Global Positioning System (GPS)
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[[File:GPS-24_satellite.png|thumb|200px|right|The configuration of GPS satellites in the orbit.]] | [[File:GPS-24_satellite.png|thumb|200px|right|The configuration of GPS satellites in the orbit.]] | ||
| − | The position of each satellite (so called '''orbital information''') | + | The position of each satellite (so called '''orbital information''') is known at any time and is registered in an earth-bound [[geocentric coordinate system]] ([[WGS84]]). |
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| + | A position on earth's surface can be definitely determined by measuring the distances to three satellites simultaneously. For this task [[GPS receiver|GPS receivers]] are used, which decipher the information sent by the satellite. | ||
[[Category: Mensuration]] | [[Category: Mensuration]] | ||
Revision as of 17:22, 14 April 2011
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This section is still under construction! This article was last modified on 04/14/2011. If you have comments please use the Discussion page or contribute to the article! |
- This is an Article about the Global Positioning System (GPS) in general. For an introduction to the Garmin GPS receiver see Garmin GPS.
Sattelite navigation systems are used for three-dimensional positioning on the surface of the earth. In contrast to other methods of mensuration or positioning, no fixed points on the earth's surface are used as reference points, but satellites circling in the earth's orbit.
GPS (NAVSTAR-GPS = Navigation System with Satellite Timing and Ranging - Global Positioning System) was the first satellite based navigation system to be established by the pentagon. Main components of this system were 24 satellites (21 satellites plus 3 active backup satellites), encircling the earth on 6 defined tracks in a distance of 20.000 km, allowing positioning on earth's surface in each time and place.
The position of each satellite (so called orbital information) is known at any time and is registered in an earth-bound geocentric coordinate system (WGS84).
A position on earth's surface can be definitely determined by measuring the distances to three satellites simultaneously. For this task GPS receivers are used, which decipher the information sent by the satellite.
