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-- Global Positioning System --
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Global Positioning System

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Glob´al Po`si´tion`ing Sys´tem   Pronunciation: glō´b'l pô`zĭsh´ŭn`ĭng sĭs´tĕm
n.1.A worldwide system of electronic navigation in which a vessel,aircraft or missile determines its latitude and longitude by measuringthe transmission time from several orbiting satellites. GPSis more precise than any other navigation system available, yieldingposition accurate within 10 meters 95% of the time.
On June 26, 1993 . . . the U.S. Air Force launched the 24th Navstar satellite into orbit, completing a network of 24 satellites known as the Global Positioning System, or GPS. With a GPS receiver that costs less than a few hundred dollars you can instantly learn your location on the planet - your latitude, longitude, and even altitude - to within a few hundred feet.
This incredible new technology was made possible by a combination of scientific and engineering advances, particularly development of the world's most accurate timepieces: atomic clocks that are precise to within a billionth of a second.
- http://www4.nationalacademies.org/beyond/beyonddiscovery.nsf/web/gps?OpenDocument
Noun1.Global Positioning System - a navigational system involving satellites and computers that can determine the latitude and longitude of a receiver on Earth by computing the time difference for signals from different satellites to reach the receiver
Synonyms: GPS
(communications)Global Positioning System - (GPS) A system for determining postion on the Earth's surface by comparing radio signals from several satellites. When completed the system will consist of 24 satellites equipped with radio transmitters and atomic clocks.

Depending on your geographic location, the GPS receiver samples data from up to six satellites, it then calculates the time taken for each satellite signal to reach the GPS receiver, and from the difference in time of reception, determines your location.

GPS, navigational system

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