{"id":4467,"date":"2023-10-26T06:31:34","date_gmt":"2023-10-26T06:31:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/skynetwave.com\/?p=4467"},"modified":"2023-10-26T06:31:35","modified_gmt":"2023-10-26T06:31:35","slug":"how-a-gps-works","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/skynetwave.com\/how-a-gps-works\/","title":{"rendered":"How A GPS Works: A Breakdown + Possible Causes Of Accuracy Errors."},"content":{"rendered":"\n
For a technology that has improved so many lives, you must be curious about how a GPS works. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can look at GPS as the whole tracking system or individual devices. They work together to provide crucial location data for many apps and devices. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
GPS works by transmitting satellite data to a GPS receiver, constantly receiving signals.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The receiver calculates the distance between itself and at least four satellites to provide a super accurate position through <\/strong>trilateration<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Due to the high speed at which satellites travel, atomic clocks are adjusted to minimize error margins and maintain positional accuracy even when desynchronized.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019ll explore what GPS is, how it works step-by-step, and how GPS works to contribute to daily practical uses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To many users, GPS is that technology in their smartphone that helps them find locations and get precise traveling routes<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n They\u2019re right. But GPS<\/a> is an intricate system of satellites, ground architecture, and receiver devices.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n The U.S. Armed Forces developed GPS specifically for weapon target accuracy. Although it successfully reduced collateral, the developers saw extra utility in it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n They released a civilian version for positioning, navigation, and timing(PNT). Therefore, GPS became the gold standard for such systems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Three levels determine how GPS works step by step. The three levels run 24 hours daily to provide accurate data at any time.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n The GPS space segment hosts a constellation of 32 satellites 12,500 miles or 20,000 km above Earth. These GPS satellites incline specifically at a 55-degree angle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n They lie on six orbital planes, completing one trip around the globe every 11 hours and 58 minutes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n These six orbital planes are vital for positional accuracy since exact coordinates need at least four satellites to be visible. Each of these satellites is equipped with different signal frequencies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n GPS satellites emit L1 and L5<\/a> for free public use. However, due to the satellite\u2019s Earth-to-Space distance and obstructions, it is common to get weak signal patterns.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n The control or ground segment is the midpoint between space and your device. The ground level hosts three stations: data uploading, master control, and monitor stations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The data uploading station only sends signals to the satellites. However, it also receives data from the master control station. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The master control communicates with the upload center and monitor station. They also only receive signals from the satellites. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, they don\u2019t directly send signals to the satellites. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, monitor stations receive satellite data and relay the information to the master control. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The ground\/control level hosts atomic clocks<\/a> for calculating speeds and time. These calculations maintain the accuracy of relayed data.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ground stations and their backups, ground antennas, and monitoring centers exist in many locations worldwide to ensure global positioning is correct everywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Driver using GPS-enabled smartphone to find a route<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Think of any device that can transmit location data. Smartphones, wearable tech, vehicle systems, and independent location devices<\/a> are all part of the GPS user segment.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n These devices receive signals and relay data to satellites and a section of the ground level. <\/p>\n\n\n\n They form the most vital part of the GPS since they give exact locations of where they are.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n GPS receivers can work out distances, time, speed, and positions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Given all three levels of GPS, how does it work?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Imagine you are on a flat plane. Your GPS receiver beams a signal to the GPS satellite. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The satellite will receive the time the signal went out and calculate the location according to the distance between itself and the receiver.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Three satellites and a precise GPS receiver location<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n However, that location could be miles off since satellites move exceptionally fast, and the circumference of the complete revolution is too large. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you add another satellite, you narrow the GPS receiver\u2019s location down to two locations. The receiver can only be on the two points where the satellites meet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Therefore, it takes three satellites to transmit speed, location, and distance data to accurately approximate the GPS receiver’s location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Again, while three satellites give a better position, the location could be far from where the receiver is. On a 2D plane, trilateration gives us the GPS receiver\u2019s location as the intersection point of the three satellites. The receiver tracks and identifies the four satellites and calculates speed, distance, and current satellite position. <\/p>\n\n\n\n These four satellites on different planes provide locations in four different values. Using all four satellites, the GPS receiver can place your latitude, longitude, altitude, and time. <\/p>\n\n\n\nGPS Explained<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Space Level<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Control Level<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The User Level<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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How GPS Works<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Remember, civilian GPS needs to be accurate to the nearest detail. Therefore, at least four satellites must be visible to the GPS receiver.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n