What exactly is GPS ... not what it's abbreviated for but what exactly does it do and how does it work????

Question

What exactly is GPS ... not what it's abbreviated for but what exactly does it do and how does it work????

Answer 1

Global Positioning System, it including two parts hardware and software (map).  It provides turn-by-turn visual and voice assistance to direct your selected destination.

Answer 2

GPS = Global Positioning System.  It was originally a system put up by the military to aim bombs and direct troops but is now available for civilian use.

Basically it's a system of about 24 satellites, called a constellation, that are in precise orbits carrying very precise clocks.  Each satellite will transmit data, among which is the satellite's name and the time.

A receiver on the ground will look for what satellites it can see and what time that satellite says it is.  From that data the receiver can calculate how far it is from each satellite by the delay in the time signal (the farther the satellite is from the receiver, the more delay there will be).  Then the receiver can calculate where it is on the face of the earth by triangulating.  The more satellites the receiver can see and the more time it has to listen, the more accurate it is.

Cell phone GPS is not really true GPS.  It works on the same principles of triangulation, but it listens to cell phone towers, not satellites.

I hope this helps.  Please return and select a best answer from all of those submitted.

Answer 3

GPS devices reference three satellites (yes, up in space) to work out exactly (with pin prick accuracy) where they are located at any one time.

all the programming behind that stick an image on maps etc. just like any other computer. Have you ever looked at www.howstuffworks.com?

Answer 4

GPS devices transmit a signal to satellites that orbit the earth. As long as the signal reaches at least three satellites then they can triangulate your position and send that information back to your device, whether it be in your car or a hand held device.