How GPS works? Big Tech Bang Explains

     Hello all!!! We use Google maps for direction while we are in a new place. It works based on the GPS. In this post we are gonna see how GPS works.

    GPS means Global Positioning System. In olden days GPS is used only for military purpose. The high quality signals are used for military purpose and the low quality signals are used for commercial purpose. The GPS is controlled by US defence.

     There are three parts in GPS; satellite, ground station, and receiver.

Satellites

     There are totally 32 satellites around the Earth which are GPS satellites. 24 active or core satellites and 8 emergency satellites. Emergency satellites are used when something goes wrong with the core satellites.

Ground Stations

     Ground Stations are the antennas to receive signals from satellite. It acts as the link between the receiver and Satellites.

Receiver

     Receiver is the device which asks for location. For example; mobile.

     GPS works on the principle of Trilateration mechanism. There are two types in this mechanism.

2D Trilateration

     In this mechanism latitude and longitude are measured. For this three satellites are required.

     Normally satellites will be knowing where they are located. So they can show your location just by measuring how far you are from it. 

     One satellite will measure your distance from it. And another satellite will measure your distance from it. Now two circles are made using the distance as radii. These circles will have two intersection. Now the third Satellite will also measure your distance and make a circle. Now three circle will intersect at a point. It gives your exact location. There may be some feet difference.

3D Trilateration

     In 3D Trilateration latitude, longitude and altitude also measured. Altitude means height. This will give a 3D image structure. Normally four satellites are used to locate your position. Because involvement of the fourth satellite in providing location can make it more accurate.

     The satellite has atomic clock which are very precise in time. Since there is variation in gravity in space, the clock in satellite runs 38 milliseconds ahead everyday. This will be updated regularly by the ground station. Every information sent is provided with the time stamp. Satellite clocks are used to timestamp an online payment and anything done online.

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