Before long GPS will become almost as common as the telephone, or more likely included with every mobile phone. GPS can calculate locations accurate to a matter of just a few meters. In fact, incredibly with advanced forms of GPS you can achieve measurements to less than a centimeter!
It’s just like giving every square meter on the planet a unique address. GPS receivers have become very economical as they have been miniaturized to just a few integrated circuits. Nowadays days GPS is finding its way into cars, boats, planes, construction equipment, movie making gear, farm machinery, laptop computers and especially smartphones.
Tracking cell phones is a active topic with a lot of interest. Much of the discussion dealing with GPS tracking, mobile GPS and cell phone track software programs would be more meaningful with a GPS Satellite primer and glossary.
GPS is an acronym for Global Positioning System. GPS satellites broadcast signals from space that GPS receivers use to determine three-dimensional location (latitude, longitude, and altitude) plus precise time. The GPS network is made up of 3 primary segments: Space Segment, Control Segment and User Segment.
The GPS Space Segment made up of twenty-four to thirty-two satellites that orbit the earth in medium earth orbit MEO. These satellites are also known as as the GPS Constellation, and they are orbiting once every 12 hours. They are not geostationary, but rather move at over 7,000 mph. GPS satellites are solar powered but have battery backup for when they are on the dark side of the earth. They are placed so that there are at least 4 satellites ‘visible’ from any point on earth. Small rocket boosters on each satellite keep them properly positioned. The satellites have a lifetime of about 10 years until all their fuel is exhausted.
GPS Satellites are not communications satellites. Geostationary or communications satellites use a higher altitude 22,300 miles above the equator. These satellites are used for weather forecasting, satellite TV, satellite radio and most other types of global communications. At exactly 22,000 miles above the equator, the earth’s gravitational force and centrifugal forces are canceled and are in equilibrium. This is the best location to park a communications satellite. The earth rotates at about 1,000 miles an hour, and because of their high earth orbit the earth-synchronous satellites need to move at about 7,000 mph to keep position. This is just about the same speed as GPS satellites, but since geo-synchronous satellites are 10,000 miles further away they stay in place relative to the earth.
The GPS Control Segment made up of Master Control Station, an Alternate Master Control Station, and numerous dedicated and shared Ground Antennas and Monitor Stations that work together to ensure the satellites are working correctly and the data they send to earth is accurate.
The GPS User Segment made up of of GPS receivers taking the shape of devices and , laptops, in-car navigation devices and hand-held tracking units along with the people that use them, and the software applications that make them work.
GPS receivers determine position by precisely timing the signals sent by GPS satellites. This information includes the time the message was transmitted, precise orbital information (the ephemeris), and the general system health and rough orbits of all GPS satellites (the almanac).
Consider that there is a basic difference between smartphone GPS Tracking and GPS Navigation. GPS phone tracking is usually related to a third-party maintaining records of either real-time or historical mobile phone location, while Navigation deals with the handset user determining how to get from point A to point B. Neither use works without some kind of third-party software application.
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Global Satellite System FAQ
Why does GPS receiver only work outside?
GPS satellites are orbiting to be sure that from any point on the globe there are at least four satellites in site at any given time. Although the satellites use radio signals, they needs a clear of site to the receiver. Once the GPS satellite slips below, or a building, or even heavy cloud cover, the radio signal may not reach the receiver.
What do the satellites do?
Each satellite is broadcasting the time. Both the satellite and the GPS receiver use atomic clocks for extreme accuracy. By measuring the difference between the time given by the satellite and the time in the GPS receiver, the GPS can calculate the distance from the satellite.
How do GPS satellites know their location?
The satellites keep position stored inside in calculated tables. But they can deviate off course over time. To make adjustments, the satellite communicates with ground stations positioned around the world. Each time it touches base with the ground stations, the satellite adjusts its internal position tables.
Does a GPS receiver transmit information back to the satellite?
No, they don’t do that. GPS equipped mobile phones will send information but not to the satellite.
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