Types of Geospatial Technologies

Some of the most common geospatial technologies include:

Remote Sensing: The geospatial technology used to study objects or surfaces at faraway distances using the images and data collected from space or airborne camera and sensor platforms. Experts can assess the target's properties and make corresponding conclusions by measuring and analyzing the data collected by the sensor platforms. Various source options and methods of geospatial technologies have been employed to generate images using satellites revolving around our planet. These include

1. Filmed or digital areal images from airplanes and drones;

2. Electromagnetic impulses (including visible, infrared, and microwave channels)

3. Radio Detection and Ranging (Radar) and Light Detection and Ranging (Lidar) to calculate the distance using radio or light signals.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS): It is a framework for gathering, managing, mapping, and analyzing the physical environment data of a specific location on the Earth's surface. GIS uses layers of geographic data to produce spatial analysis and derivative maps or 3D scenes. With this unique capability, GIS reveals more in-depth insights into data, such as patterns, relationships, and situations—helping users make smarter decisions. The technology has enormous applications in the field of conservation, ecology, disaster response and mitigation, business, marketing, engineering, sociology, demography, astronomy, transportation, health, criminal justice and law enforcement, travel and tourism, news media, and many more.

Global Positioning System (GPS): It is a navigation system using satellites, a receiver, and algorithms to synchronize location, velocity and time data for air, sea and land travel. The working of GPS is based on a mathematical technique called Trilateration. The technique suggests that GPS devices require three satellites for an accurate calculation of a position. Here, the data obtained from a single satellite provides a general location of a point within a large circular area on the Earth's surface. An additional satellite allows the GPS to narrow the specific location of that point. Furthermore, a third satellite provides an accurate position of that point on the Earth's surface. GPS is made up of three different segments that work together to provide exact location information:

1.     Satellites — The satellites orbiting around the Earth transmit signals to users on geographical position.

2.   Ground control — It is comprised of Earth-based monitor stations, master control stations, and ground antenna. The control system is responsible for tracking and operating the satellites in space and monitoring transmissions.

3.    User equipment — These are GPS receivers and transmitter devices like watches, smartphones and telematic instruments.