How does GPS work?

 

 

We all make use of GPS technology, whether we are aware of it or not. It has become such a large part of our daily lives that we rarely even think about how it has affected us. Many of us have GPS devices in our cars to show us where to go, in our smartphones to relay our location to different location-based apps, and we even use GPS coordinates as directions to parties for our friends who can’t remember how to use map books. However, few really know exactly how the technology works.

 

Initially, the technology was developed by the US military in the early 1980s as a way to track its vehicles and monitor forces around the globe. The system was later opened to civilian use (with restriction on accuracy until early in 2000) in the late 1990s, and has since then become one of the most widely used and profitable technologies in the world.

 

The GPS technology makes use of at least 3 of the 31 linked satellites in Earth’s orbit in order to calculate the exact position of the receiver (your GPS enabled device) on the surface. These satellites are synchronized to send signals to the device at the exact same time. Since some are further away from the surface than others and their exact positions are also relayed, the receiver is able to calculate its position in relation to the connected signals in a matter of milliseconds.

 

This technology is free to use, but requires a constant connection to the satellites, which means that any obstruction such as forests, tall buildings or surrounding structures may cause it to fail or become inaccurate. Regular devices are accurate to within 10m, while military grade technology has become advanced enough to track receivers within 1m by using both fixed and portable receivers in some areas.

 

GPS tracking has als become popular in areas such as mileage logging that is required by some companies whose employees are frequent travellers. Paper is no longer the easiest way of logging mileage and distances. Electronic logbooks such as those made by The Little Logbook have made the whole process so much easier and don’t require half the effort on your part. Their GPS trip logger simply plugs into your vehicle, and does all of the work for you. It generates detailed trip reports that are compliant with SARS outlines, and can be password protected for your ease of mind. If you feel your day would be made easier with the use of lists instead of a single plug-in device, feel free to take my above advice, but it is always easier to let someone else do the work for you.

 

Call The Little Logbook now on (011) 050 0999 or visit their website directly from the above link to find out more about their fantastic product and where to find it.

 

 

Written By: Wesley Geyer

Creative Writer for ATKA SA