Global Positioning System (GPS)

WHAT: Describe GPS and how it is used

HOW: Group discussion and an activity to find a secret location

WHY: GPS technology has become widespread in our daily lives

Global Positioning System

It provides location and time information in all weather conditions, anywhere on Earth where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites.

The system provides critical capabilities to military, civil and commercial users. It is maintained by the United States government and is freely accessible to anyone with a GPS receiver.

GPS gives you an accurate location of where you are by receiving signals from a network of satellites

Finding your locationYou can establish your location based on the known distances from a number of transmitter stations

In two dimensions this process is known as triangulation

A more complex (3D) process of trilateration is used by GPS – based on four spheres

Transmitter ATransmitter B

Transmitter C

Group Activity

Can you find the secret location - using the activity sheets and materials provided

???

Worksheet - Applications

SATNAV: In car satellite navigation systems Lorry Fleets: Used to track and locate vehicles Military - its original purpose, to help soldiers in the field Shipping - to navigate the seas Farming - to track crop growth and fertilizer application Leisure - Mountaineers, hikers, explorers, geocaching Crime - offenders can now be 'tagged' with a GPS

Task : Complete worksheet and review answers

GPS Devices – Common Applications

GeocachingGeocaching is an outdoor, high-tech treasure hunt.

Players try to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, using GPS enabled devices and then share their experiences online