Saudi Arabia Continuously Operating Reference Station (KSA-CORS) Network

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Continuously Operating Reference Station (KSA-CORS) Network is a group of reference stations utilizing satellites to continuously provide precise positioning, geospatial information, and geographic coordinates in the Kingdom. It was established according to international standards by the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information.

The KSA-CORS Network comprising approximately 209 operational reference stations, aims to provide reliable continuous monitoring services. It also seeks to compute, disseminate, and maintain the National Geodetic Reference Frame (KSA-GRF17) using satellite positioning data and Virtual RINEX files.

The KSA-CORS Network provides positioning services, such as downloading satellite-based positioning observations, real-time network and differential positioning, data processing services, and online user positioning. These services can be utilized in geodetic surveys, land surveys, engineering surveys, marine surveys, aerial surveys, and mining surveys. Additionally, the network offers navigation services, including machine control, asset tracking, vehicle navigation, fleet management, and tracking services, such as geotechnical monitoring, crustal movement monitoring, construction monitoring, ionospheric layer studies, and water vapor content analysis.

A continuous monitoring station operates by installing a GNSS antenna on a fixed pole or atop a building with a reliable power source. The antenna is connected to a secure observation receiver, which enables it to track satellites, capture data, and store it. This data is then transmitted via the Internet to a central data center at the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information headquarters in Riyadh, where it is stored for future use.