ATON Positioning and Range Surveying Study Guide

Vocabulary practice cards covering key excursion calculation methods, required NMEA sentences, datums, and error indications from the ATON Positioning and Range Surveying Manual.

Hypotenuse method for excursion

A technique that uses mooring length and water depth with the Pythagorean relationship to estimate horizontal sinker-to-buoy distance.

L method for excursion

A technique that determines excursion direction from environmental factors and estimates horizontal distance by subtracting observed water depth from mooring length, accounting for buoy draft and bridle length as applicable.

Minimum required NMEA strings for DGPS aid positioning

GGA, GRS, GST, GSA, and DTM.

Required datum for ATON positioning GPS receivers

NAD 83, except WGS 84 where the applicable paper chart uses WGS 84.

2DRMS value of zero

An indicator that the positioning system is not functioning properly.

COMDTINST M16500.1D

The Coast Guard instruction titled ATON Positioning and Range Surveying Manual.