GPS BASICS
What is GPS?
Developed by Oklahoma 4-H
GPS
Global Positioning System
Network of 24 satellites (with spares)
Developed by Department of Defense
Operational 24 hours/day
Available worldwide
Land, sea and air
Works in all weather conditions
It is FREE!!
Satellite Constellation
Navigation Tools of the Past
Sextant Chronometer
Beginnings
TRANSIT developed by Navy in
1960s
Used to track nuclear submarines
Air Force created own system
Used to locate vehicles on land or in
air
NAVSTAR
Combined Navy and Air Force systems
in 1973
NAVigation Satellite Timing And
Ranging (NAVSTAR)
First used in combat during Operation
Desert Storm – 1991
Full Operational Capability – April 27,
1995
GPS System
Space Segment – Satellite
Constellation
Control Segment– Monitoring
Stations and Ground Antennas
User Segment – Receivers
GPS Satellite
Satellite Information
Weighs approximately 2,000 lbs
Travels 7,000 mph
17 feet across with solar panels extended
Last 10 years
Orbit 12,500 miles above Earth
Circle the Earth twice daily
In the next lesson we will learn:
How GPS works
Coordinates – Latitude and Longitude
Creating and Finding Waypoints
using a GPS receiver
How Does GPS Work?
How it works
Satellite circles the Earth and transmits
signal
Signal contains time it was sent and its
location
All satellites send their signal at the same
time
Difference in time to reach receivers is
used to determine location
Formula: Distance = Speed x Time
Signal travels at the speed of light –
186,282.3976 miles per second
Speed and Time are known, use to
calculate Distance
Trilateration
Process of measuring the distance
from at least three satellites
Three satellites calculate 2D position
(Latitude and Longitude)
Four or more satellites calculate 3D
position (Latitude, Longitude, and
Altitude)
Trilateration
One satellite can locate a
receiver’s position
somewhere on a sphere
Two satellites can locate a
receiver’s position to a
circle representing the
intersection of two spheres
Three satellites can locate a
receiver’s position to one
of two points represented
by the intersection of three
spheres.
Latitude
Latitude lines run horizontal
Equator is 0°
North and South Poles are 90°
Lines of Latitude
Longitude
Also known as meridians, run vertical
The Prime Meridian in Greenwich,
England is 0°
Lines range from 0° to 180°
International Date Line
is 180°
Now for the
fun part!
Click Stick
Zoom In button Page Button
Zoom Out button Power Button
Find button
Satellite Page Map Page Navigation Page
Trip Page Main Menu
The next lesson we will
talk about limitations
and accuracy with a GPS
receiver.
Limitations and
Accuracy with
GPS
Accuracy Problems
Atmosphere Delay
Signal Multipath
Receiver Clock Errors
Number of Satellites Visible
Satellite Geometry and shading
Selective Availability – Turned off
WAAS
Developed by the FAA
Wide Area Augmentation System
Increases the accuracy of GPS
receivers
Full Operational Capacity on July 10,
2003
Wide Area Augmentation System
Corrected
Signal
WAAS Master WAAS Reference
Station Station
Receiver
Differential Correction
Developed by the Coast Guard
Also known as DGPS
Ten meter or less accuracy
Full Operational Capacity March 15,
1999
Differential GPS
Correction
Signal
Stationary
Receiver
Now what do we do with
this information?
The next section discusses
the uses of GPS
Uses of GPS
Uses of GPS
Locating
Tracking
Navigating
Mapping
Timing
Using GPS
What are uses you can think of?
Boating Fishing
Hunting Camping
Hiking Biking
Rafting
Using GPS continued
Scouting from land or air, Horseback
riding, Hot air ballooning, Aviation,
Snowmobiling, Skiing, Search and
Rescue, Four wheeling, Emergency
Vehicle Tracking, Highway Driving
Geocaching, Surveying, Military,
Precision Agriculture
Using GPS continued
Survey disaster areas, Map
movement of environmental
disasters (Oil spills, wild fires, floods,
etc)
Mapping fallout shelters, sidewalks,
streets, trees, trails, etc.
Measuring the growth or decline of
mountains
How does GPS improve these
activities?
• Makes the location more precise
• User Friendly
• Mapping is easier
• Universal system
• Fun!
What can you do
with GPS?
GPS/GIS and 4-H
Potential Projects
• Youth Favorite Places
[Link]
• Geocaching
[Link]
• National GPS / GIS Integration Team
[Link]
• The National Map Corps
[Link]
GPS/GIS and 4-H
• Community Atlas
ESRI Grants
[Link]
12/atlas/[Link]
[Link]
12/commatlas/[Link]
• Environmental Impact Team
Waterwell Mapping
• The Globe Project
[Link]
GPS/GIS and 4-H
Oklahoma Project Ideas
• Danger Signs
• Historic Downtown Areas
• Illegal Dump locations
• Health and Wellness benefits
• Storm Shelters
• Nature Trails and/or Vegetation