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The Technology Behind GPS MappingIf you’re planning to get your own GPS system to help you with your traveling and tracking, you need to have basic knowledge about the technology itself to maximize the potential of a GPS device.
In 1973, the Navstar GPS was developed for the U.S. Department of Defense to be used for military purposes. The system was composed of 24 satellites that orbit around the earth every twelve hours. Five stations on the ground monitored the satellite’s position in space, while also observing its operational status.
For the GPS device to determine location, elevation, average speed or other data accurately, each device consists of a receiver that obtains signals from no less than four of the 24 satellites. This is the reason why antennas of a GPS mapping device requires an unhindered view of the sky in order to work correctly. This requirement is called“3D Fix”.
The GPS receiver, which is equipped with precise location information such as longitude and latitude, could overlay all data onto a map files that is saved on your unit. As a result, its reveals your real-time position on the map, including the locations where you have been. As the receiver from your GPS unit continuously recalculates and receives your position, the satellites always synchronize your location, 24 hours a day.
A typical GPS system, such as those of Magellan GPS and Garmin GPS devices, contains an antenna and twelve-channel receiver that captures the signal of the satellites. It also includes a CPU that constantly processes the data.
The time your GPS unit can provide you with a 3D fix depends largely on the quality of your unit’s receiver as well as you geographic location. For instance, if you’re currently inside a tall building, it is much more difficult for your receiver to hold onto a signal than if you’re outside walking. For this reason, the GPS’ antenna should always have a clear view of the sky to receive the best results.
When you open your GPS system for the first time, it would collect a number of information from the satellites to determine your exact whereabouts. This is because your receiver starts out as blank and requires information to determine accurate time, orbital patterns of the satellites and the location of the unit itself. This process takes a Magellan GPS unit and Garmin GPS system around 45 seconds, while other devices could take several minutes. After your first synchronization, it would take a few seconds to recover complete signals from the satellites and your GPS unit will constantly determine positioning information.
Since you now know how a GPS unit works, you can easily maximize the potential of your device by tracking, re-tracing steps, saving important locations and never be lost ever again.
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