Precision positioning and pointing instrument

A positioning and pointing system that detects signals from real-time kinematic global navigation satellite systems, comprising:

• a base with a main gimbal set mounted thereon, the main gimbal set having at least two axes, positioned by a user at a first location;
• main encoders that respectively detect angular measurements of the main gimbal set;
• a pointer pointing device mounted on the main gimbal set;
• a first antenna, disposed at the main gimbal set, that receives first signals from the real-time kinematic global navigation satellite systems;
• a second antenna, positioned at a second location selected by a user and separated at a baseline distance from the first location with open space therebetween, that receives second signals from the real-time kinematic global navigation satellite systems;
• a reflector co-located with the second antenna;
• at least one receiver, communicatively connected to the first and second antennas, that determines the first and second locations of the first and second antennas in a geographical coordinate system aligned with true north;
• a reflector seeking apparatus, mounted on the base, that automatically obtains a direction to the second location of the second antenna by maintaining alignment with the reflector;
• and
• a processor, communicatively connected to the reflector seeking apparatus, the main encoders and the at least one receiver, that
• obtains coordinates of the first and second locations of the first and second antennas in the geographical coordinate system from the at least one receiver and the reflector seeking apparatus, respectively,
• determines a baseline vector from the coordinates of the first and second locations and a first set of angular measurements of the main gimbal set, and
• determines a pointing vector from a second set, different from the first set, of angular measurements of the main gimbal set.