2.
5 GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM
Theglobal positioning system is asatellite-based navigation and sur
veying system for determining the precise position and time utilising
the radio signals from the satellites, in real time or in post-processing
mode. The GPS technology overcomes the various limitations of a
conventional survey, e.g., requirement of visibility of one survey sta
tion from another, dependence on weather, and difficulty in night
observation. If we consider the advantages of GPS over the conven
tional techniques such as the high accuracy it achieves in three-di
mensional positioning and the economy of its operation, we will dis
that it is the most promising surveying, positioning, and navi
gation technique of the future.
The GPS is funded and controlled by the US Defense Department
and is primarily used in the military navigation system for real-time
positioning. However, there are numerous civil users of the GPS
throughout the world forvarious application areas.
2.5.1 Space Segment
The space segment of the GPS consists of aconstellation of 24 satel
lites each ofwhich orbits the earth in 12 hours. However, at any given
time, there may be more than 24 satellites due to the launch of new
satellites in replacement of the cxisting satellites. The orbit altitude of
the satellites is such that the satellites revisit the same track and con
figuration at an interval of approximately 24 hours. Nominally, the 24
satellites have been placed in six orbital planes,with four satellites in
cach plane, which are spaced equally at 60° from one another and
inclined at about 55° with respect to the equatorial plane. This ar
rangement makes visible toa user 5-8 satellites from any point on the
earth's surface.
These satellites are controlled by a system of tracking stations lo
cated around the world. The master control facility is located in
ColoradoSprings, Colorado (USA). These stationsmeasure the sig
nals received from asatellite and incorporate them into the orbital
model corresponding to it. The orbital model then computes the pre
cise orbital data and clock corrections for the satellite it represents.
The precise orbital data and clock corrections are subsequently
loaded on to this satellite which, in turn, comnmunicates the loaded
information tothe GPS receivers on the ground via the radio signals.
2.5.2 Ground Segment
The signals the GPS receivers get from the satellites are converted
into position,velocity, and time estimates. Conceptually, the process
is one of measuring the timne aysignal from a given satellite takes to
reach the receiver. Since the travel speed of the signal (which is the
same as that of light) is known, i.e., 3 X 10 m/sec, the distance of the
recciver from the satellite can be computed. In gencral, for comput
ing the 4dimensions of anypoint, viz., X, Y, Z (position), and time, 4
satellites are required. Theposition inX, Y, Z is converted within the
receiver to geodetic latitude, longitude, and height. The velocity is
computed from the change in position of the receiver over time. The
time in cach satellite is maintained with the help of4 atomic clocks (2
caesium and 2rubidium) which are monitored by the ground control
stations and occasionally reset to maintain the time to within on
millisecond of the GPS time.
2.5.3 Use of GPS Receivers
The GPS receivers are mainly used for navigation, positioning, and
time dissemination. Navigation in three dimensions is the primary
function of the receivers. In navigation, these receivers are mainly
used in aircrafts, ships, and ground vehicles. The receivers are also
used for precise positioning which is essential for surveying, map
ping, geodeticcontrol, and monitoring of vehicles. Besides,the time
provided by atomic clocks on board theGPS satellites is utilised by
astronomicalobservatories, telecommunication facilities, and several
other laboratories for research.