GPS System is one of the wonders of this modern where. Through this system we can get the most accurate information regarding the exact position of any object and its local and universal time. GPS stands Global Positioning System, which is radio-navigation system developed under the supervision of United States Department of Defense. This Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) is the only functional system of its type which acts completely. Its timing services for the civilian users on worldwide basis are quite perfect. The data that the system provides are available for an unlimited number of people. Time zones, daylight, night, weather conditions do not affect this system to perform poorly.
Applications of GPS System include Timing, Space, Environment, Marine, Rail, Aviation, Roads & Highways, Surveying & Mapping, Agriculture, Public Safety & Disaster Relief and Recreation. This system makes use of a constellation with the help of the transmission of specific microwave signals. The GPS receivers possessed by users, the control and monitoring stations located on Earth and satellites orbiting the Earth are the three parts that the GPS System is consisted of. Signals are broadcasted from space by satellites and GPS receivers are used to pick those up and identify. Three dimensional locations along with time are then provided by individual GPS receiver. Three dimensions include latitude, longitude and altitude. In the GPS system, date is written as a week number and a day-of-week number.
Monitoring of the location and navigation of the destination places can easily be determined by the GPS users. The transportation system in any form has got a giant leap worldwide with advent of this system. Life-saving missions, disaster relief and many other emergency services are getting the worth of this revolutionary system. Cell phone activities, banking system are all being operated with greatest efficiency. These economical services have also become helpful for the farmers, geologists, mariners and pilots, too. Uses of this system are completely safe and have no hazards.
The United States Air Force 50th Space Wing manages the GPS satellite constellation. Conceived with the cause of the commoners’ good, this GPS System helps in complex calculations and predictions that take place in research works like scientific study of earthquakes. A gps System receiver has the ability to calculate its position by keeping timing of the signals carefully. GPS satellites located high above the Earth send these signals. There are many GPS applications that have the system to hide the accurately computed time and to show only the computed locations.
Till March 2008, there had been 31 actively broadcasting satellites present in the GPS constellation. Two GPS developers Ivan Getting and Bradford Parkinson were awarded the National Academy of Engineering Charles Stark Draper Prize for 2003. GPS System is undergoing many developments at constant pace to improve our living to a great extent.