Evaluation of linear Kalman filter processing geodetic kinematic measurements

The purpose of this paper is to assess the efficiency of the linear Kalman filter as a method for the estimation of kinematic process observed with electronic tacheometer. On the assumption that the kinematic process is observed with only one measurement system there is no redundancy of the measurements. For evaluation of the unknown system state and its statistics in real time, other methods such as filters have to be used instead of classical geodetic adjustment. In this contribution, the efficiency of the three-dimensional linear Kalman filter model, i.e., continuous Wiener process acceleration model, in combination with the law on transfer of variances and covariances, is controlled using a known reference trajectory and statistical tests. The results of numerical tests confirmed the appropriateness of the model to evaluate geodetic kinematic measurements, where no redundant observations are available.