The Distance Measurement Evolution in 60 Years
Liu Ji-yu · Hydrographic Surveying and Charting · 2010
Since the 60th anniversary of the People Republic Of China,the distance measurement method has changed dramatically,mainly in the following areas: in the late 1950s,the popularization of Geodimeter and Tellurometer has created a new era,being the distance surveying without rulers;in the mid 1960s,the light wave rangers step into the new realm of a far distance and high accuracy because the rapid development of Laser rangers;almost at the same time,Satellite Laser Ranging and Very Long Baseline Radio Interferometry technology come into use for earth surveying,making surveyors can measure the distance between the stations,being as far as thousands of kilometers;in the early 1980s,GPS satellite surveying technology came out,it makes the earth surveying workers step into the fast and efficient field,being the distance surveying without stations.The evolution of this distance measurement is also a great microcosm for surveying and mapping progress.This paper discusses the course and impact of the above-mentioned range of technology in some detail.