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Local and Network Accuracy
The use of the phrase network accuracy is used to define its difference from local accuracy. Network accuracy, here, concerns the uncertainty of a position relative to a reference frame (datum). Local accuracy is not about a position relative to a reference frame (datum), but it represents the uncertainty of a position relative to other positions nearby. In other words, local accuracy would be useful in knowing the accuracy of a line between the two positions at each end. Network accuracy would not be about the accuracy of the positions at each end of the line relative to each other, but, rather, relative to the whole reference frame (datum). Local Accuracy is also known as relative accuracy, and network accuracy is also known as absolute accuracy.
Within a well-defined geographical area, local accuracy may be the most immediate concern. However, those tasked with constructing a control network that embraces a wide geographical scope will most often need to know the position's relationship to the realization of the reference frame (datum) on which they are working. A point with good local accuracy may not have good network accuracy. Typically, network horizontal and vertical accuracies require that a point's accuracy be specified with respect to an appropriate national geodetic datum. In the United States, as a practical matter, this most often means that the work is tied to at least one of the Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) which represent the most accessible realization of the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS) in the nation.