Chapter 1
Introduction
Chapter 2
What is Location?
Chapter 3
Spatial Databases and GIS
Chapter 4
Basics of Wireless Communications
Chapter 5
Cellular Networks and Location Management
Chapter 6
Fundamentals of Positioning
Chapter 7
Satellite Positioning
Chapter 8
Cellular Positioning
Chapter 9
Indoor Positioning
Chapter 10
Interorganizational LBS Operation
Chapter 11
Architectures and Protocols for Location Services
Chapter 12
LBS Middleware
Chapter 13
LBS - The Next Generation

2
What is Location?

When dealing with LBSs it is first important to be clear about the meaning of the term “location”. Although most people would claim that they are very familiar with the concept of location, as it, besides time, is one of the major quantities determining our everyday life, it is useful to have a closer look at it and to distinguish between different categories of location information. This chapter provides an overview of these categories. The main focus is on one spatial location that appears to the developers and users of LBSs in the form of coordinates. This chapter introduces the different ways to express a spatial location in a coordinate system and explains the idea behind datums, which are used for modeling the surface of the Earth. Furthermore, an introduction to the fundamentals of map projections is given, which are needed for projecting the bended surface of the Earth on a planar map.

Contents

  • Location Categories
  • Spatial Location
    • Coordinate Systems
    • Datums
    • Map Projections
  • Conclusion

last modified on:
September 28, 2005