TechnologiesGPS

GPS how does it work? Principles of GPS-navigator operation

Today we will talk about what GPS is like, how this system works. We will pay attention to the development of this technology, its functional features. Also we will discuss what role interactive maps play in the system.

History of the appearance of GPS

The history of the emergence of a global positioning system, or the determination of coordinates, began in the US back in the 50s when the first Soviet satellite was launched into space. A brigade of American scientists following the launch noticed that when the satellite is remote, the satellite gradually changes its signal frequency. After a deep analysis of the data, they came to the conclusion that with the help of a satellite, in more detail, its location and published signal, it is possible to accurately determine the location and speed of human movement on earth, as well as vice versa, the speed and location of the satellite in orbit in determining the exact Coordinates of a person. By the end of the seventies, the US Department of Defense launched the GPS system for its own purposes, and a few years later it became available for civilian use. GPS system how it works now? Exactly as it was at that time, on the same principles and fundamentals.

Network of satellites

More than twenty-four satellites in a near-earth orbit transmit radio-binding signals. The number of satellites varies, but in the orbit there is always the right number to ensure trouble-free operation, plus some of them are in stock so that in the event of a breakdown the first ones take on their functions. Since the life of each of them is about 10 years, new, upgraded versions are being launched. The rotation of satellites takes six orbits around the Earth at an altitude of less than 20 thousand km, it forms an interconnected network, which is controlled by GPS stations. The latter are found on the tropical islands and are linked to the main coordination center in the United States.

How does the GPS navigator work?

Through this network, you can find out the location by calculating the delay of the passage of the signal from the satellites, and using this information to determine the coordinates. GPS system how it works now? Like any network of navigation in space - it is completely free. It works with high efficiency in all weather conditions and at any time of the day. The only purchase that you must have is a GPS-navigator or a device that supports GPS functions. Actually, the principle of the navigator is based on a long-used simple navigation scheme: if you know exactly where the marker object is located, which is the most suitable for the role of a landmark, and the distance from it to you, draw a circle on which the point indicates your location. If the radius of the circle is large, then replace it with a straight line. Draw a few such bands from your possible location in the direction of the markers, the intersection point of the lines will indicate your coordinates on the map. The above satellites in this case just play the role of these marker objects with a distance from your location of about 18 thousand km. Although their rotation in orbit and occurs at a huge speed, the location is constantly monitored. In each navigator, a GPS receiver is installed, which is programmed to the desired frequency and is in direct interaction with the satellite. Each radio signal contains a certain amount of coded information, which includes a statement on the technical state of the satellite, its location in the Earth's orbit and the time zone (exact time). By the way, the information about the exact time and is the most necessary for obtaining data about your coordinates: the calculation of the time interval between the recoil and the reception of the radio signal is multiplied by the speed of the radio wave itself and by short-term calculations, the distance between your navigation device and the satellite in orbit is calculated.


Synchronization difficulties

Proceeding from this principle of navigation, it can be assumed that only two satellites can be needed to accurately determine your coordinates, on the basis of which signals it will be easy to find the point of intersection, and in the end - the place where you are. But, unfortunately, technical reasons require the use of another satellite as a marker. The main problem is the clock of the GPS receiver, which does not allow for sufficient synchronization with satellites. The reason for this is the difference in the time display (on your navigator and in space). On satellites there are expensive high-quality watches on an atomic basis, which allows them to count the time with the utmost accuracy, whereas on conventional receivers such chronometers can not be used simply because the size, cost, complexity in operation would not allow them to be used everywhere. Even a small error of 0.001 seconds can shift coordinates by more than 200 km to the side!


Third marker

So the developers decided to leave the usual technology of quartz watches in GPS-navigators and go the other way, to be precise - to use instead of two satellite orientations - three, respectively, as many lines for the subsequent crossing. The solution of the problem is based on a genius simple output: when crossing all the lines from the three designated markers, even with possible inaccuracies, a triangle-shaped zone is created, the center of which is taken by its middle-your location. It also allows to detect the difference in time between the receiver and all three satellites (for which the difference will be the same), which allows you to correct the intersection of lines exactly in the center, in other words - it determines your GPS coordinates.


Single frequency

It should also be noted that all satellites send information to your device on one frequency, and this is quite unusual. How does the GPS-navigator work and how does it perceive all the information correctly, if all satellites continuously and simultaneously send information to it? It's pretty simple. Transmitters on the satellite to determine themselves send in the radio signal also the standard information in which the encrypted code is located. It reports the maximum characteristics of the satellite and is stored in the database of your device, which then allows you to compare the data from the satellite with the navigator database. Even with a large number of satellites in the reach zone, they can be identified very quickly and easily. All this simplifies the whole scheme and allows using smaller and weaker reception antennas in GPS-navigators, which reduces the cost and reduces the design and dimensions of the devices.

GPS Maps

GPS maps are downloaded to your device separately, since you yourself influence the choice of the terrain on which you want to move. The system only establishes your coordinates on the planet, and already the function of the maps is to recreate the graphical version on the screen, to which coordinates are applied, which allows you to navigate the terrain. GPS how does it work in this case? Free of charge, it continues to remain in this status, cards in some online stores (and not only) are still paid. Often for a device with a GPS-navigator, separate applications for working with cards are created: both paid and free. The variety of cards pleasantly surprises and allows you to adjust the road from point A to point B as much as possible informatively and with all conveniences: what sights you will pass, the shortest way to the destination, the voice assistant, indicating direction and others.


Additional GPS equipment

The GPS system is used not only to guide you to the desired path. It allows you to track an object on which there may be a so-called beacon, or GPS-tracker. It consists of the receiver of signals and the transmitter on the basis of gsm, 3gp or other communication protocols for the transfer of information about the location of the object to the service centers that carry out the control. They are used in many industries: security, medical, insurance, transport and many others. There are also car trackers that connect exclusively to the car.


Traveling without problems

With each passing day, the values of the map and the permanent compass go farther into the past. Modern technologies allow a person to pave the way for their journey with minimal losses of time, effort and resources, while seeing the most exciting and interesting places. What was fantastic about a century ago today has become a reality, and practically everyone can take advantage of this: from military men, sailors and pilots to tourists and couriers. Today, the use of these systems for commercial, entertainment, and advertising industries is gaining in popularity, where every entrepreneur can identify himself on the global map of the world, and it will not be difficult to find him. We hope that this article has helped everyone who is interested in GPS, how it works, how the coordinates are determined, what are its strengths and weaknesses.

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