How small can a GPSr (Global Positioning System Receiver) be?

Question

Would like to know the samllest design at the moment or in the near future.

Answer 1

If you're just talking about the receiver/decoder itself, Garmin Industries makes one that's about .940" x 1.690" x 0.309". You can find it at
http://www.garmin.com/products/gps15/spec.html
It's a complete receiver with a simple µprocessor interface.
There are also single chips (but you best know what you're doing before you think about using them ☺) that measure 2 or 3 mm on a side.


Doug

Answer 2

I saw one on TV a few days ago. It is roughly the same size as a small cellphone.

I think there is a limit to how small it can become. If it becomes too small, then people won't be able to use it / view their position on the planet (and that would defeat the purpose of a GPS receiver).

Answer 3

I saw one in a commercial (I'm sorry that I forgot whose it was) and the GPS device was worn on the gal's wrist like a watch. That's pretty small.

Many phones also have GPS devices inside of them already so your position could be tracked if necessary by the proper authorities. I know that the military uses this now and it's just a pin they have in their jackets. It's about the size of an ink refill.

Answer 4

verrrrrrry small. All cell phones now have one inside of them to permit emergency location, and some phone carriers use them to provide location services.

These are some larger versions that provide accuracy to about 10 feet (on the planet).

While the microdot locators you see in movies are not here yet, the entire basic GPS circuit is on a typical postage stamp sized chip.

So you can only look for them to get smaller....