GPS

GLOBAL POSITIONING
SYSTEM
Consists of 24-32 American and Russian
satellites
orbiting earth at approximately 12,600 miles
The International Civil Aviation Organization
(ICAO) have accepted GPS and GLONASS as the
core for an international satellite navigation
network known as the Global Navigation
Satellite System (GNSS).
GPS service provides users with an accuracy of
approximately 7.8m, anywhere on or near the
surface of the earth.

HOW DOES GPS WORK

At any point on the earth, 6 satellites can be seen
at once. Only 4 satellites are required however this
provides a more reliable network of satellites
GPS works by using a method called
TRIANGULATION
This involves using 3 satellites to calculate a
precise location of an object including its:
- Longitude
- Latitude
- Altitude
Another satellite is used to calculate the time,
which can also be used to calculate speed.

HOW DOES GPS WORK

GPS uses atomic clocks onboard satellites to calculate
the time taken for a signal to reach an aircraft
Antenna/reciever to accurately calculate distance.
TRIANGULATION
1. With one satellite it is possible to calculate a single
distance from that point. This radius gives us a large
area where we may be located on the surface of the
earth.
2. Once the distance from a second satellite is calculated
it is possible to narrow down a location to a smaller
area where these two satellite signals overlap.
3. With a third satellite, there can only be one possible
point on the earth where the distances from these
satellites are true.

HOW DOES GPS WORK

GPS signals are transmitted using the UHF band
(ultra high frequency)
When signals are transmitted, they are refracted by the
ionosphere. This acts as distortion to the signals and
greatly reduces the accuracy. This distortion is inversely
proportional to the frequency of the wave.
To solve this, UHF waves are transmitted on two
frequencies (1575.42 MHz and 1227.60 MHz)
The time difference in these two signals allows the error
to be calculated out and an accurate distance to be
calculated.
UHF signals can pass through the earths atmosphere and
only work for line of sight communication, this is why 24
satellites orbit the earth to ensure constant coverage.

GPS OTHER USES

Although GPS is primarily a position determining
system, it is possible to derive more data by taking
into account the change in position over time.
Actual track can be obtained by looking at several
position fixes.
Ground speed can be calculated by measuring the
distance between two fixes.
Drift angle can be obtained by comparing the
aircrafts heading, with the actual track of the
aircraft.
GPS is able to produce all the derived data
commonly associated with existing long-range
navigation systems such as INS.