How Do GPS Navigation Receivers Work?

The Global Positioning System (GPS) has radically changed how we traverse the earth since their inception, allowing individuals and systems to have accurate position readings from almost anywhere around the globe in real time. As long as one has a GPS receiver and a clear line of sight with the sky, pinpoint accuracy can be achieved. In this blog, we will discuss GPS navigation receivers and their related technology in more detail, allowing you to have a better understanding of their functionality and method of operations.

Functionality and Method of Operations:

In order for GPS technology to reliably provide position readings anywhere on earth, a constellation of 27 satellites are in constant orbit around the globe. While 24 of the satellites are in perpetual operation, the last three serve as backups in case a malfunction occurs. As these satellites orbit apart from one another, any position on earth should have visibility of at least four satellites at one time. While GPS technology was originally spearheaded by the United States military for their exclusive use, the network has since been opened to the entire public with access only being dependent on having a suitable receiver.

With a GPS receiver, a connection can be established with any visible satellites so that the distance to each can be determined. This is conducted through the principle of trilateration as signals sent to satellites are timed to determine positioning. As receivers and satellites rely on the timing of a signal’s journey with comparison to internal clocks, it is essential that clocks are synchronized to the nanosecond for accuracy. As such, atomic clocks must be situated within each satellite and receiver. The issue with this is that atomic clocks can cost anywhere from $50,000 to $100,000, making it infeasible to have such technology installed within consumer products. As such, it begs the question of how receivers maintain synchronization with satellites to ensure accurate readings.

To do this, satellites feature atomic clocks while receivers feature quartz clocks that constantly reset. To ensure that corrections are made, the receiver will keep checking with Navigation Satellite System to gauge accuracy and make necessary adjustments. While this is not absolutely perfect, the solution does ensure that the clocks within consumer receivers maintain accuracy that is only slightly superseded by the satellite clocks.

How GPS Devices Calculate Your position of satellites?

While we have now discussed time, it is important to know how receivers maintain information on the position of satellites. As satellites follow predictable orbits, receivers take advantage of almanacs that track where satellites should be at any particular time. As orbits may vary over time as a result of the gravitational pulls sourcing from celestial objects like the moon and sun, the United States Department of Defense works to monitor exact satellite positions so that adjustments may be transmitted to all GPS receivers whenever necessary.

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