Details about Global Positioning System (GPS)

Posted by falaknoori on September 2nd, 2015

GPS (Global Positioning System) is navigation system that is made up of 24 satellites network placed in orbit. This system was basically intended for the military applications; however, after 1980 this system is also available for the civilian usage. This system work 24 hours in all weather condition across the globe. The setup charge or the subscription fees is also zero to use the GPS.

Way it works:

A GPS satellite moves around the earth and completes the entire circle twice in every 24 hours in precise orbit and at the same time it also transmits information through the signal to earth. The receivers collect this information and later use triangulation for calculating the exact location of the user. The receiver compares the time of the transmission time of the signal and the time of it’s received. Through the difference in the time, the receiver tells the location of the satellite. Later, with the measured distance by using few other satellites receivers can tell the user’s position and that gets displayed on the electronic map of the unit.

Accuracy of GPS

The accuracy of the receiver is extremely correct that is possible only due to the parallel design of multi-channel. The 12 parallel channel GPS receivers are rapid to lock on satellite the moment it gets turned on and maintains very strong locks even if it has urban settings or dense foliage with the tall buildings. Sometimes few atmospheric factors or other sources for error affect the GPS receiver accuracy.

GPS System

24 satellites makes GSP space segment that moves around the Earth at the distance of around 12,000 miles from us. They constantly move with the speed of around 7,000 miles per hour and takes less than 24 hours to complete twoorbits. It gets powered by the solar energy. It also has its backup batteries to work without any disturbance at the time of solar eclipse. Tiny size rocket boosters help them to move in a correct direction.

Few interesting facts about the GPS satellites:

-          First satellite was launched in the year 1978

-          24 satellites constellation was done in 1994.

-          Each satellite has a life of 10 years.

-          GPS satellites have the weight of around 2,000 pounds and 17 feet long.

-          It is capable of transmitting power in less than 50 watts. 

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falaknoori
Joined: June 18th, 2015
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