What is GPS?
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a worldwide radio-navigation system formed from a constellation of 24 satellites and their ground stations.
GPS uses these "man-made stars" as reference points to calculate positions accurate to a matter of meters. In fact, with advanced forms of GPS you can make measurements to better than a centimeter!
In a sense it's like giving every square meter on the planet a unique address.
GPS receivers have been miniaturized to just a few integrated circuits and so are becoming very economical. And that makes the technology accessible to virtually everyone.
These days GPS is finding its way into cars, boats, planes, construction equipment, movie making gear, farm machinery, even laptop computers.
Soon GPS will become almost as basic as the telephone. Indeed, at Trimble, we think it just may become a universal utility.
What is Navigation?
A navigation system uses two things to track your location and your destination:
- GPS (Global Positioning System): your navigation unit communicates with at least three GPS satellites simultaneously through a built-in or external antenna to determine your position.
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Comprehensive road maps and software: major roads, county roads, city streets, and important points of interest (including restaurants and hotels).
The navigation system determines your position by comparing the information it receives from the GPS satellites to its road map information, then calculates the best route to your destination.
What is Tracking?
Vehicle Tracking is used for security as opposed to finding your way around. The unit stores its current GPS location and it is then able to send these coordinates back to the user over the mobile network. So by sending a text message to the unit in your car you are able to find out where it currently is at any given time.