GPS overview

The GPS (Global Positioning System) as a system is of great importance in

topography work, since it is of high precision and uses a satellite signal that helps us in

locating points on the surface of the earth. This article gives us details of this important

tool in relation to its use, some of its history, structure and contributions to our

professional and daily lives.

This chapter shows us how to make measurements by working with a great receiver

tool such as GPS. By knowing this we can exhaust errors that occur such as signal,

frequency, type of receiver, modulation, etc.

Know that the modulation is not the same for each satellite, reducing signal errors.

GPS codes are established as PNR codes, each satellite has a unique code that each

GPS receiver identifies.

This is a measuring instrument, it was created in the early 1970s, modernization

programs are currently being adapted to project a better signal and add more

position/precision by creating a civil code (C / A code) on L2 frequency. In 1980, only a

commercial GPS receiver was available on the market at a high cost, today there is a

great change, since there are more than 500 GPS units with various prices with a

tendency to decrease, with more receiver technology.

This GPS receiver requires an internal or external antenna that receives the satellite

signal, energy that is handled by the GPS receiver. GPS receivers are divided according

to the number of tracking channels from 9 to 12 that their task is to capture or track

particular satellites.
 When choosing a GPS receiver takes into account: Ease of use, value, power

consumption, size, weight, data storage capacity, and interface. Dual frequency

receivers are the most technical.

The signal from a GPS is controlled by precise timing devices, atomic satellite clocks.

In surveying we use time in relation to the rotation of the earth. The measurement of

range between a GPS receiver and the satellite is called Pseudo distance (distance

between the two antennas, the GPS and the satellite) ranges necessary for position.

The receiver calculates the travel of the signal (multiplying the travel time by the

speed of light, 299, 729, 458 m / s, equal to the range between the satellite and

receiver. Loss of signal is caused by obstructions of the GPS satellite signal by buildings,

bridges, trees, radio interference etc.

We can conclude that this system created in the 70s, initially for military

applications that, through a network of satellites, allowed the tracking of a moving

object through the calculation of the time it takes for the signal to reach the GPS

receiver by its speed.

Currently, this precision is very useful in topography because it shows us our

position in the horizontal plane and indicates the elevation by means of a satellite

signal. It is useful and important for preparing topographic surveys.