What is GPS?
The term GPS stands for Global Positioning System (GPS), which is a satellite-based navigation system consisting of about 24 satellites that accurately identify and locate the exact position of an individual or any object on earth.
GPS satellites work in all weather conditions anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day, with no subscription fees or setup charges. The US Department of Defense (USDOD) had initially launched some satellites into Earth orbit primarily for military use; they were made available for civilian use in the late 1980s. There are currently 31 GPS satellites orbiting the earth with 3 satellites ready to launch when needed.
How did GPS come about?
In 1973, the United States Department of Defense (USDOD) developed the idea of a Global Positioning System (GPS), initially called NAVSTAR. As mentioned above, this technology was primarily for military use and then became available for civilian use in the late 1980s. GPS technology owes its progress and advancement to three people who are recognized by the scientific community as clearly associated with the invention of this revolutionary technology.
Roger L. Easton, former head of the Space Applications Branch at the Naval Research Laboratory, was the brains behind several applications and engineering technologies that led to the development of GPS. Another luminary in the development of GPS was Ivan Getting, who was the founding president of the Aerospace Corporation in the US. Getting was credited with improving the satellite system to enable precision data tracking and monitoring of moving objects on earth. ranging from vehicles to missiles. Another luminary in the field of GPS is Bradford Parkinson, commonly known as the ‘Father of GPS’; Bradford was the primary designer and implementer of GPS in regards to its evolution and engineering development.
GPS Components
The Global Positioning System (GPS) consists of 3 sections, the first of which is the satellites in Earth orbit; secondly, the command, control and monitoring centers that are responsible for the technomanagement of GPS technology and the orbital trajectories of GPS satellites; and third, GPS receivers operated by individuals and industries.
How GPS works
There are a total of 31 satellites that revolve around the earth in their predetermined orbits. At any given time on the planet, there are a minimum of 4 GPS satellites that are focused on a certain geographic area on planet earth. Each GPS enabled satellite photography and records stationary material as well as moving objects and then transmits the data on the objects current position, speed of movement and time of the videograph at regular time intervals. These GPS-enabled satellites transmit the data signals to the GPS receivers of various phones at the speed of light: the digitized data is detected by the phone’s GPS receiver and translated into visual images; phone receivers calculate the distance of the orbiting satellite based on the time interval of the received digital data, that is, between transmitting and receiving data. Once the phone’s receivers acquire all the information from orbiting satellites focused on that particular geographic area, the GPS receiver can pinpoint the exact location of terrestrial objects that may be stationary or moving through a process called Trilateration. The more satellites that are focused on a given area, the more accurately locations, images, and speeds can be determined.
What is GPS tracking?
GPS tracking is the remote surveillance/monitoring of precise locations by using GPS technology to track and monitor the location and travel routes of one or more objects. GPS tracking is invaluable for police, fire, military, and businesses that require constant monitoring of moving objects such as vehicles, missiles, and individuals. GPS tracking systems typically use automatic vehicle location (AVL) systems that employ a network of vehicles, each of which is installed with a portable radio receiver, GPS receiver, and GPS antenna. Additionally, GPS technology uses interactive maps instead of static maps to determine the current locations of roads and highways. GPS-enabled smartphones and other handheld devices are frequently used for live tracking and monitoring of specific objects.
GPS Marketing
On May 25, 1989, the first commercial GPS trackers were released to consumer markets under the brand name and model number: Magellan GPS NAV 1000s. The waterproof handheld device measured 8.75 x 3.5 x 2.25 inches, weighed 680 grams, and looked like a large calculator with a rotating antenna arm attached. The device featured a multi-line LCD screen, but had a comparatively low operating time of only a few hours. Just as when simple handheld calculators were priced high at the time of their release, the GPS phone retailed for US$3,000 (approximately Rs 54,000 at the time). In 1990, the famous car manufacturer, Mazda, launched its Eunos Cosmo model with a built-in GPS navigation system, the first car to come with GPS tracking function. Later, in 1999, Benefon, a mobile phone manufacturer, launched the first mobile phone with integrated GPS technology available on the market. In the same year, Casio released the first GPS wristwatch called the Casio GPS. Since then, GPS technology quickly became a household word with all smartphones and smart wristwatches featuring GPS-enabled technology.