The uses and advantages of GPS Technology

Global Positioning System:

GPS is a wonderful wireless technology which helps in locating and navigating in any condition. Initially it was developed for defense purposes by Department of Defense (DOD) of US. It was used only for defense applications during 1980s but it was made available to civilians after 1990.Since then it became a one in all solution for locating & navigating objects on earth.
GPS is a worldwide navigation system. This technology works with the help of 3 satellites, ground stations and a GPS receiver. The satellites are placed in such locations in there orbit that just these three can make GPS receiver to locate itself on earth very accurately. The basic idea behind its working is “Triangulation", means to find out the position of object by measuring distances from three different points.
Basic GPS receiver receives signals from 3 differently placed satellites. The time taken in reception of signal from each satellite helps GPS to calculate the distance of itself from satellite. As there are 3 satellites forming a triangle above earth the receiver has 3 different distance information in different directions. Receiver on knowing these 3 distances can easily and accurately locate itself on earth.
But for all this to happen the receiver should know the exact location of satellites from which it is receiving the signal to measure accurate distances. Also the time synchronization is mandatory between the satellite and receiver as to calculate the exact time taken by the satellite signals to reach the receiver.
Today, almost every tracking and self navigation application is equipped with GPS technology as it gives the trust of giving correct location information in any circumstances.
GPS works quite well in any weather condition. It can work in day as well as night. Hence we can never be lost if we have a GPS device with us.
GPS service is a free to use service and technological advancements are making GPS a very common application in almost every moving or mobile device whether it be aircrafts; marine objects like ships, submarines; ground moving vehicles like cars, heavy vehicles; mobile phones even laptops.