GPSjärjestelmien

GPSjärjestelmien, or GPS systems in English, refers to the Global Positioning System. It is a satellite-based navigation system that provides geolocation and time information to a GPS receiver anywhere on or near the Earth where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites. The system is operated by the United States government and is freely accessible to anyone with a GPS receiver.

The GPS constellation consists of approximately 31 active satellites in medium Earth orbit. These satellites transmit radio signals that contain information about their current position and the time the signal was transmitted. A GPS receiver on the ground picks up these signals from multiple satellites. By calculating the time it takes for the signals to arrive from each satellite, the receiver can determine its distance from each satellite. With distances to at least four satellites, the receiver can then triangulate its precise three-dimensional position, as well as its altitude and current time.

The accuracy of GPS positioning can be affected by various factors, including atmospheric conditions, satellite geometry, and signal interference. However, for most civilian applications, GPS provides sufficient accuracy for navigation, mapping, and timing purposes. GPS technology has revolutionized many industries, from transportation and surveying to agriculture and emergency services, and is a ubiquitous tool in modern life.