GPS Tracking Basics
Soon GPS will become almost as basic as the telephone, or more likely included with every smartphone. GPS can calculate positions accurate to a matter of just a few meters. In fact, amazingly with advanced forms of GPS it is possible to make measurements to better than a centimeter!
It’s just like assigning every square meter on earth its very own address. GPS receivers have become very affordable through miniaturization to just a few integrated circuits. These days GPS is incorporated into cars, boats, planes, construction equipment, movie making gear, farm machinery, laptop computers and especially smartphones.
Tracking mobile phones is a popular topic with a lot of interest. Much of the discussion dealing with cell tracking, cell phone GPS and cell phone tracker software applications would be more meaningful with a GPS Satellite introduction and glossary.
GPS is an acronym for Global Positioning System. GPS satellites broadcast signals from space that GPS receivers use to provide three-dimensional location (latitude, longitude, and altitude) plus precise time. The GPS network is composed of 3 main segments: Space Segment, Control Segment and User Segment.
The GPS Space Segment consists of twenty-four to thirty-two satellites that orbit the earth in medium earth orbit MEO. These satellites are referred to as the GPS Constellation, and they make an orbit twice a day. They are not parked over one spot, they travel at over 7,000 mph. They are solar powered but have battery reserve for when they are in the earth’s shadow. They are positioned so that there are at least 4 satellites ‘visible’ from any point on earth. Small rocket boosters on each satellite keep them properly positioned. The satellites last about ten years until all their fuel is exhausted.
GPS Satellites are not communications satellites. Geostationary or communications satellites are at a much higher orbit of about 22,300 miles above the equator. These satellites are used for weather forecasting, satellite TV, satellite radio and most other types of global communications. At exactly 22,000 miles above the equator, the earth's force of gravity and centrifugal forces are canceled and are in balance. This is the ideal location to place a stationary satellite. The earth rotates at about 1,000 miles an hour, and because of their high earth orbit the geo-synchronous satellites need to move at about 7,000 mph to keep position. This is approximately the same speed as GPS satellites, but since stationary satellites are 10,000 miles further away they don’t move relative to the earth.
The GPS Control Segment is comprised of Master Control Station, an Alternate Master Control Station, and numerous dedicated and shared Ground Antennas and Monitor Stations that work together to ensure the satellites are working correctly and the information they send to earth is accurate.
The GPS User Segment includes of GPS receivers taking the shape of devices and , laptops, in-car navigation devices and hand-held tracking units along with the people that use them, and the software applications that make them function.
GPS receivers calculate location by precisely timing the signals transmitted by GPS satellites. This data includes the time the message was transmitted, precise orbital information (the ephemeris), and the general system health and rough orbits of all GPS satellites (the almanac).
Consider that there is a basic difference between mobile phone GPS Tracking and GPS Navigation. GPS mobile phone tracking is normally related to a third-party maintaining records of either real-time or historical mobile phone location, while Navigation deals with the cell phone user determining how to get from point A to point B. Neither use works without some kind of third-party software program.
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Global Satellite System Glossary of basic terminology.
GPS is made up of 24 GPS satellites, portable GPS receivers, and various ground-based support facilities.
The GPS receiver is typically a standalone handheld device or electronic unit mounted on a automobile dashboard or other movable item such as a shipping container, and now particularly common to be found inside mobile phones . Abbreviated "GPS" in common use.
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