What is GPS?

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a system of 27 satellites, 24 of which are simultaneously
active, that were put into place by the United States Department of Defence with the original intent
for usage by the military (Garmin Ltd, 2002). These satellites orbit the Earth in a near-circular orbit
(low eccentricity) in a region called the Middle-Earth Orbit (MEO) at a distance of 26,560 km from
the centre of the Earth (c. 20,200km from the Earths surface), travelling at a speed of 13,900 km/h.
The orbit time for each satellite is twelve hours, and with the Earth rotating beneath, they travel
above the same two points on the equator every 24 hours. The GPS uses a system called trilateration
to locate any given receiver, given that it is in view of at least three
satellites. Each satellite transmits a signal which is picked up by the
receiver. The satellite then measures the distance by measuring the
time taken for the signal to be received using an on-board atomic clock.
With this distance as the radius, the satellite creates a virtual sphere.
Where this sphere is intersected by another satellites sphere a perfect
circle is created on which the receiver could lie. This circle is then
intersected by a third sphere creating two points on which the receiver
may be located. Only one of these points will lie on the Earths surface
and the other will be ignored by the receiver (Zahradnik, 2008). Further
accuracy can be obtained, providing altitude, with the data from a forth satellite. Each satellite
transmits two carrier waves, designated as L1 and L2. For civilian use, GPS receivers use the L1
frequency, whereas military GPS receivers use both L1 and L2. The L1 frequency (1575.42MHz)
carries both the navigation data and the standard positioning code (SPS code), whereas, the L2
frequency, at 1227.60MHz, carries only the P-code which is only used in receivers that use the
precision position code (PPC) (Kowoma, 2009).
Development and History of the GPS

1973 Decision to develop a satellite navigation system based on the systems TRANSIT, TIMATION
und 621B of the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy.
1974 - 1979 System tests
1977 First receiver tests are performed even before the first satellites are stationed in the orbit.
Transmitters are installed on the earths surface called Pseudolites (Pseudo satellites)
1978 - 1985 A total of 11 Block I satellites are launched in this period.
1979 Decision to expand the GPS system. Thereupon the resources are considerably shortened
and the program is restructured. At first only 18 satellites should be operated. 1988 the number of
satellites is again raised to 24, as the functionality is not satisfying with only 18 satellites.
Illustration of the principle of
trilateration in GPS
Fred Zahradnik
Light Energy
(Photons) to
Electricity
Elecrical
Energy to
EMR
(microwaves)
EMR
(microwave)
to Electrical
Energy
Electrical
Energy to
Visible Light
Electrical
Energy to
Sound Waves
1980 Launching of the first Block I satellite carrying sensors to detect atomic explosions. This
satellite is meant to control the abidance of the agreement of 1963 between the USA and the Soviet
Union to refrain from any nuclear tests on the earth, submarine or in space.
1980- 1982 The financial situation of the project is critical, as the usefulness of the system is
questioned again and again by the sponsors.
1983 When a civilian airplane of the Korean Airline (Flight 007) was shot down after it had gone
lost over Soviet territory, it was decided to allow the civilian use of the GPS system.
1986 The accident of the space shuttle "Challenger" means a drawback for the GPS program, as
the space shuttles were supposed to transport Block II GPS satellites to their orbit. Finally the
operators of the program revert to the Delta rockets intended for the transportation in the first
place.
1989 The first Block II satellite was installed and activated.
1990 - 1991 Temporal deactivation of the selective availability (SA) during the Gulf war. In this
period civil receivers should be used as not enough military receivers were available. On July 01,
1991 SA is activated again.
08.12.1993 The Initial Operational Capability (IOC) is announced. In the same year it is also
definitely decided to authorize the world wide civilian use free of charge.
March 1994 The last Block II satellite completes the satellite constellation.
17.07.1995 Full Operational Capability (FOC) is announced.
01.05.2000 Final deactivation of the selective availability and therefore improvement of the
accuracy for civilian users from about 100 m to 20 m.
20.03.2004 Launching of the 50st GPS satellite.
25.09.2005 Launch of the first IIR-M GPS-satellite. This new type supports the new military M-
signal and the second civil signal L2C.

Energy Transfers in the Global Position System

Solar Panels Transmitter LCD Display
Receiver
Speaker
Electromagnetic Spectrum



























2000MHz 15cm


1575.42MHz 19.06cm

1227.60MHz 24.45cm

1000MHz c. 30cm
Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
The Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (PUAV) is an aircraft that was developed by the U.S. for use
in the military. There are two models of the PUAV, the MQ-1 and the RQ-1. The RQ-1 is primarily
used for surveillance and reconnaissance, whereas the MQ-1 is used primarily for unmanned attacks.
The PUAV has a 115-horsepower, Rotax 914F four-cylinder engine. With a wingspan of 16.8m, a
length of 8.22m and a height of 2.1m and a net weight of 512kg, this aircraft is capable of speeds
ranging from 135km/h up to 220km/h and capable of heights up to 7,600m.
Anti-Jamming Devices in GPS
Anti-jamming devices are used in GPS to provide protection to soldiers while on duty and the
prevent error from unintentional jamming caused by the obstruction of other signals.

Works Cited
Brian, M. & Harris, T., 2006. How GPS Receivers Work. [Online]
Available at: http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/gadgets/travel/gps2.htm
[Accessed 1 March 2014].
Brown, G. & Harris, W., 2000. How Satellites Work. [Online]
Available at: http://science.howstuffworks.com/satellite7.htm
[Accessed 26 February 2014].
Garmin Ltd, 2002. Garmin | What is GPS?. [Online]
Available at: http://www8.garmin.com/aboutGPS/
[Accessed 4 February 2014].
Kowoma, 2009. Transmitted GPS Signals. [Online]
Available at: http://www.kowoma.de/en/gps/signals.htm
[Accessed 23 February 2014].
Pace, S. et al., 1995. Appendix B | GPS HISTORY, CHRONOLOGY, AND BUDGETS. In: The Global
Positioning System : Assessing National Policies. Santa Monica: RAND, pp. 237-266.
Riebeek, H., 2009. Catalog of Earth Satellite Orbits : Featured Articles. [Online]
Available at: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/OrbitsCatalog/
[Accessed 3 March 2014].
Thiel, A. & Ammann, M., 2009. Anti-Jamming Techniques in GPS Receivers. [Online]
Available at: http://www.insidegnss.com/special/elib/u-blox_Whitepaper-Anti-
Jamming_techniques_in_u-blox_GPS_receivers.pdf
[Accessed 3 March 2014].
U.S. Air Force, 2010. MQ-1B Predator > U.S. Air Force > Fact Sheet Display. [Online]
Available at: http://www.af.mil/AboutUs/FactSheets/Display/tabid/224/Article/104469/mq-1b-
predator.aspx
[Accessed 23 February 2014].
Zahradnik, F., 2008. Trilateration - Definition and Purpuse of Trilateration in GPS. [Online]
Available at: http://gps.about.com/od/glossary/g/trilateration.htm
[Accessed 1 3 2014].