7 the global positioning system – AvMap GeoPilot II Plus User Manual

Page 46

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7 The GlobAl PoSITIonInG SYSTem

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a constellation of satellites that orbit the earth twice a day,

transmitting precise time and positioning information to anywhere on the globe, 24 hours a day.

The system was designed and deployed by the U.S. Department of Defense to provide continuous,

worldwide positioning and navigation data to U.S. and allied military forces. GPS broad commercial

applications were recognized early in the system’s development, and the U.S. government decided

to allow free access to GPS signals. Today, GPS is used in a wide variety of commercial and scientific

applications.

7.1 GPS PAGe

The GPS page shows GPS data in graphic mode, displaying satellite availability and status.

> ‘MENU’ 1 sec. + “GPS PAGE” + ‘ENT’

Fig. 7.1 - The GPS page

This page displays the current status and location of all available satellites in the GPS constellation,

referenced to the initial position or last fix.

On the bottom half of the screen (see previous figure) there is a polar representation of the Azimuth

and Elevation of the satellites used to compute a position fix.

The Elevation is the height of the satellite above the horizon, with 5° (lowest) near the horizon and

90° (highest) being directly overhead (the Geopilot II Plus does not normally use satellites with

Elevations lower than 10°). Azimuth is the satellite’s location in relation to true north, measured

clockwise as a bearing. A satellite with an Azimuth of 90° is to the east.

The circle contains a number indicating the number of the satellite and it is green when it is used for

the fix solution (red otherwise). On the left side there are histograms indicating the S/N ratio (SNR).

The bar is green when the satellite is used for the fix (red otherwise). When a valid fix is received,

the Geopilot II Plus displays the current position coordinates, Date, Time, HDOP, VDOP,GS, TRK

and ALT on the GPS page.

7.2 GPS reCeIver SPeCIfICATIonS

receiver:

L1, C/A code, DGPS/WAAS Ready

Channels:

12

max Solution Update rate: 10 sec.

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