The Physics of Gps

The Physics of GPS

Description:

Nowadays, the Global Positioning System plays an irreplaceable role in various aspects of human society. It is not only able to determine the position and speed of the user, but is also able to provide rich information depending on these parameters, hence to manage and understand, even to develop the present system, becomes ever more important to us. The network system mainly consists of 24 satellites which constantly transmit signals back to Earth. A user is then able to receive these signals, both recording and decoding them. This information can then be used to calculate the user's current position and velocity using a mathematical method called "Trilateration".

Outlines:

Jieliang Zheng: The Theory of GPS

The Global Positioning System positions its satellites in a Mid-Earth Orbit. Currently there are four systems which are being used or are under construction: America's GPS, Russia's GLONASS, the EU's GALILEO, and China's BD-2.

The report will explain in detail the principles of the GPS system, the signals and the data algorithms in the receivers. The four aforementioned systems use different numbers of satellites which are located in different orbits. This section of the report will explain the orbits used, referring to each system but mainly the Europeans' Galileo system.

1. An introduction and comparison of the four different GPS Systems.

2. The Theory of the GPS System

1) The Theory of passive signal systems (GPSGAILIEOGLONASSBD-2).

- The theory of how the system works.

- The computer functions in the systems.

- Explain what the parameters do and what they mean.

2) A summary of the theory of active signal systems (BD-1).

- Why more systems use the theory of passive signal.

- Why the passive signal is better than active signal.

3. The Orbit of the GPS satellites.

1) Explain the information of orbits in the system.

2) Explain the mathematics of the orbits and why the specific number of satellites is used.

For understanding the theory of GPS, the most important thing is to comprehend the satellites of GPS, which are used for launching positioning signal.

Daniel Holdsworth: The Satellites of GPS

Satellites play a key role in the Global Positioning System. Not only is the orbit configuration important,