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
Axxon Scores Patent for Globalstar-based TrackersAxonn LLC has been awarded patent number 7.337.061 for its AXTracker line of products, the company said today.IIR-19(M)/SVN48 Successfully Reaches OrbitThe United Launch Alliance successfully launched a Delta II rocket early Saturday morning, March 15, from Cape Canaveral, Fla., carrying the latest GPS satellite — the sixth modernized Block IIR-M satellite in the constellation.Why is SVN32 Being Set to Unhealthy?GPS satellite SVN32 will be set to unhealthy March 17 or later, and some observers suspect it may have to do with the GPS control segment and another satellite recently set to healthy and broadcasting on PRN32.North American Telematics Market to Hit $6.47BThe North American commercial vehicle telematics market appears poised to experience a second wave of technology innovation, application penetration, and market growth, says market research firm Frost & Sullivan.Russian GLONASS Program Looks to Double BudgetRussia's Federal Space Agency is asking the government to double the financing for GLONASS in the federal budget for 2009-2011, Russian news agency Itar-Tass reported today.Tele Atlas Expands North American Data for Oracle 11gTele Atlas plans to expand coverage of Tele Atlas MultiNet for Oracle Database 11g with map data of the United States and Canada, the company said today.Leica Unveils Quad Constellation Choke Ring AntennaLeica Geosystems' Leica AR25, its next-generation, high-performance choke ring antenna, is the first of its kind on the market covering all present and currently planned GNSS constellations and signals, including L-Band, the company says.
