GPS

Contents

What is GPS?
Elements Of GPS
GPS Receivers
GPS Errors
Information From GPS Receivers
GPS Applications in Distribution

What is GPS?
GPS : Global Positioning System
A process used to establish a position at any point in the globe.
e.g. Longitude: 924'23.43''
Latitude: 4648'37.20''
Altitude: 709.1m
Time: 12h33'07''
Refers to a group of U.S Department of Defense Satellites constantly circling the
earth
The satellites transmit very low power radio signals allowing anyone with a GPS
receiver to determine their location on Earth by measuring distance from the
satellites.
GPS receivers are used for positioning , navigating, surveying , and determining
the time and are employed both by private individuals and companies .
Various application:-Military ,Time measurement, Science & Research, Commerce
& industry , Agriculture & forestry , communication technology, Tourism /sport,

Elements of GPS
NAVSTAR :Navigation Satellite Timing And Ranging,
The official U.S. Department of Defense name for GPS
Consists of a Space segment(the satellites),
a control segment(the ground stations) and
a user segment(you and your GPS receiver)

Space segment
24 satellites
20,200km above Earth - the signals cover a greater area
Orbital arrangement- a GPS receiver on earth can always receive from at
least 4 of them.

Control segment
Consist of Master control stations & monitoring stations throughout the world
Master control stations monitor & manage the satellite constellations
The 4 monitoring stations constantly receives data from the satellites and then
send that data to the master control station
The master control station correct the satellite data and then send(uplinks the
information to the satellites.

user segment
you and your GPS receiver
Consists of boaters,pilots,hikers,hunters,the military and any one else who
wants to know where they are, where they have been or where they are going.

GPS Receivers
Types:
Consumer models,
U.S. military /government models,
Mapping/resource models,
Survey models,
Commercial transportation models

Consumer models,
Are easy to use
Mostly targeted for recreational and other uses that
dont require high level of location precision .
Big Manufacturers in consumer GPS Market are:
Garmin,
Magellan, and
Lowrance

Popular Garmin models include:

Garmin eTrex family

Guide to Garmin model names:

H High Sensitivity chipset
C Color display
S Electronic compass and
barometric altimeter

New Garmin eTrex

H series

GPSMAP 60

GPSMAP 76

GPS requires a direct line-of-sight to communicate with satellites.Your iPhone must have a clear
view of the sky to locate at least three satellites in order to give accurate position information.If you are
indoors, in a wooded area or surrounded by buildings,you may be unable to acquire an accurate signal .

GPS Errors
Ephemeris Errors: Occur when the satellite doesnt
correctly transmit its exact position in orbit.
Ionosphere conditions: Satellite signals travelling
through the ionosphere are slowed down because of
plasma (a low density gas).Although GPS receivers
attempt to account for this delay, unexpected plasma
activity can cause calculation errors.
Troposphere conditions:

.ctd
Multipath errors
Poor satellite coverage:
The more open sky you have, the better your chances of not
having satellites signals blocked
Building interiors, street surrounded by tall buildings, dense
tree canopies, gorge/valleys,and mountainous are typical
problems areas.

Example : good visibility (a) and

bad visibility (b) of satellites due to obstacles

Information from GPS Receivers

GPS receivers proves location and other useful information:
Time
Location:Gps provides you location in 3 dimensions:
Latitude( Y coordinate)
Longitude(X coordinate)
Elevation- The vertical(Elevation) accuracy of consumer GPS
receivers is not that great. It can be within15meters,95% of time.
Some GPS units incorporate more accurate barometric
altimeters for better elevation information.
Location can be displayed in a number of Coordinate systems,
such as
o Latitude/longitude
o Universal Transverse Mercator(UTM)

Ethiopia: N03-14
E032-E048

Speed: When you re moving, a GPS receiver displays your Speed.

Direction of travel:. A GPS receiver can display your direction of travel if
you are moving. If you are stationary, the unit cant use satellite signals to
determine which direction you are facing. Some GPS units have electronic
compasses that show the direction the receiver is pointed whether youre
moving or standing still

Stored Locations: you can store locations where you have been or want to
go with a GPS receiver. These location positions are waypoints .Waypoints are
important because a GPS unit can supply you with directions and information on
how to get to a waypoint. A collection of waypoints that plots a course of travel
is a route, which can also be stored.GPS receivers also store tracks.

Cumulative data: A GPS receiver can also keep track of information such
as the total distance travelled, average speed, maximum speed, minimum speed,
elapsed time, and time to arrival to a specific location.
N.B. All this information is displayed on different pages of the GPS receiver's
display screen.

GPS Applications in Distribution

Locating villages/Towns,
Knowing routes ,spans & line lengths,
Mapping MV & LV Lines,
Designing Profiles plan & LV Designs,
Reporting Job Completions

MV Route

Assignment

Thank you!!