What is GPS? To Serve a GPS? … Practical Guide

What is GPS? To Serve a GPS? … Practical Guide to GPS

Author: BODECOR (6020)

Circulating in the area has about 20 satellites that are capable of giving us the position on the earth taking into account the rate of emission of waves between them and a GPS. The mathematical foundations are complicated and need not concern us too, it really is to know what can be done with a GPS, in what sense are useful to us.

There GPSs for cars and GPSs for hiking, sailing, etc.. Some Member States have included an accurate map of roads, such as cars, drive you to them once you have set a destination and there is no map, as the most elementary of hiking, which lead us to a point which we are adding (coordinates) or lead us on a tour true that we have introduced previously.

What concerns us here are hiking or GPS navigation, etc.. which are the same. They are small gadgets (like the palms and less) laptops, designed to bring the mountain. They run on batteries that come to last between 4 and 10 hours, though they say it last longer. There are two outstanding brands in the market for this type of GPSs, GARMIN and MAGELLAN.

Now for the specific utility of a GPS

One of the most important is to enter the coordinates of a point (there are mountain guides who coordinate and manage and we can also see the coordinates of a specific point on any map that has UTM grid, which are almost all) who want to turn. The device at all times tell us the exact address that we must continue to arrive, let the turns we take, and the straight line distance that separates us from the point at all times, even the time we reach cost if conditions change. These points are called waypoints (points on the way). That is a route can be marked by a succession of 20, 30 or more waypoints with the corresponding coordinates. Could enter the GPS which would make what is called a route, which is nothing more than a succession of dots. With GPS we can go along such a path without any error.

We also DESIGN a point, ie find? to eye? the distance to a distant point, the GPS approach to that place and mark the hypothetical point and make that leads to it. Comes in handy when going up and we see a high point from which we want to go and then we shall not be obstructed by a mountain or forest. But still this device does more things and very important.

Perhaps the role that fully justifies the purchase is called TRACKBACK. This utility, which make almost all GPSs automatically avoids the possibility of getting lost by forgetfulness, fog, etc.. When we walk the unit automatically goes without scoring points with coordinates that we learn, something like going? Throwing crumbs of bread?. We will always have the option of returning to where they have been, accurately, with an error not exceeding 15 meters, but rain, hail, fog there, and so on. That is, keeps us lose and have a bad experience. It takes us exactly the same way there to the point of initiation.

Another feature is the possibility that at any moment we mark the point where we to get back to it whenever we want, such as home or point of departure or special items, such as a hill, a fountain, a refuge, where you left your car, etc..

At any moment we know the coordinates of the point where we are, in case of loss, accident, etc.. we give the exact location if you have mobile coverage.

When we finished our tour we are able to save in terms of what is called a TRACK, Which is but a journey, an irregular line marks our path made, consisting of many points that the GPS has been marked automatically. We put what we can name and save to your computer (it is very important that the GPS has the possibility of connection to the computer, almost everybody has it but some do not). And we can have it for future occasions or give it to a friend to do the same route or post it on a website for others to exploit. Computer to the GPS goes smoothly and we can follow the route without knowing with absolute precision at all in the field. A small arrow indicates the place where we are, the arrow corresponds to the GPS positioning is to walk alone and that the arrow does not leave the path we have marked on the GPS. As we turn we see a few yards the arrow is off the road and we must correct the address. So easy.

How GPS 2

All GPS can be stored in memory several Waypoints, which can delete, edit, and identified by alpha numeric characters. Some GPS allow you to group a sequence of waypoints representing a route, this route is called. DISTANCE: entering the coordinates of two points, the distance function of the GPS information to separate the two and the direction in degrees to be followed from the beginning to the marked target. The same can be done with two waypoints. NAVIGATION: Entering a waypoint as a destination and another as a source, this function continuously updated to provide the following information: Contact-Rumbo (Bearing), heading in degrees that we must continue from the current position to reach the destination. “Current Heading (Heading track) Heading in degrees that we at that time. A GPS is an accurate compass is not affected by magnetic fields and metals from vehicles. -Distance: The GPS tells us the distance remaining in a straight line reach our destination. Cross-Error: (CDI, XTE) The GPS tells us of the transverse distance ideal path in a straight line from start to destination. -Speed (Speed) The rate at which the GPS is moving. -Estimated time of arrival (ETA, TTG) Indicates the estimated time of arrival at destination in a straight line at constant speed (for obvious reasons only applicable to aviation and shipping.) -Estimated travel time: (TEE) Estimated travel time to the speed provided by the GPS. SET UP: The set function is used to set up the GPS and control thus giving the information, eg. if you want data displayed in miles or km, in feet or meters. etc. as the coordinate system that can use the system Lat / Lon, UTM, and the different GRID. -Datum (map datum) represents a geometrical system of land. The DATUM subfunction to select among dif. systems that are based on maps and charts. North-Reference: (North Reference) lets you choose the model of north (magnetic, indicated by the compass) or true (true) that the GPS take to give the information on current course and contact. “Distance Units: (Dist. units) This sub-function allows selected length units of information (km, miles and nautical miles) Elevation-units: (Elev. units) This allows a choice between meter and feet. -Time: (Time) Select the time format, you can choose between UT (universal time) and GMT. Some models also bring local time.

GPS APPLICATIONS WITH THE COMPUTER

Something very useful and entertaining is the use of computer applications to GPS.

There are several programs designed to enhance and facilitate the functions of a terminal, to choose one, the first thing to consider is the compatibility with the brand and model of our apparatus and the ability to transfer data in both directions.

We use Ozi Explorer program, and is what we recommend, you can find a free demo on the network and, if you like, paying a certain amount? Approx. $ 75 – will be yours, with more features (see www.oziexplorer.com).

The applications are many and what to practice:

? We can introduce the waypoints with names, coordinates, etc., via the keyboard, avoiding the cumbersome it can be introduced with the GPS buttons.

? We can also create our routes, and the most interesting thing is that we see on the computer screen and the map on which we go to work, ultimately, we can set a route at home before for doing so and then transfer to our through a GPS? interface? for use on the route.

To see the map need to have it scanned, using either a scanner or digital maps on CD that is in the market, the latter not very suitable, being at 1,250,000 (so far is the only one in Spain) , little detail for our purposes, though if nothing else, we can help give an idea of the situation. To make the map is used, we must first calibrate OZI, introducing at least 3 points of coordinates. The OZI EXPLORER has many more functions that you shall discover as the wish to obtain, but it certainly is exciting.

? Also useful to me personally that fascinates me is, after making a journey, we cross the track? Collected? along the way, the computer can display the route that we propose and compare theory with real, and thus assess the successes and mistakes we have committed navigation. You can see the development of travel, point to point, and completed the route faster or slower depending on the speed that we have taken in each section, as the track record also the speed and altitude.

?The latest in this field is to connect the GPS cable to a laptop or a PDA (Desktop Personal Asistant ? Desktop Personal Assistant) So, through an additional program of OZI EXPLORER and digital maps in the memory of any of them, navigate? Moving map?, Ie put us through a symbol displayed on the map and as we move we can see our offset.

In this section we close the little manual for those who will you please start in this exciting world of GPS and you may have a basic understanding, we hope to serve you and help keep in mind that is built on our modest experience.

Global Positioning System (GPS

Author: BODECOR
Modified on 20/01/2007

The Global Positioning System (GPS) Or Global Positioning System (better known by the acronym GPSAnd his name is more correct NAVSTAR GPS) Is a Global Navigation Satellite (GNSS) which allows to determine everyone’s position an object, a person, vehicle or shed, with an accuracy up to centimeters using differential GPS; usually a few meters. The system was developed and installed, and is currently operated by the Department of Defense U.S..

GPS works through a network of 24 satellites (21 operational and 3 back) in orbit over the globe at 20,200 km with trajectories synchronized to cover the entire surface of the earth. When you want to determine the position, the device used to it automatically locates at least four satellites in the network, that receives signals indicating the position and the clock of each one. Based on these signals, the device synchronizes the GPS clock and calculates the delay of the signals, ie the distance to the satellite. For “triangulation”Calculates the position in which it is located. The triangulation in the case of GPS, unlike the 2-D case is to ascertain the angle with respect to known points, is based on determining the distance of each satellite relative to the measuring point . Knowing the distance, is easily determined one’s position relative to the three satellites. Knowing well the coordinates or position of each of them emitting the signal, we obtain the absolute position or actual coordinates of the measuring point. Also achieves extreme accuracy in the GPS clock, similar to that of the ground atomic clocks synchronized to the satellites.

The former Soviet Union had a similar system called GLONASS, Now managed by the Russian Federation.

Currently European Union attempts to launch its own satellite positioning system, called ‘Galileo’.

BASIC NAVIGATION

Initializes the GPS. After the previous settings, we must place ourselves in an open pit area for the terminal is switched on, determine its new position and know which satellites are at that moment is in? View?. Currently I tend to do automatically, but you get the approximate coordinates we introduce our position. The first time it will take a few minutes to initialize, but at the following times, but it takes a long while since we use it, or turn on after a long journey, will be operational within seconds.

1st practice. Let us start with theory and a practical exercise very basic, but that fully reflects the philosophy of GPS navigation and ultimately, the practice is the best way to understand and learn the use of any tool.

For this first experience we can do so from the door of our own home, start with initialize the positioner, once you tell us that they are operational, we will mark this location and save it as a waypoint, which we can call home, for example. Then start walking (we look at the speed in km / ha which we walk), when we make a significant change of direction (+45 ?), we will take the waypoint? What we call 001, and so on, it is not necessary much longer the walk, with enough will get 5 points.

The time has come to ours? Marvel of art? guide us to our house, we will initially with the most basic function: located in the last waypoint? WP004, using the keypad on the earlier we will? WP003-and ask a GOTO, and we screen pointer will indicate the direction and course that we should take, no doubt arrive at WP003 (you can see the distance to the WP003, as you walk toward him), if increases are not going the right direction.

IMPORTANT: GPS MUST BE MOVING TO WORK, IF OS PARADISE BE FLAWED DATA.

As you have done previously, you can do to turn the WP002 and WP003 this the first we call HOUSE.

Taking advantage of that and we have 5 waypoints stored, we will exercise a bit more advanced:

With the instructions provided us with the GPS, we’ll create a route, ie WP will tell you that we want to go HOME WP001, WP002 this the WP004 and so on.

Once you create a route, we just have to say that navigation starts, we’ll be leading by one point to another without having to Gouty, to reach a point jumps automatically to the next until the end of the route.

The last practice that we propose to familiaric?is with this system you can make to the continuation of the previous, from WP004, look in the TRACK menu function. This screen will indicate the percentage of memory that we have occupied, with previous years we have certainly not exhausted, so it will ask for a BACK TRACK automatically and also with the screen pointer, faithfully guided us to the starting point — CASA-WP

For the function TRACK we have to be outstanding memory capacity we have, to not lose track of the principle points of the route, you should delete the stored before starting a new route, thus ensuring 100% of the memory.


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