Glossary

A real-time, centimeter-level GNSS correction service that delivers precise positioning data through internet connectivity, eliminating the need for local reference stations in surveying operations.

A satellite constellation is a coordinated system of multiple satellites orbiting Earth that work together to provide continuous global coverage for positioning, navigation, and surveying applications.

A satellite-based augmentation system that enhances the accuracy and integrity of GNSS positioning by transmitting correction signals and system status information to ground receivers.

A numerical correction applied to surveying measurements to account for the difference between ground distances and map or grid distances due to map projection, elevation, or instrument calibration effects.

Scan resolution is the precision and fineness of detail at which a 3D laser scanner or imaging device captures spatial data points during surveying operations.

Scan to BIM is a surveying and modelling process that converts point cloud data from laser scanning into structured Building Information Models for design, construction, and facility management.

Scanner Field of View (FOV) is the angular extent or total area that a surveying scanner can detect and measure from a single instrument position.

Scanner range accuracy is the degree of precision with which a laser scanner measures the distance from the instrument to surveyed objects or terrain surfaces.

Structure from Motion is a photogrammetric technique that reconstructs three-dimensional models and spatial data from multiple overlapping photographs taken from different positions without requiring direct distance measurements.

Shapefile format is a geospatial vector data structure developed by Esri that stores geometric location and attribute information for surveying and mapping data in a set of related files.

A sonar system that emits acoustic pulses perpendicular to the survey vessel's direction of travel to create detailed images of the seafloor and underwater features.

A hydrographic surveying instrument that uses a single acoustic beam to measure water depth and map the seafloor by transmitting sound waves and recording their return echoes.

A record of how sound velocity changes with water depth, essential for accurate underwater distance measurements in hydrographic surveying.

Spatial resolution is the ability of a surveying instrument or sensor to distinguish and precisely locate individual objects or features at the smallest measurable distance on the Earth's surface.

A surveying procedure that establishes and marks the precise locations of planned structures, utilities, or property boundaries on the ground by transferring design coordinates to physical points.

A surveying methodology that quantifies measurement precision and accuracy by calculating the statistical dispersion of repeated observations around their mean value.

A coordinate system that divides the United States into zones, projecting latitude and longitude onto a flat plane to provide accurate local surveying and mapping measurements.

A surveying method using stationary GNSS receivers at fixed locations to determine precise coordinates through extended observation periods.

A specialized surveying discipline that uses precision measurement techniques to detect, quantify, and document structural movements, deformations, and settlements in buildings, bridges, dams, and infrastructure over time.

Structure from Motion (SfM) is a photogrammetric technique that reconstructs three-dimensional models and spatial data from a series of overlapping two-dimensional images captured from different viewpoints.

A marine geophysical instrument that uses acoustic energy to image subsurface geological layers beneath the seafloor for surveying and exploration purposes.

A subdivision survey is a detailed land survey that divides a parcel of real property into smaller lots, creating legal boundaries and establishing lot lines for residential, commercial, or industrial development.

Survey accuracy standards are established specifications and tolerances that define the acceptable levels of precision and error in surveying measurements and deliverables.

A survey blunder is a significant error in surveying measurements caused by mistakes in procedure, instrument misuse, or faulty judgment that renders survey data unreliable and typically requires re-measurement.

A portable electronic device that automatically records and stores measurement data from surveying instruments during fieldwork operations.

A rechargeable or disposable power source that supplies electrical energy to surveying instruments such as total stations, GNSS receivers, and laser levels during field operations.

Survey metadata comprises descriptive information about surveying projects, including data collection methods, equipment specifications, accuracy standards, dates, locations, and personnel details that ensure data integrity and reproducibility.

A permanent or semi-permanent physical marker installed at a surveyed point to establish and preserve the location of property boundaries, control points, or reference stations for future surveying work.

A wireless communication device that transmits surveying data between field instruments and base stations using radio frequency technology.

Survey redundancy is the inclusion of excess measurements beyond the minimum required to determine a position, ensuring accuracy verification and error detection in surveying operations.

A mobile computing device designed for field surveyors to collect, process, and manage geospatial data in real-time during land surveying operations.

Survey tolerance is the acceptable range of error or deviation in measurements and positional accuracy allowed in surveying work before data is considered unacceptable or requires remeasurement.

A three-legged portable stand used to support surveying instruments such as theodolites, total stations, and levels at a fixed height and position during field measurements.

A correction applied to acoustic survey measurements that accounts for variations in sound velocity through different water layers or geological strata.

A consistent, predictable bias in measurements that occurs in the same direction and magnitude under identical conditions, reducible through calibration and correction procedures.

Tacheometry is a rapid surveying method that measures distances and elevations using telescopic instruments with stadia hairs to determine horizontal and vertical angles.

Terrestrial Laser Scanning is a remote sensing technology that uses ground-based laser instruments to capture precise three-dimensional coordinates of objects and terrain surfaces.

A precision optical instrument used to measure angles and distances in surveying, mapping, and construction projects.

The process of measuring horizontal and vertical angles using a theodolite, a precision optical instrument essential for surveying, construction, and geodetic applications.

The process of forecasting water level changes due to tidal forces to establish accurate vertical reference datums for coastal and maritime surveying operations.

The practice of measuring and recording tidal water level fluctuations using specialized instruments to establish vertical datums and monitor coastal elevation changes.

Tilt compensation is an electronic correction mechanism in surveying instruments that automatically adjusts measurements to account for deviations from the vertical or horizontal plane caused by instrument inclination.

Time of Flight (ToF) measurement is a surveying technique that calculates distance by measuring the time required for an electromagnetic signal to travel from an instrument to a target and return.

Time to Fix GNSS refers to the duration required for a Global Navigation Satellite System receiver to calculate an accurate position fix after being powered on or after signal loss.

A vector-based digital surface model that represents terrain using a network of non-overlapping triangles formed from irregularly distributed survey points.

MAGNET is integrated field-to-finish surveying software by Topcon that streamlines data collection, processing, and delivery for professional surveyors and construction professionals.

A three-dimensional digital representation of terrain and surface features integrated with Building Information Modeling data for site analysis and construction planning.

A detailed graphical representation of terrain and landscape features showing elevation, natural and man-made structures using contour lines and standardized symbols.

A comprehensive surveying method that measures and maps the natural and artificial features of land, including elevation changes, terrain, and ground-level objects, to create detailed topographic maps.

A total station is an electronic surveying instrument that integrates a theodolite, electronic distance measurement device, and computer processor to measure angles and distances for mapping and surveying tasks.