Introduction to GPS

The use of the Global Positioning System (GPS) has become pervasive in the GIS and Surveying communities, and with anyone who needs or collects data that has a geographic or locational component. Local, state and federal agencies regularly use it for a myriad of purposes including E911, utility locations, pavement inventories, biological studies and more. In the private sector, surveyors and other consultants use GPS in their everyday work. Even hikers, boaters and hunters rely on GPS to document their fishing holes, hunting blinds and to leave virtual bread crumb trails. This data finds its way into thousands of different databases and maps and is used in every conceivable application.

GPS is a highly specialized technology that, by its very nature, is prone to accidental misapplication; and it will produce inaccurate results that are not recognized to the untrained user. This course will, in a non-technical, yet thorough manner, explore the GPS satellite constellation, how geographic positions are determined, sources of errors in GPS data collection, and the types of GPS receivers with the goal of arming users with the ability to achieve the results they expect and need in their work.

Specific topics include:

• The Global Positioning System – satellites, control and receivers
• How GPS works - Measurements from 12,000 miles up!
• Latitude and Longitude
• Factors affecting the accuracy of GPS measurements
• Determining the accuracy of my GPS measurements
• How to obtain more accurate results
• Types of GPS receivers
• Methods of making GPS measurements – Static, Rapid Static, RTK
• Russian and European satellite navigation systems

Intended Audience: Any person who uses a GPS receiver, or who relies on or uses geographic locations determined by GPS measurements.

Back to Main Workshop Page

License this Workshop