Japanese GPS Reference Stations

Topcon has been selected by the Geographical Survey Institute (GSI), an affiliate of the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), to supply GPS reference stations. The company will supply 360 GPS receivers as well as new software and database system for the GPS Earth Observation Network System (GEONET) operated by GSI. It is expected the new systems will be in operation by the end of March 2010.  

In 1992, GSI initiated the introduction of Global Positioning System (GPS) Continuously Operating Reference Station (CORS) known as GEONET. As of March 2009, nationwide 1,236 stations are in place providing precise positioning data to the public.

Today the GEONET is a vital infrastructure of the country that provides GPS data for diverse applications such as surveying, construction, GIS, weather forecasting, among others. It also provides the real-time observation data of earth's crustal movement for the purpose of researches in earthquake and volcanic activities.

In this project, GSI will replace a total of 360 old receivers with the Topcon NET-G3 series that incorporates the latest tracking technology for currently planned L2C and L5 GPS signals. Topcon will also develop GPS observation/control software as well as a database management system exclusively designed for the GEONET.