Adverts
Navigation and locating objects and people are fundamental activities in several sectors, such as transport, logistics, aviation, agriculture, among others.
With the evolution of technology, several solutions have emerged to improve the precision and efficiency of these activities, and one of the most important of them is the Global Positioning System.
Adverts
Understanding how GPS works.
GPS is a satellite navigation system that allows you to determine the exact location of an object, person or vehicle anywhere in the world.
Adverts
The system is used by billions of people every day, from drivers who use GPS navigators in their cars to aircraft operators and military personnel who depend on GPS accuracy to carry out their operations successfully.
In this text, we will understand how GPS works, explaining each of its components and showing how they work together to determine the position of an object.
Furthermore, we will talk about GPS accuracy and the factors that can interfere with it. But understanding how this system works is essential to use its features efficiently and understand its limitations.
GPS satellites
GPS satellites were launched into orbit by the United States Air Force, 24 in total. They are positioned at an altitude of around 20,000 km above the Earth and send out radio signals that are received by GPS devices.
GPS receivers
GPS receivers are electronic devices that capture signals sent by satellites. Therefore, they can be found in various formats, such as smartphones, smart watches, car navigators, among others.
Trilateration
Trilateration is the method used by GPS to calculate the position of an object. This process is done by measuring the distance between the object and three GPS satellites.
Distance calculation
GPS calculates the distance between the object and each satellite based on the time it takes the radio signal to travel that distance.
Time of travel
The time it takes for the radio signal to travel between the satellite and the GPS receiver calculated by the system. This is essential to determine the distance between the object and the satellite.
Position calculation
The position of the object ends up being calculated from the trilateration of the distances measured in relation to the three satellites. Thus, the calculations carried out by the GPS receiver end up being presented in different formats, such as geographic coordinates, address or point on the map.
Precision
GPS accuracy can vary according to several factors, such as the quality of the receiver, signal interference, topography, atmosphere, among others. Currently, accuracy can reach a few meters in open, unobstructed areas.
GPS Updates
The GPS system has constantly been updated to improve accuracy and reliability. These upgrades include improvements in satellite technology, new correction systems, and improved accuracy in urban areas.
Conclusion
But GPS is a fundamental technology for several activities that depend on location. And understanding how GPS works can help you better use its features and understand its limitations. It is important to remember that, despite being an advanced technology, GPS still depends on external factors that can interfere with its accuracy.
