GPS
Created | Updated Oct 27, 2003
GPS GLobal Positioning System
The GPS consists of a number of satellites orbiting the earth and dedicated receiving devices.
All satellites transmit at the same time an identification signal. These signals are send periodically, where the interval time is longer then the signal takes to travel beyond the farthest visible other satellite.
The receiver must be located at a place where it can receive more then 2 satellites (a). Using triangulation by the timing of receive the device calculates the relative position. While the orbital positions of identified satellites are known the device has a reference frame to point your position on the globe.
(a) Receiving 2 satellites can be enough if the internal clock has enough accuracy.
The GPS consists of a number of satellites orbiting the earth and dedicated receiving devices.
All satellites transmit at the same time an identification signal. These signals are send periodically, where the interval time is longer then the signal takes to travel beyond the farthest visible other satellite.
The receiver must be located at a place where it can receive more then 2 satellites (a). Using triangulation by the timing of receive the device calculates the relative position. While the orbital positions of identified satellites are known the device has a reference frame to point your position on the globe.
(a) Receiving 2 satellites can be enough if the internal clock has enough accuracy.
