As already established in the topic of Spatial Referencing regarding the importance of statellites, we now zoom fully into the Satellite-based Positioning in order to understand the critical tools in geodetic engineering for the maintenace of the ITRF. This is because they play a key role in mapping and surveying in the field, and in the growing number of applications demanding positioning techniques. It must be noted that the setting up of Satellite-based positioning, which is the first item in this learning path, requires the implementation of three hardware segments, namely: *The Space segment; * The Control segment; and * The User segment.
One of the modes of satellite-based positioning is Absolute positioning, which you will be introduced to in this particular learning path.
It is important under this learning path, we take a look at potential errors in absolute positioning because users of receivers required to be sufficiently familiar with the technology to avoid real operating blunders such as poor receiver placement or incorrect setting of receiver software, which can render positioning results virtually useless.
Relative Positioning also known as Differential Positioning is where one tries to remove some of the sources of systematic errors by taking into account measurements of such errors in a nearby stationary reference receiver with an accurately known position.
The next subject of discussion is the Code Measurement which is measured by the Receiver.
Again in this learning path, it will consider the concept of Carrier phase measurement, which is a technique aims at determining the number of cycles of the (sine-shaped) radio signal between sender and receiver.
The term Network Positioning is our next concept for discussion in this path which is an integrated, systematic network of reference receiver covering a large area, perhaps an entire continent or even the whole globe.