Physics 1

Laboratory Activity # 2
Where am I? GPS is the Solution
Group # and section: Alanas Group, 9-Einsteinium

Date Performed: August

7, 2015
Members:

Date Submitted: August 17,

2015
{CN-SURNAME, Given
name M.I.}
Baron, Alana Mari B.
Buduan, Lance Christian

Task list, see legend below

Signature

A.
Calalang, Abigail Joy R.
Calixtro, Zharleen Anne A.
Caraan, Beaver Sean F.
Zablan, Robby M.
Legend: task was assigned and done
* task was assigned but not done

task was NOT assigned but done

I.

Objectives
To be able to know how Global Positioning System (GPS) works;
To know how to determine the specific position you are currently in;
To know how many satellites are needed to show your accurate and
precise location.
II.

Methodology
First, the group read the instructional material about the Global Positioning

System to have such background before answering the pre-lab questions.

Then, each prepared the materials needed, specifically 4 precut strings of
different colors, pen for the marking process in order to determine the potential
position of each signal, and a large map, specifically the Asian map. Then, the group
set up the map as to commence the activity.

The group laid the map on the table and taped all the four corners of it in
order to retain stability in the workplace. Then, the group got the four different-incolour strings of 1.5 meters each in length. The group determined exactly how long
each string was supposed to be by solving the d=rt formula. Then the members
used the scale 1:21,283,839 km, which means 1 meter in the map is equal to
21,283,839 km. One of the members cut the four different-in-colour strings into the
desired length according to the table given. Then the group decided on the
representation of the coloured strings as each of the satellites. The group
simultaneously drew circles and arcs to represent the signal strength of each
satellite. Then the member found out their specific location using the circles and the
arcs that represents the signals of the four satellites.
In order for the group to have such expertise in manual determination of a
specific location, further practice was asked to be performed by the group.
III.

Data and Results

IV.

Analysis and Discussion

The activity aims to ask the following questions: What is GPS? What is the

purpose of the GPS? How is GPS managed? How does the GPS work? What are the
components of the GPS? What are the capabilities of GPS?
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As of research,

GPS, formally known as the Navstar Global Positioning

System, is operated and maintained by the United States Department of Defense.

The National Space-Based Position, Navigation, and Timing Executive Committee
manages GPS. The deputy secretaries of the Departments of Defense and
Transportation lead the committee, which has a permanent staff that is responsible
for the development of GPS.
GPS was initiated in 1973 to reduce the proliferation of navigation aids. By
overcoming the limitations of many existing navigation systems, GPS became
attractive to a broad spectrum of users. It was initially used as a navigational aid by
military ground, sea, and air forces. In more recent years, GPS has been used by
civilians in many new ways, such as in automobile and boat navigation, hiking,
emergency rescue, and precision agriculture and mining.
The GPS system was designed for 24 satellites. Each satellite lasts about ten
years. Replacement satellites are placed in orbit regularly to ensure that at least 24
satellites are always functioning. The device that receives the GPS signal is known
as a receiver. Handheld or wrist-mounted GPS receivers are available to the civilian
population; GPS receivers can also be installed in automobiles and boats.
An atomic clock synchronized to GPS is required in order to compute ranges
from these three signals. However, by taking a measurement from a fourth satellite,
the receiver avoids the need for an atomic clock. Thus, the receiver uses four
satellites to compute latitude, longitude, altitude, and velocity.
GPS has three components: the space component, control component, and
user component. The space component includes the satellites and the Delta rockets
that launch the satellites from Cape Canaveral, in Florida. GPS satellites fly in
circular orbits at an altitude of 20,100 km (12,500 mi) and with a period of 12 hours.
The orbits are tilted to Earth's equator by 55 degrees to ensure coverage of polar
regions. Powered by solar cells, the satellites continuously orient themselves to
point their solar panels toward the Sun and their antennas toward Earth. Each
satellite contains four atomic clocks.
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The control component includes the master control station at Falcon Air Force
Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and monitor stations at Falcon Air Force Base
and on Hawaii, Ascension Island in the Atlantic Ocean, Diego Garcia Atoll in the
Indian Ocean, and Kwajalein Island in the South Pacific Ocean. These stations
monitor the GPS satellites. The control segment uses measurements collected by
the monitor stations to predict the behavior of each satellite's orbit and clock. The
prediction data is uplinked, or transmitted, to the satellites for transmission to the
users. The control segment also ensures that the GPS satellite orbits and clocks
remain within acceptable limits.
The user component includes the equipment, or receivers, used by military
personnel and civilians to receive GPS signals. Military GPS receivers have been
integrated into fighter aircraft, bombers, tankers, helicopters, ships, submarines,
tanks, jeeps, and soldiers' equipment. In addition to basic navigation activities,
military applications of GPS include target designation, close air support, smart
weapons, and rendezvous.
The general population typically uses lightweight, handheld receivers or
receivers that have been integrated into automobiles or boats. The general
population uses GPS in many different ways. Surveyors use GPS to save time over
standard survey methods. GPS is used in aircraft and ships for en route navigation
and for airport or harbor approaches. GPS tracking systems are used to route and
monitor delivery vans and emergency vehicles. In a method called precision
farming, GPS is used to monitor and control the application of agricultural fertilizer
and pesticides. GPS is available as an in-car navigation aid and as such, is used by
vacationers and businesspeople who make frequent calls on clients or customers.
Handheld GPS receivers are often used by hikers and hunters. Rescue crews use
GPS to locate persons in emergency situations. A pastime known as caching or
geocaching uses GPS to locate objects deliberately concealed in certain locations in
an adult version of a childs treasure hunt. GPS is also used on the space shuttle.
GPS is available in two basic forms: the standard positioning service (SPS), or
civilian signal, and the precise positioning service (PPS), or military signal. Prior to
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2000 the U.S. military intentionally corrupted or degraded the SPS signal for
national security purposes by using a process known as Selective Availability. As a
result, the SPS signal was much less accurate than PPS. In May 2000 President Bill
Clinton announced that the military would stop Selective Availability. This increased
the accuracy and reliability of SPS by a factor of ten. Today, the military and civilian
GPS signals are believed to be of the same accuracy. For national security reasons
the Defense Department retained the ability to jam the SPS signal on a regional
basis if necessary. Both the SPS and the PPS signals provide a horizontal position
that is accurate to about 10 m (about 33 ft).
Several techniques have been developed to enhance the performance of
GPS. One technique, known as differential GPS (DGPS), employs two fixed stations
on Earth as well as satellites. DGPS provides a horizontal position accurate to about
3 m (about 10 ft). Another technique, known as WAAS, or Wide Area Augmentation
System, was developed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to improve the
safety of aircraft navigation. WAAS monitoring stations around the United States
catch GPS signals, correct errors, and send out more-accurate signals. A technique
involving the use of carrier frequency processing (see Carrier Wave), known as
survey grade GPS, was pioneered by surveyors to compute positions to within about
1 cm (about 0.4 in). SPS, DGPS, WAAS, and carrier techniques are accessible to all
users.
V.

Conclusion and Recommendations

The group concludes that Global Positioning System (GPS) is a space-

based radio-navigation system, consisting of 24 satellites and ground support.

Operated by the United States military but open to civilian uses, GPS provides users
with accurate information about their location and velocity anywhere in the world.
GPS is one of three satellite-based radio-navigation systems, and that Global
Positioning Systems needs at least three satellites to locate your exact position, but
for more accurate results at least four satellites is needed. Therefore more satellites
available, more accurate is the results.
VII.

Bibliography
L.R. Carale, E. G. (1971). Physics for a Better Life. Manila: ISBN.
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2009, Microsoft Encarta 2009 (14, 8 2). Global Positioning System.

Self-study Guide for High School Students Physics
GPS Wikipedia; en.wikipedia.com

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