Global Positioning System(GPS)

An easy to use
technology for everyone

Stamat Ovidiu ET31

What is GPS ?
A very precise positioning system
• Developed and maintained by the
US Department of Defense (DOD)
• Satellite Based
* 24 satellites
* 20,200 km high orbit
Characteristics of GPS
• Free
• Precise
• Reliable
• All weather
• Anytime & anywhere
• Unlimited user capacity
Segments of GPS
1. Space Segment
A constellation of 24 satellites

2. Monitor Station
A network of earth-based facilities

3. Users & Equipment

GPS Monitoring Station
How GPS Works ………
Uses measurements from 4+ satellites
Distance = travel time x speed of light
Determining GPS Position
• Suppose the distance from
Satellite A to our position is
+
Satellite A 11,000 miles
• At this point we could be located
anywhere on the specified sphere
+
Satellite B
• Next, let us take another measurement
from a second satellite, Satellite B
• Now our position is narrowed down to the
intersection of theses two sphere
Determining GPS Position

• Taking another measurement

+
Satellite A from a 3rd satellite narrows our
position down even further, to
the two points
+
+
Satellite B
Satellite C • These points are located where
the 3rd sphere cuts through the
the intersection of first two spheres
• So by ranging from 3 satellites we can
narrow our position to just two points in space
How do we decide which one is our
true location?
• We could make a 4th measurement
from another satellite to determine
+
Satellite A the true point
OR
• We can eliminate one of the two
+ C
+
Satellite B
Satellite points that gives a ridiculous
answer
• The ridiculous point may be too
far from the earth
• However, GPS receivers use a 4th satellite to precisely
locate our position
Determining GPS Position
How accurate is GPS?
Depends on some variables

• Time spent on measurement

• Design of receiver
• Postprocessing
• Relative positions of satellites,
technically known as PDOP (Position
dilution of precision)
GPS Receivers
Methods of data collection
Three methods of positioning
• Autonomous
10-20 meters
• Differential
2-5 meters
• Phase Differential 10-20 m 2-5m
centimeter cm
 WAAS
• Wide Area Augmentation System.
• It provides FREE GPS differential correction data for
visible satellites
• Developed & operated by the FAA (Federal Aviation
Administration) for flight navigation but it’s available
free to GPS users
• WAAS-enabled receivers can provide sub-meter level
accuracy anywhere in most locations of the US and
southern Canada.
 WAAS
• Differential corrections are computed from
ground stations and then uploaded to
geostationary satellites for broadcasting
• WAAS-enabled GPS receiver automatically
uses such correction data to enhance the
positional accuracy
Sources of error
Multipath

PDOP

SNR
Multipath
• When GPS signals arrive at the receiver
having traveled different paths
SNR (signal-to-noise ratio)
• SNR determines the signal strength
relative to noise
• GPS position is degraded if the SNR of
one or more satellites in the
constellation falls below certain range

Signal Strength
Indicators
Common use of GPS
A. GIS data collection & mapping
B. Navigation
C. Recreation
GPS for Navigation
GPS for Navigation

•GPS in PDA
• Are getting popular
in car
• Comes with voice
guidance
GPS in recreation
GPS in Farmland
Future GPS
A. GPS in USA
B. GLONASS program from Russia
C. GALILEO from European countries
Bibliografie
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Positi
oning_System
• http://www8.garmin.com/aboutGPS/
• https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/heo/scan/
communications/policy/GPS_History.html
• http://www.mio.com/technology-what-is-
gps.htm