed by Tigray and Somali. Historically the Amharas and Tigrays have been in
power and Amharic is the official language in Ethiopia. English is used in official
contexts together with Amharic. (Utrikespolitiska Institutet 2003)

1.2.3 Religion
Ethiopia is one of the oldest Christian countries in the world. Christianity was
introduced as early as the 3rd century. The most widely spread Ethiopian Orthodox
church has had and still has a vast influence on Ethiopian culture and social life, about
45% of the population is Christians. Even though Ethiopia often is associated with
Christianity a third to half of the population are Muslims. Islam is the dominating
religion in eastern Ethiopia. Some groups also practice nature and ancestor worshiping,
sometimes also combined with the dominating religions. The country has for a long time
been a place for meetings between cultures and religions. (Utrikespolitiska Institutet
2003)

14
1.2.4 Climate
Ethiopia has a very dramatic topography with peaks reaching from over 4000 m down to
steppes and semi-deserts surrounding the Great Rift Valley all the way down to one of
the lowest areas in the whole of Africa, the Danakil depression. This great variation
gives Ethiopia extremely varied climate conditions, vegetations and settlement patterns.
Most of Ethiopia would have been in the tropical zone because its proximity to the
equator but since the majority of the country’s landmass is 1500 m above sea level the
country is divided into three climate zones.

• Cool Zone
Areas above 2400 m. Here average temperature ranges from near freezing to 16
degrees Celsius.

• Temperate Zone
Areas between 1500‐2400 m above sea level. Here the average temperature
ranges from 16‐30 degrees Celsius. This is where most of the population lives.

• Hot Zone
Areas below 1500 m, these areas have both tropical and arid conditions where
average temperature ranges from 27 degrees up to 50 degrees Celsius.

The normal rainy season is from mid-June to mid-September, starting with some
irregular rains already in February or March.1

1.2.5 Ethiopian calendar and clock

The Ethiopian calendar, called Ge´ez calendar, is based on the Coptic calendar, which
has its origins in the ancient Egyptian calendar. It consists of thirteen months unlike the
Gregorian calendar; it has twelve months with 30 days each and the last month consists
of the remaining five days. Every fourth year a leap day is added to the last month. The
year starts on the 11th or 12th of September in the Gregorian calendar, depending on the
befalling of the leap year. Because of the differences in calculation of the date of the
Annunciation of Jesus there is a gap of 7 or 8 years between the Gregorian and the
Ethiopian calendar.

In Ethiopia the day is divided in two 12 hour cycles that run from dawn to dusk and then
start over. For example 7 AM corresponds to 1 o’clock Ethiopian time in the morning, 6
PM is 12 o’clock in the evening and at 7 PM is 1 o’clock again.2

1.2.6 Modern history

Ethiopia, or as it was known, Abyssinia, is one of the world oldest nations. Its modern
history begins in the 1880s, when king Menelik II unified and continued to build the
country. Due to the well organized central power and the military strength, Ethiopia
combated the Italian army under his reign, saving the country from colonial rule. After a
series of short reigns, Ras Tafari Mekonen (later Emperor Haile Sellassie) became the
leader of Ethiopia. He was known as a reformer and a modernizer, attempting a greater
unification of Ethiopia’s different ethnicities.

1
Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethiopia#Geography
2
Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethiopian_calendar
15
In 1936, under the leading of the fascist dictator Mussolini Italy occupies Ethiopia. The
British army frees Ethiopia in 1941 and Haile Selassie returns to the throne.
Following a period of massive food shortage, famine and border wars, a rebellious up-
rise in 1974, a Marxist-Leninist military junta, called the “Derg” established a one-party
communist state. The military communist rule lead the country with iron hand, facing
again a series of famine, droughts, coups and uprisings particularly in regions of Tigray
and Eritrea. After the collapse of the Soviet block and the following aid loss a new
revolution managed to overthrow the impaired regime in 1991. Ethiopian People’s
Revolutionary Democratic Front, EPRDF, takes over the governance and its leader,
Meles Zenawi is chosen as chief of state. Ethiopia’s transformation into a market
economy and privatization of governmental companies is initialized, but the land still
would be owned by the state. In 1993 Eritrea, an autonomous region of Ethiopia
becomes a sovereign nation, but in 1998 a war breaks out between the two countries,
because of uncertain borderlines and lasts until 2000.3 (Imperial Ethiopia 2009)

1.2.7 Government and Politics

Ethiopia is a federal republic and consists of nine regional states with extended self rule
rights plus the two urban areas, Addis Abeba and Dire Dawa as stand-alone entities. The
states have been defined according to the larger ethnical groups living in the country;
this was established according to the new constitution of 1995.
These states are sub-divided into 68 zones and the zones are divided into 550 local
government authority called woredas.4
The last parliamentary election was held in May of 2005 and the EPRDF was announced
as winners. The result was question by the opposition and led to several upraising
throughout the country during the rest of 2005. However the EPRDF are still in power
and the next election is scheduled to 2010.

1.2.8 Economy
Ethiopia is one of the world’s poorest countries, but with one of the fastest growing
economies in the world. Due to the economic structure, relatively frequent droughts and
the recent war with Eritrea combined with old-fashioned agriculture, large-scale soil
degradation, Ethiopia is an indebted country dependent of external aid. The economy is
based on the agriculture and 80% of the population’s breadwinning is depending on it.
Ethiopia is the largest coffee producer in Africa, this being the most important export
product as well. Other major crops are pulses, oilseeds, sugarcane, meat, potato and the
amphetamine-like stimulant khat. After the war against Eritrea and the drought in 2003
the economical growth is steadily increasing, causing a higher inflation during the recent
years.

In 2003 Ethiopia’s foreign debt reached 7.2 billion USD, but during a G8 meeting, the
seven most powerful industrial countries and Russia decided to write off a significant
part of the debt, this was reduced down to 2.8 billion USD in 2006. (Utrikespolitiska
Institutet 2003)

3
Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethiopia
4
Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Administrative_divisions_of_Ethiopia
16
2. Literature overview
This thesis is in the field of geodesy about a reference network determination. The thesis
will not contribute with new theoretical knowledge in the field mentioned. On the other
hand the description of the practical part could be a useful tool when doing similar
projects. The theory behind satellite positioning is mainly based on the book GPS
Theory and Practice written by Hofmann-Wellenhof et al. and the compendium Theory
of Satellite Geodesy by Lars E. Sjöberg. The practical parts of the work followed the
guidelines and advices given in the Swedish land surveying authority’s handbook for
GPS measurements called, Handbok i Mätkungörelse, Geodesi, GPS.

Details about the old reference network, existing points and other information
concerning land administration in the Amhara region were obtained through interviews
with Mr. Lars Palm a Swedish consultant for Orgut Consulting AB, currently working in
the town of Bahir Dar at EPLAUA and Mr. Gebeyehu Belay acting head of Land
Administration department also at EPLAUA.

Additional important information was acquired by interviews on site. The crucial

information about the transformation parameters was given to us through a Swedish land
surveyor, Bo-Göran Holmgren, working on the Rib & Megech irrigation project for
EPLAUA. The transformation parameters given to him in writing originated from the
Ethiopian Mapping Authority. Because of sharing the same office it was natural to get
answers to all of our questions.

Where the HMK failed to give information additional explanations and advices were
given to us by Thomas Dubois, another Swedish land surveyor, conducting training at
EPLAUA.

Contact with Milan Horemuz, our supervisor at the KTH, gave invaluable information
throughout the whole project. This contact was both through e-mail correspondence and
interviews.

To be able to present the results in different coordinate frames, as described above

transformation parameters to the local system were given to us, but to transform the
coordinates to different global systems, transformation parameters were retrieved from
different bureaus such as the IGS Central Bureau on the internet.

17
3. Theory
Global Navigation Satellite System, GNSS is a generic term for satellite systems for
positioning and navigation that today includes the American GPS and the Russian
GLONASS system, although there are several other systems under progress like the
European GALILEO. All three systems are compatible with each other. The first system
accessible for public use was the GPS system in 1983, five years later in 1988
GLONASS was also made available for civilians. Today receivers are capable to collect
data from both systems. When all three systems are operable the total number of
satellites will increase and that will contribute with significant improvements in satellite
availability, continuity and accuracy.

All three systems are based on the same principle. This thesis will concentrate to
describe the GPS system more in detail because of the majority of the operable satellites
today are in the GPS system.

3.1 GPS
GPS, Global Positioning System, is a satellite based positioning and navigation system
funded and controlled by the U. S. Department of Defense and managed by United
States Air Force 50th Space Wing (Dana 2000). This initially was designed for military
applications but today is widely applied by civilian users in different fields, like in
navigation, land surveying, different mapping applications, research, and nowadays even
as a hobby called geocaching.

Figure 2 Satellite constellation: GPS satellites orbiting with an inclination of 55˚ to the equator.
http://www.esf.edu/for/bevilacqua/for324/gps_orbit.gif

The project started 1973 with military purpose but the GPS was activated for civilian
users in 1983, after that a civilian airplane was shot down because of entering prohibited
airspace due to navigational errors.5

5
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gps
18
In 1993 the Initial Operational Capability level was reached and a final decision
allowing civilian use of GPS on the whole earth free of charges was made. Two years
later when all the 24 satellites were activated Full Operational Capability was
announced, this made applications for military purpose possible. (Hoffman-Wellenhof et
al. 2001)

The system today is based on at least 24 satellites orbiting the world at 20200 km
altitude in 12 hours, in 6 different planes. This constellation with a 55 degree orbit
inclination as seen in Figure 2 provides a good coverage almost everywhere on the
globe. For position determination data must be collected from at least four satellites
simultaneously, regardless of the position on earth. (Sjöberg 2006)

The optimality of a unique satellite-receiver configuration is described with a Dilution of

Precision (DOP) number that can be observed and planned for with the help of different
softwares, before doing the measurements. A higher number results in a lower accuracy
and vice versa. There are several DOP indicators, like Geometric DOP (GDOP),
Position DOP (PDOP), Horizontal DOP (HDOP) and Vertical DOP (VDOP). (Sjöberg
2006)

Figure 3 GPS monitoring stations around the equator and the main control
station in Colorado Springs.
Source: http://www.kowoma.de/en/gps/control_segment.htm

The ground system consists of five monitoring stations, located approximately around
the equator as seen in Figure 23 that track the satellites continuously and send the data
for further processing to the control station in Colorado Springs. Here precise orbit
parameters and satellite clock corrections are calculated and sent to the satellites.

Every satellite broadcasts on two frequencies, on the L1 at 1575.42 MHz and on the L2
at 1227.60 MHz. Both these carrier signals are modulated by P-code (Precise) that is
decrypted. The encrypted P-code, called P(Y)-code, is available for the military or
authorized users only and for use a decryption key is needed. The L1 signal is
modulated also with a C/A (Coarse/Acquisition) code that is aimed for civilian users.
(Lantmäteriverket 1996)

19
3.1.1 Phase and code measurements
To be able to determine a position on the earth distances are derived from the difference
in phase or time elapsed from the moment of emission from the satellite to the receiver.

Code
Code measurements based on C/A or P-code are mostly used with absolute
measurements, where a very short observation time, even seconds is enough for position
determination.

Figure 4 ‐ The signal propagation time t visualized with the help of the
simultaneously generated signals.
http://www.lantmateriet.se/templates/LMV_Page.aspx?id=4860

When doing code measurements the receiver and the satellite generate identical signals
at a certain time. The distance measurement is done based on the time delay between the
signals from the synchronized receiver and satellite. The time reading of the satellite
clock is sent through the code to the receiver. Than a correction for satellite and receiver
clock biases has to be made since all the clocks contain errors with respect to GPS time.
The signal propagation distance is obtained by multiplying the time difference by the
speed of the signal. (Sjöberg 2006)

This type of measurement does not require advanced equipment but a cheap receiver for
code measurements implicates a lower accuracy, approximately around 10 metres.

Phase
When higher accuracy is needed, on centimeter to metre level, phase measurement is the
appropriate method to use. The receiver generates a signal with the same frequency as
the GPS signals and the phase of the received signals can be measured. The distance
between satellite and receiver can be expressed with the help of the number of complete
wavelengths and a part of a period, measured from the moment when the receiver is
switched on until the end of the session. A carrier phase observation is affected by the
clock errors, phase ambiguities and atmospheric signal delays. By single, double or
triple differencing satellite clock errors, receiver clock errors and phase ambiguities can
be canceled or cycle slips detected. (Hoffman-Wellenhof et al. 2001)

In the single differencing of the phase measurements one satellite and two receivers are
involved. By differencing the phase observation equations of the two points the single
difference equation is received, in which the satellite clock errors are eliminated.

With two points and two satellites involved two single differences can be formed. By
double differencing these two single differences to two satellites at the same epoch both
the satellite and receiver clock biases are canceled.
20
If signals are disturbed and an unknown number of complete wavelengths (so called
cycle slips) cannot be counted, correction should be made. This is made by comparing
L1 to L2, once it is detected it can be corrected.

The phase ambiguity is the initial bias affecting carrier-phase measurements. The phase
ambiguity is the unknown number of cycles between the satellite and the receiver, when
the GPS receiver first locks on to the signal. The ambiguity remains constant for all
measurements as long as the observations are in an unbroken sequence. If a signal loss
occurs and the receiver locks on again, the phase ambiguity will be changed. The
ambiguity is established during the data processing. If the ambiguity is determined as an
integer value, it is called fix solution. With fixed integer solution the coordinates of a
point can be determined on millimeter level. If the ambiguity determination results in a
real value it is called a float solution and the coordinates will only have metre-level
accuracy. (Sjöberg 2006)

Phase measurements are performed with geodetic (dual-frequency) receivers and the
data collection takes longer time compared to code measurements. Another drawback is
the vulnerability to signal loss.

3.1.2 Purpose of satellite positioning

There are different accuracy demands depending of the purpose of the measurements.
This resulted in the development of different measurement and processing techniques.
The two main purposes of using satellite positioning are navigation and position
determination. For navigation purposes the accuracy demands are lower than for
position determination and the data is processed in real-time. Position determination is
widely used in land surveying applications, here the accuracy needs to be higher, often
down to centimetre level. In this case the receiver can either be in motion or stand over a
point, these measurements are called kinematic or static measurements respectively. For
position determination the computations can be done either in real time or after the
measurements. Although as the sensors, instruments and processing algorithms become
more precise in navigation applications, the difference between the two purposes are
gradually vanishing.

3.1.3 Relative and absolute measurements

This classification is based on the number of receivers used during a measurement for
position determination or navigation.

Absolute measurements
For absolute measurements only one receiver is used and the achieved position is
relative to the satellites. The accuracy for this method varies depending on receiver type,
observation time and correction data.

Precise point positioning, PPP, is an absolute positioning method with a receiver that
collects data from the satellites. To cancel the errors caused by ionosphere a dual
frequency receiver is recommended. In order to achieve a higher accuracy, precise
ephemeris data is used instead for the broadcasted one for processing. With an
observation time of 24 hours an accuracy of 0.01 metres can be accomplished. (Trehn
2006), (King et al. 2002)

21
Single Point Positioning, SPP, is another absolute positioning method that differs from
PPP in two ways. Firstly, SPP is only based on code measurements and secondly, no
satellite clock corrections are used at the processing, therefore the accuracy is about 1-10
metres. (King et al. 2002)

Relative measurements
Higher accuracy can be achieved by relative measurements, when several receivers
register signals from the same satellites. Here the position of a receiver is obtained
relative to a known point. With this method all the receivers are affected by the same
type of errors so these cancel each other to a certain extent. This applies for both phase
and code measurements.

When performing relative measurements with two receivers, a baseline can be calculated
between them. A baseline can be expressed as a vector difference DX, DY, DZ in the
three directions, or the position of one station can be expressed with reference to the
other. (Lantmäteriverket 1996)

Static GPS measurement

The method used in this project is called static GPS measurement, it is a relative
position determination method. Static GPS measurements imply the use of several
receivers with longer periods of measurements, from 20 minutes up to several days,
providing results with accuracy on millimetre level. (Lantmäteriet 2008) One of the
receivers has to be mounted on a known point to simultaneously collect the data that will
be used during the post-processing. This method is suitable for long baselines, over 20
kilometres, but might require more advanced post processing software that can handle
additional data, such as precise ephemeris and an ionosphere model for that particular
day.
The length of the observation time for static surveying depends on the length of the
measured baseline, number of visible satellites and DOP-values. The accuracy depends
on the baseline length. Generally, for baselines up to 20 kilometres, with good visibility
to four satellites, good geometry and normal atmospheric conditions the measurement
time can be approximated according to Table 1. The session length might be reduced by
20% with an additional satellite. Under the conditions described subcentimetre accuracy
can be achieved for baselines shorter than 20 kilometres. For baselines up to 100
kilometres the accuracy is affected by 1-0.1 ppm and even better for longer baselines.

Table 1 General guidelines when deciding session lengths for static GPS measurement.
(Hoffman‐Wellenhof et al. 2001)

22
3.1.4 Factors affecting accuracy
There are various factors that influence the accuracy of the measurements to different
extent, the most substantial ones are listed and described below.

• Atmospheric effects
- Troposphere
- Ionosphere
• Cycle slips
• Clock errors
• Errors in satellite orbits
• Multipath

Atmospheric effects
The atmospheric conditions affect the satellite signal propagation by delaying the GPS
signals; these effects are smaller when the satellite is directly over the receiver and
increase the closer the satellite is to the horizon. The source of the atmospheric delay
can be divided into ionospheric and tropospheric effects that can lead to biases up to 30
and 10 metres respectively if not modeled. (Sjöberg 2006)

• Troposphere
The troposphere is the lower part of the atmosphere, from ground level up to about
20 km and has a lower impact on the signal than the ionosphere. This impact can be
approximated with different models such as Hopefield or Sastamoinen. The delay in
this layer mostly originates from changes of weather conditions, affecting water
vapor content, temperature and pressure. The effects of this layer are more local and
change more quickly. The effects are not frequency dependent and more difficult to
compensate for compared to ionospheric effects. The tropospheric refractivity can be
divided into a dry and a wet part, whereof the dry part contributes to about 90% of
the delay but can easily be modeled, compared to the remaining 10%, the wet part of
the atmosphere which is more difficult to estimate.

• Ionosphere
The ionosphere is the layer in the atmosphere, ranging approximately from 50 km to
1000 km. This layer consists of ionized air that disperses the signals in different ways,
depending on the frequency of the signal, the ionization of the atmosphere, which is
also changing with altitude, solar cycle and time of year. This effect can be modeled
and added to the calculations for a more accurate result.

Cycle slips
Cycle slips occur during phase measurements and consist of loss of lock to the satellite
signals. It takes place when something disturbs the free visibility between the satellite
and the receiver or the signal to noise ratio is too low.

Clock errors
Despite the fact that satellite and receiver clocks are synchronized, the small differences
tend to be small but still can lead to metre-level errors in position determination.

23
Errors in satellite Orbits
The satellites orbiting around the earth are affected by factors with both gravitational
and nongravitational origins. Because of these factors the broadcast ephemeris causes
uncertainties of about 1 metre. When higher accuracy is required the broadcast or real
time ephemeris can be replaced by precise ephemeris data that is calculated from the
data collected by the tracking stations around the world and downloaded from the
internet free of charge. The precise ephemeris data provided by IGS with about two
weeks contains an uncertainty of 0.05-0.20 metre. Some examples of disturbing
accelerations with gravitational origins are the nonsphericity of the earth, the tidal
attractions caused by the sun and the moon, the tidal deformation of the solid earth and
the oceanic tides. Solar radiation pressure, air drag and relativistic effects are examples
of disturbing non gravitational accelerations. (Hoffman-Wellenhof et al. 2001)

Multipath
The accuracy can be affected of “false” signals, this happens when satellite signals
arrive to the receiver in more than one path, because of reflecting off surrounding
surfaces near the receiver.

Summarizing the main error sources and the magnitude of their impact on the final
results:

Table 2 Summarizing error sources and their size. (Sjöberg 2006)

3.2 Transformations
Two sets of three dimensional Caretsian coordinates expressed in two different reference
systems A and B can be transformed into the same system (A or B) with the help of the
seven parameter Helmert transformation. The seven parameters needed are a scale
factor, three parameters to translate the two systems to the same origin and three rotation
parameters of the three axes as seen in Figure 5.

24
 Figure 5 Transformation from reference system A to system B.
(Hoffman‐Wellenhof et al. 2001)

⎡X ⎤ ⎡ X0 ⎤ ⎡X ⎤
⎢Y ⎥ = ⎢Y ⎥ + s ⋅ R ⋅ ⎢Y ⎥
⎢ ⎥ ⎢ 0 ⎥ ⎢ ⎥
⎢⎣ Z ⎥⎦ B ⎢⎣ Z 0 ⎥⎦ ⎢⎣ X ⎥⎦ A
Equation 1 Seven parameters Helmert transformation between two reference systems, A and B.

The formula for the seven parameter Helmert transformation can be seen in equation 1,
where X0, Y0 and Z0 are the translation parameters transferring the origin of the A system
to the origin of the B system, m is the scale factor, R contains the rotation parameters of
the X , Y and Z axes from the reference system A to the system B. The vectors
[ X Y Z ]A and [ X Y Z ]B contain the coordinates in the two systems. (Hoffman-
Wellenhof et al. 2001)

3.3 Network adjustment

A network adjustment has to be done to increase the accuracy and find the outliers with
the help of redundancies that might influence the whole network. Observations with
gross errors should be removed. The purpose of the adjustment is usually to help the
integration of the new points in the old national geodetic system, taking in consideration
the existing points to avoid inner tension in the final network. Tensions can occur due to
the varying performance of the instruments and technical development over time when
establishing and later densifying the network. The adjustment helps to spread out the
errors. (Hoffman-Wellenhof et al. 2001), (Fan 2007)

3.4 Reference frames

To be able to express a position defined as a set of coordinates it needs to be related to a
well defined coordinate reference frame were the position is related directly to the origin
of the reference frame. The system must be able to provide an expression of the position
as well as its higher derivatives such as velocity and acceleration. The system must also
have the ability to give the orientation of the platform. There are several different
coordinate systems, each with its own advantages depending on application. In an
application such as this project the Conventional Terrestrial Frame is used. (Horemuz
2006)
25
3.4.1 Conventional Terrestrial Frame
The Conventional Terrestrial Frame is an Earth-Centered-Earth-fixed Cartesian
coordinate frame defined as:

• Origin – at the centre of the mass of the Earth

• Z-axis – parallel to the mean spin axis of the Earth
• X-axis – pointing towards the mean meridian of Greenwich
• Y-axis – completing a right-handed orthogonal frame.

Where Cartesian, or rectangular, coordinates are defined by three orthogonal axes x-

axis, y- axis and z-axis. These three axes can assume a variety of orientation in space.
(Horemuz 2006)

3.4.2 Realizations of the Conventional Terrestrial Frame

WGS84
Since 1987, WGS84 is the system used when doing GPS measurements. This system
was originally realized by the coordinates of about 1500 terrestrial sites derived from
TRANSIT observations using Doppler technique which can be seen as the predecessor
to GPS. Associated to this frame is a geocentric ellipsoid, the WGS84-ellipsoid.
(Hoffman-Wellenhof et al. 2001)

ITRF
International Terrestrial Reference Frame is defined by a set of terrestrial control
stations around the globe where the temporal effects such as plate tectonics and tidal
effects are also taken into account. This frame is regularly updated, the most recent one
is ITRF05 and the last two digits tell the user which data were used in the formation of
the frame. (Hoffman-Wellenhof et al. 2001),

IGS
The IGS frame is defined the same way as the ITRF is but the antenna at each station is
calibrated with an absolute method. This is also the frame used to define precise orbits
of the satellites i.e. the satellites positions are defined in this frame when using precise
ephemeris data in the post-processing. (IGS 2008)

3.5 Plate tectonics

The Earth’s outer hard and rigid layer is called the lithosphere. It consists of eight major
and several minor tectonic plates that are constantly moving in relation to the others.
With this tectonic plate movement the coordinates of the points located on the plates are
changing as well. This motion can be calculated for different sites using the NUVEL 1A
model that simply models a translation/rotation of the whole plate. This pure horizontal
motion can also be expressed in X, Y and Z-axis of the reference frame used, as a
velocity vector.

26
4. Method used in this project

4.1 Preparatory work

When creating a new network it is important to try to find old points with both local and
WGS84 coordinates, preferably surrounding the planned network to be able to relate the
new points to the old network system, if such exist, in the best possible way. In our case
we had information about old points in the area (Palm 2008). The status of these were
unknown and it was uncertain if the points would be useful for us, if they were easy
accessible and if GPS measurements were possible on the sites at present time. The
EMA was also contacted for updated information. Topographic maps were also searched
to find the 1st order points that could be of good use for this project. Several points were
found, but almost none of them fulfilled our criteria as described below.

Figure 6 Us searching for 1st order points on the topographical maps.

Photo: Anna Miskas and Andrea Molnár

To find additional suitable points surrounding the network, topographical maps with
scale 1:50 000, were searched. Several 1st or 2nd order points were found, but many of
them were too time-consuming to use because of extreme locations.

27
4.1.1 Network requirements
The points will mostly be used in land surveying so their accuracy had to be rather high.
The requirements from EPLAUA on the new points were:

• Accuracy below decimetre level.

• Points shall be near the main road and if possible close to town centers, so that they
will be easily accessible.

• The demarcation shall be done in bedrock or big boulders to assure a long lifetime for
the points. Other ways of demarcation such as cement moulding in the ground or just
pipes in ground, would probably result in a shorter lifetime, because of substantial
erosion problems in the area or farmers digging them up.

• There should be no obstacles disturbing the GPS measurements, such as trees,

mountain peaks, etc. Our goal was to avoid sites with obstacles above 15 degrees of
the horizon.

4.2 Inventory of existing points

Fieldtrips to points that could be reached showed that they had been destroyed in one
way or another. An amusing story of a destroyed point can be read below.

This old point was supposed to be located some kilometres west of the town Dejen. We
had approximate coordinates given to us from EMA so the point would not be that
difficult to find. Some of the old points in the network were established by an American
survey expedition done in the 1950´s using classic triangulation method, where visibility
to other points is important so most of them were located on high peaks to fulfill this
demand. Since the Americans had used a helicopter to reach these sites, we had to
exclude many of them because of their inaccessibility to us. But according to the map
this one was not situated on a peak, so we had a good hope of finding this one. We used
a handheld GPS to get as close as possible with the car. When we had some 400 m left,
we left the car and carried on by foot. Some farmers quickly accompanied us and tried
to understand the purpose of our visit. They gladly showed us the best path to reach the
site. After a while when they realized we were searching for a benchmark one of the
men’s face lit up and said: ”Aha, I know exactly where this point is located, Americans
came here for about 50 years ago with a helicopter”, this really got our hopes up and
we followed the farmer towards the benchmark. Unfortunately he wasn’t finished with
his story and after walking for a short while he added proudly:”I built my house right
on top of the benchmark!”

As mentioned above, old points were very hard to find, so a decision was made to use a
more recent airport point. This point was established when the airport was modernized
and it had coordinates in WGS84. The idea was to use this point as a fixed point in our
network. This was decided after confirmation of the transformation parameters to the
local system (Holmgren 2008). Another decision was also made to do a PPP in the
southern part of the network in order to have at least two fixed points in the network.
This is not the ideal solution, but the best considering the circumstances in this case, at
that particular time.

28
4.3 Demarcation of the points
After doing the rough planning of where the new points should be according to
EPLAUA´s wishes, the projects first real fieldtrip was on the way to mark the new
points. The tools used in marking these were just a hammer and simple chisel tools. At
each location a simple hole with a triangle around it was chiseled out in the rock.

Figure 7 Demarcation of the Mota point made by Habtamu

Photo: Andrea Molnár

At that time these were the only tools to our disposal, but later, after all the
measurements had been finished, almost all points except three (at the time of
publishing of this thesis) were improved using a drilling machine. The first short
fieldtrip to mark the points in Mota and Adet gave us a good view of how fieldwork
works in Ethiopia; we learned that communicating works in a different way than we are
used to. For example you have to be very precise in your explanations, because of the
language barrier. There was also a lesson learned about indication of time, the time span
of five minutes could have a very diverse meaning. This trip also gave us a great
opportunity to estimate travel time on roads that we were using later in the project. This
experience showed to be very valuable when planning the time schedule for the
surveying.

4.3.1 Point description

To simplify the localization of the new network points for surveyors in the future, a
detailed description was created at the same time as the benchmark was established i.e.
chiseled. This contains the coordinates in the local system and ITRF, a description on
how to get to the benchmark, parts of a topographical map sheet, a sketch and photos of
the point and its surroundings. All point descriptions can be seen in Appendix B.

4.3.2 Point names

The point name consists of two parts, first a prefix of two letters, AM and a number of
orders. The second part is a simple serial number followed by the name of the place. We

29
chose to have the letters AM in the beginning because the network is established in the
Amhara region, and it also just happens to be the initials of both of our names.

For example AM1‐8 CHOKE

AM ‐ is the name of the network
1 ‐ means it is a first order point
8 ‐ means it is the eighth first order point
CHOKE ‐ is the name of the place

This naming system was created so that if this network would be densified, it will be
possible to distinguish information just by looking at the point number, such as order
hierarchy and location.

4.4 Planning
4.4.1 Theoretical planning
After the demarcation of all the points, a more detailed planning of the baselines was
made. The detailed planning follows HMK´s guidelines in the most possible extent. The
basic elements in a baseline network should consist of squares if possible, otherwise
triangles is to prefer before pentagrams. This gives the network a good stability and
simplifies the calculations as well as the error detection gets easier in the formed
baseline loops. (Lantmäteriverket 1996)

30
 Figure 8 The network is stretching from Bahir Dar to the south towards the capital, following the main
roads. The baselines between the established points are shown in black.
th
Source: International travel maps, Ethiopia 4 edition 2008

Sometimes the guidelines had to be somewhat modified to fit into the circumstances of
this project and area. One example of this is the length of baselines. The HMK
recommends a maximum length of 20 km when doing static measurements, and in our
case we had baselines up to about 75 km. Because of our long baselines, we decided to
have three hour long sessions to achieve fixed solutions. Another problem mentioned
above originates from the lack of old existing points that should be used in the
connection between the new and the existing points. If several of these would have been
found transformation parameters could have been calculated, but this was not the case
and we used given transformation parameters instead. Another reason we wanted to find
old points in the network was to eliminate inner tensions between the new and old
network points.

When performing measurements each baseline is assigned to a session. A baseline can

occur in more than one session. The number of sessions depends on the number of

31
instruments used during the measurements. This project had to its disposal six
instruments and surveyors, whereof two of the surveyors were us. The twelve points
were divided into four sessions with six points to be measured in the first and second
session, five points in the third and four points in the last session.

Figure 9 Our planning had four sessions, shown in different colors above.

4.4.2 Practical planning

After the technical part of the planning, the other more practical part started. This
included time and transportation planning and also a small briefing for the participating
surveyors.

To follow a strict time schedule when performing static measurements is very important,
since the idea is to measure differences in positions and create so called baselines. By
measuring simultaneously in the same epoch a higher accuracy can be reached in the
final coordinates.

In order to get the most accurate data collection, DOP values should also be studied to
decide which time span is the most favourable for measurements at a specific site. In our
time planning we were limited to the fact that we had access to two cars during our four
days of measurements. One car went on the northern road and the other one took the
southern road down towards Dejen. The number of available cars, instruments and the
long distances between the points measured in the same session gave us little choice
deciding which time span to use. We also had to plan for both measurements and
transportation to be done in daylight, because of safety reasons. An example of a
schedule can be seen in APPENDIX C.

32
The small briefing was conducted to prevent simple mistakes or misunderstandings
during the measurements. This gave the surveyors an idea of how to handle a situation if
something went wrong during the measurements. Communication was not always
possible; the cell-phone network at several sites was not very reliable.

Preparations of the instruments

To avoid mistakes in the field a new identical STATIC-profile was created on each of
the six Lecia GRX1200 receivers. One of the most important settings worth mentioning
is that the receiver collected satellite data every ten seconds. The antennas used with
these instruments were Leica AX1202, a GNSS dual frequency antenna.

Calibration
To ensure the best possible quality for our measurements and to eliminate gross errors,
the instruments were tested and calibrated. Two tests were done for each tribrach, which
were performed using a tripod, the tribrach in question and a total station.

• The plumb ocular

To check the plumb line of the tribrach the same instruments were used as above.
After mounting the tribrach on the tripod, the contour line of this was drawn on the
tripod. Then the total station was mounted as well and the leveling was done with this.
To be able to check the plumb line a paper was fixed under the tripod on the ground.
For the following step two persons were needed, one standing and looking in the
ocular and instructing the other, equipped with ruler and pen, where to draw a point
that coincides with the middle of the plumb line. After this the tribrach was turned
around a third of a circle, fitting in the mark on the tripod and a second point was
drawn on the paper. This step was repeated once more, and the points drawn on the
paper formed an equilateral triangle, lying only a few millimeters from the middle of
the triangle. If this condition was fulfilled, the tribrach was ready to use in the field,
otherwise the plumb line would not have been aiming to the benchmark.

Figure 10 Anna calibrating one of the tribraches.

Photo: Andrea Molnár

33
 • Leveling bubble
The leveling bubble of the tribrach was controlled by the electronic leveling of the total
station, by mounting the tribrach on the tripod with the total station and doing a
leveling based only on the electronic leveling. After the instrument has been leveled in
the described way, the leveling of the bubble was controlled. If the bubble was in the
middle of the circle this meant that the tribrach leveling had a correct setting, if not it
had to be adjusted with the help of a brad, moving the bubble in the middle of the
circle. (Dubois 2008)

4.5 Measurements
As mentioned above, some fieldwork had already been done when doing the
demarcations of the all the points. The measurements were planned to take place over
four days, 29th of October to 1st of November in 2008; one session per day. The distance
between the points did not make it possible for us to measure more than one session per
day. Two surveyors, Asmare Mekonnen and Habtamu Senshew, went in one car that
took the northern road and the other four, Daniel Asmamaw, Desalegne Tilahun went
with us two in the second car.

Figure 11 Asmare during the first day of measurements at the Debanka point, outside Bahir Dar.
Photo: Bo‐Göran Holmgren

After each day of measurement we had contact through cell phones just to check
everything had worked as planned. There were never any problems reported during the
measurement, although after the measurements we found out there had been some
difficulties on the second day of measurements at the Mota point. The instrument shut
down on two occasions during the measurements. A check was made to assure the
baselines to this point got a fixed solution to all surrounding points. Therefore it was not
necessary to repeat the measurement. To summarize, it was a very successful fieldwork.

34
5. Data processing
The data was collected and converted into RINEX format to be compatible with the
softwares we were going to use, Leica SKI-Pro and Trimble Total Control. Firstly, to
control that the data was free of mistakes, the heights of the instruments in the data files
were compared to those on the field sheet, on which all the surveyors had to carefully
take notes during the measurements. In this way we could filter out some wrongly
entered settings, like the antenna type. After a quick calculation of the baselines, a
misclosure test was done, too, to find possible errors.

5.1 Preliminary processing in Bahir Dar

The baselines were computed from the known point outside Bahir Dar called Debanka.
This known point was the origin in the first session. The results from this session were
then set as reference for the next session and so on with all the sessions. This method
gave phase solutions for all baselines. The station called EPLAUA1, mounted at
EPLAUA by Bo-Göran Holmgren for another project, worked as a reference station
throughout almost all of our measurements. This was supposed to be used as an over
determination, but since the baselines were too long the software only gave phase
solutions to the three closest points.

Problems with using this method:

• We had no information on how the Debanka point was established or any idea of the
accuracy of the point. If this was done in a more inaccurate way, this would affect all
the points in the network.

• No information of the epoch of this point, since the coordinates only are given in
WGS84 the time of establishment is very vital information in order to reference the
rest of the points in current epoch.

• The EPLAUA1 point was determined using the given data of the Debanka point and
therefore not a good reference to use either.

5.2 Final processing in Stockholm

To achieve a more accurate solution of all the new points, precise ephemeris should be
used for the satellites and ionospheric data for the particular epoch when the
measurements were done. This data was downloaded from the internet (IGS 2008) and
used in all the calculations. The speed of internet connection we had access to in
Ethiopia was very slow and this is the main reason why we decided to wait with the
processing part of the project. We saved a lot of time downloading this data at home
instead. Our choice of processing software was Trimble Total Control.

5.2.1 Our first plan

Calculating all the baselines with this extra data and then referring all the points to the
known point of Debanka and the PPP point in Choke Mountains was our first working
plan. The reason we chose Choke for this is that we had three days and a total 9 hours of
measurements from that point. However, because of the reasons above concerning the
Debanka point, this would not be a solution of good quality. Therefore we had to
redesign the processing procedure.
35
5.2.2 Second and final plan
Instead of referring the network to these uncertain points as described above, we decided
to use the IGS station in Addis Abeba and possible other IGS stations nearby. As it
turned out, other IGS stations did not give fixed solutions on baselines to our network,
because of the relation between baseline length and duration of measurement. Instead
we found another type of reference station that gave us good baseline solutions, namely
a CORS station located in the town of Jimma, about 250 km south west of Addis Abeba,
with continuous data collection.

http://www.ipg.tu‐darmstadt.de/en/adis_igs.html
IGS Station ADIS
ITRF05 epoch 2007‐08‐05

Coordinates Velocity
X 4913652,807 m dX ‐0,0185 m/y
Y 3945922,635 m dY 0,0184 m/y
Z 995383,286 m dZ 0,0187 m/y

http://www.ngs.noaa.gov/cgi‐cors/corsage.prl?site=ETJI
CORS Station Jimma, ETJI
ITRF00 epoch 1997‐01‐01

Coordinates Velocity
X 5062024,326 m dX ‐0,0175 m/y
Y 3789277,057 m dY 0,0191 m/y
Z 845619,071 m dZ 0,0191 m/y
Figure 12 Input data for the reference stations ADIS and ETJI used in the calculations.

The plan was to transform the coordinates of these stations into the common epoch
using a velocity vector for each station and then only use these stations as known fixed
points in the solution of the entire network. All points should then be transformed down
to the local projection of UTM37N and network adjustment could be done.

5.3 Transforming reference data to measurement epoch

Usually the coordinates of the reference stations are expressed in a standard reference
epoch in a specific reference frame. When doing GPS measurements the coordinates
will be expressed in the measurement epoch in the WGS84 frame, when using precise
ephemeris this frame will be the current IGS-frame. All satellite data and reference
stations coordinates should be transformed into the same epoch and reference frame
before doing the coordinate calculations for best possible result.

In our case the reference stations had coordinates in different epochs and frames. The
first step was therefore to transform both these points to the measurement epoch and
frame. These steps can be followed in Figure 13 below.

36
 Figure 13 Schematic description of the transformation steps of the two reference stations into frame
IGS05, measurement epoch.

After transformation 1 and 2 had been performed we had all data needed for the
calculations in epoch 30th of October 2008, expressed in decimal form as 2008.833,
referenced to the frame IGS05. Since the ADIS station’s coordinates were given in
ITRF05 in epoch 2007 these had to be transformed to the standard epoch of 2000, so
that the transformation between the frames ITRF05 to IGS05 was possible with the help
of the parameters in Table 3.

Table 3 Transformation parameters from the reference frame ITRF05 to IGS05, where
D is the translation and R is the rotation (IGS 2006).

When having the coordinates in the measurement frame IGS05 in epoch 2000, they were
transformed to the epoch of 2008.833, using the velocity vectors from Figure 12. Similar
transformations were also done for ETJI reference station, as described in Figure 13.
Other parameters needed for that transformation are presented in Table 4.

37
 Table 4 Transformation parameters from the reference frame ITRF00 to ITRF05, where
D is the translation and R is the rotation. (ITRF 2008)

The calculations with the velocity vectors (see Table 5) were done using Excel, while
the transformations between the different reference systems were done in SKI-Pro. The
results were controlled by comparison with the output of a MATLAB code.
When the coordinates of these stations had been derived in the IGS05 frame in the
measurements epoch, they were in the same frame as the satellite data with precise
ephemeris. Then the baselines could be calculated, setting the ADIS and ETJI stations as
control points. After the baseline calculation the entire network of points was defined in
the IGS05 frame.

Table 5 Horizontal movement at each point derived from the NUVEL 1A model, expressed both in
northing and easting movement and as a velocity vector in X, Y and Z direction. (UNAVCO 2009)

5.4 Projection to local system

The mapping coordinate projection system used in Ethiopia is the UTM, Universal
Transversal Mercator, with zones 36, 37 and 38. This projection uses the ellipsoid
Clarke 1880, a theoretical smooth surface chosen to approximate the figure of the Earth.

38
To transform the measured WGS84 coordinate system to the local projection system a
transformation parameter set was given in writing from EMA (Holmgren 2008).
According to this information the parameters and other relevant data such as ellipsoid,
projection etc. are described in this section. In order to distinguish between different
parameter sets EPLAUA has named the currently recommended parameter set valid for
the Amhara region to Adindan UTM37N. The transformation parameters referenced to
the WGS84 system are described in Table 6.
Table 6 Transformation parameters from WGS84 to local system, Adindan UTM37N.

The first three are the translation parameters between the two systems, the following RX,
RY and RZ are the rotation parameters of the X, Y and Z axes from the reference WGS84
to the local system. Finally, the scale factor is expressed in parts per million.

5.5 Deriving the final coordinates

This project will present coordinates in the standard epoch of 2000 and the measurement
epoch of 2008.833 in the following frames and system:

• IGS05
• ITRF05
• Adindan UTM37N

When having the coordinates of all the points in IGS05 and epoch 2008.833 they were
adjusted in Trimble Total Control using the 3D biased adjustment tool. The adjusted
coordinates were transformed using a 7-parameter transformation in Leica Ski-Pro to the
frame ITFR05. The same coordinates from the IGS05-frame were also projected down
to the local reference system Adindan UTM37N in Trimble Total Control with the
parameters given in Table 6.

To change the epoch into the standard epoch of 2000 in each frame or system, the
Nuvel1A-NNR velocity calculator was used to derive the horizontal plate motion at each
point (UNAVCO 2009). This pure horizontal movement was applied on the Adindan
UTM37N coordinates and then recalculated into a velocity vector in X, Y and Z
direction and applied on each point in the two frames.

39
6. Results
Initially the control station coordinates and their transformations are presented. The
whole network calculations are based only on these two stations. The transformation
steps are described in chapter 5.3.

Table 7 The results of each step in transformation 1 of the ADIS reference station.

Table 8 The results of each step in transformation 2 of the ETJI reference station.

The final result of the project is a set of three dimensional coordinates of twelve new
points in parts of the Amhara region. It should be mentioned that the height is the
ellipsoidal height defined only with GPS data. The coordinates are presented in the
national reference system in this part of Ethiopia, Adindan UTM37N and in the
reference frames IGS05 and ITRF05 in both the standard epoch of 2000.0 and the
measurement epoch 2008.883. Results are presented in the tables below.

Table 9‐11 shows the results in the IGS05 frame in both Cartesian and geodetic format,
with the Cartesian coordinates expressed in both of the above mentioned epochs.

40
Table 9 Adjusted Cartesian Coordinates in frame IGS05 with standard deviations in the
epoch of 2008 October 30th.

Table 10 Adjusted geodetic coordinates in frame IGS05 with standard deviations in the
epoch of 2008 October 30th.

41
 Table 11 Adjusted Cartesian Coordinates in frame IGS05 in the standard epoch of 2000.

Table 12 and table 13 present the results in Adindan UTM37N in both epochs.

Table 12 Adjusted Adindan UTM37N coordinates in the epoch of 2008 October 30th.

42
 Table 13 Adjusted Adindan UTM37N coordinates in the standard epoch of 2000.

The following two tables, table 14 and table 15, gives the resulting coordinates in the
ITRF05 frame in both epochs.

Table 14 Adjusted Cartesian coordinates in frame ITRF05 in epoch 2008 October 30th.

43
 Table 15 Adjusted Cartesian coordinates in frame ITRF05 in the standard epoch 2000.

The last resulting Table 16 gives the information about the error ellipse in each of the
new established points. This gives information about the result of the network
adjustment. The ellipses provide information about orientation and scale weaknesses of
each point.

Table 16 Error ellipses of all adjusted points.

44
Figure 14 shows a visualization of the numbers from Table 16. All of the points are in
the same range, where the biggest error ellipse can be found at the Wetet Abay point and
the point with the smallest error is at the Dejen point.

Figure 14 Error ellipses of the network points after adjustment is done.

All of them are below 1 cm.

45
7. Conclusions and suggestions

7.1 Planning
The planning is a very essential phase of such a fieldwork, every step needs to be
carefully prepared and every detail has to be considered. The preparatory office-work in
our case took unpredictably long time; because of the unstructured data we had access to
on site. Looking for old points surrounding the network both on topographical maps,
other authorities like Rural Roads Authority, the Bureau of Water Recourses, EMA and
other ongoing projects required a structured bookkeeping. The list of potential points
narrowed dramatically when combining the demands on the accuracy, exact
documentation of the measurement method, availability and suitability for GPS
measurements. When taking all the described factors into consideration we realized that
our initial plan to find old points surrounding the network that would help at the
integration into the existing network was not operable. We realized being flexible in
solving this problem was a necessity.

7.2 Contact with EMA

During the project we contacted EMA both directly via email and indirectly, through
contact persons to get answers to some of our questions considering old existing points
and method of establishment, transformation parameters and the about existing network
in general. Since EPLAUA had several sets of transformation parameters all originating
from the EMA these had to be treated with certain caution, just like some handwritten
point coordinates, that could contain mistakes caused by inadvertence.

7.3 Demarcation
Because not knowing the geological structure in the field, approximate locations were
chosen on the map in advance, but the real location of a point was finalized out on the
field when suitable rocky ground was found. The quality of the specific rock was also
of high importance, since long lifetime was desired. When working with people with
other cultural background minor misunderstandings can be anticipated. It was not
different in our case either, as we experienced during the demarcation five minutes walk
seemed to be a different concept in different cultures. Being a foreigner it was good to
rely on the local people’s knowledge and consult them for some advice for example
when looking for appropriate locations for point demarcation.

With some more up-to-date tools, unlike chisel and hammer that were at our disposal in
the beginning, time and effort could have been saved and more precise, deep and long-
lasting demarcations could have been made. However, the original elementary
demarcations have been enhanced with a drilling machine to meet the demands.

7.4 Practical planning and measurements

The time schedule planning was a complex task because of the large number of factors
that needed to be considered, but by planning realistically as regards time for each step
of the fieldwork the plan has been carried out with success. The number of available
cars and the design of the network were the most affecting factors together with the
46
safety-thinking. The difficulties caused by the lack of a cellular network with good
covering were solved with a small briefing that showed to be very helpful.

7.5 Post processing

If reference stations are used to process the data it is advisable to control in advance that
they are working properly and the data is downloadable, however one can be completely
secure only after the measurements are done and the relevant data is available.

7.6 Future use and densification

The result of the project, the new established points, will hopefully be useful for the
surveyors of EPLAUA in their future fieldwork, since we strained after satisfying as
many criteria as possible to relieve their work with easily accessible points.

To assure a long lifetime for the existing network points, regular maintenance program
should be considered. This maintenance should imply restoring red paint around the
point, remove vegetations that could disturb measurements and control the point
demarcation in the rock.

For surveying in the future the points of this network can be used as reference points
where an instrument is mounted on one of these as a reference for the rover station. The
accuracy of the new points consists of absolute and relative accuracy. The absolute
accuracy of the rover depends on the accuracy of the reference point. The relative
accuracy of the baseline between the rover and the reference station can be calculated
with the following formulas:

• in plane: 1 cm +/‐ 1 ppm

• in height: 2 cm +/‐ 1 ppm

For baselines longer than 20 km static measurements should be made. The relative
accuracy for static observations can be calculated with the formulas above but the first
term expressed in millimeters will divide into halves and the parts-per-million term will
stay the same.

For example when having a baseline of 10 km between the reference and the rover
station, the relative accuracy for kinematic measurements will be

• in plane: 10 mm + 10 mm = 20 mm
• in height: 20 mm + 10 mm= 30 mm

while for static measurements

• in plane: 5 mm + 10 mm = 15 mm
• in height: 10 mm + 10 mm = 20 mm

However it should be taken into consideration that RTK measurements are

recommended for baselines up to 10 km, since the accuracy with static measurements
for those baselines will not drastically improve. Baselines longer than that should be
measured with static or rapid static technique. (GPS Surveys 2007)

47
According to the aim of the project the points´ coordinates and all related information
should be available for everyone free of charge. We hope that various interested actors
will benefit from the existence of this network, serving as a useful tool for the future
development in many fields such as land administration, infrastructure projects etc.

In case of a future network densification the HMK’s or equivalent guidelines mentioned

above should be followed to the greatest extent possible. To maintain order and a proper
hierarchy, the new points should be named following our system described previously in
the thesis. This way the new points will be associated with lower hierarchy that could
easily be seen from the point’s name.

48
8. References
8.1 Literature
Cederborg Olsson, M., Hafström Magnérus, K. (2007). Transfer of land rights in
rural areas. KTH Architecture and the Built Environment, Stockholm

Dubois, T. (2008). Survey Manual for EPLAUA

Fan, H. (2007). Theoretical Geodesy. Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Division of

Geodesy, Stockholm

Hoffman-Wellenhof, B., Lichtenegger,H. and Collins, J. (2001). GPS Theory and

Practice (Fifth, revised edition). Springer-Verlag Wien NewYork

Horemuz, M. (2006). Integrated Navigation. Royal Institute of Technology (KTH),

Department of Infrastructure, Stockholm

Lantmäteriverket. (1996). Handbok till mätningskungörelsen, Geodesi, GPS (Andra

utgåvan). Lantmäteriverket, Trycksam AB, Gävle

Sjöberg, Lars E. (2006). Theory of Satellite Geodesy. Royal Institute of Technology

(KTH), Geodesy, Stockholm

Trehn, E. (2006). GPS Precise Point Positioning an Investigation in Reachable

Accuracy, School of Architecture and the Built Environment

Utrikespolitiska Institutet. (2007). Länder i fickformat nr 218 Etiopien/Eritrea.

Utrikespolitiska Institutet., Hallvigs Reklam AB

Establishment of the Institute of Land Administration Bahir Dar University (2007)

8.2 Interviews
Belay, G. (2008). Acting head of Land Administration department at the EPLAUA
office in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

Dubois, T. (2008). Consultant at the EPLAUA office, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

Holmgren, B. (2008). Expert in the Rib & Megech irrigation project at EPLAUA office,
Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

Horemuz, M. (2008), Supervisor. KTH

Palm, L. (2008). Technical advisor for EPLAUA at the EPLAUA office Bahir Dar,
Ethiopia

49
8.3 Internet
Dana, P. (2000). Global Positioning System Overview. The University of Colorado at
Boulder.
www.colorado.edu/geography/gcraft/notes/gps/gps_f.html

Ethiopian Mapping Authority, EMA. (2009).

www.telecom.net.et/~ema/

Survey Manual. (2007).Chapter 4 GPS Survey. Department of Transportation, New

Jersey
http://www.nj.gov/transportation/eng/documents/survey/

Imperial Ethiopia, (2009).

www.imperialethiopia.org/history3.htm

IGS Central Bureau. (2008). IGS Stations.

http://igscb.jpl.nasa.gov/

IGS Central Bureau. (2008). Precise ephemeris data.

http://igscb.jpl.nasa.gov/components/dcnav/cddis_products_wwww.html

IGS Central Bureau. (2006). Proposed IGS05 Realization.

http://igscb.jpl.nasa.gov/mail/igsmail/2006/msg00170.html

International Terrestrial Reference Frame, ITRF. (2008). Transformation

Parameters between ITRF2005 and ITRF2000.
http://itrf.ensg.ign.fr/ITRF_solutions/2005/tp_05-00.php

King, M., Edwards, S., Dr Clarke, P. (2002). Precise Point Positioning:

Breaking the Monopoly of Relative GPS Processing. GPS Techniques.
www.staff.ncl.ac.uk/peter.clarke/offprints/king_etal2002.pdf

Lantmäteriet. (2008). Statisk Mätning.

www.lantmateriet.se/templates/LMV_Page.aspx?id=3244#statisk%20m%C3%A4tning

UNAVCO. (2009). Plate motion calculator.

http://sps.unavco.org/crustal_motion/dxdt/model/

50
51
Appendix A
Overview of the created points in the AM1 Geodetic Network

52
Appendix B
Point descriptions of the 12 points created in the AM1 Geodetic Network.

In the following order:

• AM1‐1 Debanka
• AM1‐2 Wetet Abay
• AM1‐3 Kosober
• AM1‐4 Bure
• AM1‐5 Gish Abay
• AM1‐6 Jiga
• AM1‐7 Adis ena Gulit
• AM1‐8 Choke
• AM1‐9 Dejen
• AM1‐10 Debre Work
• AM1‐11 Mota
• AM1‐12 Adet

53
 Point Description Debanka
Plane coordinates in Amhara region 1(2)

Point Name Topographic Map

AM1-1 Debanka
Debanka mountain,
Site / Place
outside Bahar Dar
Woreda Bahar Dar
Topo sheet 1137 A4
Type of demarcation

A drilled hole with a chiseled ring around it.

Description

The point is located in Bahar Dar on the

Debanka hill in the western part of the town.

Drive on the Debre Markos-Addis road 4 km

from Papyrus Hotel/the Market and turn right
towards the water tower hill. Stop on the hill Sketch
before that. The easiest way to reach the point
is to take the path leading up to the top from
this road. The point can be found just a few
meters from the very top. The point is marked
on a rock about 0.70 m above the ground.
There is also two safety marks on two nearby
rocks.

Point marked with a ▲ in the topographic map

and in the sketch.

TO OBSERVE
This point was originally established as a Bahar
Dar airport support mark. In that context it is
marked in Table 2 under “Coordinates of high
peaks” as High Peak no 3. However those WGS
coordinates differ some 60 cm from the WGS
coordinates that can be derived from the global
system (ITRF05) in this description, due to,
among others, differences in measurement
technique, observation time, data processing
and measurement epoch.

Orientation Objects

Distance Object Note Coordinates

UTM37N E 320182.182 m
Epoch 2008
th
October 30
N 1281657.604 m

ITRF05 X 4968902.884 m
Standard epoch

Description made by
2000 Y 3792374.989 m
Anna Miskas and Andrea Molnár Z 1273512.331 m
October 2008
 Point Description Debanka
Plane coordinates in Amhara region 2(2)

Pictures
 Point Description Wetet Abay
Plane coordinates in Amhara region 1(2)

Point Name Topographic Map

AM1-2 Wetet Abay

Site / Place Wetet Abay River Bridge

Woreda Mecha/South Achefer
Topo sheet 1137 C1
Type of demarcation

Hole in rock with a chiseled triangle around it.

Triangle marked in red paint.
Description

The point is along the Bahir Dar-Debre Markos

road some 45 km southwest of Bahar Dar and
just west of Wetet Abay town.

The point is west of Wetet Abay at the bridge

over the Wetet Abay (Little Blue Nile) River. Sketch
Driving from Bahar Dar the point is on the right
(north) side of the bridge.

The point is on the south river bed. Almost

opposite to it there is a small green
peninsula/island depending on the season. It
lies on a outcropping rock on the riverbed.

Point marked with a ▲ in the topographic map

and in the sketch.

Orientation Objects

Distance Object Note Coordinates

Penisula / Small island 1 UTM37N E 285678.410 m

Epoch 2008
th
October 30
95 Bridge 2
N 1257148.444 m
63 Pole 3
ITRF05 X 4993579.456 m
Standard epoch

Description made by
2000 Y 3767972.040 m
Anna Miskas and Andrea Molnár Z 1249273.242 m
October 2008
 Point Description Wetet Abay
Plane coordinates in Amhara region 2(2)

Pictures
 Point Description Kosober
Plane coordinates in Amhara region 1(2)

Point Name Topographic Map

AM1-3 Kosober

Injibara, between
Site / Place
Kosober and A. Kidame
Woreda Fagita Lekoma / Banja
Topo sheet 1136 D4
Type of demarcation

Hole in rock with a chiseled triangle around it.

Triangle marked in red paint.
Description

The point is along the Bahir Dar-Debre Markos

road some 110 km south of Bahar Dar, 9 km
south of Adis Kidame and 1 km north of
Injibara. (The first Injibara before
Kosober/Injibara).
Sketch
The point is located on a small hill called
Indehwa on a cliff formation on the west side of
the main road and it is perpendicular to it. A
path goes to the top from the southern side not
far from the road.

The point is marked on a huge oval rock

stretching almost from side to side of the hill. It
is located on the first larger plateau that can be
reached within 5 minutes from the road; the
point is not located on the top of this hill. Zirihi
mountain is seen in the background.

Point marked with a ▲ in the topographic map

and in the sketch.

Orientation Objects

Distance Object Note Coordinates

Main road 1 UTM37N E 272340.533 m

Epoch 2008
October 30th
N 1217638.971 m

ITRF05 X 5008135.179 m
Standard epoch

Description made by
2000 Y 3762572.572 m
Anna Miskas and Andrea Molnár Z 1210557.817 m
October 2008
 Point Description Kosober
Plane coordinates in Amhara region 2(2)

Pictures
 Point Description Bure
Plane coordinates in Amhara region 1(2)

Point Name Topographic Map

AM1-4 Bure
Bure, near softdrink
Site / Place
factory
Woreda Bure
Topo sheet 1037 A3
Type of demarcation

Hole in rock with a chiseled triangle around it.

Triangle marked in red paint.
Description

The point is in Bure some 155 km south of

Bahir Dar along the Bahir Dar-Debre Markos
road.

Coming from Bahir Dar it can be reached either

by turning to the Nekemte road north of town Sketch
or further south by turning west at the cross
road/sharp bend into a smaller road leading to
the mineral water factory and the traditional
town centre. The point is located near the soft
drink factory on the opposite side of the road
some 200 meter up on a small hill. There are
some rock areas. Looking down from the point
you should see a church about 220 m from the
point. There are several paths leading up on
this hill, you should find the point where these
coincide.

If you choose the other road from the north

side of town you should stop on top of the hill
and the point is approximately 100 m down the
hill.

Point is located on a flat rock on ground level.

Point marked with a ▲ in the topographic map

and in the sketch.

Orientation Objects

Distance Object Note Coordinates

Road from centre leading to
192 m
point, shortest path.
1 UTM37N E 287846.470 m 3
Epoch 2008
Road from main road October 30
th
106 m 2
leading to point N 1184454.170 m 1
220 m Church 3
ITRF05 X 5003256.268 m 4
Standard epoch
2000 Y 3778587.950 m 3
Description made by
Anna Miskas and Andrea Molnár Z 1177968.349 m 1
October 2008
 Point Description Bure
Plane coordinates in Amhara region 2(2)

Pictures
 Point Description Gish Abay
Plane coordinates in Amhara region 1(2)

Point Name Topographic Map

AM1-5 Gish Abay

Site / Place Gish Abay, Blue Nile

Woreda Sekela
Topo sheet 1037 A1
Type of demarcation

Hole in rock with a chiseled triangle around it.

Triangle marked in red paint.
Description

The point is off the Bahir Dar-Debre Markos

road at Tilili some 140 km from Bahar Dar.
At Tilili turn eastwards and follow the road
some 35 km to Gish Abay.

After passing the marketplace in the village Gish Sketch

Abay, the point is located on the right side
about 130 m from the road just before the
bridge over the Wetet Abay (Little Blue Nile)
river.

Point is located on a large rock at ground level

18 m from the waterline.

Point marked with a ▲ in the topographic map

and in the sketch.

Orientation Objects

Distance Object Note Coordinates

18 m Blue Nile 1 UTM37N E 304327.073 m

Epoch 2008
th
October 30
130 m Bridge 2
N 1214955.246 m

ITRF05 X 4989295.979 m
Standard epoch

Description made by
2000 Y 3788459.591 m
Anna Miskas and Andrea Molnár Z 1208144.048 m
October 2008
 Point Description Gish Abay
Plane coordinates in Amhara region 2(2)

Pictures
 Point Description Jiga
Plane coordinates in Amhara region 1(2)

Point Name Topographic Map

AM1-6 Jiga

South of Jiga
Site / Place
Birr Bridge
Woreda Jabi Tehenan
Topo sheet 1037 A4
Type of demarcation

Hole in rock with a chiseled triangle around it.

Triangle marked in red paint.
Description

The point is along the Bahar Dar-Debre Markos

road some 200 km south of Bahar Dar.

The point is situated about 2.8 km south of Jiga

at Birr Bridge over Birr river on the left
(northeast) side of the road coming from Jiga. Sketch

The demarcation is made on a flat place on a

group of rocks next to a smaller stream leading
in to Birr river, about 60 m from the run out to
Birr river. The group of rocks is about 0.5 m in
width.

Point marked with a ▲ in the topographic map

and in the sketch.

Orientation Objects

Distance Object Note Coordinates

15 m Tree 1 1 UTM37N E 323608.012 m

Epoch 2008
th
October 30
22 m Tree 2 2
N 1177671.561 m
27 m Tree 3 3
Small stream runs out to ITRF05 X 4982324.042 m
60 m 4 Standard epoch
Birr river 2000 Y 3807655.322 m
Description made by
Anna Miskas and Andrea Molnár Z 1171446.595 m
October 2008
 Point Description Jiga
Plane coordinates in Amhara region 2(2)

Pictures
 Point Description Adis ena Gulit
Plane coordinates in Amhara region 1(2)

Point Name Topographic Map

AM1-7 Adis ena Gulit

Site / Place Adis ena Gulit

Woreda Gozamin
Topo sheet 1037 D1
Type of demarcation

Hole in rock with a vaguely chiseled triangle

around it.
Description

The point is along the Bahir Dar – Debre Markos

road some 250 km south of Bahir Dar and 15
km west of Debre Markos.

The point is in Adis ena Gulit kebele and about

1km west of Fendeka “minitown” just after a Sketch
ditch on the right. The point is located 47
meters from the main road, you need to climb a
small slope. The point lies on a 1m wide, and
pyramid shaped rock. The rock is about 15
meters from a ditch that is perpendicular to the
road. In the background you will see a small hill
with two plateaus.

TO OBSERVE
The stone is identical with the local benchmark
BM 2B9 but not the point. Thus the drill hole
marked with B on the photo at page 2 is the
national grid point but the local benchmark is at
the point marked with A on the photo.

Point marked with a ▲ in the topographic map

and in the sketch.

Orientation Objects

Distance Object Note Coordinates

UTM37N E 347845.360 m
Epoch 2008
15m Ditch 1 October 30th
N 1146313.614 m
47m Main road 2

Plateau 3 ITRF05 X 4972374.103 m

Standard epoch
AM1-7 Adis ena Gulit B
2000 Y 3830771.106 m
Description made by Z 1140805.726 m
Anna Miskas and Andrea Molnár
October 2008
 Point Description Adis ena Gulit
Plane coordinates in Amhara region 2(2)

Pictures
 Point Description Choke
Plane coordinates in Amhara region 1(2)

Point Name Topographic Map

AM1-8 Choke
Choke mountains,
Site / Place Abazazh after the town
Rob Gebaya
Woreda Bibugn
Topo sheet 1037 D4
Type of demarcation

Hole in rock with a chiseled triangle around it.

Triangle marked in red paint.
Description

From Debre Markos drive a gravel road some 30

km northwards to the town Rob Gebaya and
continue on the same road for about 10 km
until you see a red and white beacon on top of
a mountain. When seeing the beacon in front of
you and the Choke peak to the left and a small Sketch
hill behind you, you will have the point on the
right side about 17 m from the road. The point
is located on a flat hill rock about 1.00 x 0.70 m
in size.
The valley below is the Abazazh kebele.

Point marked with a ▲ in the topographic map

and in the sketch.

Orientation Objects

Distance Object Note Coordinates

Beacon 1 UTM37N E 371660.094 m

Epoch 2008
October 30th
Hill top Semar 2
N 1174618.391 m

ITRF05 X 4954839.528 m
Standard epoch

Description made by
2000 Y 3847188.357 m
Anna Miskas and Andrea Molnár Z 1168999.592 m
October 2008
 Point Description Choke
Plane coordinates in Amhara region 2(2)

Pictures
 Point Description Dejen
Plane coordinates in Amhara region 1(2)

Point Name Topographic Map

AM1-9 Dejen

Site / Place Road Junction, Dejen

Woreda Dejen
Topo sheet 1038 C3
Type of demarcation

Hole in rock with a chiseled triangle around it.

Triangle marked in red paint.
Description

The point is close to road junction between the

mainroads to the Debre Markos-Bahir Dar,
Bichena-Bahar Dar and Dejen-Addis Ababa
some 10 km north of Dejen.

The point is on a small cliff edge about 5 m Sketch

high and 20 m form the road. On the same
location there is a round artificial round pond
(Ø≈20-30m) on the opposite side of the road,
about 65 m from the point. When you are
standing on the point and looking towards
Dejen you could see the cement factory there.

The site has two triangles marked because at

the fist demarcation the rock cracked so a new
one had to be made. The correct point is the
one closest to the edge.

Point marked with a ▲ in the topographic map

and in the sketch.

Orientation Objects

Distance Object Note Coordinates

20 m Main road 1 UTM37N E 404670.679 m

Epoch 2008
October 30th
65 m Pond 2
N 1131347.831 m

ITRF05 X 4939688.819 m
Standard epoch

Description made by
2000 Y 3877446.567 m
Anna Miskas and Andrea Molnár Z 1126308.113 m
October 2008
 Point Description Dejen
Plane coordinates in Amhara region 2(2)

Pictures
 Point Description Debre Werk
Plane coordinates in Amhara region 1(2)

Point Name Topographic Map

AM1-10 Debre Work

Site / Place Debre Werk

Woreda Enarji Enawuga
Topo sheet 1038 A3
Type of Demarcation

Hole in rock with a chiseled triangle around it.

Triangle marked in red paint.
Description

The point is along the Bahir Dar-Mota-Dejen

road some 165 km southeast of Bahir Dar.

Point is situated on the northeast side of Debre

Werk. Coming from Bahar Dar direction stop at
the bridge over the Teza river. The point is Sketch
located below the hill of Debre Werk Maryam
church, on the southern side of the river.

Follow the river about 300 m (shortest way)

and you will pass a skin preparation area and
arrive to a small waterfall with an approximate
height of 1 m, depending on amount of water.
Under this fall there is a small basin. The point
is located in front of this small basin.

Point marked with a ▲ in the topographic map

and in the sketch.

Orientation Objects

Distance Object Note Coordinates

300 m Main road 1 UTM37N E 409610.098 m

Epoch 2008
October 30th
5m Small fall and basin 2
N 1178773.293 m
20 m Tree 3
ITRF05 X 4929904.934 m
Standard epoch

Description made by
2000 Y 3875884.153 m
Anna Miskas and Andrea Molnár Z 1172982.403 m
October 2008
 Point Description Debre Werk
Plane coordinates in Amhara region 2(2)

Pictures
 Point Description Mota
Plane coordinates in Amhara region 1(2)

Point Name Topographic Map

AM1-11 Mota

Site / Place Mota, Wergreg falls

Woreda Huletijunesei
Topo sheet 1137 D4
Type of demarcation

Hole in rock with a chiseled triangle around it.

Triangle marked in red paint.
Description

The point is along the Bahir Dar-Mota-Dejen

road some 115 km south of Bahar Dar.

When driving from Keranio to Mota there is a

path just outside the town leading to the
Wergreg falls (Sede river) on the right side. Sketch
Approx. coordinates for starting point of path
UTM37 (±7m):
E: 378796 m
N: 1224262 m

To reach the point from this point it is about 40

minutes walk, the last part of the way you
follow a small stream. Follow this until you
reach an edge, having the fall in front of you.
There is another small stream (see below on
note 3), on your right side that you should cross
and the point is located on rocks that projects
about 0.80 m above the surface. The point is
not located on the highest site of these rocks
but on the most suitable flat surface about 1 m
from the edge of the rock area.

Point marked with a ▲ in the topographic map

and in the sketch.

Orientation Objects

Distance Object Note Coordinates

17m Path and rock meet 1 UTM37N E 381808.467 m

Epoch 2008
Highest point on October 30th
10m 2
neighbouring rock N 1223570.155 m
Small stream 3
ITRF05 X 4940452.947 m
Standard epoch
2000 Y 3848634.810 m
Description made by

Anna Miskas and Andrea Molnár Z 1216908.007 m

October 2008
 Point Description Mota
Plane coordinates in Amhara region 2(2)

Pictures
 Point Description Adet
Plane coordinates in Amhara region 1(2)

Point Name Topographic Map

AM1-12 Adet

Site / Place Adet, foot of mountain

Woreda Yilmana Densa
Topo sheet 1137 C2
Type of demarcation

Hole in rock with a chiseled triangle around it.

Triangle marked in red paint.
Description

The point is close to Adet along the Bahir Dar-

Mota-Dejen road some 42 km south east of
Bahir Dar.

North of Adet a gravel road starts at the

coordinates E: 333060 m N: 1249584 m from Sketch
the main road. Drive the road that leads up to a
gravel quarry. From there keep right and walk
until you reach a small plateau, and then
continue straight up to the next plateau. The
point is situated on the foot of the steeper part
of the mountain.

Point is marked on a big rock formed as an

arrow pointing to the east. The mark is about
130 cm above the ground from the valley side.
On the west side there are two other big
boulders one in the south and the other in the
north. On the east side there are three trees in
a row, see the sketch.

Point marked with a ▲ in the topographic map

and in the sketch.

Orientation Objects

Distance Object Note Coordinates

15 m Boulder SW direction 1 UTM37N E 333518.989 m

Epoch 2008
th
October 30
25 m Boulder NW direction 2
N 1249735.863 m
17 m Row of trees 3
ITRF05 X 4966090.284 m
Standard epoch

Description made by
2000 Y 3807241.613 m
Anna Miskas and Andrea Molnár Z 1242382.787 m
October 2008
 Point Description Adet
Plane coordinates in Amhara region 2(2)

Pictures
Appendix C
Example of a field time schedule

78
Appendix D
Invitation letter

To: Royal Institute of Technology, KTH

Division of Geodesy

Drottning Kristinas Väg 30, S-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden

Tel: +46-8-790 7331, Fax: +46-8-790 7343
Dear Huaan,

I am pleased to invite Andrea Molnár and Anna Miskas to do their Master’s thesis on
Establishing a Network in Parts of the Amhara Region from September to October, 2008 in
our University. I am also willing to advise them during their stay here in Ethiopia. We
understand that the results of their thesis will help our practical training in the Institute of
Land Administration.

All expenses (Travel and local) will be covered by the students or by KTH based on the
standards established in the Royal Institute of Technology.

If students need a visa to get into Ethiopia, they can present this letter to the nearest
consulate/Embassy of Ethiopia.

Thanking you in advance for your cooperation and we wish them a fruitful stay.

Yours Sincerely,

Teshome Taffa, Lecturer

Head of the Department of Land Administration

CC:
• Institute of Land Administration
Bahir Dar University

79
Appendix E
Example of a field sheet

80
Reports in Geographic Information Technology 2009
The TRITA-GIT Series - ISSN 1653-5227

2009

09-001 Ahmed Abdallah. Determination of a gravimetric geoid if Sudan using the KTH method. Master of
Science thesis in geodesy No.3109. Supervisor: Huaan Fan. Janaury 2009.

09-002 Hussein Mohammed Ahmed Elhadi. GIS, a tool for pavement management. Master of Science thesis
in geoinformatics. Supervisor: Hans Hauska. February 2009.

09-003 Robert Odolinski and Johan Sunna. Detaljmätning med nätverks-RTK – en

noggrannhetsundersökning (Detail surveying with network RTK – an accuracy research). Master of
Science thesis in geodesy No.3110. Supervisor: Clas-Göran Persson and Milan Horemuz. March 2009.

09-004 Jenny Illerstam och Susanna Bosrup. Restfelshantering med Natural Neighbour och TRIAD vid byte
av koordinatsystem i plan och höjd. Master of science thesis in geodesy No. 3111. Supervisor: Milan
Horemuz and Lars Engberg. March 2009.

09-005 Erik Olsson. Exporting 3D Geoinformation from Baggis Database to CityGML. Supervisors: Peter
Axelsson and Yifang Ban. April 2009.

09-006 Henrik Nilsson. Referenssystemsbyte i Oskarshamns kommun – en fallstudie (Change of reference

systems in Oskarshamn – a case study). Master’s of Science thesis in geodesy No.3112. Supervisor:
Huaan Fan. May 2009.

09-007 Chi-Hao Poon. Interaktiv Multikriteria-Analys (Interactive Multi-Criteria Evaluation). Supervisor:

Mats Dunkars and Yifang Ban. May 2009.

09-008 Emma Lundberg. Fastighetsdokumentation – en jämförelse mellan två geodetiska tekniker. Master’s
of Science thesis in geodesy No.3113. Supervisor: Milan Horemuz, Karin Klasén and Ivar Andersson.
May 2009.

09-009 Andenet Ashagrie Gedamu. Testing the Accuracy of Handheld GPS Receivers and Satellite Image for
Land Registration. Master’s of Science thesis in geodesy No.3114. Supervisor: Milan Horemuz and
Lars Palm. May 2009.

09-010 Abubeker Worake Ahmed and Workaferahu Abebe Mergia. Determination of transformation
parameters between WGS 84 and ADINDAN. Master’s of Science thesis in geodesy No.3115.
Supervisor: Huaan Fan. May 2009.

09-011 Andreas Jungner. Ground-Based Synthetic Aperture Radar Data Processing for Deformation
Measurement. Master’s of Science thesis in geodesy No.3116. Supervisors: Milan Horemuz and
Michele Crosetto. May 2009.

09-012 Anna Miskas and Andrea Molnar. Establishing a Reference Network in Parts of Amhara Region,
Ethiopia Using Geodetic GPS Equipment. Master’s of Science thesis in geodesy No.3117. Supervisors:
Milan Horemuz and Lars Palm. June 2009.

81
 TRITA-GIT EX 09-12
ISSN 1653-5227
ISRN KTH/GIT/EX--09/012-SE

82