Products: Tech Rep


We find out from navigation specialist Garmin how GPS works.


he Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system made up of a network of 24 satellites placed into orbit by the US Department of Defense.


GPS was originally intended for military applications, but in the 1980s, the US government made the system available for civilian use. GPS works in any weather condition, anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day. There are no subscription fees or setup charges to use GPS. The 24 satellites that make up the GPS space segment are orbiting the earth about 12,000 miles above us. They are


constantly moving, making two complete orbits in less than 24 hours. These satellites are travelling at speeds of roughly 7,000mph. GPS satellites are powered by solar energy. They have backup batteries onboard to keep them running in the event of a solar eclipse, when there's no solar power. Small rocket boosters on each satellite keep them flying on the correct path.


GPS satellites circle the earth twice a day in a very precise orbit and transmit signal information to earth. GPS receivers take this information and use triangulation to calculate the user's exact location. Essentially, the GPS receiver compares the time a signal was transmitted by a satellite with the time it was received. The time difference tells the GPS receiver how far away the satellite is. Now, with distance measurements from a few more satellites,


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What is GPS? T


the receiver can determine the user's position and display it on the unit's electronic map.


A GPS receiver must be locked on to the signal of at least three satellites to calculate a 2D position (latitude and longitude) and track movement. With four or more satellites in view, the receiver can determine the user's 3D position (latitude, longitude and altitude). Once the user's position has been determined, the GPS unit can calculate other information, such as speed, bearing, track, trip distance, distance to destination, sunrise and sunset time and more.


Today's GPS receivers are extremely accurate, thanks to their parallel multi- channel design. Garmin's 12 parallel channel receivers are quick to lock onto satellites when first turned on and they maintain strong locks, even in dense foliage or urban settings with tall buildings. Garmin GPS receivers are accurate to within 15m on average. Newer


Garmin GPS receivers with WAAS (Wide Area


Augmentation System) capability can improve accuracy to less than 3m on average. No additional


equipment or fees


are required to take advantage of WAAS. Users can also get better accuracy with Differential GPS (DGPS), which corrects GPS signals to within an average of 3- 5m. The US Coast Guard operates the most common DGPS


correction service. This system consists of a network of towers that receive GPS signals and transmit a


corrected signal by beacon transmitters.


In order to get the corrected signal, users must have a differential beacon receiver and beacon antenna in addition to their GPS.


There are a number of factors that can affect GPS signal: signal multipath, when the GPS signal is reflected off objects such as tall buildings or large rock surfaces before it reaches the receiver; receiver clock errors, when a receiver's built-in clock is not as accurate as the atomic clocks onboard the GPS satellites; the number of satellites visible, as the more satellites a GPS receiver can ‘see’ the better the accuracy. Buildings, terrain, electronic interference or sometimes even dense foliage can block signal reception, causing position errors or possibly no position reading at all. GPS units typically will not work indoors, underwater or underground.


GPS facts:


● The first GPS satellite was launched in 1978 ● A full constellation of 24 satellites was achieved in 1994


● Each satellite is built to last about 10 years. Replacements are constantly being built and launched into orbit


● A GPS satellite weighs approximately 2,000 pounds and is about 17ft across with the solar panels extended


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