GPS full form:-

                      GPS means Global Positioning System.

What is GPS?

  • Through the GPS (Global Positioning System) anywhere in the world, no one can ever obtain position information.

map
thetechfound

Basic structure of GPS:


The GPS has the following three segments:-


1) Space segment (GPS satellites):

                                                          Many GPS satellites are located around six orbit around the Earth at an altitude of about 20,000 kilometers (four GPS satellites in an orbit), and roam around the Earth at an interval of 12 hours.



2) Control segment (Ground control stations):

Ground Control Station Satellite's Orbit is to play the role of Monitor, Control and Maintenance, to ensure that the deviation of satellites from orbit and GPS timing are within Tolerance level.




3) User segment (GPS receivers):




How does GPS work ? 

Global Positioning System (GPS) is a group of 32 satellites that are in orbit at 26,600 km above the Earth. Satellites are owned by the US Department, but no one can use the signals of these satellites, provided they have a receiver.

To perform the receiver's work, he should be able to see four satellites. When you turn on your receiver, these satellites can take a minute or more time to detect the signal, then you can download the data from the satellite before the positioning is started.

Basically, it requires two things to work effectively:

1) GPS receiver measures the distance from a satellite itself, for that it measures the time of signals traveling at the speed of light.

2) When the position of the satellite is known, the GPS receiver should know that it is on a sphere which has radius measured with the satellite from its center.

The receiver needs only the intersection of such three circles, as shown in the image below.

This process is known as trilateration.


Imagine that you are standing somewhere on earth and you have three satellites in the sky. If you know how far away you are from Satellite A, you know that you should be somewhere on the Red Circle.




If you do this also for Satellite B and C, then you can locate the location where these three circles are intersecting.

This is what a GPS receiver uses, though it uses the overlapping circle instead of the circle.


History of GPS:


GPS has originated in the era of Soviet artificial satellites, when the scientists were able to track their radio signal with the track of the satellite, which is called "Doppler effect".

The United States used Satellite Navigation in the mid-1960s to track American submarines carrying navy missiles. With six satellites circling the poles, the submarines could see the satellite changes in Doppler and pinpoint the location of the submarine within a few minutes.

In the beginning of 1970, the Department of Defense (DoD) wanted to ensure a strong, stable satellite navigation system. Inspired by previous thoughts from Naval Scientists, DoD decided to use satellites to support their proposed navigation system.

DoD then launched its first navigation system with the Timing and Ranging (NAVSTAR) Satellite in 1978. 24 satellite systems were fully operational in 1993.

Today, GPS is a multi-use, space-based radio navigation system owned by the U.S. government and operated by the United States Air Force.

Currently there are two levels of GPS service: Standard Positioning Service (SPS) which use the coarse acquisition (C / A) code on L1 frequency, and Precise Positioning Service (PPS), which can be used for both the L1 and L2 frequencies, Use it.

Access to PPS is restricted to US Armed Forces, US Federal Agencies and Selected Armed Forces and Governments. Whereas SPS is available on a worldwide basis.




GPS usage:

GPS is used for many such tasks, for which it was not designed. some of them are -



1) Locating Positions:

                               It's the main and most common use of tracking a location from GPS. Suppose that you are traveling long with your friends and you get separated, then GPS can help you find each other's location.



2) Emergency Road Side Support:

                                                 If you face an accident or emergency and need urgent help, you can call the pre-programmed emergency number on your smartphone. Even without giving details of the location, the emergency squad will be able to locate your current location.



3) Preventing Car Theft:

                                   GPS tracker is an excellent anti-theft device. By applying GPS tracking device to your vehicle, you can find it when your car is stolen.



4) Mapping and Surveying:

                                       GPS can also be used in mapping and survey projects. Use of GPS in surveys protects the time and cost of the companies. It can be used in mapping projects of highways, power lines, crops, soil type, rivers etc.



5) Tracking:

                 GPS can also be used by police and investigators to pursue the criminals.



6) Locating Your Pets:

                                  There are so many reasons for your pets to wander away from their home. Dogs and cats are easily scared by loud sounds such as fireworks and loud sounds. They are easily distracted by food, sound or other things and are tempted. Just like this, your pet disappears or gets stolen.

You can track them by putting a GPS tracking device on them.



7) Keeping Watch On Elderly People:

                                                      GPS tracking device can help you take care of a special family member or elderly. They sometimes wander alone and then they have difficulty getting back home.

Some healthcare providers use them to care for their patients.

These GPS tracking devices have a button that, when pressed, the elderly are used to reach medical assistance immediately or to make an emergency call.



8) Mining:

               GPS tracking is also useful in mining systems. With the help of the device, track the minerals in different layers of the surface of the earth.



9) Securing Artworks:

                                 The cost of painting and other artifacts equals hundreds or millions, when they are sold or auctioned in galleries. No wonder they are called investment. Most of these owners are insured to avoid losses because such expensive pieces are often targets of thieves.

As an extra layer of security, they also install a small tracking device on these artifacts so that they can detect the thieves and get their "investment" back.



10) Hiking And Backpacking:

Topo Maps are usually used when planning trips. GPS devices are used to find camping sites, runs, rest points and other important locations. It is also used to detect other hikers.