Global Positioning System: Description and Operation

GPS (Global Positioning System)
GPS is the global positioning system developed and operated by the US Department of Defense. GPS satellites (NAVSTAR) transmit radio waves and orbit around the earth at an altitude of approximately 21,000 km (13,000 miles).

GPS receiver calculates the three-dimensional position of the vehicle (latitude, longitude, and altitude from the sea level) by the time difference of the radio wave arriving from more than four GPS satellites (three-dimensional positioning).

When the radio wave is received from only three GPS satellites, the two-dimensional position (latitude and longitude) is calculated, using the altitude from the sea level data calculated by using four GPS satellites (two-dimensional positioning).

Positioning capability is degraded in the following cases.
- In two-dimensional positioning, when the vehicle's altitude from the sea level changes, the precision becomes lower.

- The location detection performance can have an error of about 100 m (300 ft) even in three-dimensional positioning with high precision. Because the precision is influenced by the location of GPS satellites used for positioning, the location detection performance may drop depending on the location of GPS satellites.

- When the radio wave from GPS satellites cannot be received, for example, when the vehicle is in a tunnel, in a parking lot inside building, under an elevated superhighway or near strong power lines, the location may not be detected. Turbulent/ electric weather conditions may also affect positioning performance. If something is placed on the antenna, the radio wave from GPS satellites may not be received.