Karsten Engsager

Senior advisor, Danish National Spacecenter, Danish Technical

University (ke@space.dtu.dk).
Working with classical geodesy in the areas: Reference systems,
Reference frames, Adjustment theory, Mappings,
Transformations, Interpolation.

A HIGHLY ACCURATE WORLD WIDE ALGORITHM FOR

THE TRANSVERSE MERCATOR MAPPING (ALMOST)
K. ENGSAGER1, K. PODER2
1
Danish National Space Center, Geodetic Department, Danish Technical University,
Juliane Mariesvej 30, DK-2100 Copenhagen E, Denmark. 2 DK-3650 lstykke, Denmark

Introduction
This presentation is in no way new or
genius. It solely presents the ideas and
developments from colleagues: Knig
und Weise (1951). Map Projections
Grafarend and Krumm (2006) appeared
shortly before this paper was written, but
some comments are included. The single
steps in performing the mapping from
geographical (geodetic) coordinates to
Transverse Mercator coordinates (and
reverse) are outlined but not proved. The
formulas given are valid at high/low
altitudes with only singularity at the

equator 90 degrees from the central

meridian.
It is our hope that this presentation will
convince the reader that the Transverse
Mercator projection is a useful tool for
world wide presentations.
The Transverse Mercator mapping is a
conformal mapping of the ellipsoid
coordinates to a plane. Any mapping
function satisfying the Cauchy-Riemann
differential formula is conformal. It is
therefore nearby to use series of complex
functions to describe the Transverse

Mercator projection. Some of the

complex functions are given as Clenshaw
sine summation where the coefficients are
elaborated on the third flattening n which
gives very efficient series. Our

contribution is to extend these series from

degree 4 to 7. Using series to degree 4 the
accuracy is 0.03 mm up to 4400 km from
the central meridian. Using the series to
higher degree will increase this limit.

a 1 n a b /2 for

Coordinate designation

-1

Geodetic latitude

Geodetic longitude

the
scale
furthermore improves the efficiency of the
series (b is the minor axis).

2 Geodetic co - latitude
Help functions
r ii Complex geodetic latitudehypot( x, y ) x 2 y 2
2 r ii Complex geodetic co - latitude
atan 2 r sin p, r cos p p

pc

N iE

1 e cos p

ln tan p
2

1 e cos p

ln tan
4
2

Isometriclatitude

y ix

Clenshaw sine accumulation (simple or

complex) is used in calculation of the
series:

1 e cos p

1
e cos p

CS z A2 sin 2 z
1

Details may be found in Poder and

Complex Isometric coordinate
s (1998).
Engsager

Complex (normalized) mapping coordinates

Complex (metric) mapping coordinate
s
Derivatives

Ellipsoidal definition
a

Equatorialradius

f
n

Flattening
f 2 f

; Third flattening

F 1 2ncos 2 n
M a 1 n

1 n 1 F

a
1 14 n 2
1 n

1
64

n4

1
256

n6

; Meridian arc unit

The size of some coefficients to the series

expansions have been calculated using the
derived value of n in the Geodetic
Reference System 1980 (GRS80).
The meridian arc unit Q is the mean length
of one radian of the meridian thus the
length of the meridian quadrant is:
a
1
G
1 14 n 2 641 n 4 256
n6
2
2 1 n
The last term being 0.1 10-18 shows the
superiority of series expansion in powers
of the third flattening n against using
2
e 2 f 2 f 4 n 1 n
as given in
Grafarend and Krumm (2006) (8.40).
Using the mean axis

of a mapping function

The derivatives of a mapping function can be

found as the complex differential with
modulus m and argument g of the mapping
function to the complex differential of
isometric latitude and longitude. The
simplification is possible because both systems
are orthogonal and isometric.

; Meridian curvature radius

du dy ix
Q

; in proper quadrant

ds r d id
du
m exp(ig )
ds
hypot y , x
m
r
g atan 2 x , y

(Mapping fundamental
(Geodetic fundamental fo
(Complex scale)
(Scale)

(Meridian Convergence

The Transverse Mercator mapping

The Transverse Mercator is basically a
generalisation of the meridian to the plane:

Point P with geodetic coordinates , c ,

c longitude of central meridian

Genuine origo : N, E 0,0 at 0 and 0
ELLIPSOID
Complex latitude : c

SPHERE

r ii

d c
cos c

1 n 2 2 cos 2c
2
dc 1 n
Normalized transv. crd : u y ix
du
M c

dc
Q

c r i i

U Y iX

Mapping sequence for the Transverse

Mercator mapping
Mapping Ellipsoid Soldner Sphere
The mapping for the Transverse Mercator
is split up in several conformal mappings
during the development of the mapping.
This is done to ensure as efficient
expansion of series and a simple
development strategy. Finally some of the
mappings are united again ending up with
only three mappings:
1. Ellipsoidal coordinates to the
Soldner Sphere
2. Soldner Sphere to Complex
Gaussian coordinates
3. Complex Gaussian coordinates to
Transverse Mercator coordinates
Direct mapping

,: Geodetic coord

(1)

(2)

,: Soldner Sphere

(3)

(4)

Y,X: Complex Gaussian coord.

(5)

(6)

N,E: Transversal coord.

Inverse mapping

The Soldner Sphere is a pure parameter

sphere of unity size. The Geodetic
coordinates of the ellipsoid is mapped on
the sphere with the simple and virtually
unique mapping equations as shown below.
Strictly speaking we should account for the
Riemann leaves arising from the
periodicity of the complex functions.
Mapping equations :

cos d id
cos

m ;
N cos d id
N cos
Cauchy - Riemann :

Function :
1 e cos p

exp tan p 2
1 e cos p

g 0

e 2

tan P 2

This may be reformulated into a Clenshaw

sine summation:

The Complex Gaussian coordinates gives a

transverse mapping, where the central
1
meridian is mapped with unity scale i.e. it

behaves as if the central meridian is the

Array e 7 e2 , e4 , e6 , e8 , e10 , e12 , e14
virtual equator and the normal to the
2 2
4 3
82 4
32 5
4642 6 central
e2 2n 3 n 3 n 45 n 45 n 4725 n 8384
n 7 meridian plane passing through the
4725
centre
2288 7 of the sphere is the virtual rotation
e4
53 n 2 16
n3 139 n 4 904
n5 1522
n 6 1575
n
15
315
945
axis. A point with the Gaussian
3
4
5
6
26
44644 7
e6
15
n 34
n 85 n 12686
n 14175
n
coordinates
(, ) should be mapped to
21
2835
4
5
6
the
Complex
7
Gaussian coordinates c = r
24832
e8
1237
n 125 n 14175
n 1077964
n
630
155925
+ ii. 7
5
109598 6
1040
e10
734
n

n
315
31185
567
7

e2 sin 2

e12

444337
155925

941912 7
n 6 184275
n

e14

2405834
675675

n7

(1)
Geodetic coordinates Soldner
Sphere
The last coefficient is e14 = -1.3 10-19
Limiting the series to n4 gives the last
coefficient in e8 = 1.6 10-11
The figure shows the latitudes and the
longitude and the auxiliary parameter t,
1
which in fact is the virtual latitude, while

r is the virtual longitude in a Mercator

Array G 7 G2 , G4 , G6 , G8 , G10 , G12 , G14 mapping, where the central meridian acts
as the virtual7 equator and the virtual poles
G2 2n 23 n 2 2n3 116
n 4 26
n5 2854
n 6 16822
n
45
45
675 are found
4725 in the real equator 90 degrees
2
3
4
5
6
7
G4
73 n 85 n 227
n 2704
n 2323
n from
31256
n
the central
meridian.
45
315
945
1575
The
singularity
at the (true) Poles is
3
4
5
6
7
56
98738
G6
15
n 136
n 1262
n 73814
n
14175
n
35
105
2835
handled by using the atan2 function.
G8
4279
n 4 332
n5 399572
n 6 11763988
n7
630
35
14175
155925
7

G2 sin 2

G10

G12
G14

(2) Soldner
coordinates

Sphere

7
: ,n
; on the soldner sphere
n5 144838
n 6Input
2046082
6237
31185
Y r atan
2 sin , cos cos
601676
n 6 115444544
n7
22275
2027025
sin , hypot sin , cos cos
t atan
2 cos
38341552
n7
675675
X i ln tan 4 t 2
Geodetic
U Y iX r i ; Complex Gaussian Coordinates

4174
315

-18

The last coefficient is G14 = 2.1 10

Limiting the series to n4 gives the last
coefficient in G8 = 5.4 10-11

Soldner Sphere
Complex Gaussian coordinates

(3) Soldner Sphere Complex Gaussian

coordinates
The parameter t (atan2()) is crucial for
the accuracy of the entire Transverse
Mercator mapping. For geodetic purposes
up with series expantion to degree 4 t up to
40 is acceptable giving 0.03 mm in
accuracy. For cartographic purposes it is
possible to go close 90 and still getting an
accuracy of one meter.

U Y iX r i i

t 2 atan exp X 2

Clenshaw
Complex sine summation
; Complex GaussianNB.:
Coordinate
s
is used in (5) and (6).

atan 2 sin t , cos t cos Y

input : metric scaled transversal coordinates :
atan 2 sin Y cos t , hypot sin t , cos t cos Y
N,E
(4) Complex Gaussian coordinates
normalized transversal coordinates :
Soldner Sphere
u N iE / Q
output : Gaussian complex coordinates :
7

Complex Gaussian coordinates

Transverse Coordinates

U u u2 sin 2u
1

Array u[7] u2 , u4 , u6 , u8 , u10 , u12 , u14

The Complex Gaussian coordinates are

mapped to Transverse Coordinates in two
steps via the Normalized Transverse
Coordinates.
The
two
Clenshaw
summations have been reformulated to one
which is presented below. Interested
readers may find details in Poder and
Engsager
(1998).
The
normalized
transversal coordinates are then scaled to
Transversal Mercator coordinates.

u2 12 n 23 n 2
u4

1
48

37
96

n3

1
360

n4

n5

81
512

437
46
n 2 151 n 3 1440
n 4 105
n5

u6

17
480

u8

n3

37
840

n4

209
4480

4397
- 161280
n4

u10

n5

4583
161280
n5

u12

1118711
3870720

n5

11
504

5569
90720

u U U 2 sin 2U

n6

16363163
518918400

u14

(6) Transversal Mercator coordinates

Complex Gaussian coordinates

Array U [7] U 2 , U 4 , U 6 , U 8 , U10 , U12 , U14

U8

All coordinates except the Transversal

Mercator
coordinates
may be considered be
6
7
7891
72161
41
12 n 23 n 2 165 n3 180
n 4 127
n5 37800
n

n
288
387072
angular units in radians. The Meridian arc
2
3
4
6
7
3
557
281 5
1983433

13
n

n
13769
Q is nused
to transform the Transverse
48
5
1440
630
1935360 unit 28800
3
4
5
6
7
Mercator
coordinates
into angular units
61
103
167603

240
n 140
n 15061
n 181440
n 67102379
n
26880
29030400
called
Normalized
Transverse Mercator
6
49561
6601661

161280
n 4 179
n5 7257600
ncoordinates.
97445
n7
168
49896

U10
U12

34729
80640

3418889
n5 1995840
n6 14644087
n7
9123840

212378941
319334400

U14

(5) Complex Gaussian coordinates

Transversal Mercator coordinates

Using the scaled meridian arc unit Qm

instead introduce the scale in a simple way:

30705481 7
n6 10378368
n

1522256789
n7 on central meridian : m0
Scale
1383782400

The last coefficient is U14 = 4.1 10-20

Limiting the series to n4 gives the last
coefficient in U8 = 2.4 10-12

466511
294800

20648693
638668800

N iE uQ

U6

n6

8005831
63866880

U4

9261899
58060800

n6

output : metric scaled transversal coordinates :Implementation details

U2

n6

108847
3991680

The last coefficient is u14 = -1.5 10-21

Limiting the series to n4 gives the last
coefficient in u8 = -2.2 10-13

normalized transversal coordinates :

5406467
38707200

51841
n 6 1209600

830251
7257600

input : Gaussian complex coordinates :

U Y iX r i i

n6

96199
604800

Qm Q m 0

Accuracy check
Taking the difference between the input
coordinates and the result of the
backward_trf(forward_trf(input

219941297
553512960

coordinates)) the accuracy may be checked

against the accuracy required for
transformation. In the figure below is the
limit 0.03 mm shown at series to degree 4
and 5. This limit may be controlled in (3)
by fabs 0.810 and in (4) by
fabs U 0.810 as a very coarse limit
(i.e. E 5100 km ). The limit is in fact a
function of the latitude and longitude. For
degree 5 the limit will be 1.144 (i.e.
E 7300 km ).
An accuracy limit of 30 m will give a
limiting
factor
of
2.290
(i.e.
E 14500 km ).
The singularity points may be controlled
by the limiting factor above or a coarser
one.

transformation manager the throughput

decreases by further 10%.
More convolutions
The formulas presented are valid for the
latitude
and for the

longitude
, where
2
2
may be related to the control setup above.
When the input latitude goes beyond the
limits it is forced to the interval by
adding/subtracting 2 to the latitude and
the northing N is either increased or
decreased by 4Qm . The reverse situation
is handled in a similar way.
Conclusion
It has been demonstrated that it is possible
in a fairly simple sequence of very efficient
mappings to transform the geographical
coordinates to Transversal Mercator
Coordinates.
It has been pointed out that there is a
substantial difference in expanding series
in powers of the third flattening n against
in powers of the eccentricity e2. Due to the
relation between the two parameters any
series expansion may be reformulated to
the other.
To illustrate the accuracy the size of some
coefficients depending on the third
flattening n have been calculated to the
derived value of n in the Geodetic
Reference System 1980 (GRS80).

UTM zone 32 coordinates : E coordinate is

given +E0 (=500km)
Performance
The mapping implemented to 4th degree
run on a PC with Intel Pentium 4 cpu 2.66
GHz
makes
more
than
224000
transformations pr. second in accuracy
checking
mode:
backward_trf(forward_trf((input
coordinates)).
An implementation to 5th degree decreases
the throughput to 222000. When the
mapping is run trough our general

Implementation details have also been

given.
The C-code for the Transversal Mercator
mapping is free and may be found on the
homepage
spacecenter.dk
under
Research/Geodesy/Mapping (the URL is
not ready at writing time) or will be
forwarded
on
request
to
ke@spacecenter.dk

Meridian convergence and local scale

Normalized Transversal coordinates :

Appendix

u ( N iE )Qm1 y ix

latitude of the point (N, E)

Scaled meridian arc length from equator
A G Qm1 ; Normalized scaled meridian length
to the latitude
7
, coordinates on the Soldner sphere of (N, E)

G Qm p 2 sin 2
1

3
5
7
6 CONVERGENCE
3
9
3
57
15 2
15 4
135
p 2 2 n 16 n 32 n 2048 n p 4 16
n MERIDIAN
32 n 2048 n

p6

3
7
105 5
105
35
48 n 256 n 2048 n

p10

693
1280
n5

p14

693
2048

p8
p12

n7

6435
14336
n7

Latitude at the normalized arc length

A A q2 sin 2A
1

q6

6607
24576

n7

417 5
151
n3 128
n
96

87963
2048

n 7 q8

q14

27
32

n3

269
512

8011
2560

n5

69119
6144

n 7 q12

6459601
860160

C cos 2u

C cos 2u

LOCAL SCALE
m0 hypot cos y , sinh x cos A

exp

C cos 2u cos 2A

4
4

exp C2 cos 2u cos 2A

1
1

55 4
6759 6
21 2
q4 16 n 32 n 4096 n

n5

q10

atan 2 sin sin , cos

m0 1 cos 2 sin 2

A G / Qm

q2 n

6
1001
2048 n

The last coefficient is p14 = 1.7 10-20

Limiting the series to n4 gives the last
coefficient in p8 = 4.9 10-12

3
2

4
6
315
189
n atan
sin
y tanh x , cos y
512
5122n

n7

The last coefficient is q14 = 2.8 10-19

Limiting the series to n4 gives the last
coefficient in q8 = 1.7 10-11

4
55
4 1n
1097 +
15543
3 n62 323 n3 1152
n
C
2 n
2 25608 n
512
3
83
173 4
C 6 293393 n 6 + 480 n 899 n

61440

2
5
1 3
C 4 + 16 n 3 n

C8

The last coefficient is C8 = 3.6 10-11 and in

the Clenshaw summation is used both
cosine and complex cosine.

References
Bomford, G (1962): Geodesy, second edition, Oxford
Bougayevskiy Lev M, Snyder John P (1995) Map Projections. A reference Manual. Taylor
and Francis, London
Grarafend E.W., Krumm F.W. (2006): Map Projections. Springer, Berlin/Heidelberg/New
York

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772

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336

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Knig R, Weise K.H. (1951): Mathematische Grundlagen der Hheren Geodsie und
Kartographie, Erster Band, Springer, Berlin/Gttingen/Heidelberg
Poder Knud, Engsager Karsten (1998): Some Conformal Mappings and Transformations
for Geodesy and Topographic Cartography. National Survey and Cadastre, Denmark,
Publications 4. series vol. 6, Copenhagen
Richardus Peter, Adler Ron K (1972): Map projections, North Holland, Amsterdam
Journal of Geodesy (2004): The Geodesists Handbook 2004, Springer