Soon GPS will become almost as common as the telephone, or more likely included with every phone handset. GPS can calculate locations accurate to a matter of just a few meters. In fact, incredibly with advanced equipment it is possible to make measurements to less than a centimeter!
In a sense it’s like giving every square meter on the globe a unique address. GPS receivers have become extremely affordable as they have been miniaturized to just a few integrated circuits. These days GPS is becoming integrated into cars, boats, planes, construction equipment, movie making gear, farm machinery, laptop computers and especially cell phones.
Tracking cell phones is a popular topic getting a lot of interest. A lot of the discussion surrounding GPS tracking, cell phone GPS and mobile phone track software applications could be helped by a GPS Satellite primer and glossary.
GPS is an acronym for Global Positioning System. GPS satellites broadcast signals from medium earth orbit that GPS receivers use to provide three-dimensional location (latitude, longitude, and altitude) plus precise time. The GPS system is made up of 3 main segments: Space Segment, Control Segment and User Segment.
The GPS Space Segment incorporates twenty-four to thirty-two satellites that orbit the earth at a height of about 12,000 miles. These satellites are referred to as the GPS Constellation, and they are orbiting twice a day. They are not parked over one spot, they travel at over 7,000 mph. They are solar powered but have battery reserve for when they are in the earth’s shadow. They are placed so that at any given time there are at least 4 satellites ‘visible’ from any point on earth. Small rocket boosters on each satellite keep them flying in the correct path. The satellites last about ten years until all their fuel is exhausted.
GPS Satellites are not communications satellites. Geostationary or communications satellites are at a much higher orbit of about 22,300 miles above the equator. These satellites are used for weather forecasting, satellite TV, satellite radio and most other types of global communications. At exactly 22,000 miles above the equator, the earth’s force of gravity and centrifugal forces are offset and are in balance. This is the best location to position a stationary satellite. The earth rotates at about 1,000 miles an hour, and because of their high earth orbit the geo-synchronous satellites need to travel at about 7,000 mph to keep position. This is just about the same speed as GPS satellites, but since stationary satellites are 10,000 miles further away they stay in place relative to the earth.
The GPS Control Segment is comprised of Master Control Station, an Alternate Master Control Station, and a host of dedicated and shared Ground Antennas and Monitor Stations that work together to ensure the satellites are functioning to specification and the information they send to earth is accurate.
The GPS User Segment consists of of GPS receivers taking the shape of devices and , laptops, in-car navigation devices and hand-held tracking units along with the people that use them, and the software programs that make them work.
GPS receivers compute position by precisely timing the signals sent by GPS satellites. This data includes the time the message was transmitted, precise orbital information (the ephemeris), and the general system health and rough orbits of all GPS satellites (the almanac).
Keep in mind that there is a fundamental difference between mobile phone GPS Tracking and GPS Navigation. GPS cell phone tracking is normally related to a third-party maintaining records of either real-time or historical mobile phone position, while Navigation deals with the handset user figuring out how to get from point A to point B. Neither use works without some sort of third-party software application.
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Global Satellite System FAQ
Why does GPS receiver only work outside?
GPS satellites are orbiting to be sure that from any location on the globe there are a minimum four satellites in site at any given time. Although the satellites use radio signals, they needs a clear of site to the receiver. Once the GPS satellite slips below, or a building, or even heavy cloud cover, the radio signal may be lost.
What do the satellites do?
The GPS satellites are broadcasting the time. Both the satellite and the GPS receiver use atomic clocks for extreme accuracy. By comparing the difference between the time given by the satellite and the time in the GPS receiver, it can calculate the distance from the satellite.
How do GPS satellites know their location?
The satellites keep position archived internally in calculated tables. But satellites can deviate off course over time. To correct this, the satellite communicates with ground stations located around the world. Whenever it connects with the ground stations, the satellite adjusts its internal location tables.
Does a GPS receiver transmit information back to the satellite?
No, they don’t do that. GPS equipped cell phones will transmit data but it isn’t going back to the satellite.
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