GPS NAVIGATION

A PROJECT SUBMITTED TO

MULTIMEDIA UNIVERSITY FOR

COMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN BUSINESS

UNDER

THE FACULTY OF MANAGEMENT

BY

FUN-TASTIC 4

AGRAWAL SHUBHAM HITESH (1211112079)

RENESH RAM A/L ANANTHARAO (1211111999)

FOUNDATION IN MANAGEMENT TRIMESTER II (FT1D)

UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF

PROF. MAGISWARY A/P DORASAMY

 INDEX
CHAPTER CONTENT PAGE
NO.

1 INTRODUCTION – GPS 3-4

NAVIGATION

2 BENEFITS OF GPS NAVIGATION 4-6

3 HOW GPS RECEIVERS WORK 7-8

4 T TRILATERATION 10-12

5 CONCLUSION 13

6 REFERENCES 14
1. INTRODUCTION TO GPS NAVIGATION

1.1 INTRODUCTION

The GPS is a navigation system consisting of 24 satellites that combine numerous satellite signals
to determine the position of a receiver on Earth. The United States Department of Defence (DOD)
created GPS. Initially, the technique was used for military purposes. GPS technology has grown
popular in vehicles, boats, cell phones, mobile gadgets, and even personal heads-up display (HUD)
glasses since its release to the general market in 1980.

GPS receivers determine their location by combining data from three or four satellite signals. This
data comprises the satellite's position and the specific time of transmission. Any 2D point on Earth
may be discovered with three signals; additional satellite signals allow for height determination.
GPS technology works in almost any condition and is accurate to within 3-15 meters, depending on
the number of signals received, the spread of satellites in the sky and the technologies used in the
receiver.

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 GPS navigation is a technology that uses satellite signals to determine a user's location and guide
them to a specific destination. It has become a standard feature in modern smartphones,
automobiles, and other devices. GPS navigation systems are based on a network of satellites
orbiting the Earth that send signals to GPS receivers on the ground. GPS navigation works by timing
the arrival of signals from at least three satellites at the GPS receiver.

2. BENEFITS OF GPS NAVIGATION

In the past, people had to take drastic steps to avoid getting lost, like building prominent
landmarks and creating precise maps. They also relied on reading the stars to navigate. However,
now it's much more straightforward. For under 500 RM, you can own a small device that fits in
your pocket and accurately determines your location on Earth anytime you need it. All you need is
a GPS receiver and an unobstructed view of the sky, and you'll never have to worry about getting
lost.
Mariners can navigate, measure speed, and determine their location quickly and accurately using
GPS.

1. IMPROVED SAFETY

As an organisation, the safety of your drivers should be a top priority. Maintaining vehicles
properly and monitoring driver behaviour is essential to ensure safe driving practices are followed.

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Fleet tracking providers typically offer digital maintenance programs that allow you to create
maintenance schedules with automated alerts based on odometer readings or scheduled
maintenance. You have the option to create digital procedures for inspections and maintenance
tasks. This allows your drivers and maintenance teams to report any issues that must be addressed
immediately and quickly.

GPS trackers have accelerometers that detect poor driving behaviours like harsh braking,
acceleration, cornering, and speeding. With AI-enabled dashcams, fleet managers can monitor
distracted driving, tailgating, and red-light violations.

This information can be used to create rewards and recognition programs for the best drivers and
encourage others to improve.

2. INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY

Improving productivity can save businesses time and money. By using a GPS fleet tracking
system, companies can monitor how much time drivers spend at job sites or loading bays and take
steps to improve their efficiency. Additionally, by assigning jobs to the closest available vehicle,
businesses can reduce wasted time and resources.

Increasing productivity can also be achieved by digitising vital workflows. Fleets can simplify
payroll, billing, inventory, and other back-office tasks by utilising proof-of-delivery and custom
forms that include digital signature capture.

3. THEFT RECOVERY

Business vehicles and equipment are precious assets, and theft recovery is a crucial benefit of GPS
tracking.

By installing GPS tracking, you can easily monitor their location and set schedules for expected use
while quickly identifying any unusual or unauthorised activity. You will get immediate notifications
if any vehicle or equipment is utilised outside its authorised location or beyond the designated
usage time. If a vehicle is stolen, location tracking can help authorities recover it, saving you from
expensive replacement and insurance costs.

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4. PINPOINT ACCURACY
One of the primary benefits of GPS navigation is its accuracy. Modern GPS receivers can pinpoint a
user's location within a few meters, making it possible to navigate even in dense urban areas with
numerous buildings and obstacles.

GPS navigation systems can also provide real-time traffic information, allowing users to avoid
congested areas and save time commuting. GPS navigation has also become a valuable tool for
companies and organisations that rely on efficient transportation and logistics.

As a fleet manager, you can leverage GPS tracking systems to track your vehicles' whereabouts,
streamline their routes, and boost their performance. However, GPS navigation has limitations
since it relies on signals from satellites, which could be disrupted by obstacles such as buildings or
trees obstructing the line of sight to the sky.

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HOW GPS RECEIVERS WORK

When individuals mention "a GPS," they typically refer to a GPS receiver. The GPS is a collection of
27 satellites orbiting Earth, consisting of 24 functioning satellites and three backups in case of
failure. Initially created for military use, it has since been made accessible to the general public.
Solar-powered satellites weigh between 3,000 to 4,000 pounds and orbit the Earth at about 12,000
miles (19,300 km). They complete two full rotations daily, and their orbits are designed to allow at
least four satellites to be visible in the sky from anywhere on Earth at any given time.
The purpose of a GPS receiver is to find at least four satellites, determine the distance to each, and
then use this data to determine its location. This process is known as trilateration and is based on a
fundamental mathematical principle. Trilateration in three dimensions can be complex, so let's
begin by explaining the simpler two-dimensional trilateration.
HOW GPS PHONES WORK

Picture yourself driving to a job interview and suddenly realising you are lost. Your instinct would
be to contact the company and ask for directions. However, obtaining directions can become
challenging if you still determine your location.

With the help of GPS receivers and the right software or service package, your phone can
accurately determine your location and provide turn-by-turn directions to where you need to go. It
can also inform nearby businesses to make your journey even more convenient.

Cell Phone Basics

Cell phones are advanced two-way radios that connect to a network of towers and base stations
organized into cells that send and receive radio signals. These phones are equipped with low-
power transmitters to communicate with the nearest tower.

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As you travel, base stations in different cells monitor your phone's signal. When you move towards
the edge of a cell, your signal strength weakens, while the base station in the next cell notices an
increase in signal strength. As you move from one cell to another, the towers transfer your signal
to maintain connectivity.

In areas with remote locations, the distance between towers may need to be better to maintain a
steady signal. Even in places with numerous towers, signal interruptions can occur due to
mountains or tall buildings. Building interiors, particularly elevators, can also present challenges in
receiving clear signals. Your phone can reveal your location even without a GPS receiver. This is
possible because a computer can use measurements of your signal to determine where you are.

• The angle at which it approaches the cell towers.

• The duration it takes for the signal to reach various towers.

• Obstacles like trees and buildings can affect the duration of your signal's travel time and weaken
its strength when it reaches the towers. As a result, this method is generally less accurate than GPS
measurements.

To pinpoint your location, a GPS receiver needs to determine the following:

• The locations of at least three satellites above your current position

• Where you are about those satellites

To determine your location, the receiver uses trilateration. This involves drawing a sphere around
each of the three satellites it can locate. The three spheres intersect at two points, one in space
and one on the ground. Your exact location is the point on the ground where the three spheres
intersect.

For a GPS receiver to function correctly, it needs an unobstructed view of the satellite. Areas with
dense tree cover or buildings may hinder their ability to determine your location.

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TRILATERATION

Trilateration refers to using distances or "ranges" to determine the unknown position coordinates
of a point of interest, typically around Earth (geopositioning). If more than three distances are
used, it is called multilateration for emphasis.

Distances or ranges, such as ordinary Euclidean or spherical distances, can be measured differently.
These methods are used in various types of multilateration, including true-range and pseudo-range
multilateration.

It's important to note that trilateration or multilateration differs from triangulation and direction
finding. Triangulation uses angles to determine position, while direction finding determines the
line of sight direction to a target without determining the radial distance.
Similar concepts are often described using different terms, which can be confusing. For example,
the term "multilateration" has been used in aviation systems that use actual ranges and pseudo-
ranges, causing overlap and potential conflicts in terminology.
It's important to note that various areas of study may have their terminology. For instance, in
geometry, trilateration refers to pinpointing points' exact or relative positions by measuring
distances using circles, spheres, or triangles. Meanwhile, in surveying, trilateration denotes a
particular technique.

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 2-D TRILATERATION

Picture yourself lost in Malaysia, with no idea where you are. Luckily, you come across a friendly
local and ask for help. When they respond with the fact that you are 625 miles from Cyberjaya,
it could be more helpful on its own. This is because you could be anywhere in a circle with a 625-
mile radius around Cyberjaya.
.
However, when you ask someone else, you're in luck, and they tell you you're 690 miles from
Putrajaya. With this information, you can conclude that you must be located at one of the two
intersection points that are 625 miles from Cyberjaya and 690 miles from Putrajaya.
The same idea can be applied in three-dimensional space but with spheres instead of circles. In the
following section, we will explore this method of trilateration.

3-D Trilateration
Trilateration in three dimensions is similar to the two-dimensional version, but it can be more
difficult to understand visually. Instead of circles, imagine spheres radiating out from the given
points.

Imagine you are 10 miles away from satellite A in the sky. This means you could be located
anywhere on the surface of a large, imaginary sphere within a 10-mile radius. If you know about
being 15 miles from satellite B, you can overlap the first sphere with a bigger one. This will help in
your situation. These spheres will intersect in a perfect circle. Adding the distance from a third
satellite will create a third sphere, which intersects with the circle at two points.

Receivers usually rely on four or more satellites to enhance accuracy and obtain precise altitude
data. The Earth can serve as a fourth sphere, but it's important to note that only one of the two
potential points will be on the planet's surface, so the one in space can be disregarded.

To perform a basic calculation, the GPS receiver requires knowledge of two factors:

 1. The exact location of at least three satellites above your position.

 2. The distance between you and each of these satellites.

GPS receivers analyse GPS satellites' high-frequency, low-power radio signals to determine
location.
Electromagnetic energy, known as radio waves, travels at the speed of light (about 186,000 miles
per second or 300,000 km per second in a vacuum). By measuring the time it takes for the signal to
arrive, the receiver can determine the distance the signal has travelled.

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CONCLUSION

GPS is a fantastic tool of the 21st century offering many functions: waypoint, MOB…. However,
received information is not always reliable, and it would have been interesting to see in which
cases it is not. Furthermore, the space segment is entirely controlled by the American Army, which
enables them to remove the satellite cover in certain countries in the event of a war… This aspect
mobilised Europe towards creating its GPS: the project GALILEO, which should be in place2008. The
future of GPS appears to be virtually unlimited; technological fantasies abound. The system
provides a novel, unique, and instantly available address for every square yard on the planet's
surface–a new international standard for locations and distances. To the world's computers, at
least, our locations may be defined not by a street address, a city, and a state but by a longitude
and a latitude. With the GPS location of services stored with phone numbers in computerised
"yellow pages," the search for a local restaurant or the nearest gas station in any city, town, or
suburb will be completed instantly. With GPS, the world has been given a technology of
unbounded promise, born in the laboratories of scientists who were motivated by their curiosity to
probe the nature of the universe and our world and built on the fruits of publicly supported basic
research.

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REFERENCES

1) "Multilateration (MLAT) Concept of use", International Civil

Aviation Organization, 2007
2) "Rho-Rho Loran-C Combined with Satellite Navigation for
Offshore Surveys". S.T. Grant, International Hydrographic
Review, undated
3) Wirtanen, Theodore H. (1969). "Laser Multilateration". Journal of
the Surveying and Mapping Division. American Society of Civil
Engineers (ASCE). 95 (1): 81–92. doi:10.1061/jsueax.0000322.
ISSN 0569-8073.
4) Proc, Jerry (2021). "GPS Navigation Systems". Retrieved April 11,
2022.

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