What

What is
is GPS?
GPS?

GPS, which stands for Global Positioning

System, is the only system today able to
show you your exact position on the Earth
anytime, in any weather, anywhere.

The three parts of GPS are:

•Satellites
•Receivers
•Software
 Satellites
Satellites

There are quite a

number of satellites out
there in space. They
are used for a wide
range of purposes:
satellite TV, cellular
phones, military
purposes and etc.
Satellites can also be
used by GPS receivers.
 GPS
GPS Satellites
Satellites

The GPS Operational

Constellation
consists of 24
satellites that orbit
the Earth in very
precise orbits twice a
day. GPS satellites
emit continuous
navigation signals.
 Receivers
Receivers and
and Satellites
Satellites

GPS units are made

to communicate with
GPS satellites
(which have a much
better view of the
Earth) to find out
exactly where they
are on the global
scale of things.
Navigation
Navigation Tools
Tools of
of the
the Past
Past

Sextant Chronometer
 Satellite
Satellite Information
Information
• Weighs approximately
2,000 lbs
• Travels 7,000 mph
• 17 feet across with
solar panels extended
• Last 10 years
• Orbit 12,500 miles
above Earth
• Circle the Earth twice
daily
 Latitude
Latitude and
and Longitude
Longitude

Latitude and Longitude

are spherical coordinates
on the surface of the
earth. Latitude is
measured North or South
of the Equator. Longitude
is measured East or West
of Greenwich. GPS uses
Latitudes and Longitudes
to reference locations.
 How
How itit works
works

• Satellite circles the Earth and

transmits signal
• Signal contains time it was sent
and its location
• All Satellites send their signal at
the same time
 How
How itit works
works

Velocity x Time = Distance

Radio waves travel at the speed of light, roughly 186,000
miles per second (mps)

If it took 0.06 seconds to receive a signal

transmitted by a satellite floating directly
overhead, use this formula to find your distance
from the satellite.

186,000 mps x 0.06 seconds = 11,160 miles

 Trilateration
Trilateration
1 Satellite
With only one satellite signal,
the GPS receiver can
determine its distance from
that satellite.

However, this information alone is not sufficient

to determine the receiver's precise location in
three-dimensional space. The receiver can only
establish a position along the surface of an
imaginary sphere centered on the satellite.
 Trilateration
2 Satellites

Adding a second satellite

signal introduces a second
sphere of possible positions.

This intersection typically results in two possible

points along the circle, leading to ambiguity in
the exact location.
 Trilateration
3 Satellites

When signals from three

satellites are used, the
spheres intersect at two
points.

By considering the geometry of the Earth and

the altitude information from a fourth satellite,
the receiver can usually determine its precise
location in three-dimensional space.
 Light
Light Refraction
Refraction
Sometimes the GPS
signal from the
satellite doesn’t
follow a straight line.

Refraction is the
bending of light as it
travels through one
media to another.
 Signal
Signal Refraction
Refraction
Signals from satellites can be like light.
When they hit some interference (air
patterns in the atmosphere, uneven
geography, etc.) they sometimes bend a
little.
 Uses
Uses of
of GPS
GPS
• Locating - Determining a position.
• Tracking - Monitoring object or personal
movement.
• Navigation - Getting from one location to
another.
• Mapping – Creating maps of the world
• Timing - Making it possible to take
precise time measurements.
 Using
Using GPS
GPS
• Survey disaster areas, Map movement of
environmental disasters (oil spills, wild
fires, floods, etc.)
• Mapping fallout shelters, sidewalks,
streets, trees, etc.
• Measuring the growth or decline of
mountains
 How
How does
does GPS
GPS improve
improve these
these
activities?
activities?
• Makes the location more precise
• User friendly
• Mapping/Navigating is much more easier
• Universal System
 Reference

PPT - GPS BASICS PowerPoint Presentation, free download - ID:71061 (slideserve.com)

ChatGPT (openai.com)
What Is GPS? Fleet Management Experts Answer | Geotab