Global Positioning System (GPS) AIM: To Determine The Area Using GPS APPARATUS: GPS Reciever, Batteries THEORY: The Global Positioning System (GPS) Is A Satellite-Based Navigation and
Global Positioning System (GPS) AIM: To Determine The Area Using GPS APPARATUS: GPS Reciever, Batteries THEORY: The Global Positioning System (GPS) Is A Satellite-Based Navigation and
The GPS system consists of three basic elements: the space segment, control segment, and
user segment.
GPS receivers derive positions by simultaneously measuring the distance (range) to several
satellites in precisely known orbits, and using trilateration of the ranges to calculate a unique
position for the receiver. The range to each satellite is determined by precisely measuring the
transit time of radio signals broadcast from the satellites.
The accuracy of the basic GPS system is approximately 15m. GPS accuracy can be affected
by a number of factors including the Selective Availability feature, atmospheric delays,
satellite clock and orbit errors, multipath signals, signal strength, and satellite geometry
relative to the user.
GPS has truly revolutionised the field of surveying, with its potential to replace many
conventional surveying techniques in use today. The different methods of observations with
GPS include, absolute positioning, relative positioning in translocation mode, relative
positioning using differential GPS technique, and kinematic GPS surveying technique.
In the Kinematic GPS technique, one of the receivers is in relative motion with respect to the
other receiver, having been mounted either on a vehicle, ship or aircraft. Even with the
difficulties encountered in obtaining the constantly changing position of the moving receiver,
the method also offers some advantages over static surveying, including the ease with which
the ambiguity resolution (estimating the whole number of wavelengths in the phase
observable) can be done. This technique has a number of important applications, including
ship and aircraft navigation, photogrammetric survey control, etc.
PROCEDURE:
Ensure that the Garmin has fresh batteries, and take it outdoors. Turn on the unit, and
wait while it acquires a satellite signal.
Travel to the area you want to measure. From the main menu, select "Area
Calculation" and then "Start."
Walk around the edges of the area you want to measure. The GPS will record your
position periodically, tracking the distance you've walked in each direction.
Tap "Calculate" on the handheld's menu. If the area measurement is expressed in a
unit other than acres, press "Change Units" and then "Enter." Select "Acres" as your
unit and then press "Enter" again to view the result.