What is the full form of GPS?
The full form of GPS is the Global Positioning System and it is a satellite navigation system used to identify the ground position of an object. The US military first used GPS technology in the 1960s and broadened into civilian applications over the next few decades. Today, many commercial products involve GPS receivers, such as smartphones, automobiles, GIS devices, and fitness watches. GPS are widely used for tracking and guiding vehicles, providing the best route from one place to another for shipping companies, airlines, drivers and courier services.
Various Parts of GPS
Parts can be broken up into three separate segments, such as
- A segment of space – It is referred to as satellites. In six orbital planes, roughly 24 satellites are distributed.
- A segment of control- It is referred to stations installed on Earth to manage and track the satellites.
- User Segment – It is referred to users who process the navigation signals received from the GPS satellites to measure position and time.
Working Principle of GPS
- The GPS network comprises 24 satellites that are deployed approximately 19,300 kilometres above the Earth’s surface. They circle the Earth at an incredibly fast speed of around 11,200 km / h (once every 12 hours). The satellites are evenly spaced so that four satellites can be seen with a clear line of sight from anywhere in the globe.
- Each satellite is fitted with a computer, radio and an atomic clock. With knowledge of its orbit and the clock, it constantly transmits its shifting place and time.
- GPS makes use of the triangulation method to identify the user’s location. Triangulation is a mechanism in which a GPS first establishes a working and receiving information link with 3 to 4 satellites. The satellite then transmits one piece of message information, including the receiver ‘s location.
- If the receiver already has a computer screen showing a map, then the position can be shown on the monitor.
- If a fourth satellite can be accessed, the receiver may measure both the altitude and the geographical position.
- Your receiver will also calculate your travel speed and direction if you are travelling and give you approximate arrival times to specific locations.
Applications of GPS
The GPS is used in technology to provide data that has never been available before, with the amount and degree of precision that the GPS makes possible. Researchers use the GPS to measure the change in the arctic ice shift, Earth’s tectonic plates and volcanic activity.
- GPS gives the exact location.
- To track a person or object movement.
It helps the creation of World maps.
- It affords the universe a precise timing.
- During travel from one location to the other.
