Global Positioning System

Global Positioning System: see navigation satellite.

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Global Positioning System (GPS)

Precise satellite-based navigation and location system originally developed for U.S. military use. GPS is a fleet of more than 24 communications satellites that transmit signals globally around the clock. With a GPS receiver, one can quickly and accurately determine the latitude, the longitude, and in most cases the altitude of a point on or above Earth's surface. A single GPS receiver can find its own position in seconds from GPS satellite signals to an accuracy of one metre; accuracy within one centimetre can be achieved with sophisticated military-specification receivers. This capability has reduced the cost of acquiring spatial data for making maps while increasing cartographic accuracy. Other applications include measuring the movement of polar ice sheets or even finding the best automobile route between given points.

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global positioning system

See GPS.

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Global Positioning System [′glō·bəl pə′zish·niŋ ‚sis·təm]

(navigation)

A positioning or navigation system designed to use 24 satellites, each carrying atomic clocks, to provide a receiver anywhere on earth with extremely accurate measurements of its three-dimensional position, velocity, and time. Abbreviated GPS.

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(communications)

Global Positioning System - (GPS) A system for determining postion on the Earth's surface by comparing radio signals from several satellites. When completed the system will consist of 24 satellites equipped with radio transmitters and atomic clocks. Depending on your geographic location, the GPS receiver samples data from up to six satellites, it then calculates the time taken for each satellite signal to reach the GPS receiver, and from the difference in time of reception, determines your location.