The GPS or the Global Positioning System is a brainchild of the U.S. Department of Defense. It was extended for the use of the civilians only during the 1980s. The technology employs 24 to 32 medium Earth orbit satellites to map the real-time location of the receiver embedded in the device. The receiver is made to lock the signal from three or more satellites to mark the location, using a technique called trilateration. The time taken for the signals sent from the satellites to reach the receiver is used in the calculation of the position. From distance to the destination, hiking and water maps, sunrise and sunset timings and much more, GPS has a galore of real-time information.
Advancements made in the technology has resulted in a number of GPS products that cater to the needs of the people on the road, water, air, hiking, and even those in active sports. Original Equipment Manufacturers who recognized the potential of the GPS has included them in many of the products, whether in transportation or recreational applications.
1 On the road
With new developments evolving in the field, it has become possible to imbibe much information into this small hand-held device. A driver of a car can use a GPS to guide him through unknown intersections faster. With the traffic alerts offered by a few varieties of GPS gadgets, the information can be used to take a different less crowded route, reaching the destination faster. GPS is made use of the auto insurance companies and logistic business houses to track the route and exact locations of their driver. The new cars, on the other hand, come with a GPS that steers the driver though the direct and even fuel-efficient routes.
2 In the air
GPS used in air navigation enhances the quality of safety measures. It maintains information related to the flight instrumentation, navigation, traffic, engine data, terrain and weather, presented on the large LCD displays that are capable of being customized to cater to the requirements of the user.
3 On the water
The GPS on water offers a multitude of information that can be read even under direct sunlight adding to the convenience. It presents information including the details of the terrain, presence of obstacle en-route and even aids in the identification of the location of fish in fresh water and seawater up to depths as much as 1,500 feet.
GPS technology has found a place in the sports, from cycling to golf. The instruments used in sports are easily mobile, water-proof, and sturdy that can be made to map the routes and even heartbeats of the players. Today from GPS-enabled sports watches meant for the sportsmen and the trainer with varying features, to those in mobile phones, watches, and PCs are readily available in the market that can meet the demands of the customers. It is the easy adaptability, the high penetration level of the signals and the presence of the synthesized voice to guide that has given it a place in numerous applications from routine navigation to more complex jobs like in the construction of English Channel.
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