How Does a GPS Work?

     A GPS, or Global Positioning System works very easily.  When activated, a GPS system connects to a group of nearly 30 satellites orbiting the earth and pinpoints the device's exact location anywhere on the planet.  It works like this:
     Each satellite orbits the earth twice a day and transmits calculations to receivers on Earth.  With three satellites in place, a device on Earth will triangulate the user's location.  A GPS device tells you the longitude, latitude and sometimes the altitude of where you are.  Once longitude and latitude are confirmed, the device can determine speed and bearing, track distance and destination, determine sunrise and sunset times, and more.  A GPS can be in a car, on a boat, on a motorcycle, or even on your cell phone.
     The GPS has become very accurate over the years.  Some types of GPS devices are accurate to within a few feet; however, the device is not perfect.  Different types of interference such as weather, satellite delays and timing errors have been known to happen, but not very often.  With roadways becoming complicated and paper maps becoming smaller, this device has become a very valuable tool in today's world of navigation.

Quick Facts

     1.  The network satellites move at 7000 MPH, making two complete orbits per day, delivering new information.
     2.  Transmitter power is 50 watts or less.
     3.  Global Positioning Systems are designed to work in any weather conditions, anywhere in the world.
     4.  There are no subscription or activation fees involved with GPS receivers.
     5.  Units emit low power radio signals.  The frequency is 1575.42 MHz.  This radio signal allows your GPS to receive new information from the satellites.  The signal includes a pseudorandom code (simply a code telling which satellite your system is receiving data from), ephemeris data and almanac data (information about the satellite's current condition, date and time for calculating distance and times).