What is GPS
Technology evolves at lightning speed and the buzz in the car world begs the question for many people — what is GPS? In short, GPS stands for Global Positioning System.
It is a Satellite based navigation system that was originally developed by the United States Department of Defense intended for military use. It was eventually released to the public for consumer use and more companies realized that the GPS system could be used in many different.
So what is GPS? Essentially what happens is that a small device is fitted to a vehicle either on the dashboard (or windshield) or under the vehicle.
If it is going to be used as a navigation aid — giving you directions — then you will have a dashboard model. If it is being used simply to track vehicles and locate where they are, the GPS can be installed underneath the vehicle.
The GPS device will send a signal up to space where a satellite will then pinpoint the location of the vehicle and send back a signal to the device either providing directions or locating the vehicle. If the GPS system is used for vehicle tracking only, the signal is then transmitted from the GPS device to a computer where a software program shows the vehicle location directly on the computer screen.
Most people will use a GPS system as a navigation aid. Let’s say you go on vacation and are driving in places you are unfamiliar with. With a GPS system, you can get detailed directions through the GPS device that will tell you specifically how you need to get to your location.
They will even tell you things like “turn left at the pharmacy” or “turn right at the Holiday Inn”. GPS navigation systems can be a really great tools and avoid a lot of fights between people on a long car drive!
A lot of people who are not familiar with this type of technology ask what is GPS. There is a lot of information available just for the asking, so if you really want to know about a GPS system, do a little research on the internet and find out if it can help you. Pay attention to the details of the various GPS systems that are out there and become an expert on your own. Then when someone asks you in casual conversation “What is GPS?” you’ll have all the answers!
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GPS News
SigmaTel Jumps into PND Chip MarketWireless chip maker SigmaTel Inc. today introduced a complete processor reference design for portable navigation, which it says can eliminate the need for a number of discrete chips within a personal navigation device (PND).Tele Atlas Warns on Q1 and 2008 RevenueDigital map supplier Tele Atlas NV has warned that its first quarter (Q1) revenue will drop year over year when it reports its quarterly results April 29.SiRF CEO Resigns, Banatao Takes OverSiRF Technology Holdings Inc. announced after the close of markets Thursday, April 18 that Michael L. Canning, its CEO and president, had resigned effective immediately, and that its board's founder would take the reigns of the company.ESA Creates Galileo DirectorateThe European Space Agency's (ESA) governing council has appointed several directorate positions within the agency, including a director of the Galileo program and navigation-related activities.Raytheon Scores GPS Modernized User Equipment ContractRaytheon Co. has won a $61 million U.S. Air Force contract from the GPS Wing to complete the development and certification of next-generation GPS receivers.Leica Geosystems Unveils Latest GNSS ToolsLeica Geosystems today rolled out a new line of GNSS-based monitoring products covering a wide-range of applications, from single reference station monitoring to regional and statewide RTK systems, the company said.Tele Atlas Takes Stake in Indian Map SupplierNetherlands-based digital map supplier Tele Atlas has signed a definitive agreement with Kalyani Group to acquire a stake in Pune, India-based Kalyani Net Ventures Ltd. (KNVL).
