The history of GPS

1. The history of GPS Early Origins: Compass, Sextant, Chronometer Radio based navigation systems used during WWII Sputnik Navstar Global Positioning System Global Positioning System (today)

2. How GPS works: The 5 logical steps of how GPS works 1. GPS (GlobalPositioningSystem) is the "triangulation" from satellites. 2. To "triangulate," a GPS receiver measures distance using the travel time of radio signals.

3. How GPS works: The 5 logical steps of how GPS works 3. To measure travel time, GPS needs very accurate timing 4. The distance along knowing exactly where the orbits are in space is essential. 5. Finally, you must correct for minimal delays the signal experiences as it travels through the atmosphere.

4. What are the uses of GPS • Today, the uses of GPS are broken down into 2 sectors, Military Use and Everyday Use. • The military uses GPS on missiles. • The everyday use, we use to help us get from point A to B with out getting lost.

5. Military Use: • The GPS system was completed in 1994, since then it has proved to be a valuable aid to U.S. military forces. • In the middle of the desert, all you can see is the sandy terrain for hundreds of miles, it would be very easy to get lost with out the use of the GPS. • GPS allows the soldiers to be able to maneuver in sandstorms, at night, and pinpoints exact locations to help win the war, and protect lives. • 1,000 + portable commercial receivers were initially purchased for their use. The GPS proved to be a success and by the end of the war more then 9,000 commercial receivers were in use in the Gulf region. • GPS were carried by soldiers on the ground and were put onto vehicles, helicopters, and aircraft instrument panels. • GPS is very important to all aspects of the military operations and weapons systems. It is used on satellites to collect extremely accurate data.

6. Everyday Use: • The GPS system was developed to meet military needs, new ways to use its capabilities in everyday life are continually being taken advantage of in everyday life by normal people. • Many police, fire, and emergency medical-service units use GPS. It helps to save lives and property across the world. In 2002, it allowed rescuers to drill a shaft to free trapped miners in Somerset PA. • GPS-equipped aircraft can quickly plot the perimeter of a forest fire so fire supervisors can produce updated maps and send fire fighters safely to key spots. • Mapping, construction, and surveying companies use GPS for many purposes. For example, construction of the tunnel under the English Channel, the British and French crews started digging from opposite ends, one from Dover, England, and the other from Calais, France. They used GPS receivers outside the tunnel to check their positions to ensure they met exactly in the middle. • Many people use GPS in their cars to help with directions.

7. Sources • Sources: http://support.radioshack.com/support_tutorials/gps/gps_hist.htmhttp://www.trimble.com/gps/how.htmlhttp://www.aero.org/education/primers/gps/uses.html