GPS What Does It Stand For

Posted By: sScholars Center | Posted On: 18/Oct/2022 | Posted In: General Knowledge | No Comment

There are very few people who do not check the location of a particular place from Google Maps with the help of their smartphone while going to an unknown place or to find out the location of a new place. We find the location using Google Maps easily. But many people do not know how Google Maps is presenting our desired location in front of us. In this post, we have discussed GPS and what does it stand for.

Basically, GPS (which means Global Positioning System) or GPS is behind the magic of Google Maps. Apart from mobile phones, GPS systems are currently being used in all types of vehicles, and using that technology to guide the journey to a specific destination.

Editing of these main tasks is done through the GPS system so today we will know what the GPS system is and how the system works. So let’s get started.

Table of Contents

What is GPS?

GPS is a type of Global Positioning System (Global Positioning System) that is controlled by several satellites in orbit around the Earth.

History of GPS:

GPS was first used in the “U.S. by the Department of Defense”.

In 1973, the GPS project was launched in the “United States of America” to overcome the limitations of the previous navigation system.

GPS was envisioned as a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) that would cover the entire world. GPS is often referred to as the NAVSTAR which means American Navigation System.

The Sputnik I satellite launched by Russia in 1957 was intended to “provide the beginning of geographical positioning”. And shortly after its launch in the US, Its use was started through the Department of Defense.

US The Department of Defense started using this technology primarily for submarine navigation. After 1983, the U.S. GPS technology is allowed to be used by the general public as per government directives.

America’s NAVSTAR GPS consists of 32 satellites that are entirely owned by the U.S. On the other hand, Russia’s global navigation satellite system, which is “GLONASS”, has 24 satellites.

How does GPS work?

The satellites of the GPS system are not located in one place in space, but the satellites are located at a certain distance from the earth at a certain height of about 12 thousand miles and are positioned in such a way that they provide the customers with the accurate location information of the earth.

That is, whether you live in the countryside or in the mountains or the sea, you can know your exact location time through the GPS system.

What is GPS used for?

Now, after knowing what GPS stands for and its history, you might be wondering about its function.

Let’s know a little about what GPS works and where it is used:

Location: Identifying or determining a position.
Navigation: Moving from one location to another.
Tracking: Monitoring of movement of any object or person.
Mapping: Creating a map of the entire world.
Timing: Making it possible to take accurate measurements of time.

GPS has become a widely used technology nowadays. GPS has been used in various industries, companies, and government organizations for various tasks. It is used in many places to create maps and in some places to track position and location. Currently, it is mostly used in transportation vehicles. It is widely used to navigate transportation vehicles. In simple words, there have countless benefits and uses of GPS.

Who Owns the GPS Satellites? Who sent?

There are thousands of satellites currently orbiting the Earth, of which only a few satellites control the entire GPS system. The US government now owns the handful of satellites that control GPS. First, they sent satellites into space in 1970 for their internal defense system and launched the GPS system, and later opened it to the public. There are about 30 control centers around the world to maintain the GPS satellites.

How does GPS Work on Phones?

Although GPS is a very old technology, GPS technology was used in certain vehicles such as fishing boats and airplanes. Currently, every smartphone has a small chip that receives signals sent from satellites. This receiver chip of the phone does not transmit any signal but it only receives the signal from the satellite.

GPS satellites orbiting the Earth transmit signals 24 hours a day, seven days a week. With atomic clocks, GPS satellites are equipped that provide very precise time day after day. Every phone has a clock. The signals that satellites send basically consist of the time it takes to transmit the signal. Your phone calculates the actual distance between the satellite and your phone from the time the received signal was generated and the time your phone received the signal. From this distance mainly GPS determines your location.

Again we know that to know the exact position of an object the position can be accurately determined with respect to the position of at least 3 objects. Here three objects are not relative, the more objects are relative, the more accurately the position information can be determined.

GPS also works on this principle. Every phone has a GPS chip that determines its distance from 3-4 GPS satellites simultaneously. Usually, your phone uses signals from three GPS satellites to find out the above location. So, the more satellite signals you receive, the more accurate your location will be.

What is a GPS tracker?

It is basically a Global Positioning System-based device. It uses a SIM like a mobile phone. This device works by exchanging microwave signals with 32 artificial satellites or satellites included in GPS.

The GPS tracker looks like a rectangular box. At one end there is a connector switch at the tip of a few wires. The location of the vehicle can be tracked by connecting these switches to the vehicle.

The device contains the SIM card slot and circuit. GPS trackers can be attached to the car dashboard or engine switch controller. The GPS tracker can also be used on the car’s OBD-II port without cutting any wires in the car.

Through the mobile network, the GPS tracker sends data to the GPS provider’s server. The user can know the current location of the vehicle through SMS, app, or website.

In addition to knowing the location of the vehicle on a map, some GPS trackers also have the facility of viewing conversations (audio) and scenes (video) inside the vehicle. Not just GPS, GPRS, GSM, or LBS technology can be used to locate the vehicle through the same device. In another post, we will discuss these.

Does the Satellite Know the Name of Every Place on Earth?

The answer is “no”. Because satellite GPS verifies location through latitude and longitude points. The coordinates of these two points in each part of the world are different, that is the names of any number of places in the world may be the same. But the coordinates of the longitude-latitude points of multiple locations will be different. Satellites transmit coordinates based on your location. Shows that point on the display through the apps or software you use.

Whether an Internet Connection is Mandatory to Run the GPS System?

Basically, an internet connection is not mandatory to run a GPS system. That is, an internet connection is not mandatory to receive the signal sent from the satellite but an internet connection is required to display that information.

Benefits of using GPS:

Let us know below some important benefits, uses, and functions of GPS.

Emergency Response: During any type of natural disaster, various responders first use GPS. Weather mapping, tracking, and forecasting are possible through GPS.
Entertainment: Currently, GPS is being used in various Android and PC games. That’s a lot of work in online multiplayer gaming.
Safety & Security: With the use of GPS, you can keep an eye on your loved ones. It is possible to have knowledge of where they are going.
Location tracking & navigation: Using this technology you can find any place, shop, hotel, road, etc. Moreover, GPS will show you the complete route to go to a particular place.
Health & Fitness: We can track our physical activities through GPS technologies in today’s modern smartphones and smartwatches. For example, how much you stand or walk during the day, etc.
Preventing Car Theft: The use of GPS can save cars, bikes, etc. from theft. GPS works as an anti-theft device if you install a GPS-tracking device in your car or bike. In this, even if someone steals your bike or car, you can check the location of your car at any time.
Solo Travels: If you are going to travel in an unknown country or city, then GPS is most useful for finding roads or places.

Possibility of GPS System Shutdown

First, we know that America is the owner of a GPS system. They can turn off the GPS system at any tropical time if they want. Apart from America’s GPS system, other countries have their own GPS systems, and China and Russia have their own GPS systems. So by now, we know how GPS works, how it determines specific locations and the country that controls them.