Global Positioning

System & Geographical

Information System
BY:
DR. THOMAS MATHEW
 Introduction
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a U.S. space-based navigation system that provides reliable
positioning, navigation, and timing services to the army as well as civilian users on a continuous worldwide
basis - freely available to all. For anyone with a GPS receiver, the system will provide location and time.
GPS provides accurate location and time information for an unlimited number of people in all weather
conditions, day and night, anywhere in the world.

The GPS is made up of three parts:

1. Satellites orbiting the earth
2. Control and monitoring stations on earth and
3. The GPS receivers owned by users.
GPS satellites broadcast signals from space that are picked up and identified by GPS receivers.
Each GPS receiver then provides three-dimensional location (latitude, longitude, and altitude)
plus the time. Individuals may purchase GPS handsets that are readily available through
commercial retailers.
History and Development
NAVSTAR (NAVigation System with Time And Ranging).
GLONASS (GLObal Navigation Satellite System).
Anatomy of the term: ‘‘Global Positioning
System”
Global: Anywhere on Earth except inside buildings, underground, in very severe precipitation, under heavy
tree canopy, around strong radio transmission, near powerful radio transmitter antennas.
Positioning: Location and Direction, Speed.
System: a collection of components with links among them.
 Structure /Segments of GPS
Three segments:
•satellite constellation/space segment: Contains the satellites in orbit that provide the ranging signals and
data messages to the user equipment.
•monitoring network/ ground control segment/ operational control segment (OCS) : Tracks and maintains the
satellites in space, monitors satellite health and signal integrity and maintains the orbital configuration of the
satellites. It also updates the satellite clock corrections and ephemerides as well as numerous other
parameters essential to determining user position, velocity, and time (PVT).
•user receiving equipment/user segment/user equipment segments: Performs the navigation, timing or other
related functions (e.g. surveying).
Space Segment

The Space Segment consists of the constellation of spacecraft and the signals broadcast by them which allow users to
determine position, velocity and time. The basic functions of the satellites are to:
1. Receive and store data transmitted by the Control Segment stations.
2. Maintain accurate time by means of several onboard atomic clocks.
3. Transmit information and signals to users on two L-band frequencies.
Each GPS satellite transmits a unique navigational signal centered on two L-band frequencies of the electromagnetic
spectrum, permitting the ionosphere propagation effect on the signals to be eliminated. At these frequencies the
signals are highly directional and so are easily reflected or blocked by solid objects. Clouds are easily penetrated, but
the signals may be blocked by foliage (the extent of blockage is dependent on the type and density of the leaves and
branches). The satellite signal consists of the following components:
1. The two L-band carrier waves.
2. The ranging codes modulated on the carrier waves.
3. The so-called "navigation message
 Control Segment (CS)
•Responsible for maintaining the satellites and their proper functioning. This includes maintaining the satellites in their
proper orbital positions (called station keeping) and monitoring satellite health and status. Also monitors the satellite solar
arrays, battery power levels.
•Five ground facility stations: Hawaii, Colorado Springs, Ascension Island, Diego Garcia and Kwajalein. These stations
perform the following functions:
1. All five stations are Monitor Stations, equipped with GPS receivers to track the satellites. The resultant tracking data is
sent to the Master Control Station.
2. Colorado Springs is the Master Control Station (MCS), where the tracking data are processed in order to compute the
satellite ephemerides and satellite clock corrections. It is also the station that initiates all operations of the space segment,
such as spacecraft manoeuvring, signal encryption, satellite clock-keeping, etc.
3. Ascension Is., Diego Garcia, and Kwajalein are Upload Stations. Allowing for the uplink of data to the satellites. The data
includes the orbit and clock correction information transmitted within the navigation message, as well as command
telemetry from the MCS.
The most significant forces that influence satellite motion (Keplerian ellipse) are:
1. the spherical and non-spherical gravitational attraction of the earth,
2. the gravitational attractions of the sun, moon, and planets (the "third body" effects),
3. atmospheric drag effects,
4. solar radiation pressure (both direct and albedo effects).
 User Segment

The user receiving equipment, typically referred to as a GPS

receiver, processes the L-band signals transmitted from the
satellites to determine PVT.
The basic structure of a receiver is the antenna, the receiver and
processor, the display and a regulated dc-power supply. These
receivers can be mounted in ships, planes and cars, and provide
exact position information, regardless of weather conditions.
 GPS Positioning Types
1. Absolute Positioning: The mode of positioning relies upon a single receiver station. It is also
referred to as 'stand-alone' GPS, because ranging is carried out strictly between the satellite
and the receiver station, not on a ground-based reference station that assists with the
computation of error corrections. As a result, the positions derived in absolute mode are
subject to the unmitigated errors inherent in satellite positioning.
2. Differential Positioning: Relative or Differential GPS carries the triangulation principles one
step further, with a second receiver at a known reference point. To further facilitate
determination of a point’s position, relative to the known earth surface point, this
configuration demands collection of an error-correcting message from the reference receiver.
Differential-mode positioning relies upon an established control point. The reference station is
placed on the control point, a triangulated position, the control point coordinate. This allows
for a correction factor to be calculated and applied to other roving GPS units used in the same
area and in the same time series.
GPS Satellite Constellation and Signals
Satellite Constellation:

The GPS satellites are in nearly circular orbits, at an altitude of approximately 20,200km above the earth,
this has a number of consequences:
1. Their orbital period is approximately 11hrs 58mins, so that each satellite makes two revolutions in one
sidereal day (the period taken for the earth to complete one rotation about its axis with respect to the
stars).
2. At the end of a sidereal day (23hrs 56mins in length) the satellites are again over the same position on
earth.
3. Reckoned in terms of a solar day (24hrs in length), the satellites are in the same position in the sky
about four minutes earlier each day.
 GPS Signal Components:

C/A Code and P Code:

i. The C/A code (sometimes referred to as the “clear/access” or “coarse/acquisition” code), sometimes also referred to as the
“S code”.
ii. The P code (the “private” or “precise” code) was designed for use only by the military, and other authorized users.
Frame of GPS navigation message
Working of GPS
The GPS system consists of three pieces. There are the satellites that transmit the position
information, there are the ground stations that are used to control the satellites and update the
information, and finally there is the receiver that we purchased. It is the receiver that collects
data from the satellites and computes its location anywhere in the world based on information
it gets from the satellites. There is a popular misconception that a GPS receiver somehow
sends information to the satellites but this is not true, it only receives data.
Geometric View
The basic concept of GPS positioning is that of positioning-by-ranges. The geometrical principles
of positioning can be demonstrated in terms of the intersection of loci. In the two dimensional
case, a measured range to a known point constrains the position to lie on circle with the
measured range as radius.
The Intersection of Circular Lines
of Position for 2-D Positioning.
In the three-dimensional case, the intersection of three spheres describes two points in space,
only one of which is correct.
Mathematical View
The observation equation for a receiver-clock-biased range is:
P = p + erc(tr).c ... …………………(1)
where c is the velocity of electromagnetic radiation in a vacuum (or simply the "velocity of
light"), erc is the receiver clock error (assume satellite clock time is "true" time) at time of
reception tr, P is the measured range and p is the true "geometric" range. Each observation
made by the receiver can be parameterised as follows:
(xs – x)2 + (ys – y)2 + (zs – z)2 = (P – erc.c)2 ................ (2)
where xs, ys, zs is the coordinate of the satellite and x, y, z is the coordinate of the receiver.
GPS Error Sources
Ionospheric and Atmospheric Delays
Satellite and Receiver Clock Errors
Multipath Error (Receiver Antenna closed to large reflecting surface-reflections. Can be reduced
by preventing low elevation signal reaching antenna)
Dilution of Precision (Measure of Satellite Geometry. Related to spacing and position of
satellites. Effect can be minimized by observing many satellites)
Selective Availability (Process applied by US Dept of Defense to GPS Signal intended to deny
civilian/foreign powers full accuracy of GPS-Dithering – time. DGPS not affected)
Anti Spoofing (Similar to SA. AS encrypts the P-Code into a signal called the Y-code. Only users
with military GPS receivers can decrypt the Y-Code)
GPS Errors
There are two types of positioning errors: correctable and non-correctable. Correctable errors
are the errors that are essentially the same for two GPS receivers in the same area. Non-
correctable errors cannot be correlated between two GPS receivers in the same area.
Correctable Errors:
Sources of correctable errors include satellite clock, ephemeris data and ionosphere and
tropospheric delay, satellite geometry/shading. If implemented, SA (Selective Availability) may
also cause a correctable positioning error.
Such as, Receiver Clock Errors, Orbital Error/ Ephemeris Error, Ionosphere and Troposphere
Delays, Intentional Degradation of the Satellite Signal etc.
Non-correctable Errors:
Non-correctable errors cannot be correlated between two GPS receivers that are located in the
same general area. Sources of non-correctable errors include receiver noise, which is
unavoidably inherent in any receiver, and multipath errors.
Multipath Error:
This occurs when the GPS signal is reflected off objects such as tall buildings or large rock
surfaces before it reaches the receiver. This increases the travel time of the signal, thereby
causing errors.
 Differential GPS (DGPS)
DGPS uses a second, stationary GPS receiver at a precisely measured spot (usually established through
traditional survey methods). This receiver can correct many errors found in the GPS signals, including
atmospheric distortion, orbital anomalies, Selective Availability (when it existed), and other errors. A DGPS
station is able to do this because its processor already knows its precise location, and can easily determine
the amount of error provided by the GPS signals by comparing its known location with the erroneous
position data provided by the GPS.
DGPS corrects or reduces the effects of:
1. Orbital errors
2. Atmospheric distortion
3. Selective Availability
4. Satellite clock errors
5. Receiver clock errors
 Applications of GPS
Timing:
In addition to longitude, latitude, and altitude, the Global Positioning System (GPS) provides a critical
fourth dimension – time. Each GPS satellite contains multiple atomic clocks that contribute very precise
time data to the GPS signals. GPS receivers decode these signals, effectively synchronizing each receiver
to the atomic clocks. The free availability of GPS time has enabled cost savings for companies that
depend on precise time and has led to significant advances in capability.

Roads and Highways:

It is estimated that delays from congestion on highways, streets, and transit systems throughout the
world result in productivity losses in the hundreds of billions of dollars annually. The information serves
as an input to the GIS data gathering process.
Space:
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is revolutionizing and revitalizing the way nations operate in space, from
guidance systems for crewed vehicles to the management, tracking, and control of communication satellite
constellations, to monitoring the Earth from space. Benefits of using GPS include:
Navigation Solutions, Attitude Solutions, Timing Solutions.
Aviation:
Aviators throughout the world use the Global Positioning System (GPS) to increase the safety and efficiency of
flight. With its accurate, continuous, and global capabilities, GPS offers seamless satellite navigation services
that satisfy many of the requirements for aviation users.
Agriculture:
The development and implementation of precision agriculture or site-specific farming has been made
possible by combining the Global Positioning System (GPS) and geographic information systems (GIS). These
technologies enable the coupling of real-time data collection with accurate position information, leading to
the efficient manipulation and analysis of large amounts of geospatial data. GPS-based applications in
precision farming are being used for farm planning, field mapping, soil sampling, tractor guidance, crop
scouting, variable rate applications, and yield mapping. GPS allows farmers to work during low visibility field
conditions such as rain, dust, fog, and darkness.
Surveying and Mapping:
Using the near pinpoint accuracy provided by the Global Positioning System (GPS) with ground
augmentations, highly accurate surveying and mapping results can be rapidly obtained, thereby significantly
reducing the amount of equipment and labor hours that are normally required of other conventional
surveying and mapping techniques.
 GPS and Precision Agriculture
Precision Agriculture is doing the right thing, at the right place, at the right time. Knowing the right thing
to do may involve all kinds of high tech equipments and fancy statistics or other analysis. For analysis
and processing of remote Sensed images requires ground truth information, collected in the field, at a
variety of sites and often at various times throughout the crop production season.
Soil Sampling by using GPS:
There are two basic types of grid sampling used to collect soils data for precision agriculture
1. Area sampling (grid cell)
2. Point sampling with interpolation (grid point)
Types of Grid sampling
IRNSS : Indian Regional Navigation
Satellite System
The Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System or IRNSS is an indigenously developed Satellite
positioning system. The main objective is to provide Reliable Position, Navigation and Timing
services over India and its neighbourhood, to provide fairly good accuracy to the user.
To date, ISRO has built a total of nine satellites in the IRNSS series; of which eight are currently in
orbit. Three of these satellites are in geostationary orbit (GEO) while the remaining in
geosynchronous orbits (GSO) that maintain an inclination of 29° to the equatorial plane.
The IRNSS constellation is named as “NavIC” (Navigation with Indian Constellation).
The PSLV-39 / IRNSS-1H being unsuccessful; the satellite could not reach orbit.
GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation
(GAGAN)
This is a Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS) implemented jointly with Airport Authority
of India (AAI).
The main objectives of GAGAN are to provide Satellite-based Navigation services with accuracy
and integrity required for civil aviation applications and to provide better Air Traffic
Management over Indian Airspace.
The system will be interoperable with other international SBAS systems and provide seamless
navigation across regional boundaries. The GAGAN Signal-In-Space (SIS) is available through
GSAT-8 and GSAT-10.
 Satellite-based Augmentation Systems
(SBAS)
The performance of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSSs) can be improved by regional Satellite-
based Augmentation Systems (SBAS), such as the GAGAN of India. SBAS improves the accuracy and
reliability of GNSS information by correcting signal measurement errors and by providing information
about the accuracy, integrity, continuity and availability of its signals.
SBAS uses GNSS measurements taken by accurately located reference stations deployed across an entire
continent. All measured GNSS errors are transferred to a central computing centre, where differential
corrections and integrity messages are calculated. These calculations are then broadcast over the covered
area using geostationary satellites that serve as an augmentation, or overlay, to the original GNSS
message.
SBAS systems of different countries comply with a common global standard and are therefore:
Compatible: they do not interfere with each other;
Interoperable: a user with a standard receiver can benefit from the same level of service and
performance, regardless of what coverage area they are located in.
 Satellite-based Augmentation Systems
(SBAS)
SBAS in use
SBAS is essential for applications where accuracy and integrity are critical. In particular, SBAS is
indispensable in situations where people’s lives are at stake or where a form of legal or
commercial guarantee is required and GNSS is being used. For example, in the aviation sector
GPS does not satisfy the strict operational requirements set by the International Civil Aviation
Organisation (ICAO) for use in such critical flight stages as final approaches. However, with the
addition of SBAS, ICAO standards are satisfied.
Beyond the aviation sector, SBAS improves and extends the scope of such GNSS applications as
precision farming, on-road vehicle fleet management and geodesy etc.
Geographic Information System (GIS)
G - Geographic: Implies an interest in the spatial identity or locality of certain entities on, under
or above the surface of the earth.

I - Information: Implies the need to be informed in order to make decisions. Data or raw facts
are interpreted to create information that is useful for decision-making.

S - System: Implies the need for staff, computer hardware and procedures, which can produce
the information required for decision-making that is data collection, processing, and
presentation.
 Geographic Information System
Geographic Information (GI) is the “information, which can be related to a location (defined in
terms of a point, area or volume) on the Earth, particularly information on natural phenomena,
cultural and human resources.”

Most GI also includes a time dimension, since the world is not a static place.

GI can be divided into two major classes: Base data (sometimes called core data or framework
data), which are necessary for most applications, and application-specific data (or Thematic
data).
Base Data
• The basic geodetic frameworks for determining geographic location,

•Elevation data,

•Thematic data on the location of natural objects, such as rivers, coasts and lakes, and
anthropogenic features such as roads, railways, towns and cities, and administrative boundaries
at national, regional and local levels

•Linkage data, permitting non-spatial data to be more easily analyzed spatially (e.g. relating
addresses to coordinate systems).
Application Specific Data
Covers all other kinds of GI that may be used in one application but not in all applications.
 Importance of GI
• Government – Defense, Policies, Operational Activities (land registration. traffic)

•Industry and Commerce – Optimal delivery routes, location of potential markets/outlets, Managing and
monitoring supply networks

•Constructors – Estimation of cost of material

•Agriculture, Forestry, Mining, Water Resources – Assess yields and management strategies

•Service Industries – Efficiency

•Social Investigations – Attributes of population like income, crime

Evolution of GIS
Evolution of GIS
 Components of a GIS
• Hardware

• Software

• Data

• People

• Method
 Data Organisation Methods
•Layer Based approach

•Object Oriented Approach

•Relational Approach
 Representation of Objects
•Graphical Information { Points (No dimension), Lines (One dimension) & Areas/Polygon (Two
dimensions)}

•Textual Database
Thank
You