Global Positioning System
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a universal radio-navigation
system consists of a configuration of 24 satellites and their ground
stations also known as constellation of 24 satellites and ground
stations. The nominal GPS Operational Constellation forms from 24
satellites that cover the orbit of the earth every 12 hours. Global
Positioning System is a Satellite Navigation System.
How does it work?
In space the system consists of the GPS satellites. These space
vehicles (SVs) send radio signals from space. Global Positioning System
provides specially coded satellite signals that can be decoded in a GPS
receiver, enabling the receiver to calculate and locate any given
object's accurate position formulating the correlation between velocity
and time of signal send.
The Man Made Satellites as reference points and ground stations are two main ingredients of Global Positioning System where,
1) Man Made Satellites in the space act as reference points to calculate positions accurate to a fraction of centimeter.
2) Ground stations keep the detailed records of signals send and signals received.
The miniaturization of GPS receivers with tiny integrated circuits has
made this technology economical and therefore it is affordable to even
a layman.
Take any field right from automobiles to mobiles virtually every part
of modern day life is occupied by GPS technology. The ships, planes,
and even a farm machines are using this technology.
Lost in Bermuda Triangle! Don't worry GPS technology can help you to
find your way back to the right track. GPS technology has been proved
useful to navigation and positioning needs. Using the combination of
satellites and ground stations it is possible to track virtually
anything such as cars, cell phones, aircrafts, boats, and even the lost
individuals.
I can give you a small example where the GPS technology is used.
Transport companies in many advanced countries have been using GPS
technology to enable commuters to locate their bus so that they can
plan their traveling program accordingly, this example may be very
small but GPS technology made commuters to manage their precious time
effectively.
The above example shows us that area of applications for GPS technology
is very wide and applicable to various industries. The miniature
integrated circuits made GPS technology affordable and accessible
virtually everyone.
Advantages of GPS Technology
Depending on area of application you can use GPS technology to get benefited from using GPS technology in your organization.
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Irrespective of weather conditions GPS technology enables you to locate your object precisely from anywhere.
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You can fully rely on GPS technology if you lost your way on sea or
land to find out where you are and how to find your right path.
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In field of Cartography GPS technology plays a vital role to design maps and charts accurately.
- GPS technology has been successfully used in many transportation
fields right from road transport to air transport including water
transport.
- GPS technology is becoming more affordable as it uses cost effective miniature integrated circuits.
- It enables you to locate the object precisely.
The above examples show us how one can be benefited by using GPS
technology. According to your needs you can select from several GPS
units available in market.
In nutshell, GPS technology is a navigational system that has deeply
impacted our day today life and in future GPS will become almost as
basic need as the cell phone.
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