Chapter 1: Introduction
GST
Outline
• Definitions
• An Engineer and a Scientist
• The How of Engineering
• Engineering functions
• About Geospatial Engineering
Definitions
• Engineering is the practical application of
science and mathematics to solve problems.
• Engineering is the professional art of applying,
science to the optimum conversion of the
resources of nature to benefit mankind. The
words engineer and ingenious are derived
from the same Latin root “ingenerare”
meaning “to create”.
Definitions cont.
• Engineering is an art requiring the judgment
necessary to adapt knowledge to practical
purposes, the imagination to conceive original
solutions to problems, and the ability to
predict performance and cost of new devices
or processes.
An Engineer and a Scientist
• The function of the scientist is to know, while
that of the engineer is to do.
• The scientist adds to the store of verified,
systematized knowledge of the physical world;
the engineer brings this knowledge to bear on
practical problems.
• Unlike the scientists, the engineer is not free
to select the problem that interests him; he
must solve problems as they arise
Problems Solved by Engineers
• Solution must satisfy conflicting requirements.
– Costs - money
– Safety - adds to complexity;
– Efficiency - improved performance
• The engineering solution is the optimum solution, the end
result that, taking many factors into account, is most
desirable. It is usually not exact.
• It may be the cheapest for a specified level of performance,
the most reliable within a given weight limit, the simplest
that will satisfy certain safety requirements, or the most
efficient for a given cost.
• In many engineering problems, the social and environmental
considerations are made.
The How of Engineering
• Engineers employ two types of natural resources
– materials and energy.
• Since most resources are limited, the engineer
must be concerned with the continual
development of new resources as well as the
efficient utilization of existing ones.
• The results of engineering activities contribute to
the welfare of man by furnishing food, shelter,
and comfort; by making work, transportation and
communication easier and safer; and by making
life pleasant and satisfying.
Engineering Functions
• Research. The research engineer seeks new principles and
processes by employing mathematical and scientific concepts,
experimental techniques, and inductive reasoning.
• Development. The development engineer applies the results of
research to useful purposes. Ingenious and creative application
of new knowledge may result in a working model of a new
electronics circuit, a chemical process, or an industrial machine.
• Design. In designing a structure or a product, the engineer
selects methods, specifies materials, and determines shapes to
satisfy technical requirements and to meet performance
specification.
• Construction. The construction engineer is responsible for
preparing the site, determining procedures that will economically
and safely yield the desired quality, directing the placement of
materials, and organizing the personnel and equipment.
Engineering Functions cont.
• Production & maintenance. Plant layout and equipment
selection, with consideration of human and economic factors,
is the responsibility of the production engineer. He chooses
processes and tools, integrates the flow of materials and
components, and provides for testing and inspection.
• Operation. The operating engineer controls machines, plants,
and organizations providing power, transportation, and
communication. He determines procedures and supervises
personnel to obtain reliable and economic operation of
complex equipment.
• Management, and other functions. In industries, engineers
analyze customer requirements, recommend units to satisfy
needs economically, and resolve related problems. In some
industries, too, engineers decide how assets are to be used.
About Geospatial Engineering
Definition of Geospatial
Engineering
• The professional discipline concerned with
the measurement, analysis, and graphic
representation of dimensional geo-spatial
relationships, as well as with the design,
construction, maintenance, and the use of
geo-spatial databases. It has its roots in
surveying and mapping and encompasses the
specialisms of geodesy, surveying, topometry,
hydrography, geoinformatics, and navigation.
Why GeoSpatial Technology?
 Reliable decision making in industry, science and
society involving key economic, environmental and
social issues requires high quality and relevant
information of which much of that information has
a spatial component (location on earth) that
can be mapped or communicate where a person or
object is located.
 It requires an integrated approach to the sciences
and technologies of measurement, mapping,
analysis and visualization of information.
Latest Developments
• The modern developments in the areas of space
technology, information technology, and
communication technology have tremendously
influenced how positioning, navigation and
geospatial modelling are carried out today.
• It is today widely recognised that the disciplines
of measurement and mapping that were
previously collected under the term Surveying
(or Land Surveying) can no longer be adequately
described by the term ‘Surveying’.
Latest Developments Cont.
• Satellite Positioning technology, especially the Global
Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) – GPS, GLONASS etc
• Geo-Information Systems (GIS) technology makes it possible to
analyse and interpret geo-spatial phenomena through
multidimensional computerised graphic presentations.
• Remote sensing technology facilitated the application of
advanced techniques in imagery and imaging systems in
engineering and environmental analysis.
• These technological developments have completely changed
the face of the discipline. that has traditionally been known as
Surveying.
GLOBAL POSITIONING
SYSTEM
GLOBAL NAVIGATION SATELLITE SYSTEMS
– satellites act as platforms for transmitting data
GPS
– American space based positioning system
– Joint Program Office (JPO) - 1973
– Purpose
• Position
• Velocity
• Time anytime anywhere on or near earth’s surface
2012
GPS Receivers
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Single frequency receivers: Economical but compromises accuracy and reliability. Use
Klobuchar model for ionospheric time delay correction. Sufficient for non-precision
applications.
For precision applications including advanced research in the area of navigation one
needs dual frequency receivers.
Single frequency receiver
Dual frequency receiver
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Other Universities offering Similar Program
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University of New South Wales - Surveying and Spatial Information Systems
Curtin University of Technology – Spatial Sciences
University of Melbourne – Geomatics / Geomatics Engineering
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University – Geospatial Sciences
University of Calgary – Geomatics Engineering
University of New Brunswick – Geodesy and Geomatics Engineering
York University (Canada) – Geomatics Engineering
University of Maine – Spatial Information Science and Engineering
Ohio State University – Geomatics Engineering
University College London – GeoSpatial and Environmental Information
Management
University of Newcastle upon Tyne – Geomatics
University of Cape Town – Geomatics
JKUAT – Geomatic Engineering and Geospatial Information Systems
Kenya Polytechnic University College – various degrees
Kimathi