How It Works ยท Technology

Global Positioning System

Satellites providing location signals

This explainer breaks GPS into the practical pieces that matter: satellite timing, trilateration, signal delay, and the limits that affect accuracy in phones, cars, and maps.

Inputs

Precise time and orbital data broadcast by satellites.

Process

Receiver measures signal delays from at least four satellites to solve position and clock bias.

Outputs

Latitude, longitude, altitude, and time for navigation and timing.

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