1. How does the KSA-CORS Network work?
The KSA-CORS is an acronym for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Continuously Operating Reference Station. This station consists of a GNSS antenna mounted on a stable ground pillar or on top of a building and connected to a GNSS receiver. The antenna tracks the GNSS satellites continuously and logs the data into the receiver. These data from KSA-CORS Network are transmitted through internet to a central data center in the Riyadh General Autharity for Survey and Geospatial Information (GASGI) headquarters were the data is stored and made available to registered users for download. The incoming data is also processed in the server to generate corrections made available in real-time through the internet to registered users.
2. How many stations does KSA-CORS network consist of?
Currently, the KSA-CORS network consists of over 200 active stations.
3. What are the benefits of using KSA-CORS Network?
The benefits are as follows:
- KSA-CORS network provides easy access to real-time GNSS corrections in the National Datum (KSA-GRF17) to any user needing centimeter-level real-time 3D positioning accuracy by using the widely known Virtual Reference Station (VRS) methods.
- The network provides GNSS raw data in many formats:
- RINEX 2.11, RINEX 2.10, RINEX 3.02, RINEX 3.03 & Trimble raw data formats T02, T01, DAT and TGD for any physical reference station or
- Virtual RINEX format for a virtual point within the network grid.
- By using KSA-CORS network RTK, you can eliminate
- The classical RTK concept of staying within approximately 10 km off your base station in order to avoid distance dependent errors. Therefore, you can survey anywhere within the network shaped polygon.
- Battery failure at the base station.
- The cost of safeguarding the conventional base station set-up.
- Searching for approved markers to be used as base stations.
4. What are the applications for GNSS CORS?
GNSS can be used in three broad areas, namely positioning, navigation and tracking.
- Positioning Land surveying, Geodetic surveying, Engineering surveying, Mining surveying, Hydrographic surveying, Photographic control surveying.
- Navigation: Machine control, fleet management, asset tracking, vehicle navigation, autonomous driving, emergency dispatch, etc.
- Tracking: Structural monitoring, geotechnical monitoring, tectonic plate movement monitoring, ionospheric study, integrated water vapor content studies, etc.
5. What type of services does KSA-CORS network provide?
KSA-CORS network provides:
- Real-time positioning service.
- Online post-processing service.
- Access to GNSS observations for any physical reference station or virtual point within the network.
6. What accuracies can be achieved through KSA-CORS network?
The achievable accuracy depends on the observation mode:
- Network RTK: 1 – 3 cm horizontal accuracy and up to 5 cm vertical accuracy
- DGNSS: decimeter level accuracy
- Single Station RTK: depends on distance to reference station. Usually the accuracy does not exceed 5 cm on distances of 30 – 40 km.
7. How much do KSA-CORS services cost?
Currently, all KSA-CORS services are free.
8. How can I register in KSA-CORS network?
Refer to the link
https://KSACORS.gcs.gov.sa/RegisterAccount.aspx and follow the registration steps.
9. How do I renew my KSA-CORS network subscription?
Currently, the subscription is free. It shall be automatically renewed.
10. Can I use any brand of GNSS rover to connect to the KSA-CORS network and receive real-time corrections?
Only receivers with an option to connect to VRS or NTRIP can connect to KSA-CORS, Currently most of the modern receivers have this option.
11. When I try to Login to KSA-CORS network, the system responds with this error message: “Invalid username or password”. What do I do?
Double-check your login and password. Your password is case sensitive. If the problem persist, contact KSA-CORS support or try to reset your password.
12. May I change my password?
After registration in KSA-CORS network, we highly recommend you to change the temporary password you received by email. Login on KSA-CORS website, click on My Account > Change Password, fill out Old Password field and type in New Password. Do not forget to save (Change Password button) before you close the webpage.
13. What should I do when I forgot my password?
Contact KSA-CORS registration team by email address
info@gcs.gov.sa.
14. Is KSA-CORS network operational 24 hours?
Yes, KSA-CORS networks operates 24 hours, 7 days a week.
15. What datum does KSA-CORS use?
Since the 01 January 2019, All KSACORS products and services are in the National Geodetic Reference Frame KSA-GRF17.
16. My rover is connected to the Internet but is not connecting to KSA-CORS network?
Make sure you use the correct settings on your rover (NtripCaster address, port number, mount point name, login name and password). The NtripCaster address must be
KSACORS.gcs.gov.sa with port number 2101.
17. What type of GPS equipment do the KSA-CORS sites use and do they support GNSS?
The KSA-CORS site consists of Trimble NETR9 receiver with Choke ring antenna at ground type KSA-CORS and Zephyr Geodetic 2 at roof top KSA-CORS. All of the stations consist of GNSS compatible receivers.
18. How long are KSA-CORS data archived?
Data is available from our website for 2 years. You can make request through
info@gcs.gov.sa for SFTP download access to old daily 30 second data files.
19. Where can I get a map of KSA-CORS?
Visit the dynamic map website
https://KSACORS.gcs.gov.sa/Map/SensorMap.aspx for location and station status information.
20. Do I need a dual frequency GPS receiver to access the system?
Not necessarily. If your survey demands accuracy in the range of 2-3 cm, you will need a dual frequency receiver. If your accuracy requirements will allow up to 1 meter of error, a single frequency receiver shall be sufficient. Please, contact your local receiver dealer to check the compatibility of your particular equipment with the network.
21. My company has multiple customers and rover receivers. What is the easiest way to register them?
Register all rovers individually. This requires that each rover have a unique e-mail address.
22. Should I expect downtime due to network failures?
Although we make every effort to keep the network running 24 hours, 7 days a week, it is possible you will experience some few outages. We monitor the CORS network remotely by using several monitoring tools.
23. Provide the Contanct details for KSA-CORS Network?
24. What is the procedure to connect my receiver to KSA-CORS network?
We recommend you to contact your receiver local distributor in Saudi Arabia for receiver configuration support.