Final answer:
The Dead Reckoning Tracker (DRT) is a navigation device that estimates the position of a moving entity by advancing a previously known position based on the entity's speed and course over a certain period.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Dead Reckoning Tracker (DRT) is an electronic device used in navigation to estimate the position of a vehicle, person, or other asset. It calculates this position by using a previously determined location, and then advancing that position based upon known or estimated speeds over elapsed time and course. The DRT is especially useful in situations where other methods of navigation such as GPS (Global Positioning System) are unavailable or unreliable. It's often used in conjunction with other navigation systems to improve overall location accuracy.
The term "dead reckoning" originates from navigational techniques used by sailors and aviators before the advent of modern technology. Though the technology has advanced, the basic principle of dead reckoning remains the same—to continue tracking one's position by predicting movement over time.
In general, a DRT system includes sensors that detect movement such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, and sometimes magnetic sensors for direction. The data from these sensors are processed to estimate the change in position. Since dead reckoning can accumulate errors over time, it is often used with corrective measures or other technologies to ensure greater accuracy.