Essay on the Global Positioning System (GPS)

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based positioning technique that owns by the United States administration and by the Air Force of the United States. The fundamental technique of GPS is to amount the ranges between the receiver and at the same time ascertain observed satellites. The positions of the satellites exist forecasted and broadcasted alongside the GPS signal to the user. Through the many identified positions (of the satellites) and the measured distances between the receiver and the satellites, the position of the receiver can determine. The difference in position, which can exist also determined concerning time, is then the velocity of the receiver.

Here is the article to explain, How to define the Global Positioning System (GPS)?

The first global positioning system receivers were very simple and basic. They used monochrome screens and only relayed basic information like latitude and longitude. Over the years, the next generation brought more user-friendly map-based location devices with color screens. Furthermore, the receiver and other component prices also decreased over time, making the use of GPS more mainstream in devices such as smartphones. GPS also operates independently which made it accessible by anyone and gave it the ability to work freely with other GPS receivers.

Today, it provides civil, military, and commercial users around the world with crucial information like speed, elevation, and geolocation. The system has revolutionized today’s technology by becoming more interactive, effective, and useful in multiple industries. Our project on this system will explore the basic principles of the GPS, the various hardware that makes it work, and explore, in-depth, the operation of the system. Including theoretical calculations for positioning, speed, bearing, and distance to destination.

Meaning of global positioning system (GPS);

They may exist a satellite-based positioning system that owns by our government and by the Air Force people; the basic technique of GPS is to quantity ranges between the receiver and at identical time ascertain determined satellites. Positions of the satellites area unit forecasted and broadcasted aboard GPS signals to the user. Through numerous known positions (of the satellites) and thus before measured distances between receiver and satellites, the position of the receiver area unit exists usually determined. The distinction in position, which can stand additionally determined by time, is then the speed of the receiver.

10 Pros or Benefits or Advantages of Global Positioning System (GPS);

The following are the advantages of GPS:

1. The GPS signal is available worldwide. Therefore, users will not deprived of it anywhere. This is the only navigating system in water as in larger water bodies we tend to area unit usually misled due to lack of correct directions.
2. GPS can used anywhere in the world, it power by world satellites; so it can accessed anywhere, a solid tracking system and a GPS receiver are all you need.
3. It is extraordinarily straightforward to navigate as a result it tells you the direction for everyone’s turns you’re taking otherwise you would like to fancy reach your destination.
4. They works altogether weather thus you’d prefer to not worry concerning climate as in alternative navigating devices.
5. The GPS gets calibrated on its own and hence it is easy to used by anyone. They usually used anyplace around the globe, it’s high-powered by world satellites; thus it’s usually accessed anyplace, with a solid following system and a GPS receiver area unit all you’d like.
6. GPS prices you low as compared to alternative navigation systems. The most attraction of this system is its100% coverage on earth.
7. It additionally helps you to see close restaurants, hotels, and gas stations and is extraordinarily helpful for a replacement place.
8. Due to its low price, it’s straightforward to integrate into alternative technologies just like the phone.
9. The system update frequently by our government and therefore is extraordinarily advanced.
10. It provides users with information based on location in real-time. This is helpful in different applications such as mapping (used in cars), location (geocaching), analysis of performance (used in sports), etc. Example: Application for Google Earth.

10 Cons or Drawbacks or Disadvantages of Global Positioning System (GPS);

The Following are the disadvantages of GPS:

1. The GPS chip is hungry for power and drains the battery in 8 to 12 hours. This requires replacement or recharge of the battery quite frequently.
2. GPS does not penetrate solid walls or structures. It also affected by large constructions or structures. This means that users can not use GPS indoors or underwater or in dense tree regions or underground stores or places, etc.
3. Sometimes GPS could fail due to sure reasons and in that case; you’d prefer to hold a backup map and directions.
4. If you’re victimization GPS on A battery-operated device, there may even be A battery failure Associate in Nursingd you’ll like an external power offer that isn’t invariably doable.
5. Sometimes GPS signals aren’t correct due to some obstacles to signals like buildings, trees, and typically by extreme atmospherical conditions like geomagnetic storms.
6. The accuracy of GPS depends on sufficient signal quality received. The GPS signal affected by the atmosphere (i.e. multipath) Electromagnetic interference, ionosphere, etc. This results in an error in the GPS signal of about 5 to 10 meters. However, different receivers have different levels of accuracy.
7. It relies entirely on receiving radio satellite signals, enabling EMP, nuclear weapons, radio interference, and failed satellites to affect its operation.
8. GPS chip is hungry for power that drains the battery in eight to twelve hours; this wants replacement or recharge of battery quite oftentimes.
9. GPS doesn’t penetrate solid walls or structures. it’s additionally full of massive constructions or structures.
10. Another problem is that the position can occasionally be significantly in error, especially when the number of satellites is limited. Satellites use atomic clocks and are very precise, but sometimes there are discrepancies and therefore time measurement errors.

Applications of Global Positioning System (GPS);

As mentioned before, over the years, GPS technology has become more user-friendly, intuitive, and cheaper to operate. The receiver and other component prices have decreased over time, making the use of GPS more mainstream in devices such as smartphones. Furthermore, the independent operation of GPS accessible by anyone gave it the ability to work freely with other GPS receivers. Today, it provides civil, military, and commercial users around the world with crucial information like speed, elevation, and geolocation.

The accuracy for GPS receivers used in civilian handheld receivers is usually around ± 5 meters. However, more highly advanced GPS receivers that are also costlier provide positions accurate to ±1cm; These receivers have revolutionized lots of industries, where highly accurate positioning stands used for so many different tasks

Aviation;

The role of GPS in aviation is one of the most important ones. It not only helps with real-time navigation but also provides the aircraft with a host of other information including speed and elevation. Furthermore, GPS enables the airline operations center to select the safest, fastest, and most fuel-efficient routes to the destination and also enables them to track if the flight is on course to the pre-determined route.

Marine;

Captains use high-accuracy GPS to navigate their vessels through the vast oceans, unfamiliar harbors, and canals. This also prevents them from running aground or hitting obstacles. Similarly, like in all the other industries, GPS also assists in the planning of the route helping captains and navigation controllers to map the safest, fastest, and most cost-efficient route.

Farming;

GPS receivers in farming help the farmers to map their fields and plantations. It ensures that the seeds aren’t replanted in the same areas and helps them return to the same position on the field to plant in the future. It also helps farmers keep farming under conditions of low visibility such as fog and darkness; as each piece of machinery stands guided by its GPS position rather than visual references. Additionally, mapping soil sample locations which allows farmers to keep track of the most fertile areas exists done by using high accuracy GPS.

Science;

Scientists use GPS technology to conduct a large variety of experiments and analyses, ranging from biology to physics to earth sciences. GPS collars or “tags” can now exist fitted on animals that repeatedly record the animal’s whereabouts and communicates the data via the satellite system back to the researchers. This provides them with additional elaborated data concerning the animal’s movements while not having to relocate specific animals.

GPS technology exists also used by earth scientists to conduct a wide range of research on physical land features such as mountainy areas and along fault lines. GPS allows them to study not only the speed and direction of movement; but also help them to understand how landscapes change over time.

Military;

The GPS existed originally developed by the United States Department of Defense for use by the US military but existed later made available for public use. GPS in the military is now very essential. Many countries around the world like India and China are launching their GPS satellites to gain combat advantage. The systems allow the militaries to track their personnel, vehicles, and assets.

Moreover, GPS is also crucial in missile technology to provide the warheads with tracking and guidance to various targets always of the day and in all weather conditions. Countries like the USA also use sophisticated high accuracy GPS to map out and plan; their asset layout across their field in a strategic way which is of huge strategic advantage.

Market Share;

The global GPS market exists expected to increase by 10.0% year–on–year during the forecast period. Global positioning system (GPS) technology has advanced its applications in many industries; and, new applications are existing developed due to its significant advantages.

Explain;

Few such applications such as determining location are relatively simple; whereas some exist complicated blends of GPS with communications and different technologies. In recent years, companies building GPS satellites and instrumentation have seen rapid growth in industrial and commercial GPS applications. It stands expected that technological advances in this sector will have a positive impact on the market in the following years.

One of the main factors contributing to growth is the hyperbolic use of the technology among smartphone users. The market has jointly observed the progress of multifunctional GPS over the last few years. However, the lack of precision in GPS data presents a major challenge for the industry during the forecast period. The benefits of GPS coupled with its ability for wireless connectivity; and low power consumption stand also anticipated to drive market demand over the forecast period. However, factors like its high price of operation might hamper its market progress.

Summary;

The global positioning system is a satellite navigation system consisting of a minimum of 24 satellites. GPS operates 24 hours a day in any weather, anywhere in the world, without subscription fees or setup fees. The United States Defense Department initially placed the satellites in orbit for military use; but, in the 1980s they existed made available for civilian use. Over the past two decades, global positioning system (GPS) technology has existed rapidly developed and used for various applications in different industries.

At present, the GPS still has limits to accurate measurement and the signal does not penetrate solid walls or structures. The application of GPS is however promising as navigation, survey, and information tool; because it can measure dynamic and static displacements in real-time; whereas the conventional monitoring system using other sensors such as accelerometers cannot measure static and quasi-static displacements. In addition, rapid advances in GPS devices and algorithms can mitigate erroneous GPS data sources; and integrated systems using GPS receivers with additional sensors can provide accurate measurements.