Recently mobile location based services (LBS) are provided via a mobile terminal such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cellular phone and so on. The location method that searches where the mobile terminal of a user is accurately is a key factor for providing convenient and useful LBS. The most well known method associated with positioning system is GPS. The signal of GPS satellites can be always acquired outdoors and this system provides comparatively accurate location information. However, there are difficulties in applying GPS directly to indoor positioning because of the weakness of signal. And the positioning using the mobile communication signal between a base station and a cellular phone does not provide adequate accuracy due to some technical limitations of communication systems when applied to navigation. In addition, severe multipaths are present in an indoor environment. So a new wireless communication technology is required for indoor positioning to achieve a better and appropriate accuracy. Wireless local area network (LAN) has been installed in a number of indoor areas such as office, terminal, campus, and park with interests in mobile Internet. Therefore, it is expected that a wireless LAN signal would be easily acquired for indoor positioning. Various positioning measurements like time of arrival (TOA), time difference of arrival (TDOA), and received signal strength may be employed for indoor positioning. Employing TOA or TDOA measurements requires a time synchronization between a transmitter and a receiver. But, a time synchronization between a transmitter and a receiver is very difficult if not impossible in a wireless LAN. Therefore, it is more appropriate to use signal strength for indoor positioning with a wireless LAN.
Galileo – the European Programme for Global Navigation Services for civil purposes is an initiative led by European Union. We provide regular updates to our readers on the Galileo programme.
CPS partners to play key role in improving Galileo system performance
Cambridge Positioning Systems have announced that it will partner with LogicaCMG in a major pan-European project to drive new mobile location technology and applications development for the multi-billion Euro Galileo satellite programme.
The Application of Galileo in the Location-Based Services Environment (AGILE) project aims to foster widespread adoption of Global Navigation Satellite Services (GNSS) for both enterprises and consumers.
AGILE will create a detailed development roadmap for new high accuracy Location-Based Services (LBS) leading up to the launch of the first Galileo satellites in 2007.
For safe sailing, two most important requirements are to be able to determine clearances between the sea floor and the keel of the ship, and between the mainmast and overhead structures, such as cables and bridges. For these clearances, the mariner has to know correctly and accurately the following:1. Location of the sea floor or ocean depth,2. Height of the overhead structure,3. Locations of the ship’s keel and mainmast.
The Tropical or Mean Solar year consists of 365.24219879 mean solar days (dM) in which the Earth goes round the Sun. We use mean year and days as the actual year and days are not constant in their duration or they both fl uctuate. The length of the Tropical Year (TY) is measured by the time interval between successive appearances of the Sun in the vernal equinox.
11th Technology summit strengthens Indo-Canadian relationship. 21-22 September 2005 New Delhi
The 11th Technology Summit and …
The three prime entities that are involved in the maintenance of Land information system (LIS) are the Department of Revenue, Department of Survey, Settlement and Land Records, and Offi ce of land registration. In addition to this, the appropriate municipal or village administrative unit is also involved. This is the convention in many states in India. The land records in India, do not provide ultimate title to property. In other words we need a system of effi cient maintenance of land records which is essential for protection of land rights of several millions of people in the country. Land has been one of the most sought after possessions in developing countries such as ours, wherein, the land holding has socio economic significance and status. Thus there is a need to develop an integrated LIS. A lot can be said and discussed about various activities and issues that are being dealt to create a LIS in different parts of the country. There are some success stories in Karnataka and some efforts of Governments in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.
Dubai Municipality launches three-dimensional Dubai guide
Dubai Municipality has recently developed an electronic, threedimensional guide for the Emirate of Dubai for the purpose of government departments and private sector establishments. According to Mohammed Al Zaffi ne, Director of the municipality’s GIS Centre which oversaw the guide’s preparation in cooperation with French Concept Digital Solutions, a private firm, the guide would offer 3-D modelling of the whole emirate of Dubai. He added that the guide would offer an interactive 3-dimentional view of the emirate of Dubai and a virtual movement within the emirate is also possible. Visitors can easily fi nd addresses in the emirate and they can spot registered companies and obtain their telephone numbers. Contributing companies can also display their services and products in the guide, in addition to hotels, shopping malls and other tourist landmarks.
www.ameinfo.com
The conceptual intelligent navigator KAI-WEI CHIANG AND NASER EL-SHEIMY
Make maps quickly P MISRA
Large scale topographical mapping for Republic of Maldives V RAGHU VENKATARAMAN, P SRINIVAS,
K SREENIVASA RAO, CVKVP JAGANATHA RAO, G SRINIVAS, J NARENDRAN
Positioning the cadastral maps in LIS IV
MURALI KRISHNA
After Y2K concerns, where are we with our calendar? MUNEENDRA KUMAR
Seven out of ten customers of surveys and mapping who talk to the suppliers (consulting fi rms of surveying agencies) demand their maps to be delivered `yesterday’(!) or indeed as early as possible. These customers are `decision-makers’ who have taken some months (if not years) to come to the demand level! Same is the situation in respect of the tenders in mapping discipline. All the risks and uncertainties are put on the door of the suppliers / contractors. One should realize that although the surveying and mapping process never costs more than 1 or 2 percent of total budget, the same is not true when it comes to the time taken for the mapping project. The fact is that many projects are delayed just because the survey data of right quality and proper map was not made available to the engineer / planner.
(5.00 out of 5)