alidadebased
An alidade-based system refers to a method of measurement and alignment traditionally used in surveying, cartography, and navigation, where an alidade—a straightedge instrument with sighting devices—plays a central role. The term originates from the Arabic word *al-yadīdah*, meaning "the little hand," reflecting its early use as a pointing tool. Historically, alidades were employed in conjunction with surveying instruments like the theodolite or transit to establish precise lines of sight between points.
In surveying, an alidade is often mounted on a leveling instrument or attached to a theodolite to
Modern applications of alidade-based techniques persist in specialized fields such as photogrammetry and geodesy, where alignment
The design of an alidade typically includes a sliding or adjustable sighting mechanism, allowing for flexibility