Did You Know – How Do GPS Phones Work?

Question:
How do GPS phones work?

Answer:
Smart phones contain GPS receivers which allow them to send and receive signals to and from global satellites.

Cellular connections
Cell phones act as a two-way radio, serving as  a signal receiver for both towers and base stations. These towers and base stations are arranged into a network of cells that allow smart phones to communicate with the nearest tower.

Global gadgets
Similar to cell phones, global positioning systems rely on waves to communicate information about location. Rather than using ground stations however, these GPS trackers use satellites from around the globe to receive signals.

Once a signal has been received from the three closest satellites, the location of the user in relation to the satellites is determined. A process known as trilateration is used to determine the user’s specific point on the Earth’s grid. This process draws a sphere around each of the three satellites, and these spheres intersect at two points, one in space and one on the ground. This intersection on the ground is the user’s exact location.

Interwining innovations
Smart phones and GPS’s are able to combine their capabilities through signal interactions. It is this feature that allows the user to get back on track, with turn-by-turn directions.