

Elevating knowledge: read our in-depth features

Do you need new acquisition equipment, but you're struggling to assess the alternatives? Mathias Lemmens provides some pointers to support your decision-making. When the need arises for new acquisiti...

A continuously operating reference station (CORS) provides GNSS data to support very accurate 3D positioning and additional geophysical applications. Flemish Positioning Services (FLEPOS) is the real-...

Have you ever wondered about the GPS signal-tracking capabilities ‘L1P, L2E'? One of our readers asked our specialist for an explanation, and this is what he replied. We received the following quest...

A solution based on global augmentation services could hold the key to performing near-real-time GNSS corrections to support high-precision dynamic applications such as autonomous driving. Mobile mapp...

The Australasian region took a major step towards gaining its first-ever satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) in early 2017. That is when the governments of Australia and New Zealand agreed to f...

Mobile mapping is well past the tipping point and is about to go mainstream. Read this column by Felix Reinshagen to find out why. In his previous column about the future of indoor mobile mapping, Fel...
The National Emergency Supply Agency and the National Land Survey of Finland have joined forces to ensure the security of satellite positioning services in the country. A project has been launched ...
Scientists in the Netherlands have developed an alternative navigation system with 10cm accuracy. The system, which was implemented in a specially developed mobile network, offers a glimpse of a futur...
Trimble has introduced data integrity monitoring for its precise point positioning (PPP) correction service, CenterPoint RTX Fast. The Trimble RTX Integrity monitoring system is an innovative, patente...
Is the market influx of cheap UAV hardware and software making it difficult for surveyors and engineers to produce quality mapping? Is the industry heading for a race to the bottom in what used to be ...
Juniper Systems has introduced the all-new Geode GNS3 GNSS receiver. It enables users to easily collect real-time GNSS data with sub-metre, sub-foot and decimetre accuracy options – without the hu...
CHC Navigation (CHCNAV) has announced the availability of the i83 GNSS receiver, a new and innovative addition to its premium GNSS receiver series for surveying, mapping and construction professionals...
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.