How GPS works for the end user

GPS is based on technology similar to radar, which was developed during WWII. In 1957, scientists monitoring Sputnik (the first ever space vehicle launched by the Soviet Union) found they were able to determine the satellite’s approximate location. From this and onwards, GPS was kind of born and developed on from this. They used this concept to theorize that signals from a group of satellites could be measured to determine the precise location of a receiver based on earth. From this, it was then developed more and more and in turn the US military experimented with several types of satellite navigation systems to aid them in guiding aircraft, submarines and missiles.

With regards to GPS, it wasn't until 1978 that the first GPS satellite was launched, with the remaining to follow throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s. Like how and where the internet was rolled out and introduced, the US used GPS as a defense tool. It would then take a number of years and constant development to get it to work for the masses as a means to help businesses. helped the U.S. government determine the positions of enemy nuclear warheads - and it was not until 1983 that GPS would be used by the US military in an exclusive manner.

GPS has since become a widely used navigation aid worldwide. It has been used for map-making, land surveying, asset tracking, and many other applications. It can be used - and is used over land, sea, in the air, rail and so much more. There are even devices used by the consumer for recreation in hiking and running. GPS has become and is more present than ever and can be used for more and more uses for the good of the end user and with greater ease than ever before.

Commonly, in most cases GPS receivers determine their locations using the previously mentioned methods from signals broadcast by the GPS asset tracking satellites. They must then transmit this location data wirelessly and in an immediate and overall accurate manner. Global Positioning Satellites (GPS) constantly broadcast signals to earth and the satellites are in turn able to get the data back to the operators mananging the devices in a seamless and up to date overall manner.