{"id":4529,"date":"2023-11-06T03:32:45","date_gmt":"2023-11-06T03:32:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/skynetwave.com\/?p=4529"},"modified":"2023-11-06T03:32:47","modified_gmt":"2023-11-06T03:32:47","slug":"difference-between-gnss-and-gps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/skynetwave.com\/difference-between-gnss-and-gps\/","title":{"rendered":"Difference Between GNSS and GPS: A Definitive Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
The following guide will investigate the difference between GNSS and <\/strong>GPS<\/strong><\/a>. <\/strong>At the start of 2023, at least 7,702 active satellites were orbiting the Earth.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n With SpaceX constantly growing the volume of its Starlink satellite constellation, we expect this figure to increase drastically over the next five years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, not all satellites orbiting the Earth are reserved for internet connectivity and television broadcasting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the most common use cases for satellites is global positioning and navigation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We use Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) for these applications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But what\u2019s the difference between the two, and is one better than the other? GPS is a radio satellite navigation system operated and owned by the US government. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We use it for navigation on air, sea and land. The US Department of Defense<\/a> (DoD) established the GPS project in 1973.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, despite launching its first model in 1978, GPS was not fully operational until 1993. Back then, the GPS satellite constellation consisted of 24 units. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Today, there are 38 satellites in the GPS medium Earth orbit (MEO)<\/a> constellation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Albeit, only 32 of these satellites are fully operational. While the satellite constellation is a major part of the GPS, it isn\u2019t the only part. The main parts of the GPS include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Satellites orbiting the Earth\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Satellites in a GPS orbit the Earth roughly every 11 hours, 58 minutes and 2 seconds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Each satellite transmits coded signals containing the satellite\u2019s precise orbit details and a stable timestamp from its atomic clock. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While GPS satellites may vary in age and design, their main functionality remains unchanged.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n The satellites transmit dual L-Band carrier waves<\/a>. We refer to these waves as L1 and L2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n GPS satellites transmit these waves to the surface of the Earth. We can then use receivers to capture these waves and translate their data.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Receivers usually have two main parts – an antenna and a processing unit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00a0The antenna captures satellite signals while the processing unit interprets the data from the signals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the main functions of these receivers is to help us determine your current position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00a0The receiver uses their position in relation to at least three satellites. We refer to this as trilateration<\/a>. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Once the receiver obtains the precise position, it translates it into Earth-based coordinates, mainly latitude, longitude and altitude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n GPS Geolocation<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Ultimately, both satellite systems have the same purpose, and they function nearly identically. GPS shares a connection to GNSS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n GPS is a North American tracking and navigation system, while the GNSS is a multinational collection of MEO satellite constellations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And GPS, along with the Russian Federation Global Navigation Satellite System<\/a> (GLONASS), is a part of GNSS.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Soon, other developing navigation satellite constellations will be part of GNSS, too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n These constellations include the European Satellite Navigation System<\/a> (GALILEO), India’s Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), China’s COMPASS\/Bei-Dou and Japan’s Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat is GPS?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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How Does GPS Work<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What is GNSS?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Ultimately, when people refer to GNSS, they refer to nearly all navigation\/positioning satellites. Whereas GPS only refers to a single aspect of the GNSS.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n