GPS [global positioning system] is a worldwide radio-navigation system formed from the constellation of 24 satellites and their ground stations. It is a system mainly used to locate the user's position at a time. Although GPS was originally intended for military applications, but now it is mainly used in marine, location-based services and terrestrial navigation. GPS can work for 24 hours in any type of weather condition, irrespective of sun and rain.

Working of GPS system

GPS works in a wonderful way. The GPS satellite circles the earth twice a day in a precise orbit and transmits signal information to earth. GPS receivers take into this information and use 'triangulation method' to calculate the user's exact location. The meaning of 'triangulation' is receiving radio signals from a distance. Along with knowing the distance, you also need to know exactly the position of the satellites in space. This is done with the help of high orbits and carefully monitoring the instruments for locating the satellites. Finally you also need to correct any type of delays that the signal can experience as it has to travel for a long distance through the atmosphere.

Importance of GPS system

GPS is important as it helps you to figure out where you are and where you are going when you are traveling from one place to another. Navigation and positioning are important but cumbersome activities, which GPS makes it easier. Once GPS locates your position, then it starts tracing other factors like speed, bearing, tracks, trip distance, sunrise/sunset time, distance to destination and several other details. GPS uses 'man-made' stars as reference points to calculate positions accurate to a matter of meters. However, with recent forms of GPS you can make measurements much better than centimeter readings. So it is with the aid of GPS that you can give a unique and specified address to every square meter on the planet.

You can get GPS services without any subscription fees and set up charges. So these days GPS finds its way into cars, planes, boats, construction equipments, farm machinery, laptop computers and movie making gears.

Modern GPS systems

With the world advancing rapidly everyday, there are recently discovered Newer Garmin GPS receivers with WAAS [Wide Area Augmentation System] that can improve the quality and accuracy of location of any one at any time. Although no additional equipment is required, yet users get the advantage of Differential GPS [DGPS] to get correct signals within the distance of three to five meters.

So use GPS systems to get the maximum benefits of modern technology.