Global Positioning System (GPS)

Author: James Clark

The Global Positioning System is made up of three parts: satellites orbiting the Earth; control and monitoring stations on Earth; and the GPS receivers owned by users. The satellites broadcast signals from space that are picked up and identified by GPS receivers. The receiver takes this information and uses triangulation to calculate the user's exact location. The GPS satellites circle the earth twice a day in a very precise orbit and transmit signal information to earth. 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. 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. How accurate is GPS? Today's GPS receivers are extremely accurate, thanks to their parallel multi-channel design. However, certain atmospheric factors and other sources of error can affect the accuracy of GPS receivers. There are no subscription fees or setup charges to use GPS. Most units come with installed maps. There is a fee to update the maps and the software in the GPS. Updating can be done when needed, depending how often the maps change. Some units have an SD card to keep information on. You can also use your computer to download the information to and then transfer the data to the card. If you are in need of real time traffic data, you need a compatible unit. There is a monthly subscription fee associated with this.

The Global Positioning System is made up of three parts: satellites orbiting the Earth; control and monitoring stations on Earth; and the GPS receivers owned by users. The satellites broadcast signals from space that are picked up and identified by GPS receivers. The receiver takes this information and uses triangulation to calculate the user's exact location.

The GPS satellites circle the earth twice a day in a very precise orbit and transmit signal information to earth. 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. 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.

How accurate is GPS? Today's GPS receivers are extremely accurate, thanks to their parallel multi-channel design. However, certain atmospheric factors and other sources of error can affect the accuracy of GPS receivers.

There are no subscription fees or setup charges to use GPS. Most units come with installed maps. There is a fee to update the maps and the software in the GPS. Updating can be done when needed, depending how often the maps change. Some units have an SD card to keep information on. You can also use your computer to download the information to and then transfer the data to the card.

If you are in need of real time traffic data, you need a compatible unit. There is a monthly subscription fee associated with this.

To see other information about the GPS, come to our affiliate shopping mall and check out other specials we may have.

About the Author:

We minister about God though our music at church and other Christian events. Our website, (http://www.freewebs.com/james-n-evelyn),is where you can listen to our music and see some videos.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Global Positioning System (GPS)