Three-Dimensional Azimuth of GPS Vector
Publication: Journal of Surveying Engineering
Volume 123, Issue 4
Abstract
The azimuth of a line is a 2-dimensional (2D) phenomenon whose meaning is determined by its circumstance. With the advent of global positioning system (GPS) surveying and making spatial data computations in a 3D environment, it is convenient to compute azimuth as the arctan(Δe/Δn) where Δe and Δn represent local geodetic horizon components of a 3D vector (GPS baseline) defined by ΔX/ΔY/ΔZ geocentric coordinate differences. This paper describes the geometrical characteristics of such an azimuth, proposes it to be called the 3D azimuth, and shows how the 3D azimuth is related to a geodetic azimuth.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Surveying Engineering
Volume 123 • Issue 4 • November 1997
Pages: 139 - 146
Copyright
Copyright © 1997 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published online: Nov 1, 1997
Published in print: Nov 1997
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