The Global Positioning System, more commonly known as GPS, is a global navigation satellite system consisting of over 24 earth orbiting satellites. At any one time, there are a minimum of four satellites which will be visible from earth.

In order to find your location on earth, you will need a GPS Receiver which works by trying to locate these four or more satellites and using them to calculate its own location via a process called trilateration.

The GPS Receiver does this by analyzing the high frequency low power radio signals which are transmitted from the GPS satellites to determine the signal’s travel time and hence distance. Differential GPS is used to correct inaccuracies caused when the radio signals bounce off large buildings or when the Earth’s atmosphere alters the speed of the signal.

GPS Receivers

The basic function of GPS Receivers is to detect the transmissions from at least 4 GPS satellites and use that information to identify the location of the Receiver.

Once the location has been calculated, GPS Receivers can tell you the longitude, latitude and altitude of your position and plot this data on a map for easy viewing.

GPS Receivers often come with maps included or you can download and install maps from other sources such as Google Maps.

GPS Systems

GPS Receivers combine your location information with detailed maps to produce a GPS Navigation System where the receiver will record your positions in a map as you travel from one location to another.

By entering all these points in the map, the GPS Navigation System can determine your travel time, distance and speed as well as plot a route showing your path across the map. GPS Navigation Systems provide users with lots of useful information such as traffic conditions, alternate route plans, turn by turn directions and a lot more.

GPS Systems are also used for Location Tracking of Cars, Fleets and Trucks by installing a vehicle tracking system. Automotive GPS systems are one of the main GPS systems that consumers will come across. These include Car GPS Systems, Motorcycle GPS Systems and Truck GPS Systems.

GPS is also used for Golf and a lot of activities such as walking, running, jogging, kayaking, skiing and many other outdoor sports which require Handheld GPS systems.

Related Articles:

• GPS Devices and Accessories
• GPS Maps and Software