Location
When positioning method by which the spatial position distant objects is determined in relation to the observer are designated. As a rule, a distance measurement is carried out in a certain direction . For this purpose, signals can be sent that are reflected back to the transmitter from the object to be located , such as light or sound waves.
Well-known examples of active location processes using sound waves are location calls from bats and technical processes such as (active) sonar or echo sounder . Active process technologies using electromagnetic waves are radar and electro-optical distance measurement .
In a broad sense, the localization based on (passively) received signals is often called a location . Examples of this are positioning within the global navigation satellite system (e.g. Global Positioning System , GPS), GSM positioning in the cellular network, and WLAN-based positioning , which is mainly used indoors. Further examples are the location of a seismic source on the basis of recorded seismic waves when determining the position of earthquake foci and the auditory localization of a sound source when listening.
In contrast to localization, location determination is understood to mean determining one's (own) location . With regard to a higher-level or global coordinate system and the reference points of a reference system, this is only possible on the basis of several measurements and subsequent calculations (see also navigation ).
