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FAQ

The GPS (Global Positioning System) is a navigation system based on a network of 24 (currently 30) satellites that were placed into the space by the Department of Defense of the United States. Originally meant for military uses, it is now globally available for civil use and there are no subscriptions or setup charges. The data is completely free.

The GPS consists of 3 segments: the Space Segment, the Control Segment and the User segment. The space segment consists of the navigation satellites in 6 circular orbits around the earth. The control segment consists of a master control station in the Colorado Springs and has 5 monitor stations and 3 ground antennas. The monitors track the satellites and collect information and then send the information to the control station in order to be processed to calculate extremely precise satellite orbits. The information is then formatted into updated navigation messages and transmitted to each satellite via the ground antennas. The user segment consists of the GPS navigation devices, receivers and processors receive the GPS satellites broadcast and compute details like time, speed and precise location.
A GPS device is a navigation device that captures signals and receives information from the GPS satellites. It uses this information to accurately calculate its geographical information. Hence, through the data of the GPS satellite and the different features of GPS devices, we are able to extract various information like:
  • Maps displayed in human-friendly format
  • Guided navigation directions via text or speech
  • Possibilities of routes available to a destination and shortest route available
  • Traffic maps – warnings on traffic congestion on a particular location
  • Location of public utilities like restaurants, hospitals, churches, banks, schools and so on
  • Playback of journey undertaken with accurate details on location, routes taken, stop points and time.
GPS is extremely accurate. It provides precise data on time, location and displacements but the results displayed to the user will also depend on the receiver and computer.
The GPS works completely fine in all types of weathers. As long as the GPS device is in working condition, the weather will rarely impact the data.
Heated or metallized windscreens in vehicles can impair satellite reception. Radio frequency can also be a cause of interference.