The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a technical marvel made possible by a group of satellites in Earth’s orbit. It transmits precise signals, allowing GPS receivers to calculate and display accurate location, speed, and time information to the user. GPS is owned by the U.S.
By capturing the signals from satellites, GPS receivers are able to use the mathematical principle of trilateration to pinpoint your location. With the addition of computing power and data stored in memory such as road maps, points of interest, topographic information, and much more, GPS receivers are able to convert location, speed, and time information into a useful display format.
The Invention and Evolution of GPS
GPS was originally created by the United States Department of Defense (DOD) as a military application. The system has been active since the early 1980s but began to become useful to civilians in the late 1990s with the advent of consumer devices that support it. Consumer GPS has since become a multi-billion dollar industry with a wide array of products, services, and internet-based utilities. As with most technology, its development is ongoing; while it’s a true modern marvel, engineers recognize its limitations and work continuously to overcome them.
GPS Capabilities
GPS works accurately in all weather conditions, around the clock, and around the globe.
There is no subscription fee to use GPS signals.
GPS receivers are generally accurate within 15 meters, and newer models that use Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) signals are accurate within three meters.
GPS Limitations
GPS signals may be blocked by dense forest, canyon walls, skyscrapers, bridges, walls, and the like, making accurate GPS navigation difficult or impossible.
Likewise, GPS doesn’t work well in indoor and underground spaces.
Satellite maintenance, radio interference, and solar storms can cause coverage gaps.
An International Effort
The U.S.-owned and -operated GPS is the world’s most widely used space-based satellite navigation system, but the Russian GLONASS satellite constellation also provides global service. Some consumer GPS devices use both systems to improve accuracy and increase the likelihood of capturing sufficient position data.
Interesting Facts About GPS
The workings of GPS are a mystery to many of the people who use it every day. These factoids might surprise you:
Military GPS uses two frequencies, while civilian uses only one. This increases accuracy. Dual-frequency GPS devices are available to civilians, but their cost and size makes them impractical.
The U.S. government is engaged in an ongoing, multi-billion dollar improvement and modernisation program.
U.S. taxpayers fund the world’s GPS services, mostly through the Department of Defence. The 2017 budget was about $900 million.
An American joint civil/military body, the National Executive Committee for Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing, oversees the GPS. The U.S. Air Force maintains and operates it.
As of 2017, 24 GPS satellites circle the Earth.
GPS is essential to devices, conveniences, and services we take for granted every day, such as cell phones, watches, computers, weather forecasting, energy delivery, navigation, and emergency/disaster response.
Industries from banking, construction, aviation, and shipping to financial markets, farming, and so many more rely on the accuracy of GPS.
GPS is crucial to national security. All new military equipment is GPS-equipped.
GPS informs the world’s air, sea, and road transportation systems.
