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Posts Tagged ‘GPS’

Global Positioning System

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is the only fully functional Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). Utilizing a constellation of at least 24 medium Earth orbit satellites that transmit precise microwave signals, the system enables a GPS receiver to determine its location, speed/direction, and time.

Developed by the United States Department of Defense, it is officially named NAVSTAR GPS (Contrary to popular belief, NAVSTAR is not an acronym, but simply a name given by Mr. John Walsh, a key decision maker when it came to the budget for the GPS program[1]). The satellite constellation is managed by the United States Air Force 50th Space Wing. The cost of maintaining the system is approximately US$750 million per year,[2] including the replacement of aging satellites, and research and development. Despite these costs, GPS is free for civilian use as a public good.

GPS has become a widely used aid to navigation worldwide, and a useful tool for map-making, land surveying, commerce, and scientific uses. GPS also provides a precise time reference used in many applications including scientific study of earthquakes, and synchronization of telecommunications networks.

Simplified method of operation

A GPS receiver calculates its position by measuring the distance between itself and three or more GPS satellites. Measuring the time delay between transmission and reception of each GPS microwave signal gives the distance to each satellite, since the signal travels at a known speed – the speed of light. These signals also carry information about the satellites’ location and general system health (known as almanac and ephemeris data). By determining the position of, and distance to, at least three satellites, the receiver can compute its position using trilateration.[3] Receivers typically do not have perfectly accurate clocks and therefore track one or more additional satellites, using their atomic clocks to correct the receiver’s own clock error.

The crying needs for successful and enjoyable holiday travel a getting to the destination, and providing some entertaining distraction along the way â?? are now answered with the help of heaven-sent, handy GPS-based navigation systems. Whether you are traveling cross-country or taking a quick weekend trip, having a GPS device will make your journey easier, faster and much more fun.

In recent years, GPS devices have begun to mature from barebones units to more feature-packed devices that also let you play music and even make calls from your car. Both GPS- systems and satellite radios are becoming hot add-ons for new cars and rentals, and there are a variety of interesting and ever more affordable options to upgrade your existing vehicle. Today’s systems work well with small and built-in GPS antennas providing visual and voice prompts for upcoming turns, and dynamically adjusting when you take a detour. These systems can normally store at least major highway maps for the entire regions plus detailed maps for a specific region, as well as associated points of interest, addresses and even phone numbers for businesses, gas stations, ATMs, hotels, restaurants, and attractions.

There’s so much to see and do when you are on vacation that you want to make sure you donâ??t miss a thing while driving or hiking. Itâ??s especially true when youâ??re taking a tour around national parks and other scenic vistas â?? thatâ??s the reason enough to be looking out the windshield and not at the map. Now you have the power and security to make any trip an effortless and memorable one whether you’re working, sightseeing or a little of both. You will never get lost again or miss out on the points of interest thanks to GPS. Whether in your own car, a rental car or RV Rental, integrating the in-car entertainment like an MP3 player and tour guide content will allow you to travel at your own pace; visiting the places you want to see. With multilingual turn-by-turn visual guidance, voice prompt navigation and easy to read graphics, traveling from place to place has never been easier and so visitor-friendly. It also gives you suggested directions, so you don’t get lost, for the most popular driving routes as well and invite you to get off the beaten path to take the roads less traveled. You will get to see more, hear more, laugh more and experience more than you ever could have on your own.

With all the technology available to us, there’s no excuse for getting the family lost in an unfamiliar place or stuck in hours of traffic on holidays. GPS is a great devise for in-car use and it’s just as useful when on foot plus it’s a great way to get around a foreign city too. With GPS Rental services this device became even more available and useful. Drivers can find their way through city streets; long reserve trekkers and hikers use the technology to navigate unfamiliar terrain. GPS devices are even more helpful for planning a trip, whether it’s a cross-country trek or a hopscotch tour of your routine stops.

But GPS not only gets you from point A to point B with minimum hassle, it also makes your holiday come alive; with ways to plan your itinerary, track down the best restaurants, and make your holiday more enjoyable.

Here’s a few handy GPS travel tips to help you get the most out of the holiday and avoid the travel woes.

GPS TIPS

1. If you intend to rely on your GPS unit, take time to learn it before needing it. Get the manual out, work with setting waypoints and determining position. This will save you time on the road and prevent you from loading incorrect information or deleting valuable information by mistake.

2. Ensure that you install the maps prior to travel. This will enable you to browse and test the maps prior to embarking on your trip. Make sure you are familiar with the route calculation settings of your device.