Glosarium

A surveying technique that provides precise elevation and positioning data to automated construction machinery for real-time grade and alignment control during earthwork operations.

A mathematical method of representing the three-dimensional Earth's curved surface on a two-dimensional flat map or coordinate system.

Map scale is the ratio between distances on a map and their corresponding distances on the Earth's surface, expressed as a fraction, ratio, or graphic representation.

Marine survey is the systematic measurement and mapping of underwater and coastal features, including seabed bathymetry, obstructions, and maritime boundaries for navigation, construction, and resource management.

Mean Sea Level (MSL) is the average height of the sea surface across all tidal cycles, used as the primary vertical reference datum for surveying and elevation measurements worldwide.

A cylindrical map projection that represents the Earth's surface with constant bearing lines (rhumb lines) appearing as straight lines, widely used in marine navigation and modern web mapping applications.

A method of describing land boundaries using natural and artificial landmarks, distances, and directions rather than coordinates or geometric shapes.

MicroSurvey FieldGenius is a comprehensive field data collection and surveying software platform designed for surveying professionals using total stations, GNSS receivers, and other surveying instruments.

A compact optical reflector used with total stations and laser theodolites to measure distances and establish precise positioning in surveying operations.

A mobile mapping system is an integrated platform combining GNSS, IMU, and imaging sensors mounted on vehicles to rapidly collect geospatial data for surveying and mapping applications.

Multibeam sonar is a hydrographic surveying technology that emits multiple acoustic beams simultaneously to create detailed bathymetric maps of underwater terrain.

Multipath error mitigation refers to techniques and technologies used to reduce signal reflections and their distortive effects on surveying measurements in GNSS and other positioning systems.

Multi-View Stereo (MVS) is a 3D reconstruction technique that uses multiple overlapping photographs from different viewpoints to create dense point clouds and detailed 3D models for surveying and mapping applications.

NAD83 (North American Datum of 1983) is the primary geodetic reference system used for mapping and surveying in North America, defining the precise coordinate framework for all spatial data.

Nadir aerial imagery is vertical aerial photography captured directly downward from an aircraft or drone, perpendicular to the Earth's surface, used in surveying for orthophoto generation and spatial analysis.

The nadir point is the location on Earth's surface directly below a satellite, aircraft, or survey instrument, representing the perpendicular intersection with the ground plane.

A standardized system of geographic reference coordinates used by surveying and mapping authorities to establish precise positions across a nation's territory.

Normal Distribution Transform (NDT) is a probabilistic point cloud registration algorithm used in surveying and mapping to align 3D laser scan data with high precision and speed.

NDVI is a standardized mathematical index calculated from multispectral satellite or aerial imagery to quantify vegetation health and density across surveyed landscapes.

Network adjustment is the mathematical process of distributing measurement errors across surveying observations to achieve the most probable positions of surveyed points in a network.

The NSRS is the official framework of geographic coordinates and elevations maintained by NOAA that provides the authoritative reference system for all surveying, mapping, and positioning activities in the United States.

NTRIP (Networked Transport of RTCM via Internet Protocol) is an open-source protocol for streaming real-time GNSS correction data over the internet to enable centimeter-level positioning accuracy.

Oblique aerial imagery is remotely sensed photographic data captured from aircraft or drones at oblique angles to the Earth's surface, providing three-dimensional perspective views of terrain and built environments.

Offshore survey is the process of measuring, mapping, and documenting underwater and coastal features, bathymetry, and infrastructure in marine environments beyond the shoreline.

An optical plummet is a precision sighting device integrated into surveying instruments that aligns the instrument's vertical axis directly above a ground point using magnified crosshairs and a mirror system.

Orthometric height is the vertical distance from a point on Earth's surface to the geoid, measured along the direction of gravity.

An orthophoto is a geometrically corrected aerial or satellite photograph that has been adjusted to remove distortions caused by camera tilt and terrain relief, allowing it to be used as an accurate map.

A professional land survey that determines and documents the precise legal boundaries of a property parcel using field measurements and existing records.

A dimensionless geometric factor that quantifies how satellite geometry affects the accuracy of horizontal and vertical position measurements in GNSS surveying.

Phase shift measurement is a surveying technique that determines distances and positions by analyzing the phase difference between transmitted and reflected electromagnetic signals.

Photogrammetry is the science and technology of obtaining reliable information about physical objects and the environment through the process of recording, measuring, and interpreting photographic images.

A specialized surveying technique that establishes precise horizontal and vertical positioning of pipelines for design, construction, maintenance, and regulatory compliance purposes.

Pix4D Photogrammetry is a professional software platform that processes digital images captured by drones or cameras to generate precise 3D models, orthomosaics, and point clouds for surveying and mapping applications.

A detailed graphical representation of a surveyed parcel of land showing boundaries, dimensions, structures, and legal descriptions used for property documentation and conveyance.

A weighted string or cord suspended from a fixed point to establish a vertical reference line for surveying and construction measurements.

A plumb line is a simple surveying instrument consisting of a weight suspended from a string or wire used to establish a true vertical reference line for accurate measurements and construction layout.

A large collection of three-dimensional coordinate points captured by surveying instruments to represent the surface geometry of objects, terrain, or structures.

Point cloud classification is the process of automatically or manually assigning semantic labels to individual 3D points in a point cloud dataset to categorize them by object type, surface material, or functional purpose.

A computational technique that removes erroneous or extraneous data points from three-dimensional point cloud datasets to improve accuracy and clarity in surveying measurements.

Point cloud registration is the process of aligning multiple point clouds from different scans or sensors into a single coordinate system to create a unified 3D model.

Point cloud registration is the process of aligning multiple point clouds in a common coordinate system to create a unified, georeferenced 3D dataset.

A GPS/GNSS surveying technique that processes satellite data after fieldwork is complete to achieve precise positioning with centimeter-level accuracy.

A surveying method using unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with GNSS receivers that processes positioning data after flight to achieve centimeter-level accuracy without real-time corrections.

Parts Per Million (PPM) is a unit of measurement expressing the ratio of one part of a substance to one million parts of the whole, commonly used in surveying to specify measurement accuracy and instrument precision.

Precise Point Positioning (PPP) is a GNSS technique that uses corrections from a single receiver to achieve centimeter-level or better positioning accuracy without requiring ground control stations or base stations.

Precise Point Positioning (PPP) is a GNSS technique that uses satellite orbit and clock corrections to achieve centimeter-level positioning accuracy without requiring a reference ground station.

Precision refers to the consistency and repeatability of measurements, while accuracy measures how close those measurements are to the true value.

The prism constant is a correction factor representing the offset distance between a reflective prism's physical center and its effective optical center used in electronic distance measurement.

A prism reflector is a retroreflective optical device used in surveying to reflect laser signals back to total stations and other electronic measuring instruments with high precision.

A surveyed point marking the boundary intersection of adjoining land parcels, established through precise measurements and legal documentation.