Over the years, Global Positioning System (GPS) technology has fundamentally changed how we navigate, monitor assets and handle logistics. GPS was originally developed solely for military applications, to make the GPS more used in various industries and our daily life to interact with the world. This blog takes you through the GPS technology from its birth to how it reached here and what the future has for us.
The Origins of GPS Technology
The GNSS development began in the early 1960s. This was heralded as the solution to the exacting navigation and positioning definition needed during military engagements of the U.S. Department of Defense. This effort eventually resulted in the NAVSTAR – Navigation System with Timing and Ranging – which you now know as GPS.
The Launch and Development of GPS Satellites
The initial Block I GPS satellite entered service February 22, 1978. Meanwhile, A constellation of 24 satellites was launched throughout the 1980 due to which Modern GPS system had taken its ultimate form. The satellites circle the Earth, broadcasting signals that enable GPS receivers to identify the precise location of the satellites.
The Expansion of GPS into Civilian Use
Initially, GPS was a military-only technology. But in the 1980s, after a civilian airliner strayed over Soviet territory and made headlines, demands for accurate navigation prompted President Ronald Reagan to allow it to be used for civilian activities. GPS for the public, meanwhile, was ushered in by the mid 1990s and opened the door for a wide variety of civilian use cases.
Modern GPS Applications
Today, GPS tech is everywhere – sparking change in nearly every area of our daily lives and business operations. Some of the main apps are given below.
- Navigation: Navigation GPS is commonly included in personal navigation devices and mobile devices for use in consumer vehicles.
- Fleet Management: Making the Most of Your Fleet Management: Businesses employ GPS to track vehicles, optimize routes, and maximize efficiencies.
- Aviation and Maritime: GPS Supports Air Traffic Control and Navigation, Ship Navigation – In aviation and maritime, GPS is a vital tool for aircraft and ships, assisting with safety and more.
- Agriculture: With GPS, farmers are better able to implement precision farming, which in turn helps improve crops yields and resources management.
- Outdoor Activities:
Hikers, bikers, and other adventurers use GPS to find their way through the great outdoors.
- Emergency Services: GPS system will help services easily locate individuals in the event of an emergency, and better and faster response to the occurrence of the same.
Advances in GPS Accuracy and Reliability
GPS accuracy and reliability have dramatically improved over the years with technological advancements. With the introduction of Differential GPS (DGPS) and Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) positioning, GPS has been further refined to deliver centimeter-level precision, thus feasible for centimeter-level applications.
- Differential GPS (DGPS): Using a network of fixed ground-based reference stations, differential GPS (DGPS) calculates the difference between the position indicated by the GPS satellites and the known fixed position. Czubachowski – GPS Positioning – DGPS: Increases accuracy to tens of metres.
- Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) Positioning: RTK uses carrier-based ranging and delivers real-time corrections for GPS accuracy at the centimeter level, which is essential for survey, and mapping applications.
The Future of GPS Technology
Due to constant evolution, the GPS technology continues to grow with new advancements and innovations coming in. Future developments include:
- Integration with Other GNSS: Merging data from other GNSS such as GPS, GLONASS (Russia), Galileo (Europe), and BeiDou (China) to enhance accuracy and reliability.
- Enhanced Satellite Systems: New GPS Block III satellites provide stronger signals for both military and civilian users and nearly jam-proof signals with strong accuracy improvements.
- Augmented Reality (AR) and IoT: Accurate location related data will be a must in AR and IoT apps, especially during AR applications like location based game and IoT connects devices.
- Autonomous Vehicles: Precision navigation in the GPS field for the automotive systems for autonomous vehicles known as self-driving cars.
Conclusion
The shift in GPS technology from exclusively military to simply a part of day-to-day life for most of us, is evidence of how life-changing our world has become. GPS has become a foundational technology that is revolutionizing our ability to move, keep track of things, and manage resources efficiently. Through GPS, the future for navigation and positioning systems is bright, regardless of how technology progresses.
