GPS Navigation
Introduction
GPS, or Global Positioning System for it's full title, is a navigation aid which receives information from a collection of satellites orbiting the Earth.
Guides
- Civilian Applications of GPS
- Civilian Manufacturers of GPS
- Component List of a GPS device
- Software for GPS
News
Introduction cont...
It then notifies a person via a receiving unit, of their exact location. GPS was created, and is still maintained by the United States military, however, Europe, China and India are currently creating their own systems.
GPS was first licensed for civilian use in 1983. The US president Ronald Reagen gave the go ahead after a Korean civilian airliner mistakenly entered Russian airspace, and was shot down.
The US continues to develop the functionality of GPS, and in 2005 created a second civilian signal for enhanced performance. The most recent GPS satellite launched was in 2008.
Only in recent years has GPS become a widespread civilian device. It's most common implementation is as a road travel companion, providing everyday road navigation, alongside alerts for safety cameras, speed limits and dangerous bends.
This functionality has also started to become a feature of many cellular phones.
GPS was originally created for the intention of military use, such as allowing soldiers to find destinations in the dark, and for missile guidance.
Therefore, the US military closely monitors the export of GPS to manufacturers of civilian receivers. Safeguards have been put in place, to ensure, that foreign military installations cannot use GPS for their own missile weaponry.
The other navigation systems, in various stages of development, are China's Beidou system, the European Union's Galileo project, Russia's GLONASS system, India's IRNSS system and Japan's QZSS system.
Galileo should become operational by 2013, and looks likely to be the main competitor to the US system, and has therefore drawn some criticism from the US administration.
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