Overview
ISO 19116:2019 - Geographic information - Positioning services - defines a standardized interface and information model for exchanging position information between position‑providing devices and position‑using devices. The standard specifies the data structure and content needed so a position‑using device can unambiguously interpret position results and determine, using a measure of reliability, whether the position meets the intended use. ISO 19116 supports integration of reliable position information from non‑specific positioning technologies and is applicable across surveying, navigation, ITS, and location‑based services (LBS).
Key topics and technical requirements
- Interface and data model: Defines static and dynamic structures for a positioning service (see Clause 6). Models are expressed in UML and organized into packages for interoperability and backwards compatibility.
- Basic and extended information: Covers system metadata, session information, observation types and measurements (Clause 7). Examples in the document include constructs such as PS_System, PS_Session, PS_ObservationMode.
- Quality and reliability: Introduces a reliability model and constructs to report the degree of reliability of positioning results (Clause 8), enabling users to evaluate suitability for intended applications.
- Technology‑specific elements: Separates abstract service constructs from technology‑specific details (Clause 9), covering operating and computational conditions, measurement conditions and raw measurement data.
- Conformance and operations: Specifies conformance requirements and operations for positioning services (Clause 5 and Clause 7.6), and provides normative and informative annexes to guide implementation.
- Supporting material: Annexes include conformance rules (A), implementing accuracy reports (B), GNSS operating conditions (D), reliability evaluation methods (E), examples and use cases (F, G).
Practical applications
ISO 19116 enables consistent exchange and interpretation of position information across systems and technologies. Typical applications include:
- Surveying and geodesy - consistent reporting of measurement sessions, offsets and coordinate transfers
- Navigation and maritime/aviation systems - interoperable position feeds with reliability metadata
- Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) - standardized positioning inputs for vehicle localization and traffic management
- Location‑Based Services (LBS) and mapping platforms - unified position and quality information for consumer and enterprise services
- GNSS and sensor manufacturers, middleware and service providers - interoperable interfaces for position distribution and processing
Who should use this standard
- Systems architects and developers of positioning hardware and software
- GIS and geospatial data managers and integrators
- Surveyors, navigation system integrators, ITS engineers, LBS providers
- Standards and quality assurance teams responsible for conformance and interoperability
Related standards
ISO 19116 aligns with other ISO/TC 211 standards referenced and updated in the 2019 edition (for example ISO 19111, ISO 19115‑1, ISO 19157, and ISO 19119). Consult those standards for coordinate reference systems, metadata and service definitions.
Keywords: ISO 19116, positioning services, geographic information, GNSS, positioning interface, reliability model, ITS, LBS, surveying, navigation, conformance.
