2007-02-19 08:10:34 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Global Positioning System. It uses satellites to determine your latitude and longitude. Due to the fact that a GPS system needs to be in range of a satellite, they usually don't work too well underground.
2007-02-19 08:20:27 · answer #1 · answered by Uther Aurelianus 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
GPS or Global Positioning System is a network of satellites in orbit over fixed locations on the earth. Each of the (24?) satellites constantly transmits a signal that identifies the satellite and includes a time code. The receiver you have reads the signals from up to 12 of the satellites and uses the time code to calculate the distance from each. Given the distance from 3 or more satellites, it is possible to determine the receivers location in 3 dimensions. Reading more satellites allows the unit to correct for timing errors from only reading 3 satellites.
2007-02-19 16:21:25 · answer #2 · answered by STEVEN F 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
GPS stands for Global Positioning System. It consists of a network of sattelites that continously circle the earth emitting radio signals. A GPS reciever recieves these signals and uses them to find out where it is through Triangulation. So in order to find simple lattitude and longitude I believe that 3 sattelite signals are needed. To get altitude(depth) I think you need 5 sattelite signals which help to locate the reciever in the 3-dimensional sense.
2007-02-19 16:20:50 · answer #3 · answered by Ben L 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋