How does cell phone GPS work?
In times past if you wanted to know your exact location or get navigation assistance you needed a dedicated GPS device, like a Garmin or a TomTom. These days most cell phones have GPS receivers built-in, particularly those manufactured since February 2005.
In 2005, the FCC required that, for the purpose of locating cell phone callers in an emergency, when a cell phone user rang 911 it should automatically transmit information on the caller’s location to the PSAP (Public Safety Answering Point). Cell phone manufacturers responded to the new requirements (known as E911) by building phones with GPS receivers built-in that could provide location information, pinpointing a caller’s position to within 6 meters.
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Will China's Compass satellites interfere with Europe's Galileo GNSS?
Since 1978 when the U.S. Defense launched the first GPS satellite into what is now known as the NAVSTAR GPS constellation, it seems there are GPS satellites going into orbit on a regular basis. In fact, you wonder if there’s enough room for them all up there.
Closely following the U.S. were the Russians who launched GLONASS in 1982 with global coverage achieved by 1991. A faltering economy meant the system fell into disrepair but in recent times the Russian government has stated that they will have it fully functional by 2010, with assistance from India.
Another player in the GNSS space is China (GNSS stands for the Global Navigational Satellite System, the correct term for describing all the navigational satellite constellations in orbit; GPS only refers to the U.S. NAVSTAR constellation). China launched its first Compass satellite in April 2007 and is planning to have it operational for mainland China by 2010. It intends to have global coverage by 2020.
How can you find the best GPS navigation system?
In previous posts we talked about the basics of what GPS is and how it works, as well as how a GPS device can be connected or disconnected. Knowing more about how GPS works can help you make the right choice when choosing the best GPS system.
With so many GPS navigation systems on the market it can be really confusing to even know where to start. So before you start looking at getting a Garmin, TomTom or a Magellan, you need to be clear about what you need your GPS tracking system to do. And with most of the talk on the internet about personal or in-car GPS devices, it can be easy to overlook other systems such as fleet management software or GPS people tracking.
What are your GPS needs?
Of course it’s tempting to buy a GPS system just because everyone else is or because you can’t resist buying the latest gadgets, but if you did you’d probably miss out on the true benefit of a GPS system. By knowing the problem you want to solve, you’re in a much better position to find the best GPS navigation system, and will get far greater value from it.
Let’s consider the different types of GPS navigation systems available.
Last time we talked about the basics of GPS is and how it works. There are many different uses for GPS systems from farming to aviation and everything in between.
One sector that benefits heavily from GPS is ground transportation. Whether you’re getting your kids to an out-of-town soccer game or you’re moving hazardous chemicals interstate, GPS navigation systems for ground transport can make the journey faster, more economical and safer for everyone.
But there are two distinct flavors of GPS devices and your navigation needs will determine which you should choose:
- Connected - A connected GPS receiver uses its built-in connectivity (either GSM/GPRS or CDMA – GPRS is preferred and is more suitable for live tracking) to connect to a wireless provider (e.g. Sprint). This allows it to communicate information such as its location, altitude or speed to other devices or a web browser application, such as fleet management software programs. An example of this is Telogis Fleet, which helps fleet owners manage multiple GPS receivers (which could be in cars, trucks, vans or even attached to people).
- Disconnected – A GPS device that is disconnected only receives signals from the free GPS satellite network, or constellation as it’s called. Information such as current location, speed, altitude and time is only available to the user of the GPS device. Unlike a connected GPS receiver it cannot send or transmit data to another device. The units are often cheaper because they do not have any built-in connectivity.
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How does GPS work?
Jan
Some interesting GPS trivia
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GPS is a complicated subject so let’s get right back to the basics of GPS; what is it and how it works. As an example in demonstrating how GPS technology is being used, we will look at how it is helping the ground transportation sector to route vehicles more efficiently.
Making an informed choice about GPS systems
If you’re looking to invest in a GPS system you don’t necessarily need to know exactly how it works, just like you don’t have to know how a car works to drive one. You just get in and shift it into drive.
But understanding how GPS works can help you to make a better decision when it comes to choosing the best GPS system. Unfortunately many people who buy GPS systems don’t know much about them. They end up making the mistake of getting something that is overkill, with features they’ll never need and a price tag to match. In some ways it’s like buying a car without knowing that the more liters a vehicle’s engine has affects its power and fuel consumption – if you didn’t need the extra power why pay for a fuel guzzler? Then again buying a Prius when you need to tow a 240-foot super-yacht could be disastrous.
In a similar way, different GPS systems work in different ways, some are better suited to specific environments, some are free, and others have ongoing charges. By understanding some of the science behind GPS and how it works you can make sure you get the best GPS navigation system for your needs, or the needs of your business.
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No one likes to get caught in a traffic jam, inching along the freeway, bumper to bumper, cursing the heat, the wasted time and fuel as well as the appointment you’re now going to be late for. And there’s not a thing you can do about it. Fortunately not many of us take it to the extreme Michael Douglas did in the movie Falling Down, which saw him abandoning his stranded vehicle and going on a murderous rampage through LA, but we might feel his frustration. If it makes you feel any better we’ve rounded up five of the worst traffic jam locations, and, more importantly, what you can do to minimize their impact on your commute.
There are degrees of traffic jams and some are just worse than others – much worse. In fact, some time ago Forbes reported on the DOT (Department of Transportation) rounding up the worst offenders and taking measures to alleviate what it describes as ‘alarming trends of congestion’, with the emphasis on implementing short-term solutions.
But it’s not just the U.S. that suffers from traffic chaos. Here is a roundup of pictures from the five worst cities for traffic jams (Sao Paulo is officially the worst with a queue that was 166 miles long, recorded in 2008).
#1 Sao Paulo, Brazil Worlds Worst Traffic Jam Cities #1 - Sao Paulo |
#2 Jakarta, Indonesia Worlds Worst Traffic Jam Cities #2 - Jakarta |
#3 Los Angeles, U.S. Worlds Worst Traffic Jam Cities #3 - Los Angeles |
It’s quite sad when you hear of skiers going missing after unknowingly wandering off the ski-fields trail and especially when it’s supposed to have been a fun family event. We are just now beginning to see GPS being integrated into ski fields to improve overall safety and also provide the ski fields with useful skier information.
Although new hybrid cars and bio-fuels seem like great alternatives for reducing your fuel consumption, most people either can’t afford to upgrade or simply don’t have access to these new alternatives.
AA Insurance, New Zealand recently held a rally which aimed to show motorists how they can slash their fuel bills by choosing a fuel-efficient car and driving it in a fuel efficient manner. Read more »
