The Global Positioning System (GPS) is the fully functional Global
Navigational Satellite System which will help in determining the location,
speed/direction and time with the assistance of 24 medium earth orbit
satellites. Known as a useful tool for mapmaking, land surveying, commerce, and
scientific uses, GPS is now a widely used navigation aid world wide. It is also
used for various applications including study of earth.
The current GPS is divided into three major segments called space segment
(SS), control segment (CS), and user segment (US).It is the navigation message
broadcasted by GPS satellites that provides the time-of-day, GPS week number and
satellite health information.
The history of GPS traces back to the early 1940's when the World War II was
on full swing. But it was the launching of Sputnik in 1957 by Soviet Union that
paved for later developments in this field. A team of U.S. scientists under Dr.
Richard B. Kershner were involved in research to monitor the movements of the
satellite Sputnik, which later resulted in the technological development of GPS.
There are chances of the speed of GPS getting affected by the inconsistencies of
atmospheric conditions. But this can be improved with the correction of these
errors.
In the advanced modern world, GPS is mainly used in various daily life
equipments including mobile phones. These devices help in making mobile phones
more sophisticated and technologically advanced. With the mobile phones
connected with GPS, the user will find it no hard to understand the location,
climatic conditions and other geographical details.
Nowadays, GPS devices are connected with cars, helping the drivers in getting
the exact knowledge of the geography, climate and details ensuring safe driving
at strange areas.
