Netparkone - ICT In Business - Satellite Navigation System / GPS

Satellite Navigation System / GPS

Satellite navigation systems use radio time signals transmitted by satellites to enable mobile receivers on the ground to determine their exact location.

The relatively clear line of sight between the satellites and receivers on the ground, combined with ever-improving electronics, allows satellite navigation systems to measure location to accuracies on the order of a few metres in real time.

The best known satellite navigation system is the United States' Global Positioning System (GPS), and as of 2005 the GPS is the only fully functional satellite navigation system. This consists of 24 to 27 satellites that orbit in six different planes.

Possible Business Uses:

Business Logistics
A growing number of companies that dispatch fleets of delivery or repair trucks are tracking their vehicles via GPS in order to monitor their employees' whereabouts and determine who to send to what job site.

Satellite navigation can also be used to provide accurate directional information to drivers to help reduce traveling time. Using devices like the one pictured below.

Sat nav

Location-based Services (LBS)
GPS receivers built into mobile telephone handsets using triangulation between the known locations of base stations allows people on the street to be located to within a few metres, this is especially useful to the emergency services but also has other business uses.

Examples of location based services might include finding the closest Italian restaurant or nearest taxi rank.

Tracking Pets
Several American companies sell implants for the family pet that, that track an animal's whereabouts and monitor its heart rate and temperature.

Personal Emergencies
A GPS device is worn on a watch or taped to your body. By monitoring vital signs, companies can summon medical help when the patient is unable to via wireless technology.

Roadside Assistance
Breakdown companies use GPS to track vehicles' whereabouts and it can allow motorists to summon emergency help or to ask directions.