4. Global Positioning System (GPS) & GNSS
The chapter discusses the Global Positioning System (GPS) and Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), outlining their significance in civil engineering and geospatial sciences. It covers the components, principles, and applications of GPS/GNSS, as well as emerging trends and challenges within the technology. Detailed surveying methods and the integration of GNSS with other technologies are also explored, highlighting their impact on precision and efficiency in civil engineering projects.
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What we have learnt
- GNSS collects satellite constellations providing positioning, navigation, and timing services globally.
- Different segments of GPS include space, control, and user segments, each playing a critical role in accurate position determination.
- Sources of GPS error can include satellite clock discrepancies, atmospheric conditions, and multipath effects, impacting the reliability of positioning data.
Key Concepts
- -- Trilateration
- A method used to determine the position of a point by measuring distances to at least three known points.
- -- Differential GPS (DGPS)
- An enhancement to GPS providing improved accuracy using a network of fixed ground reference stations.
- -- RealTime Kinematic (RTK)
- A technique using satellite navigation to enhance the precision of position data using a fixed base station.
- -- Signal Obstruction
- The blocking of GPS signals by obstacles like buildings, vegetation, or tunnels, which can affect data accuracy.
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