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The Global Positioning System. What is GPS? The global positioning system is a satellite-based navigation system, developed and operated by the U. S.
Department of Defence, consisting of a network of 24 orbiting satellites that are eleven thousand nautical miles in space, at an inclination of 55 degrees and in six different orbital paths. The satellites are constantly moving, making two complete orbits around the Earth in just less than 24 hours. The GPS satellites are referred to as NAVSTAR satellites. GPS uses these man-made stars as reference points to calculate positions accurate to a matter of metres. Advanced forms of GPS can make measurements to better than a centimetres. GPS now permits land, sea and airborne users to determine their three dimensional position anywhere in the world very precisely and accurately.
The user segment consists of receivers, processors and antennas. The vast majority of applications of precision possible with GPS is primarily of scientific and military use, but it is worth noting that these days, GPS is finding its way into cars, boats, planes, construction equipment and a lot more. Principles of Operation of GPS The GPS satellites orbit the Earth twice a day, 11, 000 miles above the Earth transmitting their precise position and elevation. In brief, the GPS receiver acquires the signal, then measures the interval between transmission and receipt of the signal to determine the distance between the receiver and the satellite. Once the receiver has calculated this data for at least three satellites, its location on the Earths surface can be determined. This is the basis of triangulation, which works as follows: -Determining the exact
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Research essay sample on Global Positioning System Gps Satellites
