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The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system made up of a network of satellites placed into orbit. GPS satellites circle the earth twice a day in a very precise orbit and transmit signal information to earth. GPS receivers take this information and use triangulation to calculate the user's exact location.
Essentially, the GPS receiver compares the time a signal was transmitted by a satellite with the time it was received. The time difference tells the GPS receiver how far away the satellite is. |
With distance measurements from a few more satellites, the receiver can determine the user's position and display it on the unit's electronic map. A GPS receiver must be locked on to the signal of at least three satellites to calculate a 2D position (latitude and longitude) and track movement.
With four or more satellites in view, the receiver can determine the user's 3D position (latitude, longitude and altitude). Once the user's position has been determined, the GPS unit can calculate other information, such as speed, bearing, track, trip distance, distance to destination, sunrise and sunset time and more.
Geographical Information Systems (GIS) is a versatile and powerful software tool, providing users with an array of viewing, analysing and manipulative functions to deal with spatially geo-referenced data.
Coupled with this is the unique ability within GIS to attach attribute data to the spatial data, and using either vector or raster background mapping the user can easily gain a valuable insight as to what is out on the ground without having to leave the office. Data can be displayed in relative or absolute accuracy; such is the ability of GIS to allow this manipulation.
It is this versatility of GIS that has made it one of the foremost data management tools used within the utilities sector, for the displaying and recording of above and below ground assets. GIS not only deals with physical data but also can readily deal with Socio-economic data sets, combine this together with the physical data collected and you have a powerful analytical modelling tool.
Coupling GIS functionality with GPS ability to accurately map assets and you have an extremely powerful tool available to the Utility Sector.
The development of GIS Data Collection Equipment with integrated GPS allows real world and real time scenarios to be modelled. |
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