GPS
March 25, 2008 – 2:19 pmCan you provide me with some simple info on GPS? I know a couple of my friends use it on their cell phone.
The acronym GPS stands for Global Positioning System.  It functions to provide an accurate position of where the user is anywhere on the global planet.  To operate, the system depends on a network of special satellites orbiting the earth. A person uses a GPS receiver, which could be a standalone unit brand like Garmin, Magellan or TomTom or a unit that is contained within a cell phone, to determine their current location in real-time. The receiver is looking for microwave signals from the various satellites to help it determine its exact location. A critical element to make this determination is the precise time since satellites and the earth are moving objects. Due to the movement and time capture aspects, GPS can also determine direction. The receiver can then map out this location for display by converting into appropriate longitude and latitude. Storing the data captures can then allow for a mapping of travel. Get answers about GPS and other tech questions from iNeedTech.com.