stations, etc.

, to locate the source of a call even

as the call is ongoing.
STATIC, DGPS, and RTK
3) D-GPS (Differential GPS)
GPS a correction technique used to increase the accuracy
of location data obtained from a traditional GPS
➢ initially referred to a radio-navigation System of the
receiver.
U.S. government that used satellites and has come Is an enhancement to GPS, providing a better sense of
to mean any group of satellites that broadcast at L1, the actual location of an object or person.
L2, and L5 carrier frequencies and apply trilateration The usual range of accuracy for GPS is, at best, 15
to calculate distances accurately. Meters.
➢ GPS has become a general term used in the can narrow the location error limit to 1 inch (2.5cm).
navigation and mapping sector. When people It works using a network of fixed ground stations that
mention GPS, what comes to mind is the ability to broadcast the calculated difference between the
track the location of objects or determine the known fixed locations and the satellite location.
direction of a place, which is very accurate. Is applied by the United States and the Canadian Coast
Guards.
TYPES OF GPS
➢ While they all work using the same fundamental 4) Non-Differential GPS
principle, each class specializes in meeting specific
as opposed to differential GPS, uses direct
demands.
satellite signals to deduce positioning.
➢ The types of GPS systems include:
It is less accurate than D-GPS, but has a
significantly more comprehensive range of use.
1) A-GPS (Assisted GPS)
is a type of GPS that allows receivers to get 5) Mapping and Non-mapping GPS
information from local network sources, which
a type of GPS unit that comes with in-built maps.
helps in the location of satellites.
It is also possible to download maps to add to the
usually used in areas where satellite signals
mapping GPS.
cannot easily reach, probably due to trees or tall
This is the type of GPS unit often found in mobile
buildings. However, there must be cellular
devices and other handheld devices.
networks for A-GPS to work.
a type of GPs unit that comes without maps.
became necessary when GPS was introduced for
It shows you your location and the direction to
commercial use.
get to another point without seeing roads or
extensively used in smartphones where it makes
landmarks.
the phone’s location information accessible by
It uses breadcrumb-like trails to mark your
emergency call dispatch.
progress and direction.
The technology increases start-up time and
allows cell phones to lock into the navigation
EXAMPLES OF GPS
system even when the signal is weak, or their
A. Google Maps Navigation
phone is visible to only two satellites.
The original version of Google Maps, released in
2005, was a combination of web-based mapping
2) S-GPS (Simultaneous GPS) software, geospatial data visualization, and real-time
a modification of GPS that allows both voice data traffic analysis.
and GPS signaling to be transmitted from a phone
simultaneously. B. NASA’s GIPSY OASIS
Both data types are sent simultaneously rather It is owned by the National Aeronautics and Space
than alternating the SPS signal and the reception Administration (NASA).
for the telephone call, and there is better It measures navigation, timing, and positioning using
sensitivity. three geodetic techniques.
This is particularly useful in emergencies to allow
service providers such as ambulances, fire
 RTK PRODUCT MANUFACTURERS
1) REGELTECHNIK KORNWESTHEIM (RTK)
C. Amazon Location Service Is a leading European manufacturer of industrial control
Is an Amazon Web Services (AWS) product that allows valves and associated products with highly motivated
developers to add location data and functionality to employees, an advanced production environment, and a
their applications strong commitment to continuous improvement.
D. Verizon Connect 2) LEICA GS18
They offer a variety of GPS solutions that you can Is a GNSS RTK rover device: GNSS is short for global
choose from to track driver behavior, improve asset navigation satellite systems, while RTK stands for real-
tracking and delivery, locate the best routes, and time kinematic positioning, a technique used to enhance
ensure customer satisfaction. the precision of position data derived from satellite-
based positioning systems.
E. NAVSTAR GPS
It is utilized by the U.S. Department of defense for
3) RTK TRIMBLE
military tracking, carrying out specialized operations, Trimble VRS provides instant access to RTK survey-level
etc. positioning within a fixed network. With better than 2
centimeter accuracy, it helps you achieve the quality
STATIC GPS standards you need for tasks such as surveying.
➢ Static GPS surveying is a relative positioning
technique which employs two (or more) stationary 4) TERSUS GNSS
receivers simultaneously tracking the same satellites. Tersus is a leading Global Navigation Satellite System
(GNSS) solution provider. Our offerings and services aim
to make centimeter-precision positioning.
(RTK) REAL TIME KINEMATIC
➢ a technique used to increase the accuracy of GNSS 5) HI-TARGET
positions using a fixed base station, that wirelessly Hi-Target is a Global Satellite Positioning Company that
sends out correctional data to a moving receiver. Provides Global Satellite Positioning Solutions, GNSS
➢ a special form of Differential GPS that gives about Industry, etc.
one-hundred times greater accuracy.
➢ a differential GNSS technique originated in the mid- HOW DOES RTK WORKS?
1990s that provides high performance positioning in ➢ When the signal from satellites travels towards the
the vicinity of a base station. receiver, it goes through 20,200 km of ionosphere
➢ Benjamin Remondi, and atmosphere down to Earth.
developed the idea in the mid-1980s. The ionospheric effect significantly slows the signal
RTK is a method that provides positional and also can disturb it on the way.
accuracy nearly as good as static carrier phase In addition, many factors, such as clouds, or
positioning, but faster. obstacles, can affect the travel time and increase
the position error.
FIRST COMMERCIAL RTK
In March 1994, Trimble released its first commercial ➢ To deal with these issues, RTK comes to the rescue.
RTK receiver with OTF capabilities, described in For RTK, you need two GNSS receivers:
patent “Centimeter accurate global positioning ✓ static and called a “base station,”
system receiver for on-the-fly real-time kinematic ✓ moving and is called a “rover.”
measurement and control,” at the International While both receivers observe the same satellites
Federation of Surveyors (FIG) conference in simultaneously, the static base station is placed at
Melbourne, Australia. a point with known coordinates (a benchmark or a
point measured beforehand).

➢ Taking into account the known coordinates and

receiving satellite signals, the base transmits
corrections to the moving rover.
This way, the rover can get sub-centimeter
accurate positioning.