Satellite Monitoring Systems

Prepared by T. Mukonda
Edited 2021
 GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS)

GPS – stands for Global Positioning System. It is

a space based navigation system. Typically
four (4) satellites must be visible to the
receiver. GPS calculates the distance from a
receiver to the satellite. It also calculates the
position of the receiver.
 GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS)
Uses of GPS:
• Used in cars to calculate routes
• Used by walkers to locate position on
hills/mountains
• Used by runners to calculate distance run
• Used by farmers for tractor navigation/soil
evaluation/livestock control/yield monitoring
• Used in satellite navigation systems for ships
• Used in tracking aircraft
What can be monitored?
GPS – Flow of monitoring Instructions
Applications of GPS.
 Question
The following diagram shows towns A and B and
the two roads that connect them.

A B C

Describe how a satellite system (sat nav) in a

motor vehicle would calculate the quickest route
from A to B.
 Solution
Destination B is input by the driver. Position of the car at A is calculated

using GPS. This makes use of a data transmitted from 3 or 4 satellites.

Algorithm calculates the shortest distance from A to B (going through C).

Algorithm calculates distance from A to B not going through C. Makes

allowance for traffic in town C. Takes into account average road speeds

using traffic /speed sensors on roads. Takes into account regular updates

of traffic conditions. Takes into account maximum speed on the road/type

of road.
 Advantages of using GPS
• The GPS signal is available anywhere on the
globe. Hence user will not deprive of GPS facility
• anywhere.
• There is no charge to utilize the GPS service as
US Defence bears cost of GPS system. It
• is maintained and upgraded by US Department
of Defence. It is cheaper compare to other
• navigational systems.
 Advantages continued
• The GPS system gets calibrated by its own and
hence it is easy to be used by anyone.
• It provides user with location based information.
This will be helpful in various applications
• such as mapping (used in cars), location
(geocaching), performance analysis (used in sports),
• GIS etc. Example: Google Earth Application.
• GPS helps find retail outlets in new visitor location
 Disadvantages of using GPS
• GPS chip is power hungry which drains battery in 8
to 12 hours. This requires either battery
replacement or recharge.
• GPS signal does not pierce through the solid walls or
structures. Moreover it is affected by
large buildings or structures. Due to this, user
will not be able to utilize GPS service in indoors or
under water or in dense tree regions or in
underground stores or places etc.
 Disadvantages of using GPS
• GPS accuracy depends on sufficient received signal quality.
GPS signal gets affected due to multipath, atmosphere (i.e.
ionosphere), electromagnetic interference etc. This leads
to error of about 5 to 10 meters in GPS signal.
• Though currently system is managed by US DoD and users
are utilizing the system free of cost, it is in the hand of US
to allow or deny the GPS service at anytime.
• It is better not to rely completely on GPS system. Backup
travel maps with directions will help in the event of GPS
system failure.