Global Positioning System Through 3g Networks

A Global Positioning System (GPS) is a space based global navigation satellite system. It provides reliable location information at all times anywhere around the globe. This is possible when the device is in an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites.

The GPS design is partly based on radio navigation devices used during World War II. The launch of the Russian space satellite 'Sputnik' further inspired the development of GPS.

It was discovered that the frequency of the signal transmitted by Sputnik was higher as the satellite approached them and lowered as it moved away. This phenomenon was due to Doppler Effect. This led to the realization that they could pinpoint the satellite's location in space because the earth location was known.

The technology was further developed over the years and was only used for military purposes. GPS was first made available to civilians by President Ronald Reagan and the first satellite was launched in 1989.

Even though GPS was available to civilians, the highest quality signal was only available for military uses. This changed on May 1 2000, when selective availability was turned off. Since then high quality GPS has been available to civilians around the world.

GPS is made up of three parts- satellites orbiting the Earth (space segment); control and monitoring stations on Earth (control segment); and the GPS receivers owned by users. As GPS is owned by the U.S. Government, the U.S. Air Force develops and operates the space and control segments.

GPS satellites broadcast signals from space that are picked up by GPS receivers. These signals are then used to calculate the 3-dimensional location of the user at the moment.

GPS is used for a variety of purposes that make use of its three basic components- absolute location, relative movement and time transfer. It is used in land surveys and to ascertain property boundaries. It can also be used to physically track vehicles, people as well as pets by means of a GPS device attached to their person.

GPS is most widely used for navigational purposes. These days there are a number of GPS navigation apps available for smart phones. These require the user to pick the right software and buy maps for the region that he/she plans to travel. This requires the phone to have good storage as well as good processing power in order to run the app.

3G networks however provide high speed data transmissions which make it easier to use GPS. All the user has to do is to type in the query and send it with the GPS location data to the server. The user can then get addresses and locations at the touch of a button.

Using GPS through 3G connections offers better battery life for the phone and faster acquisition because the network will provide the necessary satellite locations to the device. The maps are also updated automatically at frequent intervals of time.