Mobile Spy Phone Glossary

Mobile Phone GPS Basics Mobile Phone GPS Basics

Soon GPS will become almost as basic as the telephone, or more likely included with every smartphone. GPS can calculate locations accurate to a matter of. In fact, incredibly with advanced forms of GPS you can make measurements to less than a centimeter!

In a sense it’s like giving every square meter on the planet its very own address. GPS receivers have become very economical through miniaturization to just a few integrated circuits. Nowadays days GPS is incorporated into cars, boats, planes, construction equipment, movie making gear, farm machinery, laptop computers and especially mobile phones.

Tracking mobile phones is a active topic getting a lot of interest. A lot of the discussion surrounding GPS tracking, cell phone GPS and mobile phone track software programs would be more meaningful with a GPS Satellite introduction and glossary.

GPS stands for Global Positioning System. GPS satellites broadcast signals from space that GPS receivers use to calculate three-dimensional location (latitude, longitude, and altitude) plus precise time. The GPS system is made up of 3 main segments: Space Segment, Control Segment and User Segment.

The GPS Space Segment made up of twenty-four to thirty-two satellites that orbit the earth at a height of about 12,000 miles. These satellites are referred to as the GPS Constellation, and they are orbiting twice a day. They are not geosynchronous, they travel at over 7,000 mph. They are solar powered but have battery reserve for when they are on the dark side of the earth. They are positioned so that at any given time there are at least 4 satellites ‘visible’ from any point on earth. Small rocket boosters on each satellite keep them properly positioned. The satellites last about ten years until all their fuel runs out.

GPS Satellites are not communications satellites. Geostationary or communications satellites are at a much higher orbit of about 22,300 miles above the equator. These satellites are used for weather forecasting, satellite TV, satellite radio and most other types of global communications. At exactly 22,000 miles above the equator, the earth’s force of gravity and centrifugal forces are offset and are in balance. This is the ideal location to park a communications satellite. The earth rotates at about 1,000 miles an hour, and because of their high earth orbit the geo-synchronous satellites need to move at about 7,000 mph to keep position. This is just about the same speed as GPS satellites, but since they satellites are 10,000 miles further away they don’t move relative to the earth.

The GPS Control Segment is comprised of Master Control Station, an Alternate Master Control Station, and a host of dedicated and shared Ground Antennas and Monitor Stations that work together to ensure the satellites are working correctly and the information they beam down to earth is accurate.

The GPS User Segment is composed of of GPS receivers taking the shape of devices and , laptops, in-car navigation devices and hand-held tracking units along with the people that use them, and the software applications that make them work.

GPS receivers compute location by precisely timing the signals sent by GPS satellites. This information includes the time the message was transmitted, precise orbital information (the ephemeris), and the general system health and rough orbits of all GPS satellites (the almanac).

Keep in mind that there is a fundamental difference between smartphone GPS Tracking and GPS Navigation. GPS cell phone tracking is normally related to a third-party keeping records of either real-time or historical mobile phone position, while Navigation deals with the cell phone user determining how to get from point A to point B. Neither use works without some sort of third-party software program.

Global Satellite System Glossary of basic terms.

GPSThe Global Positioning System is made up of 24 GPS satellites, portable GPS receivers, and various ground-based support facilities.

GPS receiverThe either a standalone handheld device or electronic unit mounted on a automobile dashboard or other movable item such as a shipping container, and now particularly common to be found inside smartphones . Abbreviated “GPS” in common use.

Global Satellite System Frequently Asked Questions

Why does GPS receiver only work outside? GPS satellites are positioned in their orbits such that from any point on earth there are a minimum four satellites in site at all times. Even though they use radio signals, the signal needs a clear of site to the receiver. Once the GPS satellite slips below, or a building, or even heavy cloud cover, the radio signal may be lost.

What do the satellites do? Each satellite is broadcasting the time. Both the satellite and the GPS receiver use atomic clocks for extreme accuracy. By measuring the difference between the time given by the satellite and the time in the GPS receiver, it can calculate the distance between it and the satellite.

How do GPS satellites know their location? The satellites keep location archived internally in calculated tables. But satellites can deviate off course over time. To make adjustments, the satellite communicates with ground stations positioned around the globe. Whenever it touches base with the ground stations, the satellite adjusts its internal location tables.

Does a GPS receiver transmit information back to the satellite? No, they don’t do that. GPS equipped mobile phones will transmit data but not to the satellite.