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Global Positioning System

lastmod 2026-02-04created 2014-02-1819 edits

GPS (Global Positioning System) is currently the only fully operational global navigation satellite system. It was developed by the U.S. Department of Defense, and its official name is NAVSTAR GPS (NAVSTAR is not an acronym, but it is sometimes expanded as ~NAVigation System with Timing And Ranging). It is used for military and civilian purposes such as weapons guidance, navigation, surveying, mapmaking, geodesy, and time synchronization.

Categories

GPS vs GLONASS vs Galileo

GPS
Operated by the U.S. Air Force
  • Worldwide coverage since April 1995 (actually in operation since the '80s)
  • 32 satellites arranged in 6 orbital planes. At least 4 per plane
  • The satellites orbit the Earth at a 55° inclination and an altitude of 20,200 km
  • Each satellite circles the Earth once every 11 hours 58 minutes
  • Transmits civilian signals in the L1 (1575.42 MHz) and L5 (1176.45 MHz) bands
  • Position accuracy of about 3.5–7.8 meters
GLONASS
Operated by the Russian Aerospace Defence Forces
  • November 2011
  • 24 satellites in 3 orbital planes. 8 per plane
  • The satellites orbit the Earth at a 64.8° inclination and an altitude of 19,100 km
  • Each satellite circles the Earth once every 11 hours 15 minutes
  • Transmits civilian signals in the L1 (1602 MHz) band
  • Position accuracy of about 5–10 meters
Galileo
Operated by the European GNSS Agency (GSA)
  • 2019
  • 30 satellites in 3 orbital planes. 8 active and 2 spare satellites
  • The satellites orbit the Earth at a 56° inclination and an altitude of 23,222 km
  • Each satellite circles the Earth once every 14 hours 7 minutes
  • Transmits civilian signals in the E1 (1575.42 MHz) and E5a (1176.45 MHz) bands
  • Position accuracy of about 2–3 meters

Position calculation

  • A consumer-grade GPSr (receiver) needs at least 4 satellites for trilateration
  • Knowing the distances to three satellites, the receiver finds two possible positions and guesses the correct one
  • The absolute position can only be calculated unambiguously when 4 or more distance values are available

GPS is broken and holding technology back. Time to look at alternatives to GPS

  • GPS Is Broken, And It's Holding Tech Back | HackerNoon
  • GPS has become an essential technology in modern society, but it has several limitations
    • Problems: errors and inefficiencies caused by signal jamming, spoofing, interference, etc.
    • Everyday examples: wrong directions in the city, self-driving cars losing their way in tunnels
    • Precise navigation is difficult because of signal blocking by tall buildings, bad weather, etc.
  • Growing dependency:
    • As reliance on real-time location services grows, GPS vulnerabilities have a bigger impact on daily life and business
    • As autonomous logistics systems increase, GPS reliability is becoming an important issue

The rise of GPS alternatives

  • AstraNav
    • A software-based technology that provides accurate location data without GPS, internet, WiFi, or cellular signals
    • Uses the Earth's magnetic field to provide directions indoors, underground, and where GPS signals are weak
    • Example applications:
      • Not getting lost in complex shopping malls or subways
      • Precise navigation even in multi-story buildings or crowded places
    • Governments can use it as a security layer that compensates for the vulnerability of satellite signals
  • Quantum navigation (Quantum Compass)
    • Being developed by researchers at Imperial College London
    • Detects position without external signals, using the particle principles of quantum mechanics
    • Applications:
      • Mining, oil and gas, urban infrastructure, etc.
      • For consumers, it can work perfectly even in subways and rural areas that GPS signals don't reach
  • Xona Space Systems' Pulsar©:
    • Developing a satellite constellation system that provides centimeter-level accuracy
    • Potential uses:
      • Essential for precise location-based services such as autonomous delivery drones and driverless taxis
      • Greater accuracy and efficiency in logistics delivery

Impact on consumers, businesses, and investors

  • What the technology means:
    • Not just better navigation, but ensuring the security and continuity of business operations
    • GPS problems threaten the accuracy and reliability of logistics operations and autonomous systems
  • Strategies for business leaders:
    • Invest in resilient navigation technology: consider alternatives such as M-GPS®, quantum navigation, and advanced satellite systems
    • Risk assessment: analyze the vulnerabilities of dependence on GPS and location-based services
    • Diversify navigation infrastructure: build backup systems in case GPS fails
    • Partner with technology providers: work closely with technology providers to integrate the latest advances.

A new era of navigation

  • Over the next 10 years, GPS alternatives will transform the way we navigate the physical and digital worlds
  • If you are a business, consumer, or investor, now is the time to pay attention to these new technologies
    • Investors: opportunities to invest in next-generation technology
    • Businesses: stronger competitiveness in logistics and location-based services
    • Consumers: relief from the inconveniences caused by GPS vulnerabilities
  • Companies developing GPS alternatives such as M-GPS® and the quantum compass will shape the future of location services and geospatial technology
  • The navigation of the future is not simply a "better GPS" but building systems that work seamlessly in any environment. Looking forward to the progress of new technology

Mobile carriers can see your GPS location

  • Mobile Carriers Can See Your GPS Location | GeekNews
  • iOS 26.3 introduced a new privacy feature that limits the precise location data provided to cellular networks
  • However, through standard telecom protocols (RRLP, LPP), devices can automatically send GNSS (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou) coordinates to the carrier
  • These protocols operate in the control plane, so they are invisible to the user, and their precision is within a few meters
  • In the past, the DEA (U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration) and Israel's Shin Bet have used these techniques to track locations through court orders or surveillance systems
  • With this measure Apple has closed one route for mass surveillance, but it should let users disable GNSS responses and be notified of attempts

Documentation

Estimating the location coordinates of objects in images using a single camera and GPS
MTMDCW_2016_v19n2_112.pdf

See also

Favorite site

References

  1. What is NMEA ↩

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