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A video lecture designed for teaching at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT).
For questions, comments and more information, contact:
Brian Tomaszewski, Ph.D.
Department of Information Sciences & Technologies
Rochester Institute of Technology
Rochester, NY 14623, USA
bmtski@rit.edu
http://people.rit.edu/bmtski/
v1.0 – Fall 2014

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Origin of The Global Positioning System

The Global Positioning System was created by the United States government back in 1973, and has developed significantly over the years since. Also known as GPS, the system uses satellites in space to pinpoint time and location information. This advanced navigation system can be used as long as the receiver is in direct line of sight of at least four orbiting satellites. The system is available anywhere on or near the earth, and the American government have made it available to anyone who is using a GPS receiver. The Global Positioning System is used by a wide range of industries as well as individuals.

GPS

Extensively used in the military, it is also utilized by private people to get from one location to another without the need for a map; and is used commercially and civilly throughout the world. The average person is most familiar with the GPS system as used by the navigation system in their vehicle. The common use of these receivers has meant that getting from one place to another is now much easier than it has ever been before. Many vehicles are now manufactured with an inbuilt GPS navigation system, and regular maps are almost obsolete for many people.

To use a GPS navigation system in your car, you need to enter the coordinates of the destination to which you are traveling. The receiver in your car will send and receive data from at least four satellites in space. These satellites, as part of the Global Positioning System, are able to identify your current location and your destination. They then calculate the route you will need to travel to reach your destination. You will have a choice of routes. You may choose a route that is shorter in the distance by may take longer due to the speed limits or layout of the roads, or you may choose the route that may be further in the distance, but faster to travel.

GPS
When you enter the coordinates of your destination, the Global Positioning System calculates the amount of time your journey is expected to take via each route. When you choose a route, your receiver will display the estimated amount of time your journey will take. This can help you to plan your journey effectively. Some receivers will also provide you with traffic information. This involves the receiver receiving current information from satellites on the amount of traffic that is traveling the same route you plan to take, and whether there are any problems on the route.

The GPS has completely revolutionized how we commute from one place to another, both for work and social reasons. We are now able to plan our journeys more effectively, and often able to avoid delays caused by traffic jams and accidents. In addition to helping you to plan your original route, a GPS receiver will also help you to adjust your route in the event you find yourself being diverted or lost.