Line of sight refers to the direct visual path between two points, while 90 degree shortest distance refers to the shortest distance between two points when measured at a 90 degree angle from the ground. In other words, line of sight takes into account any obstacles that may be in the way, while 90 degree shortest distance does not.
Line of sight is often used in communication systems, such as radio or satellite transmissions, to ensure there are no obstructions that could interfere with the signal. 90 degree shortest distance may be used in navigation or mapping applications to find the most efficient route between two points.
Line of sight can be calculated using trigonometry, taking into account the height and distance of the two points and any obstacles in between. 90 degree shortest distance can be calculated using the Pythagorean theorem, taking into account the horizontal and vertical distances between the two points.
Line of sight can be affected by atmospheric conditions, such as fog or smog, as well as physical obstructions like buildings or mountains. 90 degree shortest distance can be affected by changes in elevation and terrain, such as hills or valleys.
In some cases, they can be the same if there are no obstacles between the two points and the terrain is relatively flat. However, in most cases, they will be different as line of sight takes into account any obstacles while 90 degree shortest distance does not.