Performance of a solution of the direct geodetic problem by Taylor series of Cartesian coordinates

Abstract The direct geodetic problem is regarded on the biaxial and triaxial ellipsoid. A known solution method suitable for low eccentricities, which uses differential equations in Cartesian coordinates and Taylor series expansions of these coordinates, is advanced in view of its practical application. According to previous works, this approach has the advantages that no singularities occur in the determination of the coordinates, its mathematical formulation is simple and it is not computationally intensive. The formulas of the solution method are simplified in the present contribution. A test of this method using an extensive test data set on a biaxial earth ellipsoid shows its accuracy and practicability for distances of any length. Based on the convergence behavior of the series of the test data set, a truncation criterion for the series expansions is compiled taking into account accuracy requirements of the coordinates. Furthermore, a procedure is shown which controls the truncation of the series expansions by accuracy requirements of the direction to be determined in the direct problem. The conducted tests demonstrate the correct functioning of the methods for the series truncation. However, the considered solution method turns out to be significantly slower than another current method for biaxial ellipsoids, which makes it more relevant for triaxial ellipsoids.