Tag Archives: position
GPS and SatNav. Removing Misconceptions
The Global Positioning System (GPS), originally designed for military use, has, as it has developed, revolutionised the art or skill of getting from one place to another among the general user population. Its development in coverage and reliability along with other technologies has enabled reasonably cheap SatNav systems for general usage, in our vehicles, mobile phones and other applications. Because of its reliability and growing popularity I believe SatNav is becoming widely accepted but without due consideration as to what it is really about. Many misconceptions have grown, some maybe not important, but in some cases having no awareness or the wrong ideas of what you have got or how it works could lead to problems of various severity.
The technology is fantastic but it is not without fault, just like any other technology it can go wrong. So let us remove these misconceptions and try to understand just where it can go wrong and how serious it may be.
First let us look at what SatNav is. We do know but do not really consider it in full. Now this is merely a loose use of words but many say they have GPS in their car. Well, yes they do, but they also have a full SatNav. This involves some method of obtaining position from orbiting satellites, some form of electronic map to put this position on, some software to navigate from here to there, and you may have engine sensor inputs to provide an inertial navigation back up when satellite signals are lost. Thats essentially your SatNav system.
It is just a circumstance that the positioning system is mostly GPS. This is just one Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). Others are developed or in development. GPS is just the most commonly used. If you have car SatNav, this, with the inertial back up, if you have it, is what you are using. GPS is also included in mobile phones.
This next makes me somewhat laugh. I have heard some claim they can get SatNav on their mobile phone in the cupboard under the stairs. I am deeply curious of what advanced technology achieves this. The signal from GPS satellites is line of sight. An obstruction will block any satellite it is in the way of. A broom cupboard will block the lot of them. Now the mobile can also be located by the cell network. Although not as accurate, defaulting to the cell network when GPS is lost is handy. But, I do not think this can be classed as SatNav. No satellites are being used. Thats the, er, advanced technology out of the way with.
So far it is wordage and a bit of a lack in awareness. The end result is that by some method you can get a position. If you happen to be off road and lose GPS it may be important to realise you have lost some accuracy. GPS could be 10m or better. The cell being 50m at best in urban areas, no great problem, but worse in rural areas, maybe a problem.
Another one. There are many who say with pride that they know how GPS works. Triangulation. I believe they fall for this because its a legacy from before GPS where control networks were surveyed in by measuring angles. A GPS receiver, specifically the antenna, which may or may not be attached to the box, is positioned by trilateration, using ranges. This was harder to achieve with accuracy in those older days.
Also, satellite pseudoranges are not measured directly, hence along with inaccuracies the term pseudo. They are determined from time differences and light speed, more correctly, the speed of electromagnetic waves as the GPS signal is in the radio or microwave bands, depending on who you listen to. The nearly 300 million m/sec assumed in range calculations is only valid in a total vacuum. Some of the GPS inaccuracies are due to varying light speed. Nanosecond accuracy is required. A thousandth of a second error (1millisec) equates to 200 miles or 300km. Not many realise the importance of such small times.
Now accuracy has been mentioned, this leads to my favourite but that is another story that can be found in GPS and SatNav. Pinpoint Accuracy Explained by the same author.
Finding Technical Edge over Others by Hiring a Professional Website Design Company
After long, you have decided to create a web presence for your business. Bravo!
It is a very important factor to be online in order to be taken seriously as a good organization. Now all you need to do is find a professional website design company to design your companys website.
You might think of getting a website template, put your companys information and upload it on the server. It is true that this can be one way to get your site up and running also small business would find it economical on a tight budget. However, it is certainly not the ideal way to create a polished impression on your prospective clients online. Do-it-yourself websites created by unskilled people make your website look sloppy and unprofessional.
Only a professional who has specialized skills can make a website, which can be an important marketing tool in todays world and work out for your business.
Here are some major benefits of hiring professional web designers:
I. Altered web design and structure: just like readymade designs, a website created by a professional web designer is specially altered according to the needs of your business. You can decide the color, the number of pages, and the style of columns, logos position, and the graphics on the website. A professional would give an original piece of work, which is unique and you would never get any website on the internet having the same sort of design and layout. This is what makes them stand out from others.
II. Make an impression: you have seconds to make an impression on a visitor who comes to see your website. A web designer knows how to make that impression and he would design your website in the most attractive way. He knows how to position things on the website so that they appeal the target audience.
III. Save a lot of time: a professional designer can create your website in a much faster way saving your time and money as well especially when you have no knowledge and experience in web designing.
IV. Other web design service: a web design company cannot only design a website for you but with that, it can also give you other necessary web design services. These services include maintenance and updating the website if required. Then you will be able to focus on running your business rather than being stressed out what new material has to be put on the site.
V. Help increase Web traffic: A professional very well knows how to get traffic to the website and he knows the coding necessary to help raise your sites position on the search engines. Specific search engine marketing is still necessary for maximum online visibility with a professional designed site. So with a website which is designed by a professional one doesnt have to worry a lot as the position of the website would be taken care of by them through methods of search engine optimization.
This is the only reason why people now days are spending huge amount of money on getting their websites designed by professionals. It helps a lot in the improving the position of your business in the online world.
Finding Technical Edge over Others by Hiring a Professional Website Design Company
After long, you have decided to create a web presence for your business. Bravo!
It is a very important factor to be online in order to be taken seriously as a good organization. Now all you need to do is find a professional website design company to design your companys website.
You might think of getting a website template, put your companys information and upload it on the server. It is true that this can be one way to get your site up and running also small business would find it economical on a tight budget. However, it is certainly not the ideal way to create a polished impression on your prospective clients online. Do-it-yourself websites created by unskilled people make your website look sloppy and unprofessional.
Only a professional who has specialized skills can make a website, which can be an important marketing tool in todays world and work out for your business.
Here are some major benefits of hiring professional web designers:
I. Altered web design and structure: just like readymade designs, a website created by a professional web designer is specially altered according to the needs of your business. You can decide the color, the number of pages, and the style of columns, logos position, and the graphics on the website. A professional would give an original piece of work, which is unique and you would never get any website on the internet having the same sort of design and layout. This is what makes them stand out from others.
II. Make an impression: you have seconds to make an impression on a visitor who comes to see your website. A web designer knows how to make that impression and he would design your website in the most attractive way. He knows how to position things on the website so that they appeal the target audience.
III. Save a lot of time: a professional designer can create your website in a much faster way saving your time and money as well especially when you have no knowledge and experience in web designing.
IV. Other web design service: a web design company cannot only design a website for you but with that, it can also give you other necessary web design services. These services include maintenance and updating the website if required. Then you will be able to focus on running your business rather than being stressed out what new material has to be put on the site.
V. Help increase Web traffic: A professional very well knows how to get traffic to the website and he knows the coding necessary to help raise your sites position on the search engines. Specific search engine marketing is still necessary for maximum online visibility with a professional designed site. So with a website which is designed by a professional one doesnt have to worry a lot as the position of the website would be taken care of by them through methods of search engine optimization.
This is the only reason why people now days are spending huge amount of money on getting their websites designed by professionals. It helps a lot in the improving the position of your business in the online world.