Global Positioning System

What is the GPS?

Orbiting navigational satellites

Transmit position and time data

Handheld receivers calculate

latitude longitude altitude velocity

Developed by US Department of Defense

History of the GPS

1969-Defense Navigation Satellite System (DNSS) formed 1973-NAVSTAR Global Positioning System developed 1978-first 4 satellites launched Delta rocket launch 1993-24th satellite launched; initial operational capability 1995-full operational capability May 2000-Military accuracy available to all users

Components of the GPS System

GPS

Space Segment

Control Segment

User Segment

Space Segment

24 satellite vehicles Six orbital planes

Inclined 55o with respect to equator Orbits separated by 60o

20,200 km elevation above Earth Orbital period of 11 hr 55 min Five to eight satellites visible from any point on Earth

Control Segment

Monitor stations Master control station

Schreiver AFB, Colorado

Ground antennas

GPS Ground Control Stations

User segment
User segment

GPS antennas & receiver/processors Position Velocity Precise timing Used by

Aircraft Ground vehicles Ships Individuals

GPS Communication and Control

GPS Satellite Signal

L1 freq. (1575.42 Mhz) carries the SPS code and the navigation message. L2 freq. (1227.60 Mhz) carries the p-code and it used to measure ionosphere delays by PPS receivers

Modulation of the carrier signals

C/A Code The C/A code is a pseudo random code (PRN) . It is repeated every 1023 bits or every millisecond. The C/A code uses for all civil GPS receivers.

P-Code The P code is a very long 10.23 MHz pseudo random code. It modulates the L1 as well as the L2 carrier frequency. The P- code uses for the precise (military) position determination.

Transmission of data

How does the GPS work?

Requirements for GPS system:

Triangulation from satellite Distance measurement through travel time of radio signals Very accurate timing required To measure distance the location of the satellite should also be known Need four satellites to determine position

Measuring Distance

Distance to a satellite is determined by measuring how long a radio signal takes to reach us from the satellite The satellite and our receiver are generating the same pseudo-random codes at exactly the same time. Comparison between the satellite's pseudorandom code and our receiver's code. Multiply that travel time by the speed of light and you've got distance.

Getting Perfect timing

Accurate timing is the key to measuring distance to satellites. Satellite are accurate because they have atomic clocks on board. Receiver clock dont have to be too accurate because an extra satellite range measurement can remove errors.

GPS Position Determination

To use the satellites as references for range measurements we need to know exactly where they are. In order to understand how the GPS satellite system works, it is very helpful to understand the concept of triangulation. Assume user is somewhere on sphere.

GPS Position Determination

To determine a single point we need a second satellite.
User is present on the intersection of both spheres.

GPS Position Determination

Here sphere made by the third satellite is intersecting both of the previous spheres.

Error Sources

Ionosphere and troposphere delays : Signal multipath: Receiver clock errors: Orbital errors : Number of satellites visible: Satellite geometry/shading :

Why we need DGPS ?

DGPS is used to correct the various inaccuracies in the GPS system. High performance GPS receiver at a known location. DGPS can measure good to couple of meters in moving applications & better in stationary situations. With it, GPS becomes a universal measurement system capable of positioning things on a very precise scale. DGPS gives accuracy of 3-5 meters,while GPS gives accuracy of around 15-20 meters.

Requirements for a DGPS

Reference station: Transmitter

PRN 7 PRN 12 PRN 16

Operates in the 300khz range

PRN 3

DGPS correction receiver

Serial RTCM-SC 104 format

Reference Station

RTCM SC104 Differential Correction Signal

User GPS

GPS receiver

What is RTCM SC-104?

RTCM : Radio Technical Commission for Marine service. RTCM special committee (SC) 104 is the one concerned gps correction signal. RTCM data form at related to gps corrections is called RTCM SC 104 data format.

Application of GPS Technology

Location Tracking

Determining a basic position

Navigation

monitoring the movement of things Mapping

getting from one location to another

creating maps of the world

Application of GPS Technology

Private and recreation Traveling by car Vehicle control Mapping, survey, geology English Channel Tunnel Agriculture

GPS Uses for the Military

Operation Desert Storm

Featureless terrain Initial purchase of 1000 portable commercial receivers More than 9000 receivers in use by end of the conflict Foot soldiers Vehicles Aircraft Marine vessels

Conclusion

GPS provides the accurate location and time information for an unlimited number of people in all weather condition,and any where in the world. The future of GPS is as unlimited as your imagination.

GPS Websites

www.google.com www.garmin.com

www.trimble.com
www.gps.gov en.wikipedia.org

Thanks for your interest in the Global Positioning System