Introduction To Global Positioning System - GPS

Introduction

The Global Positioning System (GPS) it is a Satellite-Based Navigation system ,It is a network which is made up of 24 satellites which are placed into orbit . Basically it was designed for the military applications, but in the 1980s, the law was passed by the Government use of GPS by the civilians .GPS works in any weather conditions 24 hours a day. It works in any remote area of the world.

 User having the GPS receiver, this system will shows and provide the information about the location and time. GPS which provides accurate location and time in any cir substances weather, it may be day and night,or monsoon anywhere in the world.

Three Elements of GPS:

1. Satellites Orbiting the Earth.

2. Controlling and Monitoring stations.

3. GPS receivers. 

Satellites Orbiting the Earth :

GPS satellites rotating the earth twice a day in a precise orbit and transmitting the signals information to earth. GPS satellites broadcast signals to the GPS receivers of the user. Each GPS receiver try to trace the location , in three-dimensional latitude, longitude, and altitude and plus the time. 

Controlling and Monitoring stations:

The ground stations their are six controlling station located around the world which makes that the satellites in the orbit are working properly.

The master control station located at Schriever Air Force Base, near Colorado Springs, Colorado.•Six monitoring stations:

Hawaii and Kwajalein in the Pacific Ocean; Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean; Ascension Island in the Atlantic Ocean; Cape Canaveral, Flor ida and Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Types of GPS Units:

Laptop based Systems:

Laptop based GPS systems : Here the map or software can be downloaded in laptop and cheap compared with other GPS units. The only thing is to have the Receiver this can be connected through USB PORT or Serial Port.

PDA Based System:

A PDA which stands for Personal Data Assistant it is a hand held device that has designed for features same as Personal Computer. which uses the Palm OS, that uses Microsoft mobile operating system is called a Pocket PC .It has Built in feature added GPS navigation tool.

Laptop / Computer Software for Traveller:

Travelling with a laptop / computer (UMPC, etc), has it's own benefits. You can get GPS connected to your computer / laptop, check emails wherever you get internet connectivity, watch movies, play games and much more. Power consumption however can be a thing for which you might need to take care. Let's say you are playing some music on a UMPC, then you would not require it's screen to remain turn on or at times you might wish to do other computer control activities. RTSoftwares (http://www.rtsoftwares.com/) provies a small software utility named Turn Off Monitor which can be used to control your computer / laptop as you desire when you really need that and need it fast.

Computer Lock, turning Laptop or UMPC (running Windows Operating System) monitor off by moving mouse cursor at defined corner of screen or after idle minutes and tons of other features which can be helpful when you are travelling with a Laptop or any other device running Windows Operating System. The document listed at

defines more about the small software which can be your companion whenever you are travelling with / without GPS system.