How does the GPS
receiver work?
This article explains the basic operating principles behind the GPS
receiver and how these are integrated with some clever features
to make the units more useful and attractive to the consumer.
There was a time when the technology that drives the GPS
receiver
was military grade, and not available to the general public.
Certainly, the original investment made was by the military, and
for the military, but it was not long before the commercial
possibilities were realized.
In fact, the GPS
receiver works because there are a number of
satellites which orbit the Earth, all beaming signals towards
it. The initials GPS stand for Global Positioning System, and
part of the attraction is that the 12 satellites really do cover
the entire globe, between them. Unless you happen to be in a
very built up area, or in a cave, the signal will probably reach
you.
Given that the GPS
receiver is capable of receiving a signal from
a satellite, it is a simple matter to explain how they can work
out their position. They do it in the same way that a human can
work out where they are from a set of known points and their
position in relation to them. Triangulation is the key, and the
clever electronics inside the GPS unit can work out the position
of the unit to within several feet.
Once you know where you are, it is an easy matter to transpose
that onto a map, and the most modern GPS
receiver has some kind of
built-in map which the user can refer to in order to know where
they are, rather than just reading the co-ordinates from the GPS
screen.
For more information on related products
and services, please choose from the following menu of items.
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About The Author:
Guy Lecky-Thompson
is a successful author and publisher at
www.1st-at-camping-gear.com. Recommending
camping equipment, tents, backpacks, GPS, binoculars, sleeping
bags, hiking boots, camping stoves, containers, water purifiers,
compasses, topographical maps, pocket knives & hammocks
12-06-04
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