EUREF Permanent GNSS Network

The EUREF Permanent GNSS Network consists of a network of continuously operating GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite Systems, such as GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou, ...) reference stations, data centres providing access to the station data, analysis centres that analyze the GNSS data, product centres or coordinators that generate the EPN products, and a Central Bureau that is responsible for the daily monitoring and management of the EPN. The network is operated under the umbrella of the IAG (International Association of Geodesy) Regional Reference Frame sub-commission for Europe, EUREF. All contributions to the EPN are provided on a voluntary basis, with more than 100 European agencies/universities involved. The EPN operates under well-defined international standards and guidelines which are subscribed by its contributors. These guidelines guarantee the long-term quality of the EPN products.

The primary purpose of the EPN is to provide access to the European Terrestrial Reference System 89 (ETRS89) which is the standard precise GNSS coordinate system throughout Europe. Supported by EuroGeographics and endorsed by the INSPIRE (D2.8.I.1Data Specification on Coordinate Reference Systems) the ETRS89 forms the backbone for geolocation data on the European territory, both on a national as on an international level.

The EPN provides access to the ETRS89 by making publicly available for the GNSS tracking data as well as precise positions, velocities and tropospheric parameters of all EPN stations. Based on these products, the EPN contributes also to monitoring of tectonic deformations in Europe, and supports long-term climate monitoring, numerical weather prediction and the monitoring of sea-level variations.

Whenever using EPN CB data, products, or services, please include the citation Bruyninx, C., Legrand, J., Fabian, A., Pottiaux E., GNSS metadata and data validation in the EUREF Permanent Network, GPS Solut (2019) 23: 106. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10291-019-0880-9.

The EPN Flyer provides information on accessing EPN data and products, email lists and guidelines.

The Central Bureau is supported by the Solar Terrestrial Centre of Excellence (STCE) and managed by the Royal Observatory of Belgium.