Soon GPS will become almost as common as the telephone, or more likely included with every phone handset.  GPS can determine positions accurate to a matter of.  In fact, amazingly with advanced equipment it is possible to achieve measurements to better than a centimeter!

It’s just like giving every square meter on earth its very own address.  GPS receivers have become extremely economical through miniaturization to just a few integrated circuits.  These 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 with a lot of interest.   Much of the discussion surrounding cell tracking, mobile GPS and cell phone track software applications would be more meaningful with a GPS Satellite primer and glossary.

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

The GPS Space Segment is composed of twenty-four  to thirty-two satellites that orbit the earth at a height of about 12,000 miles.  These satellites are also known as as the GPS Constellation, and they make an orbit twice a day.  They are not geosynchronous, they travel at over 7,000 mph.  They are solar powered but have battery backup for when they are on the dark side of the earth. They are positioned so that there are at least 4 satellites ‘visible’ from any point on earth.  Small rocket boosters on each satellite keep them properly positioned.   The satellites have a lifetime of about 10 years until all their fuel runs out. 

GPS Satellites are not communications satellites.   Geostationary or communications satellites are parked in space 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 canceled 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 sustain position.  This is approximately the same speed as GPS satellites, but since geo-synchronous satellites are 10,000 miles further away they stay in place relative to the earth. 

The GPS Control Segment made up 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 functioning correctly and the information they send to earth is accurate. 

The GPS User Segment is composed of of GPS receivers  taking the shape of smartphones 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 function.  

GPS receivers calculate location by precisely timing the signals sent by GPS satellites.  This data 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 mobile phone GPS Tracking and GPS Navigation.  GPS cell tracking is normally associated with a third-party maintaining records of either real-time or historical handset  position, while Navigation deals with the cell phone  user determining how to get from point A to point B.  Neither use works without some kind of third-party software program.

A really great software package that features  remote control of smartphone settings, and combines Cell Phone Tracking  with SMS text message, Call Log,  MMS multi-media message monitoring, and a web account for storage and review is PhoneBeagle. 

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Global Satellite System Glossary of basic terminology.

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 an ocean freight container, and now particularly common to be found inside  phone handsets . Abbreviated “GPS” in common use.

Global Satellite System FAQ

Why does GPS receiver only work outside?
GPS satellites are orbiting such that from any point on earth there are at least four satellites visibile at all times. Even though the satellites use radio signals, the signal needs a clear of site to the receiver. If the GPS satellite drops behind the horizon, or a building, or even heavy cloud cover, the radio signal may not reach the receiver.  

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, the GPS can calculate the distance between it and the satellite.

How does the GPS satellite know where it is?
The satellites keep location archived internally in calculated tables. But satellites can deviate off course over time. To make adjustments, the satellite communicates with fixed reference stations positioned around the world. Each time 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 information but not to the satellite.

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