Auto GPS » Global Positioning System

How GPS Receivers Work

admin — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 05:36:30 +0000

It seems that almost everyone has heard of GPS (Global Positioning System) in one form or another. The most well known GPS device is the car navigation system that shows and tells the driver through voice commands how to get to their desired pre-programmed destination. But if you’re wondering how these little technological wonders work then you’ve come to the right place.

A GPS receiver is an electronic device that uses the Global Positioning System to determine its exact location on earth with pin-point accuracy. This system is made up of the three parts; 27 satellites that send out continuous positioning signals, ground stations around the world that help synchronize the satellites, and various types of GPS receivers.

In this article we’re going to concentrate on how a GPS receiver works within this system since it’s the piece of the GPS puzzle that keeps you from getting lost. Its main function is to calculate its position on the earth using the signals that it receives from the satellite system.

To do this the receiver needs to lock onto the signals of at least 3 satellites. Once 3 or more satellites have been detected it then needs to determine the distance between the satellites and the distance between itself and each satellite. It then uses the basic math principles of triangulation or trilateration to compute its location on the earth’s surface.

The signals a GPS receiver uses to figure its location are radio signals transmitted by the satellites. These radio signals have three bits of information embedded in them; ephemeris data, almanac data, and a pseudorandom code. Using this information the GPS unit is able to triangulate its position and report that back to its user.

Accuracy is another question many first time users wonder about. The good news is GPS receivers are very accurate with the ability to pin-point your location to within a radius of 20 meters. There are ways to increase accuracy through the use of DGPS (Differential GPS) and WAAS (Wide Are Augmentation System) which can get within 3 meters of accuracy. Units with these two features normally cost more but the increase in accuracy can be well worth the cost.

There are many factors that can and do affect how accurately a GPS unit reports its position. These include:

1. The number of visible satellites
2. Signal delays caused as they pass through the earths atmosphere
3. Signals bouncing off of objects
4. Inaccurate clock in the GPS unit
5. Ephemeris errors
6. Satellites in poor positions
7. Satellite signals that are blocked because of terrain or manmade features

GPS is a great technology that has found its way into many everyday applications. Depending on your needs for keeping track of where you are there is sure to be a GPS receiver that fits the bill.

By: Andrew Bicknell

You, Too, Can Be a GPS Geek

admin — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 22:46:05 +0000

You know those maps you see at shopping malls and site seeing areas that have that red dot – “You Are Here”. That’s kind of what a GPS is, except it moves with you wherever in the world you are. It’s not restricted to a building or event area. In addition, it helps you find where you want to go. You just tell it the location you want to find and it gives you directions to get there. Newer models will guide you audibly, tell you nearby attractions, restaurants and gas stations and get you back on track when you turn the wrong way.

GPS, or Global Positioning System, is made up of a series of 28 orbiting satellites. It was originally developed by the military, but has spread to consumer use. If you have a GPS unit, it receives satellite signals that help it to determine your location. Consumer GPS units are accurate within few yards or meters, but the military and government models are even more accurate. Your GPS unit can give you instructions to another location if software for mapping is installed, which most for consumer use do.

GPS units can come as standard or extra equipment on new cars. They are available in many rental cars, usually for an extra fee. GPS mapping software for street use is the most common consumer usage today. If your primary purpose in seeking a GPS unit is so you can get from one place to another via a reliable navigation system, this is the type for you. Your dealer can build them in or you can purchase one that will attach to your dashboard. Some available features you may want to consider are voice directions, detailed included maps for your area and any area you know you’ll travel, rerouting when you get lost or detours force changes to the GPS-suggested route and a points of interest database.

The GPS is most commonly found for car use, but that’s not the only type you can get. Think about how you might use your GPS. Perhaps you may need your GPS outside of your vehicle. Handheld GPS units are great for hikers, bikers and sportsmen. There are plenty of GPS units geared toward to outdoors person. Features you may need in these include lightweight, rugged, waterproof, long battery life, tracking (so you can tell where you’ve been), speed and distance measuring and even built in radios and party locators.

Marine GPS’s help you find the fish! If you’re an avid fisherman, this is the type of GPS you’ll want. These are designed to be on the water and are all waterproofed. Look for a bright screen that will be easy to read in the sun. You can get them with water and shore mapping, fish hotspots and sonar. You can get marine GPS units that double as car navigation units, as well.

PDA’s, or Personal Data Assistants, are starting to be bundled together with GPS’s. Most of these are limited at this time, but they will improve as more people are attracted to this combination. For now, it’s recommended to buy your PDA and GPS separately.

There are also GPS’s designed specifically for airplane pilots. If you’re a private or commercial pilot, you already know about these. They give mapping based on what can be seen from the air.

No matter what kind of unit you need, there is one with the features you’re looking for. Your GPS will be a continued source of accurate and helpful information and even a great deal of fun!

By: Michael Russell

A GPS Device Can Save You Time And Effort

admin — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:36:36 +0000

Recently I made a trip to Los Angeles, CA and rented a car, they offered me to include a GPS device, and I am so glad I did, It was like having somebody who knows perfectly all the streets, highways etc. sitting next to you as your co-pilot.

A GPS (Global Positioning System) uses satellite signals to locate your position around the globe, this combined with pre charged maps can give you the exact directions to drive from where you are to any place you want to go, just knowing its adress.

This device has a touch screen, where the software prompts you to enter the city where you want to drive in or to, then the street adress and then “wow” it gives you the route to follow, with a on-screen map, indications step by step and turn by turn until you reach your destination. While driving, you don’t need to see the screen, because a human voice is telling you steps like “prepare to turn right in 0.5 miles” or in 105 yards, keep left” and continues doing it until you arrive to the place you are going, without having to pull over to check maps.

At this point you may be thinking, what if I make a wrong turn and get out of the route? no problem, the sistem instantly recalculates the route and gives you new instructions. Cool huh?

There are several kinds and brands of this devices, and everyday their prices are getting lower, so this is a nice gadget you must start thinking to have in your car.

By: Juan Uflerbaumer

GPS Navigation

admin — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:09:21 +0000

I remember driving around not wanting to stop at the corner store and get directions. Ahh, the good ole days.

That is exactly what they are becoming thanks for GPS car navigation devices. Unless you just got of the boat from Antarctica then you are fully aware of just how cool these devices are.

GPS stands for Global Positioning System. This is a system developed by our friends at the Department of Defense. It uses a grid of many satellites to triangulate positions anywhere in the world.

Our tax dollars really did the trick this time too because these devices can put you within 10 feet of the exact location. Pretty amazing.

Now, GPS car navigation devices come in different sizes and have different features. Most commonly you have the systems that come built-in to your car when it was made. Those usually have a larger popup screen and cost a lot more money.

The other is the portable kind. These devices and have a decent size screen and can literally fit in the palm of your hand. The great advantage to this is that they for one are inexpensive, and two can plug into any car using the cigarette lighter.

Now a days $150 gets you precise GPS navigation… instantly!

The benefits to having a GPS car navigation device are plain to see.

It can save you a ton of gas. All those U-turns and miles going in the wrong direction are not exactly free. Last time I checked it cost me money for every mile I put on my car.

It can also save you a ton of time. This not only translates right back to saving you money, but also a lot of frustration. Having the route mapped out in front of you makes driving more pleasurable. Not to mention that shorter routes are often figured out for you.

Lastly, it can help you avoid traffic. These slick little units can spit out alternate routes in about 10 seconds. Dodging all that accident traffic has never felt better or been so easy.

For the cost they are today I would highly suggest picking one up. It is quickly becoming one of those items that we will all wonder how we lived without years from now. Remember life before the microwave?

By: Cathy Seiler

GPS Buying Tips For Technophobes

admin — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 22:09:12 +0000

Black glasses with masking tape holding them together and a pocket protector are no longer a required part of the uniform for GPS owners. GPS has gone mainstream. But if you’re still not up to date on what it is and how it works, and if you’d like some advice on what to buy, this article will bring you up to speed.

A GPS device is like a map on steroids. First of all, it always gives you that little “You Are Here” dot – you no longer need to figure that out for yourself. And all you need to do is tell it where you want to go and it will plot the course for you. It doesn’t end there, however. New GPS units will provide you with voice guided directions for the entire trip, tell you where the nearest gas station is, and will even put you back on course if you take a wrong turn.

GPS stands for Global Positioning System, a system of 28 satellites orbiting earth. It was originally developed for military use, but its uses have spread far beyond just military applications. Your GPS unit can receive signals from these satellites, and by using these signals, calculates your position (within 3-10 meters), direction, altitude, and velocity. Once your GPS unit knows where you are, it can help you get to where you’re going as long as it has mapping software installed. All but the most basic GPS devices currently have mapping software.

Now that you know a little bit about what a GPS device is and how it works, it’s time to educate yourself on the features available and decide which unit will best suit your needs. There is certainly no shortage of GPS devices available, so doing a little research can save you a lot of time and hassle.

Step 1 – Which type of GPS do you need?

There are four main types of GPS units; the car navigation system, the portable outdoors unit, the marine system, and the PDA/GPS hybrid.

If you’re mainly planning on using your GPS to get you from point A to B in your car and don’t think you’d use it for much else, your best bet is the in-car navigation system. These systems can be built in to your car or you can purchase a device that mounts onto your dashboard. Desirable features for the in-car systems are: voice guided directions; detailed built in maps; touch screens; rerouting in case you get off course; and a database with points of interest to help you find the nearest gas station, restaurant, and many more places along your route.

If you’re going to want a GPS device that isn’t limited to the car, then you may want to consider a handheld GPS (http://www.gpsmaestro.com/handheld). These devices are ideal for anyone who loves to hike or bike. Features to look for in a handheld unit are: lightweight, rugged, waterproofing, long battery life, color screens, and mapping features. The handheld GPS units are geared towards people who spend a significant amount of time outside. For example, if you’re out hiking you can easily track where you’ve been; mark your own points of interest; and even find out how far you’ve gone and at what speed. Many new handheld devices offer some navigation features while driving. You can even purchase handheld units that offer built in radios that will not only allow you to communicate with other members of your party, but will also display everyone’s location on your screen.

If being on the water and fishing is your thing then you should probably consider a marine GPS. These units are specifically designed to be on and around water. All of these units will feature waterproofing and should have screens that are easy to read even in bright sunlight. Some other good features to look for are: color chart plotters, onshore and offshore maps, fish hotspots, and sonar capability. You may also want to consider a unit that will function as your car navigator, eliminating the need for two devices.

The final category of GPS device is the PDA/GPS hybrid. This device offers a good combination of the car navigation systems and handheld devices. You’ll get the large screen that you’d find in the car system and the portability of a handheld unit. Also, you get a PDA to help you keep organized. One drawback is the limited selection of these units. Only a few companies have attempted to make an integrated unit, and all have some serious limitations.

If you are considering a PDA/GPS hybrid, I’d recommend you purchase the PDA separately from the GPS. Find a PDA that offers all the features you want in your PDA, then look for a GPS receiver that will attach to your PDA via Bluetooth. The features to watch for are the same as listed for the in car systems. All of the current PDA/GPS devices are better suited towards driving than hiking, although they do offer the portability for outdoor activities if needed. This category probably offers the most potential of the four, but it is also the newest, so watch for significant improvements in this category in the future.

Step 2 – Budget Considerations

If you’re on a budget, then it’s important to decide which features are most important to you. If you want a full featured car navigation system, it can easily run over $1000 (and over $2000 if you want one that’s built in). If, however, it would be more of a toy to play with, then a handheld device could be a better choice as they can be as low as $100 and are rarely more than $500. Marine GPS devices vary widely in prices, but a very good device can usually be purchased for no more than $1000. If the PDA/GPS devices interest you, they typically range from $400-$900.

Step 3 – Where to Buy

Finding the right store to purchase your GPS device can be difficult. Most stores only carry one or two kinds of GPS. For example, if you go to a sporting goods store you’re likely to find the handheld GPS units and marine GPS units but not the car navigation or the PDA/GPS hybrids. I actually prefer shopping online for GPS units as the prices will likely be lower, and you’ll be able to read user reviews of the items before you buy. Just make sure that if you have a problem with your GPS you are able to return it.

Owning a GPS can be extremely helpful, especially if you tend to get lost a lot or if your glove compartment is overflowing with outdated maps. They can also make planning a long trip to an unfamiliar area a breeze. Deciding which GPS to purchase can be difficult, but as long as you make a list of the features you absolutely must have then all you have to do is find the units that match your budget. Read reviews from other owners and you should have no trouble at all. Once you purchase your own GPS unit, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without one.

By: Gary Ruplinger

GPS – Bringing The World Together

admin — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 19:36:55 +0000

GPS, or Global Positioning System, has become for the 21st century what bloodhounds and used to be for police forces and bread crumbs were for Hansel and Gretel: both a way to find a person or target, and a way for a person to keep from becoming lost. GPS uses its “eyes in the sky”, a group of twenty-one operating and three backup satellites in orbit nearly twelve thousand miles above the Earth, to interpret the signals sent from GPS devices down below.

GPS translates those signals into information about the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the device that sent it, and beams the information back to a GPS receiver in the same device. The whole operation is done in split seconds, accurate to within five meters, and is the result of over three decades and twelve billion (and rising) dollars spent by the US Department of Defense.

Military GPS Applications

While the DoD initially installed GPS systems in their Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles to help them locate their targets with pinpoint accuracy, the GPS technology has now fund applications far beyond its use in weapons systems. The US military used it once again in 1991, during the first Gulf War, when GPS was essential for the mapping of huge uncharted tracts of desert.

Because GPS information can be provided as a readout, interpreted, and printed as a map of the target terrain, it saved the military countless man-hours and risk to the personnel who would otherwise have had to map the desert while airborne. GPS has its defensive purposes as well; it allows a country to monitor the movements of military troops in another country across the globe and to prepare for an attack well lin advance.

Commercial GPS Application

The first non-military use of sGPS was for marine applications; those lost at sea and unable to navigate by traditional means could simply push a button to signal the GPS satellites and have their latitude and longitude appearing on a screen in a matter of seconds. Today GPS is most widely used in the aviation industry, as an aid to routing aircraft.

GPS technology has advanced so much, in fact, that it is now possible for ships’ computers to be linked to a GPS system which automatically navigates to a preprogrammed destination. GPS can function as both s ship’s navigator and captain, although it is highly improbable that it will replace them.

GPS, in both its military and commercial applications, has made the world a much smaller and safe, place!

By: David Faulkner

Benefits of a GPS Laptop Receiver

admin — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 08:43:09 +0000

A Global Positioning System or GPS uses satellites to transmit signals that can give you the position of anything or anyone that you are searching for by using latitude and longitude. When you think about using a GPS system for traveling you most likely think about one that mounts in your vehicle that can give you directions to any location you desire. These are great systems, but there is a newer more modern version being used today that is called the GPS laptop receiver.

So what are some of the GPS laptop receiver advantages you can look forward to? The first thing that you will enjoy is how simply it is to install on your computer. However, you are required to have windows XP as this is the only one that is compatible at this time. After purchasing the GPS tracking system you are ready to start the installation. Turn on the computer and put in the CD and the installation will begin. It is fast and easy to do. You will get some mapping software with the original CD, but the good news is that you can always add to this as much as you like. If you love to shop, buy CD’s that show you where all the shopping malls are located. Enjoy eating at the finest restaurants; you can have these mapped out for you as well.

You can avoid delays by learning where construction sites are located. Mobile devices make it easy for you to connect to the wireless internet provided by public services so this is a big advantage to using it. You get to choose the mapping information that is stored in your computer so it will be exactly what you need for your travels. You can add or delete information as often as you need changes to be made. You will always have the control needed to make this tracking device suit your individual needs. You will even be notified in advanced by a beep or warning light before losing power to your system, which is a great plus.

If you choose to use this innovated GPS laptop receiver for all of your traveling needs, make sure that you have windows XP as this is the version that is compatible with the systems. The GPS systems that connect to laptops come in a wide price range so there should be one available for your individual needs. They are great for anyone that does a lot of traveling or for the person that only vacations once a year. You can plan your trips in advance with reliable information to get the most from your travels.

By: Kaloyan Stolinov

Tips On Using Marine GPS Based Devices

admin — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:12:10 +0000

Marine GPS based devices are a boon to all seafarers. It is based on the Global Positioning System or GPS. It is a constellation of satellites which orbit the earth twice a day, transmitting exact time and position information. With GPS, you can spot your precise location and get back to your original destination. A marine GPS can be of a great help should you get lost in any large body of water – lakes, seas or oceans.

A marine GPS device’s use starts off the first step prior to going out to sea – voyage planning. One of the most vital advantages of using marine GPS is that it is a device commonly responsible for saving lives. In addition, marine GPS also reduces the chances of getting lost at sea.

Normally, marine GPS systems are used by the Coast Guard to keep track of ships as they move along the coastlines. This will give them an idea of the direction in which a vessel is heading. They may be able to communicate with the vessel and provide precise information regarding its current position and directions to take to get to its destination.

With marine GPS technology, planning routes for other ships have been made possible for the crew. In addition, this technology also helps in avoiding collisions that may cause fatality or other accidents that may cause damage to the ship.

Basically, there are many different kinds of marine GPS in the market. They range from voice-enabled computer systems to simple radar-oriented GPS systems. The more popular marine GPS systems will be the one that is voice-enabled. Somehow seafarers relate to this type of marine GPS systems since they find some comfort in listening to a ‘human’ voice; though it may be a computer generated one. As for the radar-oriented GPS systems, they only give off a beep as a form of signal. This makes the interaction with the marine GPS a less ‘personal’ one; although they are very effective in locating positions.

People usually perceive that they need lots of sea knowledge in order to operate a marine GPS. However this is not the case. Just like any other GPS system, all you need to do is to read the manual and understand the signals that are shown on the GPS device. Thereafter, you can program the marine GPS device according to the requirements of your journey on the high seas. Whether you use a marine GPS on land or at sea, they provide user friendly interfaces that makes them easy for everyone to operate.

GPS Fish Finders Is A Great Tool For The Fisherman – Hobbyist Or Professional

GPS fish finders are amazing devices that take away the hassle of finding your catch during your fishing expeditions. There is a great variety of GPS fish finders today. The Internet is a great place to start your search for information. Some sites will have general information regarding these innovative devices; others will have details regarding commercially available models. You can review their features and functions and what they will cost to buy to improve the chances of successful fishing. Here is a summary of some well-known models:

1) Hummingbird 383c GPS Fish Finder Combo

This GPS fish finder has a built-in nautical mile resolution UniMap of USA inland lakes, rivers and coastal areas. In addition, it includes many key features in its package such as an internal 16 channel WAAS GPS receiver with omni-directional antenna for higher performance. This model gives accurate water temperature readings and can be designed for both fresh and saltwater environments.

In addition it also can freeze frame immediately; pause display allowing more time to examine the details. Its compact design is perfect if there is insufficient space on your boat. Moreover, this GPS fish finder can be easily mounted on a mounting space on the boat. This model possesses the DualBeam PLUS sonar, which delivers wider coverage of the bottom. It also makes the job of finding fish much easier with the built in adjustable zoom levels for display.

2) Eagle FishElite 500c GPS Fish Finder

This model is another popular choice for a GPS fish finder. It has a high quality ultra bright and 256 color LCD screen. Furthermore it is a full size combo 200 kHz sonar and mapping GPS and WAAS with 256-color, sunlight-viewable 320Vx240H pixel display.

What is great about this mode is that it offers high definition to help you identify what you are looking for. In fact, the GPS fish finder can reveal fish hidden in underwater color. It also comes with an optional sensor and adjustable ping speed with automatic HyperScroll to show fish targets at higher boat speeds.

This GPS fish finder system also comes with a built-in temperature sensor in the transducer, zoom in bottom tracking and easy zoom in and out control as well as on and off sonar alarms. This model also comes with pre-installed maps of the continental U.S and Hawaii.

Basically, this particular GPS fish finder is good, durable and easy to use. Its internal memory helps to store GPS data and sonar settings. Therefore, with this tool, you can be assured that you will bring in loads of fish home.

By: Cindy Heller

GPS Devices Are Now Used For Other Purposes Too

admin — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 09:44:34 +0000

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is the fully functional Global Navigational Satellite System which will help in determining the location, speed/direction and time with the assistance of 24 medium earth orbit satellites. Known as a useful tool for mapmaking, land surveying, commerce, and scientific uses, GPS is now a widely used navigation aid world wide. It is also used for various applications including study of earth.

The current GPS is divided into three major segments called space segment (SS), control segment (CS), and user segment (US).It is the navigation message broadcasted by GPS satellites that provides the time-of-day, GPS week number and satellite health information.

The history of GPS traces back to the early 1940’s when the World War II was on full swing. But it was the launching of Sputnik in 1957 by Soviet Union that paved for later developments in this field. A team of U.S. scientists under Dr. Richard B. Kershner were involved in research to monitor the movements of the satellite Sputnik, which later resulted in the technological development of GPS.

There are chances of the speed of GPS getting affected by the inconsistencies of atmospheric conditions. But this can be improved with the correction of these errors.

In the advanced modern world, GPS is mainly used in various daily life equipments including mobile phones. These devices help in making mobile phones more sophisticated and technologically advanced. With the mobile phones connected with GPS, the user will find it no hard to understand the location, climatic conditions and other geographical details.

Nowadays, GPS devices are connected with cars, helping the drivers in getting the exact knowledge of the geography, climate and details ensuring safe driving at strange areas.

By: Alice Erin

GPS Systems – How Advancement In Technology Can Make Life Simple

admin — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 08:25:43 +0000

Have a history of stolen vehicle where you could do nothing about it? Well, had there been a GPS Vehicle Tracking System installed in your vehicle, the thief would have been apprehended. This then is just one of the several uses this technology offers.

GPS (Global Positioning System) technology and its application have certainly come a long way in the last five years. It started as a government program in the late 1960s and early 1970s primarily for military navigational purposes until President Ronald Reagan promised that the technology would be available to the general public for free.

The GPS Vehicle Tracking Systems helps you notify your communication device when someone is tampering with your vehicle. You can program the system to send calls to your cell phone, blackberry, and other communication devices. It helps you navigate around problem areas, such as construction zones and traffic congestion while providing alternate routes to desired locations. It is excellent for monitoring teens driving habits with real-time vehicle location with photos.

Backpack GPS units are being developed to guide the blind people through the intricacies of the cities. Farmers use GPS to survey their fields so that they can distribute fertilizer more efficiently. Hikers use it to guide themselves on their mountain climbs, bicycle tours, marathon runs, rally competitions. Rescue and salvation crews use GPS to locate and speed the assistance to people during emergencies. Pointer Dog-GPS by Pointer Positioning Solutions has a device that is made primarily for hunting.

This technology helps the Fleet Managers to track and monitor employees and vehicles, to recoup time and money, for asset tracking, to stop employee moonlighting, to increase productivity, and decrease fuel costs.

If you are a Car Rental Manager you could benefit from this technology for for boundary violations, asset management, for easy rental vehicle tracking, to coordinate vehicle maintenance and service checks, to remotely lock/unlock vehicles doors, and to recover stolen vehicles.

This technology also helps in efficient delivery of products and materials. There are real time vehicle tracking systems that allow companies to track the location of company vehicles from a central location. The central dispatchers can track movements on a visual mapping system and determine the actual location of the truck and guide the driver to the proper location.

GPS systems have gone beyond just serving the army. Anyone from Couriers, Firefighters, Municipal Managers, Snow Plow Drivers, Waste Removal Engineers, Mobile Caregivers, Law Enforcement who wishes to ensure the safety and well being of their drivers, vehicles and cargoes make use of the GPS technology.

GPS systems are indeed becoming a staple in the society, working to make our lives easy and interesting.

By: Andrena Markley