How GPS Systems Work

The acronym GPS denotes the full meaning of the Global Positioning System which happens to be a technical spectacle that is essentially made possible with the use of a number of satellites found in the earths orbit which transmit signals that are precise hence enabling receivers for this GPS to evaluate and display information on locations that are accurate, the time and the speed to a user. This GPS system contains 24 satellites that operate and some several spares. A few of these spare satellites may also be in use or may be activated also in the instance that an operating satellite has become dysfunctional. When looking at the specifics of this many satellites in the orbit, a person who is observing may be able to view four satellites from any particular location and at any particular time on this earth. So, a lot of people have been wondering how before the advent of this system, people found their way around the globe. They did actually find their way but it was not easy.

A GPS system receives signals from the many satellites that are about 31 in number, and the receivers can be able to locate a certain position using a mathematical principle of trilateration. This method is a three-dimensional space that is used more or less depending on the speed and accuracy of positioning that the user may be desire. Most people have got the GPS receiver fitted into their vehicle but do not actually know how it works. They are only concerned with how it will help them get to a particular destination. These systems work by determining the location of the receiver with three coordinates like height, longitude and latitude, in which a person can write the three equations readily that relate to the three distance observation to the satellites’ coordinates that are known and those unknown coordinates of the receiver. The three equations can be able to be solved for these three unknowns. This described solution is commonly called the navigation solution. Virtually all receivers implement these calculation types that include inexpensive devices which are handheld.

The GPS system was initially created by the U.S. for the United States Department of Defense, the DOD, as an application to be used by the military. It had been widely used and was active in the military in the early 80s, but was initiated to be used by civilians in the late 90s. Since then, systems that are consumer based have become a multi-billion dollar industry that has an assortment of varied products available to civilians, internet-based utilities and services. This system works well in any type of weather condition, night or day anywhere around the world and at any given time. For the receiving of GPS signals, there is no subscription fee. These signals can be blocked by canyon walls, dense forests and even skyscrapers and have a weak ability to penetrate indoor spaces, which then translates to the GPS navigation not being accurate in certain areas.