Positioning Principles and Technologies (GEOM90033)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
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About this subject
Contact information
Semester 2
Dr Amir Khodabandeh
Overview
| Availability | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
In this subject, students will learn underlying theory and applications of state-of-the-art positioning technologies. The subject first introduces the concept of positioning, addressing why localisation requires user-defined coordinate systems as a benchmark. An overview of global and Australian geocentric coordinate systems such as ITRF and GDA2020 is given, with a discussion on the Australian Height Datum (AHD). Distinguished from their associated technologies, the following positioning principles are taught: 1) direct observation, 2) time-difference of arrival (TDOA), 3) surveying resection otherwise known as angle of arrival (AOA), 4) spatial correspondence (e.g., fingerprinting), and 5) interferometry.
The subject focuses on high-precision positioning technologies such as 1) Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), 2) surveying digital measuring systems, 3) Inertial Navigation Systems (INS), 4) Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) localisation systems, and 5) Laser-scanning and vision-based systems. The subject is of broad relevance to students with an interest in technology or to those specifically wishing to establish a career in engineering, mining or cadastral surveying, but is also relevant to a range of mapping, spatial, civil and communication engineering disciplines where precise localisation of digital sensors should be considered.
In detail, the subject will cover coordinate transformations and conversions, high precision GNSS and trigonometric surveying, LIDAR and camera-based indoor positioning, optimisation of positioning solutions via least squares computations, precise levelling, and height determination.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject the student is expected to:
- Describe the relation of global and Australian reference coordinate systems, together with their respective transformations
- Discuss the mechanisms of state-of-the-art positioning technologies and their underlying principles, together with their corresponding merits and limitations.
- Use high-end GNSS receiver hardware to collect satellite measurements for real-time and post processed positioning.
- Use high-end GNSS processing software as well as open-source LIDAR processing software, to generate positioning solutions and undertake a rigorous analysis of the solution quality.
- Use a range of techniques for managing multi-sensor positioning errors and biases in indoor and outdoor environments.
Generic skills
On completion of this subject students will have the:
- Ability to communicate effectively, with the engineering team and with the community at large
- Ability to manage information and documentation
- Ability to function effectively as an individual and in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams, as a team leader or manager as well as an effective team member
- Ability to undertake problem identification, formulation, and solution
- Understanding of social, cultural, global, and environmental responsibilities and the need to employ principles of sustainable development
- Capacity for creativity and innovation
- Understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities, and commitment to them
- Capacity for lifelong learning and professional development.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Completion of
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEOM20015 | Sensing and Measurement | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Two practical exercises, with a written report. Individual work. These two assignments are about 500 words each, which is equivalent to 10 hours work each. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) 1-3 are addressed in this assessment.
| From Week 3 to Week 4 | 10% |
Major assignment: Fieldwork for collecting, processing and analysing positioning solutions (arrangements for on-campus students; alternatives for online students), with a scientific report. This is a group-based assignment. The report is requiring about 50 hours work per individual student, due to the fieldwork this is not expressed in work count equivalents. ILOs 1, ,3, 4 and 5 are addressed in this assessment.
| Week 9 | 50% |
Project on LIDAR, data processing and analysis. This is an individual-based assignment on campus, and industry-embedded for online students. The assignment is about 1000 words, which is equivalent to about 20 hours work. ILOs 4 and 5 are addressed in this assessment.
| Week 11 | 20% |
Oral Exam. ILOs 1, 2 and 5 are addressed in this assessment.
| During the examination period | 20% |
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Coordinator Amir Khodabandeh Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 48 hours (Lectures: 2 hour per week; Practicals: 2 hours per week) Total time commitment 200 hours Teaching period 24 July 2023 to 22 October 2023 Last self-enrol date 4 August 2023 Census date 31 August 2023 Last date to withdraw without fail 22 September 2023 Assessment period ends 17 November 2023 Semester 2 contact information
Dr Amir Khodabandeh
Time commitment details
200 hours
Additional delivery details
This subject is delivered either partially or fully in-person in Second Half Year 2020. Please ensure you are able to attend any essential in-person requirements or speak to Stop 1 about alternative subject options.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Subject notes
LEARNING AND TEACHING METHODS
This subject is delivered through a combination of presentations and practical exercises which have been integrated to complement each other. Presentations are used to communicate the necessary theoretical concepts which are then reinforced through the field practical exercise. A significant field exercise submitted at the end of the subject is designed to synthesise the knowledge accumulated across the semester.
INDICATIVE KEY LEARNING RESOURCES
User and technical manuals for GPS receivers used in practical exercises.
CAREERS / INDUSTRY LINKS
Presenters from relevant technology manufacturers will provide students with access the state-of-the-art technology in satellite positioning systems. These industry participants will demonstrate best practice in the use of currently available GNSS technology and software as well as discuss industry case study applications that showcase the application and use of high precision GNSS hardware, associated infrastructure and internationally available resources.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Doctor of Philosophy - Engineering Course Ph.D.- Engineering Course Master of Philosophy - Engineering Course Master of Digital Infrastructure Engineering Specialisation (formal) Spatial Specialisation (formal) Civil Specialisation (formal) Environmental - Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 4 March 2025