We have been using GPS for decades now but some of us may be unaware about how GPS works. As we already know GPS technology is being used for many purposes in our day to day life. The common gadgets that use GPS technology are Mobile Phones, GPS enabled Watches, GPS Tracker Devices, and GPS Enabled shoes. Businesses also take advantage of gps systems by incorporating it into their business strategy
How GPS Works
As per studious Guy, GPS works using the satellites in outer space and the signal receiver on the ground. To measure the accurate location of any object, the signal receiver would require the distance from at least 4 satellites. The accuracy of the GPS location increases with the increase in the number of satellites from which the receiver receives the signal. There are additional ground stations to maintain the smooth functioning of GPS satellites.
GPS has 32 satellites to cover the entire earth for Geolocation. Out of which 8 satellites are used as backup satellites and 24 remaining satellites actively contribute to the functioning of the GPS System.
Moreover there are ground stations to monitor the movements of these satellites in order to make sure everything is working as per the requirement.
To understand how a GPS system works, consider there is a GPS receiver (Ex. A Smartphone) on the earth seeking to identify the geolocation of themself. The receiver then starts to receive the signals from the GPS satellites and process the distance of each satellite from the location of the receiver by using mathematical calculation.
This calculation can be done using the speed of the signal from the satellites (Which is equal to the speed of Light) and time taken to receive the signal. By identifying the distance of each satellite in outer space relative to the Object (Here a smartphone), the exact location can be identified by the method of interception of coordinates. The location will be more accurate if the GPS receiver can receive the signal from more than 4 satellites.
How internet helps to do the GPS Tracking
The working of a GPS tracking system consists of Satellites, GPS receivers and ground stations. There is no need for the internet for the functioning of the above components. But what if we need to locate a device(a GPS receiver) which is far away from where we situated.?
The data consisting of the geo location of the GPS receiver needs to be transferred to the device in our location. Here the internet will help us to do this job. By integrating the internet with a GPS system, one can track and monitor the location of any GPS receiver by establishing a connection between them. This makes GPS tracking so much easier and convenient.
Conclusion
GPS technology consists of satellites, GPS receivers, and Ground stations. Even though GPS can work on its own, the internet connectivity makes the GPS location tracking much easier. The GPS services are open to the public without any cost but the control and maintenance of the satellite constellation in outer space is managed by the Government.
