The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a worldwide radio-navigation system comprised of a constellation of 24 satellites orbiting the Earth.
The GPS receiver uses a triangulation mechanism to calculate its position. In a nutshell, GPS satellites broadcast pinpoint positional information with the precise time. Using satellite coordinates and radio signal travel time, the GPS receiver measures the distance to a satellite and calculates its position. To synchronize clocks and to correctly calculate positions, the GPS receiver needs to measure signals from at least four satellites simultaneously. When the clocks are synchronized, the position calculated relative to any three out of four satellites should be exactly the same. If this is not the case, the receiver will adjust the clock until it is. As a result, your small GPS receiver clock is as accurate as an atomic one!
Obviously, determining the correct position is not as simple as it may sound. Indeed, while traveling through the atmosphere, the radio signal from the satellite may be delayed or deflected by buildings or other physical obstacles. This will change the signal's time of arrival and affect the accuracy of the GPS. To cope with these and other imperfections, the GPS receiver utilizes very comprehensive mathematical algorithms. That is why performance characteristics vary according to the technology driving the receivers. The Destinator is supplied with the best-of-breed high precision 12-channel GPS receiver. Just touch a GPS icon on your PDA screen to see how many satellites you track and the strength of the signals.
The GPS receiver uses a triangulation mechanism to calculate its position. In a nutshell, GPS satellites broadcast pinpoint positional information with the precise time. Using satellite coordinates and radio signal travel time, the GPS receiver measures the distance to a satellite and calculates its position. To synchronize clocks and to correctly calculate positions, the GPS receiver needs to measure signals from at least four satellites simultaneously. When the clocks are synchronized, the position calculated relative to any three out of four satellites should be exactly the same. If this is not the case, the receiver will adjust the clock until it is. As a result, your small GPS receiver clock is as accurate as an atomic one!
Obviously, determining the correct position is not as simple as it may sound. Indeed, while traveling through the atmosphere, the radio signal from the satellite may be delayed or deflected by buildings or other physical obstacles. This will change the signal's time of arrival and affect the accuracy of the GPS. To cope with these and other imperfections, the GPS receiver utilizes very comprehensive mathematical algorithms. That is why performance characteristics vary according to the technology driving the receivers. The Destinator is supplied with the best-of-breed high precision 12-channel GPS receiver. Just touch a GPS icon on your PDA screen to see how many satellites you track and the strength of the signals.
