Whenever we hear the term “GPS”, what would probably come to our minds is a digital device with maps and other features that tells us our exact location on Earth. But did you know that such a device is just one part of GPS? The device is called a GPS receiver, and while it is certainly an important GPS device, it is but a part of a very large and complicated system that allows us to measure our exact location on earth.

The three-lettered abbreviation “GPS” stands for Global Positioning System. It is a satellite-based navigation system that has the ability to measure an object’s exact location on earth. The United States’ Department of Defense (DOD) developed the system and officially called it the NAVSTAR GPS (Navigation Signal Timing and Ranging Global Positioning System). It was intended to be used for only military operations but has been available for civilian use since the 1980s.

The Global Positioning System is an enormous and complex system that may be divided into three segments: space, control, and user. The “control” segment refers to the various stations on Earth that sustain and control the system. The “space” segment of the GPS refers to its system of satellites that transmits the signals used for location identification. The “user” segment refers to the GPS receivers–the actual unit that we often mistakenly think of as the system.

CONTROL

The “control” segment of the GPS refers to the various ground stations run by the US Department of Defense that controls the numerous aspects of the system. Specifically, these stations oversee the flight of the GPS satellites, synchronize the satellite’s onboard atomic clocks, and upload the data to be transmitted by the satellites.

SPACE

The “space” segment of the GPS is a constellation of 27 satellites that orbit Earth 12,600 miles above its surface. 24 of these satellites are in operation while the other three are on standby mode and will be used only if one of the 24 fails. Each of the satellites travels around the earth twice in less than 24 hours, traveling at a speed of approximately 7,000 miles per hour.

Each of the satellites used in the GPS configuration weighs between 3,000 to 4,000 pounds. All of these satellites are solar-powered, but all have backup batteries onboard to be used in the absence of solar power (i.e., solar eclipse). The satellites are also equipped with small rocket boosters to keep them flying on the correct path.

The signals that are transmitted by the GPS satellites are low-powered radio signals. These signals contain three different sets of data–a pseudorandom code, ephemeris data, and almanac data–that are deciphered by the GPS receiver to obtain a precise measure of its location. The pseudorandom code tells the receiver which satellite is broadcasting the signal while the ephemeris data provides information about the satellite’s position. Meanwhile, the almanac data contains information like the status of the satellite, current date and time.

USER

The “user” segment of the GPS refers to the GPS receivers, used for either military or civilian purposes. The GPS receiver is essentially an electronic device that picks up the signal transmitted by the satellites and uses the information on those signals to figure out its precise location. Of course, this function is much more complex than a simple summary makes it sound.

The GPS receiver in fact needs two things for it to gauge its location. First, it needs information to tell it the location of at least three GPS satellites. Then, it would need to measure the length between it and each of the three GPS satellites. The first information can be interpreted from the signal transmitted by the satellites while the second set of data can be obtained by measuring the speed at which the signal was received.

ALL-IN-ONE SYSTEM

Combining the control, space, and user segments, we have a Global Positioning System that can reveal our precise location here on earth.

As you can see, the GPS is not solely the GPS receiver alone. It is an immense system, and a very complex one at that. But, because every other part of the system is well maintained by the Department of Defense, we should never have to worry about those parts. All we must do is secure a GPS receiver and, in an instant, we’ll receive information about our current location and other landmarks and road conditions that the receiver may want us to know.

About the Author:

Christopher Anderson is a writer for several popular online magazines, on shopping and products and product reviews subjects.

Global Positioning System (GPS) is a widely known system that uses satellite signals to trace the location and position of vehicles on earth. Formerly developed by the US Department of Defense, today it is a common feature in mobile devices and cars, which include a GPS navigation system to receive data that maps blocks of a city.

GPS navigation is a special feature providing you with 24-hour three-dimensional position information, including velocity, time, and traffic conditions in the area where your vehicle is located, being capable to go ahead on the road or any other place covered by the satellite-based positioning system.

This technology was first introduced to civilians through experimental Japanese cars. Today, it is a common feature available in GPS-enabled automobiles worldwide, although not all the cars include this unit. However, add in-car GPS Satellite Navigation is as easy as purchasing the hardware and very easy mapping software that provides information at street level accurately.

In-car navigation units have costs ranging from $350 to $1000 on average and include a series of functions such as pre-loaded maps, voice-guided directions, door-to-door navigation, and rechargeable battery. The advantage with these units is that they do not require a PC connection to work.

Although, if you are carrying a laptop or another compatible portable device, such as PDAs. PCMCIA GPS cards enable this feature in your system at a lower price, usually between $100 and $300. PCMCIA units have a lower power consumption and external active antenna with a connector port in addition to its high sensitive receivers.

When it comes to GPS navigation, remember that most smartphones and other wireless devices are also compatible with this technology. In fact, a large number of them include built-in GPS Navigation, although driving and consulting a handset is not as practical as having a GPS unit installed on your car.

New cars often come with GPS navigation units installed by the manufacturer. Other car models, old or new, do not include this benefit, but you can add it by purchasing the unit with your car dealer, at auto parts shops or other stores specialized in computer systems, or conveniently through the Internet.

Purchasing a GPS navigation unit requires a little research to become familiar with the different brands and functionality that each one offers to drivers. Among the top Car GPS navigation systems, the Garmin Nuvi 660 is one of a kind, but also one of the most expensive.

The Garmin Nuvi 660 provides you with all the navigation functions that you may require while driving anywhere in the world, but also PC and mobile device connectivity via Bluetooth, the reason this option is considered a good investment.

Other portable navigation systems are sold at more affordable prices, and depending on the level of mapping and functions their cost vary. Among the most popular GPS navigation units, we can mention the TomTom One, TomTom GO 910, the Magellan RoadMate 2200T, and the HP iPaq rx5900 Travel Companion.

Mentioning separately, the Navman F20 deserves to be noted since it is a very good portable GPS navigation unit, which is also one of the most affordable systems on the market, with prices ranging from $250 to $400 according to a popular online price comparison tool.

This device is also one of the most reliable, intuitive and accurate among others intended for first-time car buyers or people with no previous experience using GPS navigation systems.

There are many other GPS navigation systems and most of them are shipped with a vehicle mount, making it easier to take a peek at the map without the need to stop driving. As prices increase while browsing the different models, you will find that many costly units offer more benefits and durability, including voice guidance.

GPS Navigation is special but not a superfluous investment, if you do not need driving directions, the system is always useful to track wherever you are, find streets names, or avoid a traffic jam while saving you money and time.

Dennis runs Car Dealer Check and offers Florida SEO services.

Hiking is a great sport for someone who wants to be in the outdoors, and experience a sense of complete freedom and satisfaction. But it is an activity that requires all the precautionary measures to be considered before participating. In the past, a person was accompanied by a local tracker on a hiking trip. This tracker was experienced and familiar with the particular location.

These days, the GPS (global positioning system) is replacing some of the functions of the local trekker. The GPS allows you to perform the trip on your own without the help of another person. In order to figure out which GPS would work for you, the GPS should be examined further.

The GPS system shows you where you are, and shows you the route you are following and what routes are possible. If you are traveling in an area that hasn’t been mapped out yet, you would have to install the map into your GPS before your hiking trip.

When you buy a GPS system for hiking you must take into account the conditions you will be in. Unlike a GPS system in cars or planes or sea vehicles, you will be holding it throughout the entire trip. It has to be durable, water and shock resistant and keep updating areas and locations you as you move along. You should also consider what type of hiker you are, whether you are a serious hiker, or just a person who goes out on the weekends. This knowledge would give you a better understanding about the features you need. The most well known brands for hikers are Garmin and Magellan.

The main thing to remember is that you need a system which is more functional and has the most detailed mapping capabilities in the area you are going to hike. Things like shape, size, or color are not as necessary, make sure you consider what you need.

About the Author:

David Matthews is a staff writer at GPS Advisor and is an occasional contributor to several other websites, including Travel Gazette.

For any driver travelling some distance, GPS navigation systems are essential and can save both time and money. Many people will think “I don’t need one of them, I never get lost”, nevertheless at the price that you or I could pick one of these up for these days, it’s common sense to purchase one for even the occasional drive to a new location.

The GPS systems that are available today offer a lot more than just the map info that many people assume. Since GPS systems have arrived, the technological advancements have added such benefits as locating hotels and restaurants, and notifying the driver of speed cameras nearby. Furthermore, they constantly update with a detailed map of the area, with details of nearby facilities like hospitals; which is a feature that can be highly advantageous in an emergency situation.

The majority of vehicle manufacturers are capable of providing the car buyer with a built-in GPS system. These systems are able to advise the necessary authority of the vehicle location in scenarios where the vehicles’ airbag is deployed, and also when the car has been reported by the owner as stolen.

The detail that many GPS systems can provide in terms of road maps and directions is incredible. Even when abroad, the relevant software is available for you to be able to use your GPS there. The software is regularly available via the internet for the GPS user to download instantly, and to benefit from in almost, if not all countries.

So let’s take a look at some of the most useful and “must-have” options with a GPS device:
- A good viewing screen is vital as it obviously displays all of the data that you will need to see. Make sure it will be clearly visible and easy to understand whilst driving, and all information is displayed in a simple easy-to-follow manner.
- Consider selecting a GPS product that is easy to use, so that you do not need to fiddle around with the setup whilst in the car, but instead can set up what you need in a few seconds.
- Purchase a device that has good mapping software, which will display detailed streets and information on facilities. Ensure that it can also be updated online so all information can remain current.
- A voice enabled system is highly important, as it allows the driver to find their destination without taking their eyes off the road to constantly check their position on the GPS.

For those that do not have a GPS device, you may still decline the need for such a product; however for those that own one, i’m certain that they will never again be without one. They are practical to keep in your vehicle and provide good-quality information when required. They can save you time when travelling to a location and vehicle costs such as petrol whilst doing so. Take a look around at the GPS devices available to find out more detailed information, and to browse the deals that can be found. With the range of equipment available, finding one to meet your requirements should be relatively effortless.
About the Author

Justin Brown is the owner of the site http://www.idealauto.co.uk where you can find satellite navigation equipment and also sell any used cars in the UK.

Have you heard of GPS tracking before? GPS tracking, when used with the right equipment, makes it possible for the whereabouts of someone or an item, like a cell phone or a vehicle, to be recorded. For instance, if your car was stolen, but equipped with GPS tracking, the authorities could use your GPS tracking to get the exact coordinates or location of your vehicle.

Although GPS tracking is nice, there are some individuals who can benefit more from having it than others. One of those individuals is business owners, particularly those who run a freight broker business. If you run a freight broker business, it is your responsibility to get your client’s goods from one location to the next. In the event of an accident or theft, your client’s goods may not make it to their intended destination; however, GPS tracking can make it easier to do. With GPS tracking, you can know exactly where all of your drivers are, at all times. This is almost always guaranteed to make your business run more smoothly.

If you do a lot of traveling, especially to distances that are quite far from your home or your comfort zone, you may want to think about having GPS tracking equipped installed and activated either in your vehicle or on your cell phone. GPS tracking on cell phones is nice, but to be effective, you must make sure that you carry your cell phone with you at all times. If you have GPS tracking installed and activated in your vehicle, it could assist you if were ever to break down. The authorities or your family could tell where you were if you have your GPS tracking equipment activated. This is particularly helpful if you and your vehicle became disabled to the point where you couldn’t seek help yourself.

If you live in an area that is regularly the target of automobile thefts or if you have one of the most commonly stolen vehicles, you may want to think about installing and activating GPS equipment in your vehicle. As previously mentioned, GPS tracking makes it possible to know where your vehicle has been and even where it currently is. With GPS tracking, stolen cars are often recovered a lot quicker; in fact, sometimes stolen cars without GPS tracking are never even recovered.

If you are the parent of a teenager, you may want to think about having GPS tracking equipped installed and activated in their cell phones or their vehicles. With teenagers, you can never be too careful. They, unfortunately, do not always think through all of their actions. Even the most careful of teenagers can be the target of a crime, like kidnapping or auto theft. GPS tracking on cell phones and in vehicle may one day help to save their lives.

The above mentioned people are just a few of the many who can benefit from having GPS tracking equipped installed, either in vehicles or cell phones. If you are a business owner or just a regularly citizen who wants to stay on the safe side, you are urged to further examine GPS tracking and what it can do for you.

Quentin Chamberlain is a writer for RM Tracking . com where you can find accurate information about GPS Tracking and other related information.

Although there are many advantages to cell phone GPS tracking, there are also privacy concerns. As most people carry their cell phone with them at all times, the ability is in place to track the exact movements of all individuals. Is this a case of Big Brother, and who can access to this information?

Cell Phone GPS tracking can prove useful in many walks of life and especially when an emergency arises. Picture the scene of a road accident where injuries have occurred. A 911 call made from a GPS cell phone would significantly speed up the arrival of the emergency services if the GPS signal from the cell phone can be pin-pointed to an exact location. This feature alone could save many lives.

For these reasons the FCC has instructed that wireless network providers provide the cell phone GPS tracking location information for 911 calls which have been made from cell phones. This is known as E911. In essence this is no different than a 911 call made from a land line, as the land line is registered to an address and the relevant emergency services can be quickly dispatched to that address.

However, where the difference occurs is that a property does not move but the tracking of a GPS cell phone is registering the day to day movements of an individual, and that has given rise to the privacy concerns of who can access such private information.

However, the relevant law relating to E911 is fairly explicit. It allows carriers to provide tracking location information to third parties for e911 emergency calls only, however not under any other circumstances whatsoever without the consent of the cell phone owner.

The privacy of cell phone GPS tracking has also been backed up by a number of recent court hearings. Recent court hearings have disallowed the requests of law enforcement agencies to obtain cell phone GPS tracking information from the cell phone companies for suspects. The courts have ruled that Congress have not authorized location tracking without actual evidence of wrongdoing and that probable cause is not sufficient reason for the release of records.

These events will ensure that the advantages of cell phone GPS tracking will not be compromised by privacy issues and that its long term future and usefulness is secured.
About the Author

For more information on cell phone GPS tracking and other GPS products visit www.satnav-gps.info today.

The most revolutionary change that Hummingbird fish finders have undergone has been of the amalgamation of the Global Positioning Systems within the sporting unit in the usual models and the portable units. One of the first aspects that you will think of while shopping for a fish finder is likely to be the GPS since it is such a useful tool.

A GPS fish finder helps in navigation and recording fishing locations with precise accuracy. You naturally do not want to loose your way in the open seas. Moreover, many times you are reminded of a location where you found a lot of fish. You want to find your way back to the fishing spot but are unable to due to the absence of a convenient tool to guide you. Maps and compasses do help but if you have kept a note of the location you can go back to the exact same spot and repeat your fantastic fish finding performance. Hummingbird fish finder models that are equipped with a GPS facility can help you in both these situations.

The Global Positioning System is a network of 24 satellites that the U.S government has placed into orbit. It is a navigation system that works in all weather conditions and is totally free for use without any set up charges or subscription. GPS satellites transmit signals to earth while circling the planet in their precise orbits. These signals are then used to calculate the exact location of the user by the use of the trigonometric method of triangulation. When a GPS receiver is locked on to the signals of at least three satellites, it calculates the longitude and latitude and thus tracks movement.

Hummingbird fish finder systems come with entry level GPS, for those who do not want to spend much. They are also available with sophisticated state of the art systems for the hardcore fisherman.

Hummingbird fish finders with super accurate GPS chart plotting will ensure an unforgettable fishing experience and provide you with confidence that you are sure to return home safely. GPS enabled Hummingbird fish finders are capable of directing you back home, no matter how far out to sea you travel. The new 12-channel GPS receivers are accurate to the nearest fifteen meters whereas those with Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) can get you to a spot as close as three meters from the exact location.

GPS receivers that are installed in Hummingbird fish finders use the most precise method of electronic navigation available to anglers. They are sturdy, accurate, and easy to read but at the same time it should not be forgotten that they are only tools. Keeping an alternative method of navigation handy while out in the open seas, like charts and compass will prove helpful in case of any unforeseen circumstances or emergency.

You can choose a Hummingbird fish finder that suits your pocket and meets the requirements of your fishing plans from among the vast range of GPS models that are available in the catalogue. Hummingbird fish finders with GPS are composite units with a sonar fish finder and a GPS chart-plotter with an antenna: built in or external. On a marine chart-plotter your position is superimposed over a moving map to enable you to see your position all the time. The ones that come with a track-plotter will let you save your position to access later on.

Discover more about the range of hummingbird fish finders that are available at http://www.hummingbirdfishfindersreview.com. Get tips and reviews on the different models.

What is GPS?
GPS stands for Global Positioning System. High above us, there are a group of 24 satellites orbiting the earth constantly providing information to tell us the map location (latitude and longitude) of a car or other vehicle. It also tells us how fast the vehicle is traveling and in what direction.

How is GPS Tracking Information Helpful?
* For parents, it takes some of the worry out of your kids driving long distances home from college. You know where they are and when to expect them home.
* For parents of teenagers, you never have to wonder if your son or daughter is where they say they are. No more late night phone calls asking - “Where are you?”
* For baby-boomers, the shoe is on the other foot - it helps to take some of the worry out of your elderly parents driving home from vacation or just driving around town. You know where they are and this allows them to be more independent.
* GPS tracking is customer service at it’s finest. You know instantly which of your drivers is closest to the customer needing help.
* Imagine how thrilled your customers will be when you can tell them exactly when to expect their delivery!
* For employers, using GPS tracking allows you to know how fast your employees are driving, how long a break they are taking (vehicle hasn’t moved), and if they are where they say they are!
* GPS tracking also allows you to monitor fuel usage based on how fast your employee is driving and the automatic mileage feature reminds you to schedule, regular preventative maintenance.
* GPS tracking is customer service at it’s finest! You know instantly which of your drivers is closest to the customer needing help. And Imagine how thrilled your customers will be when you can tell them exactly when to expect their delivery!
* GPS Tracking can eliminate the need for having your truckers fill out driving logs.
* Many insurance companies now offer discounts for vehicles protected with tracking systems.

Brought to you by www.GPS-My-World.com for home and business GPS tracking.

About the Author

I developed http://www.gps-your-world.com for home and business GPS tracking.

I can remember when I was a kid we would go on family vacations and of course that meant driving all over the country. The thing I remember most is the huge pile of maps of every city of every state. They would spend the whole year in the garage so when they were taken out they had that garage smell which filled the entire car and there began the memories of the car trip. My mom in the front seat, my dad driving and my brothers squished in the back seat with me. Anyway that is just the beginning.

The maps were old and they would fade over the years so that led to some very interesting getting lost sessions in which my dad would get angry and the steering wheel would get punched and of course some colorful language would be spewed. We would end up just pulling over at the nearest building anywhere we happened to be and asking where in the heck we were going. That is how the family vacation was and always occurred. These days those types of things may happen but they do not have to thanks to the technology we have on the shelves. Digital maps and systems to get you where you have to go; what an amazing thing that I wish we had many years ago.

For more information about gps, finder fish garmin, or to pick up a lowrance fish finder visit here.

For drivers in North America who are tired of staring at maps and pulling into gas stations to get directions the new technology of GPS may be the answer. GPS or Global Positioning Systems are an inexpensive and reliable way of finding your exact position on the globe at any given time. For the driver this can mean never having to look a road map again. This is a brief introduction to the major brands of GPS units and some information about each.

Garmin offers two different types of GPS units and many models for each type. The larger of the two the Streetpilot is meant to be mounted in your car and provides street to street directions map and much more useful information during you trip. Some of the more recent models of the Streetpilot offer voicecapabilities and will vocally give a driver directions. The Quest offer many of the same features as the Streetpilot but it comes in a smaller handheld size and is battery powered. The Quest may be a better option if you often find your self leaving the car behind and need directions on foot.

Magellan is one of the oldest consumer level GPS manufacturers and they are still one of the finest. The Roadmates line of GPS units have been around for a while and the newest models are still in competition for the highest in quality. The newest models of Roadmates provide turn by turn directions to your destination with its internal speaker. This line of GPS units are powered by the cars cigarette lighter and mounts easily to most automobiles. The Roadmate 800 provides color 3-D maps on its 3″ screen.

The newest brand of GPS unit comes from Tom-Tom. The Tom-Tom Go700 provides directions on it’s 3.5″ screen which gives its display in 3-D. The Go700 can give vocal directions in dozens of languages. The most interesting feature about this unit is it’s Bluetooth capability allowing it to connect to cell phones to give weather, traffic and road conditions for your trip.
About the Author

Find out more great information about GPS at http://gps-go.info