What is GPS?
The term GPS means Global Positioning System (GPS) that is a satellite-based navigation system composed of about 24 satellites that identify and locate precisely the exact position of a person or any object on the planet.
The GPS enabled satellites work in all weather conditions anywhere in the world, twenty-four hours a day, without any subscription fees or setup charges. The U.S. Department of Defense (USDOD) had initially launched a few satellites into earth orbit primarily for military use; they certainly were made designed for civilian use within the late 1980s. Currently you will find 31 GPS satellites orbiting the planet earth with 3 satellites ready for launch when needed.
How GPS had become
In 1973, the thought of a Global Positioning System (GPS), initially named NAVSTAR, was created because of the united states of america Department of Defense (USDOD). As mentioned above, this technology was primarily for military use and was later made available for civilian use within the late 1980s. GPS technology owes its progress and advancement to 3 individuals who are recognized by the scientific community to have been clearly associated with the invention for this revolutionary technology.
Roger L. Easton, the previous head of this Naval Research Laboratory's Space Application Branch, was mental performance behind various engineering applications and technologies that resulted in the introduction of the GPS. Another luminary when you look at the growth of the GPS was Ivan Getting, who had been the founding president for the Aerospace Corporation in america. Getting was credited for enhancing the satellite system make it possible for precision data when you look at the tracking and monitoring of moving objects in the world that consist of vehicles to missiles. Another luminary into the GPS field is Bradford Parkinson, commonly known as the 'The Father of GPS'; Bradford was the chief designer and implementer of the GPS in regard to its engineering evolution and development.
The Components of GPS
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is comprised of 3 sections, to begin that are the earth orbiting satellites; second, the command, control and monitoring centers that are responsible for the techno-management regarding the GPS technology additionally the orbiting paths regarding the GPS satellites; and third, GPS receivers operated by individuals and industries.
How GPS Works
There are a complete of 31 satellites revolving across the earth inside their pre-determined orbits. At any given time on earth, you will find at the least 4 GPS satellites that are dedicated to a given geographic area on the world. Each GPS enabled satellite photographs and records stationery in addition to moving objects after which transmits the data about the objects' current position, speed of movement, and time of video-graph at regular time intervals. These GPS enabled satellites transmit the information signals into the GPS receptors on various handsets in the speed of light: the digitized data are detected by the GPS hand-set receiver and translated to visual images; the handset receptors calculates the orbiting satellite distance which is premised on the time interval associated with the received digital data, this is certainly between data transmission and data reception. Once the handset receptors acquires all the information from the orbiting satellites focused on that particular geographical area, the GPS receiver can pinpoint the exact located area of the earth based object/s which might be stationary or mobile using a procedure called Trilateration. The greater the satellites which can be dedicated to the given area, the greater accurately the locations, images and speeds can be determined.
What is GPS Tracking
GPS tracking may be the remote enabled surveillance/supervision of precise locations with the use of GPS technology so that you can track and monitor the area and travel routes of one or more objects. GPS tracking is invaluable for police, firefighters, military and businesses that require constant supervision of moving objects such as for instance vehicles, missiles and folks. The GPS tracking systems normally make use of the Automatic Vehicle Locator (AVL) systems which employ a network of vehicles, all of that are installed with a portable radio receiver, a GPS receiver and a GPS antenna. Further, GPS technology employs interactive maps in place of static maps to determine the current situations for the roads and highways. GPS enabled smart phones and other portable devices are generally used to call home track and monitor targeted objects.
Commercialization of GPS
On May 25, 1989, the first commercial GPS trackers were launched in to the consumer markets aided by the name brand and model no: Magellan GPS NAV 1000s. The hand held water proof device measured 8.75 x 3.5 x 2.25 inches in dimensions, weighed 680 grams and appeared as if a big calculator with a rotating antenna arm attached. The device featured a multiline LCD display but had a comparatively low operational time of just a couple hours. In the same way was the situation if the simple hand held calculators came with a top price tag during the time of their launch, the GPS handset retailed at USD $3,000 (approximately Rupees 54,000 at the time). In 1990,the celebrated car manufacturer, Mazda, launched its Eunos Cosmo model with a built-in gps device system, the first car in the future with the GPS tracking facility. Later in 1999, Benefon, a mobile phone manufacturer, launched the first commercially-available built-in GPS technology mobile phone. In the same year, Casio launched the very first ever GPS wrist watch called the Casio GPS. From the time, GPS technology rapidly became a household word with every smart phone and smart wristwatch boasting of GPS enabled technology.