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I'm getting info from GPS And I have 4 data :

  • latitude
  • longitude
  • altitude
  • precision

Can I store the precision in M coordinate in PostGIS?

Ex :

 CREATE TABLE gps_pos ( id uuid primary key, position Geometry(Point, 4326))
 INSERT INTO gps_pos (id, position) VALUES (<uuid>, ST_MakePoint(0.0, 0.0; 400.0, 20)

I never used this 4th coordinate and don't know the best practice about it.

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The M is usually reserved for Linear Referenced positions (in a Linear Referencing System). There are GIS tools that understand and operate specifically on the M values.

The precision values from GNSS do not indicate positions of any kind (but rather the quality of the XYZ), and thus is best kept in a normal field to avoid confusion.

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    It's also worth noting that dillution of precision can be split in in horizontal and vertical components, and sometimes even in a time component. It's nearly impossible to have those two/three values in the same M field, so keeping them separate makes even more sense.
    – IvanSanchez
    Commented Feb 19, 2018 at 11:39
  • Ok so if i read correctly. I should have a table like : CREATE TABLE gps_pos (id SERIAL, precision float, position Geometry(Point, 4326) Do you have any reference about this M values, I'm currious
    – Rémi Desgrange
    Commented Feb 19, 2018 at 12:22
  • Yes. And, as Ivan Sanchez had commented, it would be good if you know which precision you were given although my guess is that it is (usually) PDOP (under most situations). [HDOP and VDOP are always given together, and TDOP is of interest for timing-related operations.] And, for more explanations for the M value, lookup Wikipedia - search for "Linear Referencing System".
    – Ralph Tee
    Commented Feb 19, 2018 at 13:25

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