How Does a GPS System Work? Where to Get the Best GPS Systems For Your Needs

Basically a GPS System consists of 3 parts.

1. The Satellite System,

2. The Ground Station and

3. The GPS Receiver

Satellite System:

The SPS satellite system consists of 24 satellites operated by the United States Airforce and is called NAVSTAR. They are solar powered and have backup batteries to keep working during eclipses. Each satellite orbits the earth twice every day. Together the 24 satellites cover the entire earth from their various high orbits. They are designed to orbit in such a way that at any point of time any GPS system on earth receives signals from at least 4 satellites. These satellites have atomic clocks aboard them which keep accurate time.

The Ground Stations:

These stations keep sending up signals to keep the data on the satellites accurate. Sometimes, the satellites go out of orbit or data on them is outdated. The master ground station continuously monitors the signals and sends up corrected information so the data aboard the satellites is accurate all the time. So, when a GPS system logs on to these signals the data is always accurate.

GPS Receiver:

GPS receiver is the device you use to find your way around anywhere on Earth. The receiver GPS device receives the data from the satellites and calculates its position on earth. For the GPS system to find the location accurately it needs to receive signals from at least 4 satellites.

The GPS satellites emit low power radio signals of two frequencies. One is intended for military use and the other frequency L1 is for civilian use. There are 3 bits of information transmitted by the satellite which is used by the GPS system to make simple calculations to find the location on earth.

The principle on which GPS system works is very simple. At every moment the GPS receiver calculates the distance between itself and a satellite from space. You can be anywhere on a sphere defined by this "distance" as the radius. The GPS receiver does this same calculation for four satellites. The intersection of the 4 spheres gives your coordinates on earth.

GPS Systems Can FAIL:

But for this to work the GPS receiver needs to be in the open with a clear view of the skies where it can get uninterrupted low power radio signals from the satellites. It won't work indoors - inside buildings, homes and offices. It does not work underground. It does not work in caves and mines. It does not work when there are tall buildings or thick foliage like in a dense forest. It does not work underwater. In short ,it does not work where you can't get clear satellite signals so make sure you are in view of open skies before you try to determine your position. Else, you might get faulty readings from your GPS Systems that can endanger you.

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