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Commonly
Asked Questions
About GPS for Mobile Computing
GPS is a powerful
technology that is changing the way business is
conducted in the field. As with any new
technology, there are a number of misconceptions
about what GPS is and what it does…and what it
doesn’t do. Here’s a brief list of some
questions about GPS and answers from
LinksPoint’s team of GPS experts. If you have
any additional questions, don’t hesitate to
contact us at
sales@linkspoint.com.
 What
does “GPS” stand for?
 GPS”
stands for “Global Positioning System”
What
is GPS?
The
Global Positioning System is a constellation of 24
satellites that orbit the Earth at an altitude of
12,500 miles and transmit data that can be used by
GPS receivers to calculate their position on the
surface of the Earth. (Technically, this is just
the “Space” segment of the system, if you want to
learn more about the “Control” and “User”
dimensions of GPS, see our white paper below).
How
does GPS work?
In
simple terms, GPS is a broadcasting system in
which satellites transmit information toward
Earth. GPS receivers take the transmitted
information and use a form of triangulation to
calculate the user’s exact location. The basic
premise of the technology is that the GPS receiver
compares signal transmission time with the signal
reception time, and then uses the time difference
and the propagation speed to figure out the
distance to each of the visible satellites. Your
GPS receiver then uses the distance from multiple
satellites to triangulate your exact location.
Who
owns GPS?
The
infrastructure for GPS is owned and maintained by
the United States Department of Defense.
What
does it cost to use GPS?
Nothing,
other than the cost of GPS hardware to receive the
signals. GPS signals are available for use for
free globally.
Does
a GPS device work inside?
No,
you must have a clear view of the sky in order for
the GPS receiver to function properly.
Environmental conditions, such as tall buildings,
leaf cover, and other obstructions will impact the
quality of the signal as received by a GPS device.
Can
I use GPS to transmit data?
No, GPS
devices only receive signals transmitted from GPS
satellites. The similar-sounding acronym “GPRS,”
which is a GSM wireless data standard, only
confuses matters and is in no way connected to the
Global Positioning System.
How
is the GlobalPoint GPS unit affected by bad
weather?
GPS
works 24 hours a day, anywhere in the world and is
not affected by clouds, storms or weather.
What
is a 12 channel receiver?
A
12 channel receiver has 12 dedicated channels
reserved for satellite communication. Though only
about eight channels are needed at any given time,
additional channels provide quicker satellite
acquisition and better satellite tracking.
What is
Differential GPS?
Differential GPS, or DGPS, was developed to
improve GPS accuracy to within a few meters. A
DGPS transmitter beacon will transmit the error
factors to your DGPS receiver, which in turn gives
the correction information to the GPS receiver, so
it can use the data to correct its own
measurements and calculations.
Do
LinksPoint’s GPS receivers employ real-time
differential corrections?
Yes: Our
device incorporates WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation
System) capability, which provides real time
differential correction. (For a complete
description of the WAAS program please consult
http://gps.faa.gov/programs/waas/waas.htm.)
How
accurate are LinksPoint’s GPS receivers?
Under
“real-world” conditions, LinksPoint’s GPS
receivers offer typical accuracies of 3-5 meters
uncorrected, and 3 meters or better with WAAS
corrections. This accuracy is subject to
degradation based on environmental and positional
conditions. “Rated” accuracy provides 95% Circle
Error Probability (CEP) position accuracies of <5
meters with WAAS correction and <10 meters
uncorrected.
How
can GPS benefit my mobile workforce?
There
are three basic ways GPS brings value to your
mobile operations. First, GPS can be used to
track and analyze vehicle and worker
activities in the field to improve productivity
and eliminate wasted time and fuel. Second, GPS
can be used with
navigation software to improve on-time
performance and cut fleet costs. Third, GPS can be
used to add “location stamps” to transactions, or
to
capture location
information for assets in the field. These
solutions are just a start, GPS can add value in
the field wherever time and location are
meaningful.
Want more info on
GPS?
Download the LinksPoint White Paper “How GPS
Works,” or visit one of these websites:
Mike Forbes
LinksPoint, Vice President
Marketing & Product Development
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