When was this technology developed?
Like many other high-tech devices, the GPS (global positioning system) was developed by the Department of defenses for the U.S military. This concept was frist introduced in the 1960s so that military units could know their exact location and the location of other units. Although the this technology was first recognized in the 60s, it wasn’t unitl Febuary 1978 that the frist experimental staellite was launched. The GPS has helped the military win the Persian Gulf war in 1991 and hepled navogate armies through the desert at night during Operation Desert Storm.
How does this technology work?
Around the world, there are 27 (24 are in use right now, the other 3 are for backup incase one or more fail) circling the Earth and making 2 full rotation a day. These orbits are arrnaged so that at nay given time, 4 or more of these satellites are “visible” in the sky. IN order for a GPS to locate it’s position, it has to locate 4 or more of these sateilltes, figure out the distance from each and use that infromation to triangualte it’s exact position. The GPS reciever must now compare the time a signal was sent from one of these satellites, to the time it was received. This time difference tells the receiver how far a particualr satellite is. Add the distance measurments from 3 or more of these and the GPS can triangulate it’s position. With 3 satellites, the GPS can give you the latitude and longitude. With 4 or more satellites, the GPS can tell you your latitude, longitude and altitude. The more satellites the reciever can locate, the more accurate the position.
What is this technology’s main uses?
The GPS has 5 main uses, mapping, tracking, navigation, location and timing. The first (and most obvious) use of a GPS is locating an object or person. It was the first of it’s kind to offer accurate location data from any point on planet Earth and in any type of weather. And as much as it is important to knwo where you are, it may be often useful to know where you want to go, here’s where the navigation on a GPS comes in handy. The GPS can work like an electronic map telling you where to turn and at which road eventually taking you to a specific destination of your choice. This device, when linked to a communication link and computer can aslo serve as a backbone for AVL (auntomatic vehicle location). Becasue of this advantage using a GPS police, fire and emergency departments are quickly adopting GPS based vehcile tracking systems. And with all the information on location and navigation, the GPS can also be used for mapping. It can accuratly generate a map of naything, mountians, river, sea, cities and as well as managing the effect of damage by disasters. A GPS can also be used to accuratly time, it provides percise timing, time intervals and frequnecy.
Any other uses you can think of?
Although a GPS has only 5 main uses, these systems on the GPS can be adapted to many things, here are jsut a few things you can do using a GPS. Record the exact path you took and replay it to someone as directions to a particualr area. Using a sppedometer setting, you can prove to the police how fast you were really going. You can also use your GPS as a compass and sppedometer. Plan your trips ahead of time and you can cheack the directions on your GPS. If you attach your GPS to your phone, you can give the police your number and they can track your stolen car. Locate the fishing area where fish bite the most. Document the exact area of a photograph you took. You can also get a GPS samll enough (or a plane big enough) to fit on to your plane so you can track it’s location in case you lose it.
Do you personlly own a device with this technology?
Not personally, but I do ahve some GPS in my home. One of them is the car I ride, it has a GPS on the dashboard and is displayed on a screen. When ever I want to go somewhere and my driver or dad doesn’t know where it is, the GPS can help us locate and find that place. Another GPS in my home is on the computer. It doesn’t have a specific reason to why it’s there, it’s something my brother downloaded after watching his friends play with it. My parents’ phone both have a GPS on them. Again, there’s no specific reason as to why it’s there. But anyhow, GPS are very useful when you travel, and they’re something that you should get if ever you get lost.
Where can I find this technology?
In 1997, the U.S secretary of transportaion said “Most people don’t know what a GPS is. 5 years from now they won’t know how we lived without it.” Today, the GPS is included as part of the in-vehivle navigations systems. They can be found everywhere now – boats, airplanes, cars and hand phones. Handheld GPS are carried around by hikers, surveyors, map makers and anyone who needs to know where they are. People today carry a GPS in their handbag or pocket either as a device itslef or in another device as a phone. Where ever you go, you’re bound to find some type of GPS, although it’s taken 5 years to catch on, the numbe of GPS are expected to expolde.
Do you think this technology will still be used in 10 years or replaced with something better?
Acually, I think the GPS will still be in use for the next 10 years. Although it has been around for quite a while now, the device is still being used and can be found anywhere. People all over the world relay in this device to navigate them when they’re lost or need to find someone or something. Maybe in the future, they will create something better then the present handheld GPS, something samller, more accurate and maybe not even handheld. But either way, it will still act as a GPS becasue of the way it tracks it’s position. If it took the military almost 20 years to design and set launch the GPS, I’m thining it’ll take more than 30 years to create something better then what the GPS is today. But I think the GPS will be around for a long time, at least until some else finds a better way to locate, navigate, map, track and time accuartly withou satellites.
