GPS
Emerging Technologies
GPS
What is GPS? What is involved in the Technology
• GPS—The Most Precise Navigation System Ever Invented
• The Global Positioning System, or GPS, can show you your exact
position on Earth any time, anywhere, in any weather. The system
consists of a constellation of 24 satellites (with about 6 "spares") that
orbit 11,000 nautical miles above Earth’s surface and continuously
send signals to ground stations that monitor and control GPS
operations.
• GPS satellite signals can also be detected by GPS receivers, which
calculate their locations anywhere on Earth within less than a meter
by determining distances from at least three GPS satellites. No other
navigation system has ever been so global or so accurate.
GPS-Uses
• Military- precision operations
• Emergency Crews- fire, ambulance, rescue
• Construction- buildings, tunnels, bridges
• Fleet logistics- trucking, deliveries, cabs
• Environmental- weather, ozone, oil spills
• Personal- hiking, orienteering, traveling, games (geo
caching)
• Educational- Reading maps, orienteering, Geography
GPS
• Hardware- personal GPS receiver in PDA, Cell Phone,
Proprietary Handheld Magellan, Lap top
• Software- Mapping software required for many applications, a
variety of software available depending on application.
• Money- $100 to $2000 for personal system
• Training- varies depending on usage.
• Subscription- depending on whether you have cell and radio
w/ GPS or other services. No fee to use GPS.
GPS
• Adaptive or Assistive Uses: Helping the blind
maneuver w/ more freedom.
Summary
• Tons of uses, is becoming mainstream.