What is GPS?
The Global
Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system made up of a
network of 24 satellites placed into orbit by the U.S. Department of Defense.
GPS was originally intended for military applications, but in the 1980s, the US
government made the system available for civilian use. Prior to 1990, GPS
signals were deteriorated so a user could not achieve accuracy better than 10
meters. However, this has been changed and now any standard GPS unit can
provide a precision of 4 to5 meters or 12- 15 feet. GPS works in any weather
conditions, anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day. There are no subscription
fees or setup charges to use GPS.
Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system made up of a
network of 24 satellites placed into orbit by the U.S. Department of Defense.
GPS was originally intended for military applications, but in the 1980s, the US
government made the system available for civilian use. Prior to 1990, GPS
signals were deteriorated so a user could not achieve accuracy better than 10
meters. However, this has been changed and now any standard GPS unit can
provide a precision of 4 to5 meters or 12- 15 feet. GPS works in any weather
conditions, anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day. There are no subscription
fees or setup charges to use GPS.
However, tall building s or thick forest
cover may block the GPS signal and result in a less precise accuracy.
cover may block the GPS signal and result in a less precise accuracy.
The 24
satellites that make up the GPS space segment are orbiting the earth about
12,000 miles above us. They are constantly moving, making two complete orbits
in less than 24 hours. These satellites are traveling at speeds of roughly
7,000 miles an hour. GPS satellites circle the earth twice a day in a very
precise orbit and transmit signal information to earth. GPS receivers take this
information and use triangulation to calculate the user’s exact location.
Essentially, the GPS receiver compares the time a signal was transmitted by a
satellite with the time it was received.
satellites that make up the GPS space segment are orbiting the earth about
12,000 miles above us. They are constantly moving, making two complete orbits
in less than 24 hours. These satellites are traveling at speeds of roughly
7,000 miles an hour. GPS satellites circle the earth twice a day in a very
precise orbit and transmit signal information to earth. GPS receivers take this
information and use triangulation to calculate the user’s exact location.
Essentially, the GPS receiver compares the time a signal was transmitted by a
satellite with the time it was received.
The time difference tells the GPS
receiver how far away the satellite is. Now, with distance measurements from a
few more satellites, the receiver can determine the user’s position and display
it on the unit’s electronic map.
receiver how far away the satellite is. Now, with distance measurements from a
few more satellites, the receiver can determine the user’s position and display
it on the unit’s electronic map.
As GPS receivers track satellites and
calculate your position this process is referred to as Triangulation. Any
organization or agency that requires accurate location information can benefit
from the efficiency and productivity provided by GPS technology. GPS units are
used to collect point, line or polygon data on program activities by recording
the latitude and longitude of activity sites, or tacking roads or
walking/driving perimeter locations.
calculate your position this process is referred to as Triangulation. Any
organization or agency that requires accurate location information can benefit
from the efficiency and productivity provided by GPS technology. GPS units are
used to collect point, line or polygon data on program activities by recording
the latitude and longitude of activity sites, or tacking roads or
walking/driving perimeter locations.
The type of GPS unit used by USAID/Malawi
does not provide data measurements necessary for land tenure processes and data
collected should not be used for any legal purposes or land dispute as it is not
to the required accuracy.
does not provide data measurements necessary for land tenure processes and data
collected should not be used for any legal purposes or land dispute as it is not
to the required accuracy.
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