GPS Units make sure you know where you are going no matter where you are. Gone are the days of getting lost easily. A GPS system can cost under $100 for a less-than-fancy model. However, what your GPS Unit looks like is not as important as what it actually does.

The GPS receiver is a handheld, sometimes portable device that works with the Global Positioning System (GPS) network. The GPS network is comprised of 27 satellites that constantly orbit the earth. As the earth rotates, so do the satellites. Of these 27, 24 of the satellites actually work, while three are used as backups. As you can imagine, running the GPS is quite costly.

The GPS network was originally developed by the United States military. The military used it to increase navigational accuracy. However, it was not long before the GPS network was open for use by anyone.

How it works is simple. First, the satellites have multiple orbit routes around the earth. At any one moment in the day, at least four of the satellites are able to transmit information from the satellites to GPS receivers. Of course, it is imperative that the view between the satellite and the GPS unit is unobstructed. That is why GPS receivers sometimes do not work right in areas with high mountains, a lot of trees, or skyscrapers in the way.

GPS receivers work with the satellites. First, the GPS hunts down four of the satellites that can connect with and transmit information to the GPS unit. Once four satellites have been found, the distance to each of the satellites is recorded, and the GPS can pinpoint its location, by the distance it is from each satellite.

This mapping and estimating is based on a principle in mathematics, which is known as trilateration. How it works is by traveling through three-dimensional space. This is complex to understand, but the result is amazing, and it should be what you look for when purchasing a GPS unit of your own.

Trilaterion that works in 3-D is what is used to map your location. A series of spheres line the distance from one place to the next, based on the location of the satellites at the time of the transmission to the GPS receiver. The spheres intersect and meet and as the distances from different locations on different spheres are measured, your exact location is pinpointed. All of the four satellites’ plots work together, to intersect in one place through the spheres.

GPS receivers generally try to use more than four satellites at one time. This provides a more accurate location and less room for error. The Earth is also used as a marker, which works with the GPS network to help pinpoint locations on the surface of the planet.

GPS receivers have to know how far a distance it is from the satellite to the unit. To do this, radio signals sent from the GPS satellites are analyzed. These signals are high in frequency though they are relatively low in power. The better your GPS unit is the better chance you have of using multiple satellites in order to pinpoint your exact location.

Since radio signals travel at the same speed light does, GPS receivers are able to determine how fast the waves travel and how far they have traveled. At random times, the satellites transmit pseudo-random code, which are digital patterns, to the GPS receivers. The GPS unit will then play the digital pattern, though there will be a lag. This lag is based on how fast the signal traveled, and is a major part of the GPS plotting process.

In order to track the signal’s pattern, the satellite and the GPS receiver use clocks, which synchronize together. The Satellite uses an atomic clock, while the GPS receiver uses a regular clock. However, to accommodate synchronization, the clock in the GPS unit is able to constantly reset. This prevents any type of clock problems from occurring.

There are various types of GPS systems. These systems work to fix any inaccuracies and errors in the GPS receiver’s location tracker. These systems include WAAS and DGPS.

Catherine Tower
http://www.articlesbase.com/computers-articles/how-gps-receivers-work-88325.html

Two Scandinavian companies are unveiling a new series of GPS fleet tracking services at the Lastbil International trade show for the transportation and road haulage sector. This new line of is also utilizes GPRS technology to transmit the GPS data back to the central processing station.

These new products will be web based (this is the growing trend in GPS fleet tracking solutions) and will allow companies to determine vehicle location from any personal computer that has access to the Internet. The new line will also feature improved customer service, cost controls, protect employees, and that meet the tight laws of the European Union.

The line offers products that range from the entry-level (and therefore the low cost) to a complete telematics system - including such perks as in-cabin communication between driver and headquarters, navigation screen, advanced trip scheduling, and signature capturing for customers. You can even integrate these with third-party applications such as inventory and bar code software.

These features are all made available by a small GPS device that is place inside the truck. It receives data from the Global Positioning System (GPS) every 20 seconds which it logs in its internal memory. Then through GPRS technology this information is transferred back to the companies central processing servers.

Once there the server side computers log the information into a database which can then be accessed via the Internet for the subscriber to access at any point that they wish to. All that they need is a username and password to be able to view your real time tracking information as well as a nice amount of history on each vehicle in your fleet.



The accuracy of these devices is very good, but is dependent upon a few different factors. These variables can include the number of satellites in range of the receiver as well as conditions in the atmosphere such as cloud cover, precipitation, and overall humidity. All these factors can in some way hinder the devices ability to get a strong or direct signal from the twenty-four GPS satellites in orbit around the earth. But have no fear, even under these extreme conditions GPS fleet tracking is still relatively accurate.

Normally, GPS is precise to within 5 meters - and is even more precise as the number of satellites in range increase. This is because it has much more data to work with in its calculations and can provide more robust data to the user. The accuracy can be further improved by using some type of mapping software that will match the GPS derived location with one that makes sense given the road structure in the area.

With this accuracy will come the ability to track and report such things as vehicle location, total mileage driven, current speed, historical speed, and host of other metrics. GPS fleet tracking is definitely a solution that any fleet seeking to maximize efficiency should use. It will help you improve your business and get the work out of your workers that your company deserves. It can also improve your overall efficiency and the on-timeness of your workforce - a big plus for any sized business.

Joe Mueller
http://www.articlesbase.com/gps-articles/new-line-of-gps-fleet-tracking-highlights-web-interface-526422.html

GPS reviews are definitely helpful for those who are going to purchase GPS handheld or car navigation systems. However, even before that, it’s very important to know the requirements of the GPS. If you are one of those who travel a lot due to work or simply for pleasure and often face the trouble of reading maps or asking for directions, then global positioning system (GPS) based navigator for your car is a handy solution for you. GPS navigation systems guide you through unfamiliar areas by giving turn-by-turn spoken directions, and even suggest an alternative route around rush hour traffic. Most of the portable units give info on the shortest distance and provide special routing options for walkers or bicyclists to avoid highways and one-way traffic. No wonder the GPS based navigator is the preferred choice of many jetsetters, campers, sports enthusiasts, and motorists these days.

With GPS becoming a very important part of everyday life, the significance of GPS reviews has grown manifolds. People turn to GPS Reviews to know the benefits and performance of these portable devices. Many prominent GPS review sites also have narratives of customers regarding the benefits they have got from the GPS systems which can be very helpful for newbie GPS customers.

GPS reviews will guide you properly in choosing a suitable GPS unit. Often, we tend to overlook certain basic aspects while looking for higher features. For instance, some basic yet most fundamental points to consider in a GPS car navigator are the ease to upgrade roadmaps, battery charging time and battery life between charges. Car GPS reviews gives good ideas about these points.

Tips on Car GPS Reviews

If you go through car GPS reviews, many offer tips on choosing GPS navigator for vehicles. Some major GPS review tips are discussed as follows.

• You need to have a clear idea about your requirement that matches with that of the features of a specific GPS unit. For instance, now many GPS units come with visual monitors that display maps. The monitors are commonly installed on the dashboard of cars. In some cars, such installation may block air vents or make it somewhat uncomfortable for the driver to enter or exit.

• All GPS navigators on the market today include pre-loaded area maps and offer spoken directions and automatic rerouting incase the driver misses a turn. Choose a GPS system that offers updated point-of-interest data. Features such as multiple ways of getting to your destination via address, intersection, a location selected directly from the map or even by personal address book will provide more feasible and practical feature.

• Many high-end GPS car navigators are available today featuring latest advanced technologies such as Bluetooth and Multimedia playback. With the built-in Bluetooth, you can talk through the GPS unit’s external speaker without a headset. And the multimedia playback feature lets you listen to your favorite MP3 music, watch video clips or even view JPG photos.

• Watch out for handy features such as real-time traffic alerts and text-to-speech translation in GPS reviews. These features are very useful while driving through the cities as the GPS units provide timely info to avoid congested traffic areas.

Charles Nelson
http://www.articlesbase.com/gps-articles/some-mustknow-tips-of-car-gps-reviews-742028.html

When we want to find various type of information we look in the appropriate guides. To help us find our way city streets and other countries there are gps systems that we can use. These gps units use the information that you provide them to find out where your location is. You can also use these units to find other places as well. For all of these needs you will need a recognizable gps coordinate.

You are probably thinking that the reason you want a gps is to know where you are. You never thought that you would have to know various coordinates in order to find your location. Before you start worrying and panicking you should take a look at your manual that came with your gps system.

In this manual you will be informed about the fact that the system you are holding uses signals from satellites to state your location. You will also be informed of the type of gps coordinate system that is used by your unit. Following these simple directions you can use the program to find your location using the coordinates that you receive from the gps satellites.

To make this dilemma you face fade away even more we should see how you will be receiving this gps coordinate information. The first step is to understand that your gps receiver will send signals to a number of gps satellites. As the signals travel at a set pace the gps unit will have the ability of calculating the position and the distance of the satellites to the receiver’s position.

The receiver will also use the signals from about two other gps satellites to get accurate information. From this information the gps unit can then ascertain the user’s position in relation to the information from the satellite.

The gps coordinate receiver has two different applications. There is the original military usage receiver and the civilian gps receiver.

Of these two devices the military based gps system is more accurate in displaying the gps coordinate information. This has not however stopped civilian manufactures from trying to develop their gps units to receive coordinate information much more accurately. This updating of the gps coordinate information becomes even more accurate with each new generation of gps systems and receivers.

While this information may seem to be confusing there is only one fact that you need to keep in mind. This is the reason why the gps receiver is in your possession. With the calculations from the gps satellites the gps coordinate receiver will be able to pin point the position you are in and the distance to the place that you want be at. This is the only reason for you to have a gps handheld unit in your possession.

Muna wa Wanjiru
http://www.articlesbase.com/gps-articles/understanding-the-different-applications-of-the-gps-coordinate-303692.html

For any of us who have been lost while driving, the road map has been our guiding light, identifying roadways and landmarks to help us find our way. But gone are the days of tri-folded paper maps that require the use of illumination and attention taken from the road. The modern Global Positioning System - or GPS - has transformed the process by which we find our way. But, contrary to popular belief, GPS navigation is not a new invention designed for strictly consumer use.

The Global Positioning System marked its beginnings in the 1970s but seeds of its existence were sown prior to that. We first saw the possibilities of satellite navigation with the launching of Sputnik in 1957. Russian scientists who were monitoring the progress of Sputnik found that they could track its movement based on radio waves; this set the foundation for GPS. The U.S. Navy used an elementary form of GPS in the 1960s when they used six satellites to help their submarines pinpoint their location. But GPS as we know it was designed and implemented by the U.S. Department of Defense in 1978 when they launched the first operational satellite.

Today, 24 satellites circle the earth and provide an enormous amount of information in terms of plotting location. A derivative of this technology in modern times has been GPS navigation - a system that allows drivers to map their routes. GPS navigation comes in a portable unit that can be removed and transferred from vehicle to vehicle when needed. But because of the growing popularity associated with this system, GPS navigation units are now mounted as standard equipment in newer cars. Of course, GPS navigation is also essential to water navigation as used by boats and ships.

But GPS navigation is not solely for the use of vehicles. Outdoor enthusiasts - with an eye towards safety - will often carry a hand-held GPS navigation device; the modern equivalent of a compass.

GPS navigation has allowed us to explore new terrain as we venture forth with confidence, knowing that, no matter what, we will find our way.

Michelle Bery
http://www.articlesbase.com/computers-articles/finding-the-way-with-gps-navigation-97733.html