

Elevating knowledge: read our in-depth features

We recently had the privilege to sit down with Prudence Xu, regional sales director at ComNav Technology, to hear more about his company’s vision on the evolving geospatial landscape. In this conver...

When people think of geospatial technologies, they often imagine drones, sensors and smart maps, but rarely think about the underlying reference frames that provide reliability. Awareness of geodesy�...

Many surveying professionals – and contract specifications – use the term ‘accuracy’ without fully defining it, according to our technical editor Huibert-Jan Lekkerkerk. Using the ASPRS and IH...

Despite what some equipment manufacturers claim, quick and easy geospatial surveys are not always the answer. Some projects call for best-practice survey principles and accurate, controlled data. What...

The revolutionary use of active GNSS control points and cutting-edge geomatics equipment is setting new standards for accuracy in the construction of high-rise architecture, as demonstrated by this sk...

On 24 January 2023, the European Union declared the Galileo High Accuracy Service (HAS) operational for testing, and it is scheduled to become fully operational in 2024. This free signal adds precise...
Dr Gladys West, the mathematician whose work laid the foundations for modern GPS and GNSS technology, has died at the age of 95. Her passing on 17 January marks the loss of a pioneering figure whose c...
Finnish geotechnical solutions provider Geonordic has been granted exclusive resale rights for the Luka GNSS receiver in Finland and Sweden under a new cooperation agreement signed with Tersus GNSS. T...
With the release of the Carlson Viking, Carlson Software is tackling one of the toughest challenges in GNSS surveying: working reliably under dense tree cover. The new flagship GNSS base and rover rec...
In a move that will further broaden Hexagon’s advanced positioning portfolio and reinforce its leadership in precise, resilient navigation technologies, the company has signed an agreement to acquir...
Marking a further step in BDStar Navigation’s expansion into international high-precision positioning markets, subsidiary TruePoint has introduced its TruePoint.CM network real-time kinematic (NRTK)...
Quantum Systems has strengthened its position in AI-driven uncrewed systems by bringing Spleenlab’s VISIONAIRY AI suite and edge-perception expertise directly under its roof in a full acquisition. Q...
Positioning, in its essence, represents the meticulous process of accurately determining the spatial location of an object concerning a specific framework or datum. This fundamental concept of positioning plays an indispensable role in the domains of geography and hydrography, persistently guiding the quest to pinpoint the precise locations of the objects and features we seek to measure and understand.
Depending on the specific application at hand, the framework within which positioning occurs can be either of a global or local nature. When thinking on a global scale, the utilization of advanced techniques like Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) comes into play. In this scenario, the framework for positioning is meticulously defined by geodetic coordinate reference systems, ensuring the utmost accuracy in spatial determinations on a planetary scale.
Conversely, in more localized settings, positioning takes on a distinct character, tailored to the unique demands of specific tasks. For instance, in the realms of construction and engineering, the precision of positioning is paramount, and it's achieved through instruments such as the Total Station, allowing for the highly accurate alignment and placement of structures and infrastructure. Meanwhile, indoor navigation is another intriguing facet of local positioning, where the frameworks are often established within the confines of buildings, where technologies like indoor positioning systems enable precise and efficient navigation.
As we delve deeper into the world of positioning, it becomes evident that this art and science of location determination extends its influence far and wide, offering versatile solutions for diverse applications, all while maintaining an unwavering commitment to spatial accuracy.