Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS)

Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) have quietly become one of the most transformative technologies of our time. They guide airplanes through zero-visibility landings, enable tractors to plant crops with centimeter precision, synchronize power grids across continents, and help you find your way in an unfamiliar city. Yet, for most users, GNSS remains a "black box" a mysterious signal from the sky that somehow produces a position. This book opens that black box. It is written for civil engineering students encountering GNSS for the first time, for engineers who need to select and deploy systems for construction or monitoring projects, and for project managers who must understand capabilities, limitations, and costs to make informed decisions. This is not a purely theoretical text nor a simple user manual. It bridges fundamental principles with real-world application. Every chapter includes practical examples, and the final chapter presents five complete A-to-Z projects: cadastral surveying, construction machine control, agricultural auto-steering, deformation monitoring, and mobile GIS data collection. Understanding GNSS is not optional for today's geomatics professional.