Global Positioning System Reference
In-Depth Information
(c)
FIGURE 8.11.
The ubiquitous corner reflector. (a) In two dimensions, we see how it
works: whatever the direction of an incoming radar signal, the reflection is sent
straight back to the radar. (b) In three dimensions, the corner reflector is simply a
triangular corner cut from a hollow cube. (c) A trihedral corner reflector used for
testing radar.
Photo from Wikimedia Commons, User: Elborgo CC by 3.0.
yacht and cruising around the coast of Australia (whose hazards you may
recall from chapter 7), observe a small island on your radar screen. You find
the island on a map or chart and note from the radar data its general
direction. The island may cover a wide range of angles, but the edges are
well-defined. The direction and range of one edge are enough for you to fix
your position on a chart.
