The Basic of GPS

Hi Basic, Advanced or Expert GPS user,

By now, you've likely heard about this hot new technology called GPS. Handheld GPS receivers are popular items that are being used by everyone from outdoors enthusiasts to average drivers. But, how many of us really understand the technology behind these modern night and day receivers?


There is a whole lot of power and capability packed into a GPS receiver. They are linked to complex satellite systems in outer space, providing a reliable navigational system to users on earth. Many new cars have GPS receivers included as standard equipment. Hikers, Fisherman, Bickers, Truckers, Pilots, and much more, use them to find their destinations, and treasure hunters rely on them for Geocaching excursions.

Simply, a GPS is an electronic device that can determine one's precise location on earth. The entire system is anything but simple; and the GPS receiver is but a single and minute part of this immense network. GPS is the short form of Global Positioning System. This very large navigation system was developed and implemented by the United States' Department of Defence (DOD). The system is composed of a network of 24 operating satellites; various ground stations located at points throughout the world and individual GPS receivers. All of the 24 satellites in the GPS network are active, and continuously send out Ultra High Frequency (UHF) radio signals. GPS receivers use these signals to determine their geographical location. It is important to note that there are other satellite system as Glonass (Russia) and Galileo (Europe), but for the moment, GPS (USA) is the only fully functioning satellite navigation system.

The primary function of a GPS receiver is to pinpoint its actual location on earth using the signals it intercepts from GPS satellites. To do this, the GPS receiver must be able to locate and intercept signals from three or more GPS satellites. After intercepting the signals, GPS receivers use basic principles of mathematics called triangulation or trilateration to compute its actual position. Before any triangulation calculation can be implemented, however, the GPS receiver must verify two points:

1- The positions of at least 3 satellites.
2- The distance between each satellite and the receiver.

GPS receivers decode the signals in order to determine the locations of at least three GPS satellites. The signals transmitted by GPS satellites are radio signals, and each contains three different bits of information: ephemeris data, almanac data and a pseudorandom code. The ephemeris data is the information that the GPS receiver needs to be able to determine the actual position of the satellite transmitting the signal. The distance of a GPS receiver to a satellite is measured using the signal's speed, or the time delay from the initial transmission of the signal, to its reception by the GPS. From this speed or time difference, the GPS receiver calculates the satellite's distance. With information about the location of at least three satellites, along with their individual distances, a GPS receiver utilizes the basic principle of triangulation to calculate its actual position in terms of altitude, latitude and longitude.

GPS receivers are incredibly accurate, usually to within ten meters of radius. It is possible, however, to increase this accuracy level using supplemental technologies; for example, GPS receivers using multiple parallel channels can achieve an accuracy level to within two meters. More complex systems such as DGPS (Differential GPS) and WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) can reduce this range to an impressive one meter precision.


Despite the use of these supplemental technologies, there are still many factors that can cause even the best GPS receivers to display inaccurate locations or no location at all. Among these factors are:


* Number of visible satellites
* Radio signal delays caused by the passage through the ionosphere and troposphere
* Signal multipath (bouncing of the signal as it hits an object)
* Inaccuracy of GPS receiver clocks
* Ephemeris errors (inaccuracy of the satellites' reported locations)
* Poor positioning of satellites (i.e.: satellites in a linear position, or in a tight grouping)


Some, but not all, of the GPS errors caused by these factors can be remedied by the software included with personal GPS receivers. This software is there to reduce the amount of task and research the GPS use has to do, knowing how to use the software properly may also fix or avoid some problems. If you are having difficulty with the accuracy of your GPS receiver, your user guide may also help you.

Technology has given us wonderful gifts and powers beyond imagination. A GPS receiver is one technological wonder that is so accessible, that millions of people use them on a daily basis. If you travel locally or across country, or enjoy exploring the great outdoors, pick up a GPS receiver and you'll always be able to find your way home.


Charles Godbout
President/CEO - Preferred GPS & GPS Made Easy
http://www.GPSMadeEasy.com
http://www.PreferredGPS.com


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What's a blog?

Hi Basic, Advanced or Expert GPS user,

A blog is a personal diary. A daily pulpit. A collaborative space. A political soapbox. A breaking-news outlet. A collection of links. Your own private thoughts. Memos to the world.

Your blog is whatever you want it to be. There are millions of them, in all shapes and sizes, and there are no real rules.

In simple terms, a blog is a web site, where you write stuff on an ongoing basis. New stuff shows up at the top, so your visitors can read what's new. Then they comment on it or link to it or email you. Or not.

Since Blogger was launched in 1999, blogs have reshaped the web, impacted politics, shaken up journalism, and enabled millions of people to have a voice and connect with others.

And we're pretty sure the whole deal is just getting started.


Publish your thoughts

A blog gives you your own voice on the web. It's a place to collect and share things that you find interesting— whether it's your political commentary, a personal diary, or links to web sites you want to remember.

Many people use a blog just to organize their own thoughts, while others command influential, worldwide audiences of thousands. Professional and amateur journalists use blogs to publish breaking news, while personal journalers reveal inner thoughts.

Whatever you have to say, Blogger can help you say it.


Engage your friends

Blogging is about more than just putting your thoughts on the web. It's about connecting with and hearing from anyone who reads your work and cares to respond. With Blogger, you control who can read and write to your blog — let just a few friends or the entire world see what you have to say!

Blogger Comments let anyone, anywhere, offer feedback on your posts. You can choose whether you want to allow comments on a post-by-post basis, and you can delete any comments you don't like.

Access Controls let you decide who can read and who can write to your blog. You can use a group blog with multiple authors as an excellent communication tool for small teams, families and other groups. Or as a single author, you can create a private online space for collecting news, links, and ideas, to keep to yourself or share with as many readers as you want.

Blogger Profiles let you find people and blogs that share your interests. Your Blogger Profile, where you can list your blogs, your interests, and more, lets people find you (but only if you want to be found).


Sincerely yours,


Charles Godbout
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http://www.PreferredGPS.com


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Introduction

Hi Basic, Advanced or Expert GPS user,

I'm Charles and I am the creator of this GPS Blog (and website) and will be your Technical adviser concerning all GPS tips, issues or general topics !!!

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Sincerely yours,


Charles Godbout
President/CEO - Preferred GPS & GPS Made Easy
http://www.PreferredGPS.com
http://www.GPSMadeEasy.com


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