Global Positioning System (GPS)
Introduction GPS is incorporated in many of our daily objects and serve many purposes in our daily navigation. Drivers use GPS when navigating streets, pedestrians use GPS on mobile devices to navigate walking paths, and GPS devices are being used to monitor human and animal movement. In addition, many recreational uses, such as hiking, use GPS to track locations. GPS is defined as “A system of radio-emitting and -receiving satellites used for determining positions on the earth. The orbiting satellites transmit signals that allow a GPS receiver anywhere on earth to calculate its own location through trilateration. Developed and operated by the U.S. Department of Defense, the system is used in navigation, mapping, surveying, and other applications in which precise positioning is necessary.” (ESRI, GIS Dictionary, GPS) Background on GPS For GPS units to properly locate your position, this requires the three components: space segment, control section and user seg