Learn everything about GPS from its inception to mechanism and commercialization.

1. GPS Tracking: Inception, Mechanism and
Commercialization

2. 1. The first GPS project
began in 1973, with
Pentagon funding, due to
limitations of previous
navigating systems
2. Only in 1978 was the first
GPS enabled satellite
launched
3. GPS systems were deemed
fully operational in April
1995

3. GPS tracking works by using the Global Navigation Satellite
System Network (GNSS Network):
 This network incorporates
a range of satellites that use
microwave signals
 These signals get
transmitted to the GPS
device to disclose location,
time, direction and vehicle
speed
 It works with all types of
journeys, including air, land
and sea

4.  Stored within the
tracking unit
 May be transmitted to a
central location data base
 Can be stored on any
internet connected
computer
The exact location is derived when microwave satellite signals
are picked up by the GPS tracker on GPS devices. The location
can then be:

5.  At any given time, at least 3
satellites are working on a
single GPS unit by transmitting
GNSS microwave signals for a
2 dimensional view
 For a three dimensional view, 4
satellites may need to work on
a single GPS unit
 Currently, there are 27 to 30
Earth orbiting GPS satellites
 24 of these are always
operational, while the others
can be used in case any one of
them fails
GPS satellites have atomic clocks on board that track the precise time and
location:

6.  Identifying coordinates and
position
 Determine the exact distance
and direction between two
way points
 Generate travel progress
reports
 Display both regional and
global weather and climatic
conditions

7. GPS can be seen as a result of the Cold War in the 1960s, since it was originally designed
exclusively for military and intelligence applications. Its current military applications
include:
 Navigation, even in the
darkest and most
unfamiliar territory
 Target tracking, especially
by a military aircraft
 Missile and projectile
guidance
 Search and rescue
operations

8. With the commercialization of GPS, everyone can use this technology to make their lives
more convenient and entertaining. Here are some of the things that have become
possible because of GPS in everyday use:
 Traveling within your city – A GPS device
can help you find your destination. Detailed
maps offer hundreds of landmarks, shortest
routes and traffic updates.
 Traveling within an unknown city – Apart
from getting you from one place to another, a
GPS device can give you details of the points
of interest. So, whether you are looking for
the closest restaurant or the biggest hospital,
the device should be able to help you get
there.
 Fitness – A device fitted to your bike or one that
you can strap around your wrist can tell you details
of the track that you have chosen, altitude, distance
covered and your pace.
 Sports –Golfers often use GPS devices to track the
ball after hitting it far. Wristbands with GPS are
used to know the course better.

9. With the commercialization of GPS, everyone can use this technology to make their lives
more convenient and entertaining. Here are some of the things that have become possible
because of GPS in everyday use:
 Boating – You can have waterproof
GPS devices providing reliable
navigation at sea. Some have features
like autopilot and sending help signals.
 Locating loved ones – GPS devices can
help you keep track of your aging
parents, children and even pets.
 Safety - Get emergency road side
assistance with the touch of a button.
Help will know exactly where to find
you.
 Games – GPS devices are being used to
play various games like global treasure
hunts

10. The scalability of GPS is clear throughout the United States. Certain other countries have
their own satellite navigation systems.
 GLONASS is the Russian navigational
system that is operational worldwide.
 Galileo is the global system being
developed by the European Union,
which will be fully operational by 2019.
 Beidou is used regionally by China and
is limited to Asia and the West Pacific.
By 2020, a new global system, called
COMPASS, is scheduled to be
developed by the Chinese.
 IRNSS is the Indian navigation system
that will come into operation in the
second half of 2015, covering India and
the Northern Indian Ocean.

11. Due to the commercialization of GPS and emergence of new regional and global
navigational systems, interoperability continues to be the key to the future of GNSS.
Currently, the US is actively engaging in:
 Bi-lateral cooperation with Europe,
Japan, Russia and India
 Multilateral cooperation with the
Asia Pacific Economic
Cooperation, International Civil
Aviation Organization,
International Telecommunications
Union and International Maritime
Organizations
 This will increase the accuracy,
reach and speed of GPS enabled
equipment in the future.

12. To contact The GPS Store, Inc.
Log on to: www.thegpsstore.com
or
Drop a mail at: info@thegpsstore.com