Global Positioning System: Paper Presentation On
Global Positioning System: Paper Presentation On
KEY WORDS:
Global Positioning System (GPS), PseudoRandom Code (PRC), Triangulation, Navigation.
1.0 INTRODUCTION:
The first GPS satellite was launched in 1978. The first 10 satellites were developmental satellites, called Block I. From 1989 to 1993, 23 production satellites, called Block II, were launched. The launch of the 24th satellite in 1994 completed the system. The basis of GPS is triangulation from satellites. To triangulate GPS a receiver measures distance using the travel time of radio signals. To measure travel time, GPS needs very accurate timing. Along with distance the exact location of satellites in space is required. To know exact location high orbits and careful monitoring are required. Finally error correction is necessary for any delays the signal experiences as it travels through the atmosphere.
2.2 Control segment: For the highest accuracy of GPS, great care must be taken to model and correct any error in the received time delay such as clock drift and propagation delay. The ground control segment monitors the broadcast satellite signals and uplinks corrections to ensure predefined accuracies. The operational control segment consists of five monitor stations, a master control station and three uplink antennae. The widely separated monitor sets positioned worldwide at Hawaii, Kwajalein, Diego Garcia, Ascension and Colorado Springs allow simultaneous tracking of the full satellite constellation and relay orbital and clock information and meteorological data to the master control station. The ranging data accumulated by the monitor stations is processed by the master control stations is processed by the master control station at Colorado Springs for use in satellite determination and systematic error elimination. The master control station then generates ephemeris and clock bias predictions and formulates navigation messages, which are uploaded to the satellites twice daily by the uplink antenna.
2.1 Space segment: To produce accurate positions in three dimensions, the user must be able to see the four GPS satellites, separated sufficiently and geometrically oriented in three-dimensional space so that processing defines a precise signal intersection. After much analysis, this basic requirement for simultaneous multi satellite global coverage resulted in a constellation design comprising 24 satellites deployed in semi-synchronous circular orbits at an altitude of 10,900 nautical miles with a 12 hour orbital period. The satellites are uniformly spaced with four satellites in each of the six orbital planes 90 degrees apart. Each orbital plane is inclined at 55 degrees to the equator. Orbital planes are separated from each other in longitude by 60 degrees. GPS operational constellation is shown in the following Fig.
2.3 User segment: The GPS navigation set contains an antenna, receiver, data processor and display unit. Depending on the users need, the GPS navigation set can either track the signal from four satellites sequentially or simultaneously. The satellite signals are further processed by the data processor of the navigation set to demodulate the data and then decode it to get the users 3-dimensional position coordinates, velocity and time. The position is computed in World Geodetic System WGS-84 coordinates. The WGS-84 is an earth-centeredearth-fixed (ECEF) reference frame, so position determinations are essentially independent of the local topography, which must be accommodated by geodetic models within the GPS receiver.
Let the distance from second satellite is 12,000 miles, then we're somewhere on the circle where these two spheres intersect as shown in the following Fig.
We then make a measurement from a third satellite and if found that we're 13,000 miles
from that one, that narrows our position down even further, to the two points where the 13,000-mile sphere cuts through the circle that's the intersection of the first two spheres as shown if the following Fig.
thing boils down to those "velocity times travel time". (d= v x t). The case of GPS we're measuring a radio signal so the velocity is going to be the speed of light. (30,000 kmps) .
3.1: The Pseudo Random Code (PRC) : It is a fundamental part of GPS. The signal is so complicated that it almost looks like random electrical noise. Hence the name "Pseudo-Random. Physically it's just a very complicated digital code. Its just a complicated sequence of "on" and "off" pulses as shown here.
Even though there are two possible positions, they differ greatly in longitude/latitude position and altitude. To determine which of the two common points is our actual position, well need to enter our approximate altitude into the GPS receiver. This will allow the receiver to calculate a two dimensional position ( latitude, longitude). However, by adding a fourth satellite, the receiver can determine our three dimensional position (latitude, longitude, altitude ). Lets say our distance from a fourth satellite is 10,000 miles. We now have a fourth sphere intersecting the first three spheres at one common point. We measure the distance to something thats floating around in space by timing how long it takes for a signal sent from the satellite to arrive at our receiver. The whole 3.2 GPS BASE STATION:
3.3 Advantages of PSEUDO-RANDOM CODE as a transmitting signal: Complex pattern helps make sure that the receiver doesn't accidentally sync up to some other signal. It's highly unlikely that a stray signal will have exactly the same shape. Pseudo-Random Code also guarantees that the receiver won't accidentally pick up another satellite's signal. All the satellites can use the same frequency without jamming each other. The complexity of the Pseudo economical. The codes make it possible to use "information theory" to "amplify" the GPS signal. GPS receivers don't need big satellite dishes to receive the GPS signals because or PRC
4.3 Multipath Error: To navigate with GPS, it is assumed that the GPS signal has traveled along a direct path from the satellite to the receiver. But if the
receiver is near any kind of reflective surface such as water or concrete, reflected GPS signals are also received at the antenna. This effect is known as multipath. Typically, multipath errors can add 1.2 m to precision positioning. 4.4 Receiver noise and resolution: Typically, this adds an error of about 1.1 m to precision positioning. 4.5 Satellite clock and ephemeris error : These can add an error of up to 3.9 m in precision positioning. Navigation errors due to satellite clock and ephemeris errors and atmospheric delays cancel between receivers tracking the same satellite in the same area. Multipath errors can be eliminated by using an antenna with a pattern that rejects signals received at low elevation angles. The pseudorange error source is therefore only the receiver noise. Since delta ranges measure change in the pseudorange, these can be used to filter the pseudorange noise.
In military, GPS provides an unparalleled force enhancement tool. GPS establishes an unambiguous correlation in four dimensions between the target and the dynamic weapon system aimed at the target- round the clock, anywhere on the earth, and under any condition of light, weather, or other source of obscuration. Because it requires no electronics transmission for access, the enables safe, efficient and precise operations in situations where complete radio silence is required. However, GPS allows battalions to beam their positions into a central system, so commanders far in the rear of the battle can watch every manoeuvre in real time. It also guides pilots in bombing and missile launching, so minimal collateral damage is caused.
5.3 Telecommunication:
5.0 APPLICATIONS:
GPS is the most powerful navigation system used in a myriad of military, commercial, civil and scientific applications. 5.1 Location: The first and the most obvious applications of GPS is the simple determination of a position of location. GPS is the first positioning system to offer highly precise location data for any point on the planet, in any weather. In a sense it s like giving every square meter on the planet a unique address
Over the past decade, global timing and communications infrastructure has adopted GPS as the primary distribution mechanism for time and frequency synchronization. The timing signal from GPS satellite constellation is being used internationally as a direct and globally available source of universal coordinated time. Many telecommunication service providers have replaced their complements of ground-based atomic frequency standards in favour of receiving continuous precise time and frequency signals from GPS.
By far, civil land navigation is the largest market place for GPS. Major US car manufacturers are working on integrating GPS receivers with moving map displays. Soon cars will be available with display units that can be used to plan routes and display present location using GPS. Vehicle fleets can be tracked using GPS sets equipped with transponders to broadcast the vehicles location to the central monitoring station. GPS receivers for civil use are currently available for around $1000 a piece. 5.5 Electronic commerce and finance: Many banking and financial firms employ GPS timing for synchronizing their encrypted computer networks. The mechanism used for distribution of precise timing signals across the Internet is GPS. As e-commerce and trading expand the importance of precise time stamping is increasing. Computer transactions and Internet trading are routinely time tagged. International statutory authority and institutions have legally certified GPS time stamping services for determining financial transaction sequences.
7. REFERENCES:
[1] THE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM AND GIS By MICHAELKENNEDY [2] GPS SATELLITE POSITIONING By ALFRER LICH [3] ELECTRONICS FOR YOU MAGAZINE [4] INTERNET
6.0 CONCLUSION:
There will probably be a time soon when every car on the road can be equipped with a GPS receiver, including a video screen installed in the dashboard. The in-dash monitor will be a full-color display showing your location and a map of roads around you. Nowadays GPS has become important for nearly all military operations and weapons systems. In addition, it is used on satellites to obtain highly accurate orbit data and to control spacecraft orientation. The future of GPS is as unlimited as your imagination. New applications will continue to be created as the technology evolves. The GPS satellites, like handmade stars in the sky, will be guiding us well into the 21st century.