GPS Basics Study Questions

1. Why do satellites orbit at such a high altitude?

_______________________________________________________________________
_

_______________________________________________________________________
_

2. Can a GPS receiver pick up satellite signals inside a building? Explain.

_______________________________________________________________________
_

_______________________________________________________________________
_

3. How is a GPS almanac used by a GPS receiver?

_______________________________________________________________________
_

_______________________________________________________________________
_

4. What is the formula for measuring distance between a satellite and a GPS receiver?

_______________________________________________________________________
_

5. How does a GPS receiver "know" when the signal left the satellite?

_______________________________________________________________________
_

6. What is timing offset?

_______________________________________________________________________
_

_______________________________________________________________________
_

7. List the four variables that have to be solved in order to compute an accurate 3-
dimensional position.
1
 _______________________________________________________________________
_

8. Is GPS the only global navigation satellite system? Explain.

_______________________________________________________________________
_

9. Describe an application of GPS that relates to your major.

_______________________________________________________________________
_

_______________________________________________________________________
_

_______________________________________________________________________
_

_______________________________________________________________________
_

10.Complete the following table.

Number of satellites for NAVSTAR GPS to be fully functional

Number of GPS segments

Number of hours it takes for a GPS satellite to orbit the earth

Number of satellites required to compute an accurate 3-dimensional position

Number of receivers required to perform differential correction

Approximate altitude of GPS satellite orbits (in nautical miles)

Approximate altitude of GPS satellite orbits (in kilometers)