Learning How GPS Gadgets Guide Us

You may wonder why GPS systems cost as much as they do. Learning about the technology behind them may help make the price a little easier to swallow.  GPS systems are added – and more frequently, standard – features in the latest cars, PDAs (Personal Data Assistants) and cell phones.  The succeeding paragraphs will attempt to provide a simple overview of how GPS systems work. Full technical details can be found in other articles published on the Internet.

GPS Basics

There are some 2500 satellites currently in orbit around the world.  Not surprisingly, GPS satellites make up a large percentage of these.  I know that sounds impressive, but only about 36 of them are really in operation. A large number consists of retired global positioning satellites.  A low-power signal is transmitted by the satellites which can be received by the GPS system in your car or cell phone.  By accurately measuring the distance from three of these satellites, the GPS system can compute its exact position on earth.

You may be interested to know what a GPS satellite looks like. Pictures can be viewed on the net, but essentially they are around 17 feet across with soloar panels that are spread on either side.  They run on solar power and as extra insurance have backup batteries installed.  They are built to last ten years (knock on wood). There is a "senior" satellite that has been in operation since 1978.  His task is to tell the younger satellites how tough it was in his time and how much easier the new models have it. Just a little satellite humor there.

But Seriously

Earlier I talked a little about GPS receivers. So what are they exactly?  It's basically any device that is able to receive signals from GPS satellites.  There was likely a GPS receiver on that cruise ship you were on last summer, another in the taxicab you had to the airport last week and then there's that Navigon 7100 GPS that your boss just purchased for his auto.  The standard cost of a personal GPS systems receiver is about $300.  Considering you didn’t have to invest anything to design, build and launch the satellite into space, $300 is a very reasonable price.

The US government is responsible for paying the costs involved in manufacturing and launching satellites into orbit.|Our government here in the US has decided to take on the costs involved in creating this network of GPS satellites. Your only job is to power on your GPS system and enjoy the easier travel that it brings you. I hope this article has done its job and that you now feel you have a more thorough idea of how the entire GPS thing works.