Gps System Components

Global Positioning Satellite System has three parts that are both dependent and independent to one another. They are called segments and each segment has a hand in the basic processes such as data requesting, data transmitting, processing and retrieval or return. The three segments are the user segment, space segment and control segment. This delicate balance of monitoring and receiving data keeps the system in check.

The space segment is probably one of the most expensive and highly advanced of the three. This segment consists of a net of twenty four satellites that make a routine orbit around the whole planet. Each satellite is specifically located eleven thousand nautical miles in the earth's outer layer, and have their own orbits to follow. Orbits take 12 earth hours, and each satellite is equipped with an atomic clock that synchronizes both data transmission and space allowance between each satellite to prevent bumping towards each other and to also prevent service localization.

The control segment consists of various ground stations here on Earth. They are observation towers/radio towers that are responsible for handling various data from the satellites. Data like their position and their time and of the area scoped as well. The master control station is located in Colorado, at the Schriever Air Force Base. Six other unstaffed stations located in Hawaii Kwajalein, Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, the Ascension Island located in the Atlantic, Cape Canaveral in Florida and one more in Colorado. There are other large groudn antenna stations that send data for monitoring purposes and such to keep the satellites in working order.

The user segment are those that are being held by people that use this system. They are called GPS receivers, as they receive data that is scattered and sent across the world by satellites, processed by ground stations. There are at least a hundred of these models scattered around without some even knowing it. Like your wristwatch or in the car. The smallest receivers weigh as little as an ounce.

As the user sends a request, this is handled by the space segment. The space segment sends back data according to the location of the user which explains the fast response time. The monitoring stations, meanwhile, make sure that the satellites stay in order to prevent any accidents. All their collected data is sent to the master control station for processing or storage. The ground antenna from the master control station then sends needed data for the space segment to adjust in case it is needed.