What is the process of determining position based on distance measurements from three satellites?

What is the process of determining position based on distance measurements from three satellites?

• A. Trilateration
• B. Triangulation
• C. Navigation
• D. Positioning

Answer: (A)

Trilateration is the process of determining position by measuring distances to fixed reference points. Each distance defines a sphere around a satellite, and the receiver lies at the point where those spheres intersect. With three satellites, you can pinpoint your location because the three distance constraints converge at a single point (in a 3D system you’d typically need a fourth measurement to fully resolve time offset). This distinguishes trilateration from triangulation, which relies on angle measurements rather than distances. The other terms are too general for describing the specific method of locating a position using distances to known points.

Trilateration is the process of determining position by measuring distances to fixed reference points. Each distance defines a sphere around a satellite, and the receiver lies at the point where those spheres intersect. With three satellites, you can pinpoint your location because the three distance constraints converge at a single point (in a 3D system you’d typically need a fourth measurement to fully resolve time offset). This distinguishes trilateration from triangulation, which relies on angle measurements rather than distances. The other terms are too general for describing the specific method of locating a position using distances to known points.