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GPS Is The Perfect Automobile Accessory

Categories: GPS Articles | April 10th, 2009 | by Mike Tucker | no comments

Honey, are we lost? Just maybe, with the right GPS system, you will never have to ask for directions again or hear the dreaded question. Your male ego might just stay intact and save your marriage at the same time.

Does this scenario seem familiar to you? Have you entered the twilight zone? It is time to drive to a new destination and all too many times you find out your map is outdated, the roads are torn up by construction, or you find your self seeing some new parts of the country that is no way related to where you are suppose to be going. Again, I ask, does this scenario seem familiar to you when you have had to drive to a new destination? Take heart, new knowledge is here to help us destination challenge individuals. Having the right Garmin GPS Navigation System, getting from point A to point B (and beyond) no longer has to be an exercise in frustration. No more "going where no one has gone before".

What does GPS stands for? Global Positioning System is a worldwide radio-navigation system of 24 satellites and their earth stations on earth. Airplanes, astronauts, hikers are using this great GPS devices. The satellites are used as orientation points for locations on earth. By measuring the distance from three satellites, GPS devices can triangulate a location anywhere on earth. That is pretty cool if you think about it.

Where did GPS come from? GPS is funded by and controlled by the U. S. Department of Defense (DOD). Can you believe that? While there are many thousands of civil users of GPS world-wide, the system was intended for and is operated by the U. S. military. GPS provides specifically coded satellite signals that can be processed in a GPS receiver, enabling the receiver to compute position, velocity and time. Four GPS satellite signals are used to compute positions in three dimensions and the time offset in the receiver clock. This is really a very neat product that provides an exceptional reliable service.

GPS is speedily becoming an integral component of the up-and-coming Global Information Infrastructure, with applications ranging from mapping and surveying to international air traffic management and global change study. The growing demand from military, civil, commercial, and scientific users has generated a U.S. commercial GPS equipment and service industry that leads the world. Augmentations to enhance basic GPS services could further enlarge these civil and commercial markets.

GPS is managed by the National Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Executive Committee, supported by the PNT Executive Secretariat. The PNT manages GPS and U.S. Government augmentations to GPS, reliable with national policy, to sustain and augment U.S. economic competitiveness and productivity while shielding national security and foreign policy interests.

The essential GPS is defined as the assemblage of satellites, the navigation payloads which generate the GPS signals, ground stations, data links, and associated command and control facilities which are operated and maintained by the Department of Defense; the Standard Positioning Service (SPS) as the civil and commercial service provided by the basic GPS; and augmentations as those systems founded on the GPS that provide real-time accuracy better than the SPS. GPS permits land, sea, and airborne users to determine their three dimensional point, speed, and point in time, 24 hours a day in all weather, everywhere in the world.

Mom and Dads are putting in GPS vehicle tracking systems in their children cars so they can make sure they are staying away from places they shouldn't be visiting. Trucking companies are installing GPS fleet tracking systems to resolve where there trucks are at all times. Naturally some privacy issues can occur with this capability to keep an eye on movement but the payback definitely over shadow the concerns. Hiking out in the wilderness is much easier and now safer with the GPS handheld units.

Where can you find GPS systems? A good place to start is the internet. Not only is the internet a good source to start where but also you can learn more about GPS and how it works. All the major retail stores carry the major brands such as Magellan, Garmin GPS Navigational System, TomTom, DeLorme, and Lowrance. There are handheld GPS units, dash mounted automotive GPS units, fish finders GPS, and even GPS for PDA's and cell phones.

The United States Government has acknowledged that GPS plays a key role around the world as part of the global information infrastructure and takes sincerely their accountability to provide the best possible service to civil and commercial users worldwide. This is as true in times of conflict as it is in times of peace.

The U.S. Government also upholds the capability to prevent hostile use of GPS and its augmentations while preserving a military advantage in a theater of operations without disrupting or degrading civilian uses outside the theater of operations. The believe they can ensure that GPS continues to be available as an invaluable global utility at all times, while at the same time, protecting U.S. and coalition security requirements. Who said the U.S. Government didn't care?

Jerry Johnson owns the Garmin GPS Navigation System Store.com as well as several other successful webstores. He has a passion for sharing information that can make life easier for all of us. Visit http://www.garmingpsnavigationsystem.com for great values on Garmin GPS Navigation System.

Article Source: GPS Is The Perfect Automobile Accessory - ArticleSpan.com

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Picking The Right GPS Tracking Watch

Categories: GPS Articles | March 12th, 2009 | by Mike Tucker | no comments

There are many different uses for GPS tracking watches and many different styles of watch depending on the use. Matching the right watch to your specific need is probably the most important thing you can think about when deciding what watch to purchase. Most watches can be used in a variety of ways, but only some types of watches will have the functionality that you are looking for so the most important thing to ask is, "What am I getting this GPS device for?"

Those looking for fitness watches should definitely consider the different options available to them. There are a few main brands that offer GPS enabled watches. These include Garmin, Suunto, and Timex among others. The most important thing to look for in your fitness watch is if the watches functionality meets your needs. Most brands and styles have the option to have a heart rate monitor in addition to all the GPS tracking and this adds a nice layer of information to improve your fitness.

In addition to the heart rate monitor, look for a watch that receives the GPS signal without the use of a GPS pod. These pods can be very cumbersome if you are on a run, swim, or bike and you don't want to be thinking about your pod while exercising. These pods can also be heavy and could create an embarrassing moment when the weight of it pulls down your pants!

Another application of GPS watches is to monitor and secure your children. Nobody wants their child to be abducted or to find out that they are lost, but if you do you want to know that you will be able to find them soon. Unfortunately, many of the kids watches are still in development or do not have the functionality that you might wish that they did. This should be changing in a couple of years as technology improves and companies learn what concerned parents really want.

A key ingredient to making a wise purchase here is talking to the company that you are thinking of buying from. Make sure that they have a service plan that truly meets your needs and fits within your budget. Most child devices not only cost money up front for the device but also have a monthly service fee that can be comparable to a phone plan. As good questions and get informed before you pull the trigger on this one.

Lastly, there is GPS tracking for those suffering from dementia or other disorders or disabilities. These can be great ways to keep tabs on our loved ones, especially those prone to wandering. Without the proper faculties to find their way home, individuals in these conditions can get very scared very quickly. With the use of GPS technology you can quickly find these individuals and get them back home where they can be both comfortable and safe.

As we continue to expand our ability to utilize GPS in the consumer market the capabilities of GPS tracking watches will continue to grow. This will enable consumers to take full advantage of this technology and to get the location information that matters most to them.

Joe provides gps tracking watch information and as well as refurbished GPS information around the web.

Article Source: Picking The Right GPS Tracking Watch - ArticleSpan.com

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How Much You Know About GPS?

Categories: GPS Articles | March 1st, 2009 | by Mike Tucker | no comments

Full name of GPS is the "Global Positioning System" that why it is called GPS? Their navigational system use satellites and computers to determine specific location data for user. It cans specification latitude, longitude, and also altitude of a receiver on Earth. To reach the receiver, GPS work by computing the time difference from different satellites for signal. The satellite navigation system that has full function is GPS only. More than twenty-four satellites GPS use to send the signals of radio to electronic GPS receivers. By this process, finding the distinct location of the receivers the satellites are able. GPS system can work under any weather conditions. Although under conditions of low visibility, GPS can let you know where are you now or can give the data of the destination where is your expected.

In 1985 GPS became in fully functional. And nowadays, GPS used for navigating on land, sea, and also air. Land surveying, mapmaking, and scientific research are also a benefits from GPS system. GPS signal has improved steadily in the last fifteen years. Pinpointing the receiver on Earth which accurately data can able by GPS system. It can calculate the user's location, latitude and longitude within five meters. We can predictable that improvements and developments of GPS system can locate location of the receiver within 1 cm in next year coming soon. Some scientific experiments had shown us that GPS gives an extremely precise time reference too.

United States Department of Defense developed the system of GPS to use in their jobs then we call "NAVSTAR GPS", an abbreviation for Navigation Signal Timing and Ranging Global Positioning Systems for officially name. The satellites revolving around the Earth used for GPS are launched to replace aging ones and now the total of satellites that GPS system used is twenty-seven. Because of improvement in technology, GPS devices have become less costly that give the benefits for people available use it free or low cost.

GPS Application

GPS can apply to use in many accessories we use in everyday life. Our mobile phone has GPS units inside cell phone. You can get a GPS for your bicycle if you want to know where you are, your exact speed, and your average time to destination which your current speed include accumulated time and distance of your ridding. Boats and motorcycles now have GPS also high-end cars. GPS is helpful for golf player. It will keep the track golf balls of your playing, collect information to analyze your game performance later, and give you live feedback on the length of your shots.

The watch also come with GPS technology now. GPS watch on your wrist can tell your location now, help you find the short and easy way to go to your expect place that you can keep your time to go there. For people who is like to exercise by jogging, GPS watch will inform your heart rate when you workout, your distance, your speed and more.

Article Source: How Much You Know About GPS? - ArticleSpan.com

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GPS Systems for NTP Time Servers and Timing Applications

Categories: GPS Articles | February 28th, 2009 | by Mike Tucker | no comments

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is most widely known as a system for vehicle and marine navigation. However, each GPS satellite orbiting the earth also has an integrated precise atomic clock that can be used as a reference clock for NTP time servers and for general computer timing applications. This article describes the components required to utilise GPS for computer timing applications. It also discusses how the GPS system can be used for computer network timing by using the Network Time Protocol (NTP) and NTP time servers.

The GPS system is a United States military system intended for global navigation. The GPS system is a space-based system, consisting of a network of 24 orbiting satellites. Precise navigation and positioning is achieved by utilising precision timing signals and triangulation between multiple satellites. In order to provide very precise time, each satellite has an integrated highly accurate atomic clock onboard. Each satellite broadcasts timing information to within a few nanoseconds of the correct time to provide positioning to an accuracy of better than 10m. This precise timing information can be used by NTP time servers and other computer timing equipment as a highly accurate time reference. The great thing about GPS is that it works anywhere in the world and is entirely free to air service.

Each GPS satellite transmits a low-power radio signal down to the surface of the Earth. Two separate frequencies are utilised, designated L1 and L2. The L1 band is the civilian signal; transmitted at 1575.42 MHz. L2 is the military frequency, intended for ultra-high precision positioning. The radio signals are transmitted from the satellites by line of sight. The transmitted signal is easily powerful enough to pass through clouds, glass and most plastics but is absorbed by more substantial material such as brick, roofing materials and metals. The ideal location for a GPS antenna tends to be outdoors and ideally on a rooftop with the best possible view of the sky.

In order to receive GPS timing and positioning information some relatively low-cost equipment is required. A GPS antenna is utilised to receive and amplify the GPS radio signals. While a GPS receiver decodes the information and presents it in a computer readable format. Many antennas are available with integrated receivers but these have the drawback of only providing a few meters of cabling to the host NTP time server or computer system. Rugged GPS marine antennas screw down on to a rigid threaded pole mount able to withstand the worst of the weather. These antennas provide the best solution for static timing applications.

The GPS receiver is generally embedded into the NTP time server or encapsulated within an enclosure. GPS receivers are small modules that have a connection to the GPS antenna to receive amplified GPS signals. The receiver decodes these signal and provides a computer readable output usually via a RS232 or USB interface. Typically, information provided by the receiver includes time and positioning information, number of satellites in use, number of visible satellites and whether a signal lock has been acquired.

Coaxial cable is utilised to provide a connection between the GPS antenna and receiver. The cable distance can be critical. The antenna must amplify the GPS signal sufficiently to overcome any cable losses associated with the cable run utilised. Better quality antennas generally provide more amplification (gain) additionally higher quality coax cables can be used with much smaller signal losses per meter allowing for relatively long cable runs between a antenna and receiver. In order to extend cable runs still further GPS amplifiers can be used to boost the signal transmitted down the coax cable. Typically, a GPS amplifier sits in-line on the coax cable and is powered from the receiver. Multiple amplifiers can be used for extremely long cable runs.

A roof mounted GPS antenna can be prone to lightning strikes and voltage surges. It is recommended that surge suppressors are utilised to protect expensive NTP time server and timing systems from potential damage. A surge suppressor is essentially a barrier that sits in-line on the coax cable between the antenna and receiver that protects the receiver from any potential damage due to voltage surges.

To summarise, the GPS system provides a highly precise timing reference for NTP time servers and other computer timing equipment. It is a reliable free to air service that can be used anywhere in the world. Additionally, with the boom in vehicle navigation systems the technology required to receive GPS broadcasts is continually falling in price.

The author, David Evans, is a technical author in the field of computer network timing systems. David has a number of years experience of writing articles and white papers about NTP and GPS time synchronisation. Please visit our web-site if you would like more information on NTP Time Server systems: http://www.timetools.co.uk/ntp-servers/ntp-s5500.htm

Article Source: GPS Systems for NTP Time Servers and Timing Applications - ArticleSpan.com

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