WGS 84 Datum Transformations: The Critical Link Between Mapping, Navigation, and Geodesy

Muneendra Kumar, Patrick Fell

Abstract:	Numerous Mapping, Charting, Geodetic [MC&G), and digital products which support various navigation and other applications are defined on various focal or regional geodetic datums. It thus becomes practicatly inevitable that a global reference frame be determined which can simplify MC&G complexity through common referencing. With this need in mind, the Defense Mapping Agency (DMA) has been activety involved since 1966 in the development of a World Geodetic System (WGS). The most recent result is WGS 84, a state-of-the-art, accurately defined global reference frame. Through the availability of new and more extensive data sets, datum transformations for 90 local and regional datums covering areas on all the continents have been established. The most recent research efforts have provided improvements in the quality and coverage of these transformation constants. Thii paper presents details of the research effort which led to the definition of these transformations and also outlines the various advantages and precautions which must be known when using the transformations in navigation, MC&G and other applications.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 47th Annual Meeting of The Institute of Navigation (1991) June 10 - 12, 1991 Williamsburg Hilton and National Conference Center Williamsburg, VA
Pages:	125 - 135
Cite this article:	Kumar, Muneendra, Fell, Patrick, "WGS 84 Datum Transformations: The Critical Link Between Mapping, Navigation, and Geodesy," Proceedings of the 47th Annual Meeting of The Institute of Navigation (1991), Williamsburg, VA, June 1991, pp. 125-135.
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