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How
GPS Works:
So you can more easily understand some of the scientific principles that make GPS work, let's discuss the basic features of the system. The principle behind GPS is the measurement of distance (or "range") between the receiver and the satellites. The satellites also tell us exactly where they are in their orbits above the Earth. It works something like this: If we know our exact distance from a satellite in space, we know we are somewhere on the surface of an imaginary sphere with radius equal to the distance to the satellite radius. If we know our exact distance from two satellites, we know that we are located somewhere on the line where the two spheres intersect. And, if we take a third measurement, there are only two possible points where we could be located. One of these is usually impossible, and the GPS receivers have mathematical methods of eliminating the impossible location.
An Amazing System:
We know that the GPS system consists of satellites whose paths are monitored by ground stations. Each satellite generates radio signals that allow a receiver to estimate the satellite location and distance between the satellite and the receiver. The receiver uses the measurements to calculate where on or above the Earth the user is located.
Now that we have an idea about how the GPS functions, let's see how we can put it to work for us. As you might imagine, GPS has many uses in both military and civilian life.
Explanation of GPS
* GPS Global Waypoint
Registry a trademark of Waypoint Technologies
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