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GPS Basics

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The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a worldwide radio-navigation system formed from a constellation of 24 satellites and their ground stations.

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Earth

• Circumference– 24,000 Miles

• Rotation– 1,000 Miles/Hour– 1 Day Cycle

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GPS Satellites• Distance from Earth

– ½x Earth’s Circumference

– 12,000 Miles

• 2 Orbits in 24 Hours– Travel 7,000

Miles/Hour

• Powered by Solar Energy

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How GPS Works

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2D Trilateration

625 miles

690 miles

625 miles

615 miles

625 miles

690 miles

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Signal Transmission

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Real World GPS Applications

Location - determining a basic position

Navigation - getting from one location to another

Tracking - monitoring movement of people and things

Mapping - creating maps of the world

Timing - bringing precise timing to the world

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Student Map

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GPS Applications

Tree & Plant Identification

Science & TechnologyBicycle Safety

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GPS Applications

High AdventureFishing & Canoeing

Science & Technology

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GeoCaching• Scavenger Hunt• Zip Code• Adventure• Educational• Recreation• Families and

Friends• Exciting and Fun!

www.geocaching.com

16http://www.earthcache.org/

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Credits

-How Stuff Workshttp://electronics.howstuffworks.com/gps1.htm

- 4H Navigation to Success by Brady Mitchell

- All About GPS http://www.trimble.com/gps/

- Tracks4Africa http://www.tracks4africa.co.za/#

- EARTHCACHE http://www.earthcache.org/

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Questions?

Comments

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3D Trilateration

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3D Trilateration

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Click Stick

Page Button

On/Off Button

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GPS Applications

Wildlife MappingEnvironmental Education

Earth Science

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What is GPS?