Kristoffersen and other claim that several satellites will stop working in the period form 2010 to 2016. When this happens, the GPS system might become gradually more unreliable.

Kristoffersen explains "In order to be accurate, the GPS system relies that a minimum of 24 satellites continuously working together."

Some people are questioning whether the US airdefence will get new satellites fast enough to maintain full power on the system without any discontinuity. 

According to the Government Accountability Office report, “In recent years, the Air Force has struggled to successfully build GPS satellites within cost and schedule goals” as part of a $2 billion modernization program.

“If the Air Force does not meet its schedule goals for development of GPS IIIA satellites, there will be an increased likelihood that in 2010, as old satellites begin to fail, the overall GPS constellation will fall below the number of satellites required to provide the level of GPS service that the US government commits to.”

read more at http://pakalert.wordpress.com/2009/05/21/gps-system-in-us-could-fail-by-2010/

Answer: GPS enabled Cell Phones

The clip is very brief, but it provides a useful intro to the basics of
GPS
SPS
PPS
and AGPS

You can watch the clip on the CTV website at
 http://watch.ctv.ca/news/top-picks
/wireless-world/#clip65751

This was the "first" video created for witiger.com, by students, and I am sincerely grateful and appreciative for their enthusiastic contribution.

Special thanks to Justin L., 
David S., Lester C. and Phil H.
and SPECIAL thanks to Conrad M. for organizing this

WTGR 2008 Feb 19

page 168

GPS - Global Positioning System
"The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a worldwide radio-navigation system formed from a constellation of 24 satellites and their ground stations. GPS uses these "man-made stars" as reference points to calculate positions accurate to a matter of meters. In fact, with advanced forms of GPS (such as PPS) you can make measurements to better than a centimeter! " wasfrom  www.trimble.com/gps/what.html

- 24 satellites in six circular orbits 
- three of the satellites are used to determine the latititude, longitude and altitude of the receiver. The fourth satellite is used to check the errors in triangulation" 

SPS - Standard Positioning Systems - within 100 metres 
PPS - Precise Positioning System - within a few metres
 

1. The basis of GPS is "triangulation" from satellites. 
2. To "triangulate," a GPS receiver measures distance using the travel time of radio signals.
3. To measure travel time, GPS needs very accurate timing which it achieves with some tricks.
4. Along with distance, you need to know exactly where the satellites are in space. High orbits and careful monitoring are the secret.
5. Finally you must correct for any delays the signal experiences as it travels through the atmosphere.

permission quote from trimble.com given by LeaAnn McNabb in their California office 2005Nov08. Copies of emails kept in the permissions binder

from Jake's GPS Tutorial (was at  www.ipaqhq.com/articles/articles/18)

GPS has three parts – 1. Satellites, 2. Receivers, 3. Ground stations.

"Satellites – The satellites are in 12 hour orbits at 20,200 KM (12,550 miles) altitude. At this altitude they can be seen over large portions of the surface. Although GPS works from pole to pole, none of the satellites are in polar orbit. The orbits are approximately 12 hours long, which means that they move slowly in the sky and can be used by any individual receiver for a long time. They are NOT geosynchronous, so the “constellation” of satellites that any given receiver can see at any given time is constantly changing."

"Signals – The satellites transmit multiple signals. For most of the cycle they transmit the time based on an on-board atomic clock, but every thirty seconds they transmit information about where they are in space, called ephemeris or ephemeredes and information about the general location of the other satellites, is called the almanac."

"Ground Stations – monitor the health of the satellites and any changes in the satellite orbits and update the ephemeris data accordingly. The USAF has a dedicated command that monitors the health of the entire set of satellites and updates the ephemeris data as the orbits are affected by external forces."

and
E-911

GPS - Global Positioning System
article formerly at http://www.compukiss.com/populartopics/tech_gadgetshtm/article691.htm

Sandy Berger  writes that "E-911 is the high-tech label for a federal mandate known as  Enhanced 911 that requires all US wireless phone companies  to begin offering improved location capabilities on their networks. This mandate is a response to a large number of emergency calls being made on cell phones. When 911 emergency calls are made from a landline, an address appears on an operator’s screen. However, if the call comes from a mobile phone, the 911 dispatcher cannot locate the position of the caller. Therefore, the FCC is now requiring  wireless companies to accurately locate mobile 911 callers."

As aside from the safety aspects, Berger notes " Location-based services like finding nearby  restaurants and checking traffic and weather updates keyed  to a precise location are certain to be popular."

and
Privacy Concerns

article was at abcnews.go.com/sections/scitech/FutureTech/e911cell030304.html

and
Privacy Concerns

Paul Eng wrote 
"Industry watchers say the technology needed to locate mobile cell phone calls isn't difficult to implement...some are concerned that the demand for more call tracking technology might also harm privacy."

"..following an FCC requirement mandated in October 2001, cellular service  providers must deploy a more accurate E911 system, so-called Phase Two.   Under the next stage of wireless E911, every cellular phone service provider would be required to share with PSAPs (Public Safety Answering Points - the places that run the 911 system) a user's actual location data. 

"By the end of 2005, wireless E911 systems are expected, at a minimum, to help operators pinpoint a cell-phone caller's location to within 100 meters 95 percent of the time. This automatic tracking ability is the one that has many privacy advocates concerned the  technology may be abused by others, including law enforcement officials...while the FCC mandated the E911 program, federal legislators haven't put  into place how that information may be used or who would have access to it."

A humourous explanation of the basics by students in BCS555 at Seneca College,  4th week of October 2009.

The emphasis is on the consequences of authorities being able to identify callers to 911 based on the GPS identifiers in certain types of cell phones.

thanks to 
Ricky S.
Angela N.
Jason W.
 

A humourous explanation of the some of the misconceptions about GPS by students in BCS555 at Seneca College,  1st week of November 2009.

Probably a good video to watch for "first-time users"

roles played by students
Shannelle F
Doug M

filmed / edited by
Warren P

and
Privacy Concerns

"The hazards of GPS tracking"

Rowell explains "Since 2005, phones sold in the United States have been GPS-enabled to accommodate the FCC E911 regulation requiring that cell phone carriers be able to locate specific phones for 911 emergency calls...But there's a big issue ... this increased location monitoring means you can be tracked by a lot of folks"

and
Privacy Concerns

and
Privacy Concerns

However, a Con that may result from this new technology is that Insurance companies can now track the child's driving pattern too, which may or may not affect the insurance payments. Although, when I was watching this on Global News, they mentioned Insurance companies might base the insurance payments on the results they recieve from the GPS unit."

WTGR replies
George, I agree, I think this is a "way kewl" application, especially if the GPS is integrated into the viewfinder, meaning the GPS can be applied to the direction the camera is pointing, as well as the GPS of the camera's location - this way we can look at an image and derive 2 things
1 - the location, example N43 50.996 W79 22.049
2 - the view through the lens is oriented to N- N.E.

I could see something like this used in real estate, geological exploration, criminal investigation, travel and tourism - the list might be endless

Blogger Mary Johnson said "The projected number of satellites in the Galileo constellation has already been reduced from 28 to 22 initially, due to cost overruns."

Russia - "GLObal'naya NAvigatsionnaya Sputnikovaya Sistema(GLObal NAvigation Satellite System), or GLONASS, was a fully functional navigation constellation but since the collapse of the Soviet Union has fallen into disrepair.... The Russian Federation has pledged to restore it to full global availability by 2010 with the help of India, who is participating in the restoration project"

China "indicated they intend to expand their regional navigation system, called Beidou or Big Dipper, into a global navigation system; a program that has been called Compass"

read more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_navigation_satellite_system

GPS,

sometimes,

does

NOT

work

However I would suggest that if you are in the middle of a Class 5 hurricane - getting a GPS lock is probably NOT your biggest problem - getting the hell out of there is probably more important !!

Secondly, GPS sometimes does not work in some types of vehicles because of the metallic roof. "Jake's GPS Tutorial" says "...if your car offers some sort of electronic de-misting or defogging option, that option will probably block GPS signals". It is better to put an antenna on the roof or use the GPS outside the car.
WTGR

	Thirdly, some GPS do not work inside heavy metal 40' cargo containers. Sometimes when car thieves go to steal your car, they try to drive it right away to one of those 40' containers and put it inside so if you have a GPS anti-theft device like Bommerang, it will not work - then they move the container with the car inside.
	Then they put the container on a ship and pile other containers on top and there is very little chance the GPS signal can reach the device.

In early Feb 2008, several students in the MGD415 class at the University of Toronto (MIssissauga Campus) put together a couple of quick videos illustrating some of the basic points of GPS together with some examples of how such interaction is useful. 

Phil H. did a segment on Geocaching and if you click on the image to the left it take you directly to the YouTube URL for that segment.

WTGR 2008 Feb 13

Ruvani said
Hello Professor Richardson,

I'm not sure if you've already heard about this, but Isaac Daniels  www.isaacdaniel.com

idconex.com
has  patented GPS in shoes to prevent the problem of getting lost and  missing children. 

Ruvani concludes
Here's a video of coverage on the product that you  might find interesting: 
a NBC story from the 2008 "world accessories shoe convention in Las Vegas"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5wMza29JwI. 

.

• immediately located in case of an emergency
• help you navigate through unfamiliar areas
• easily directed to the final destination
• faster service provided when a car has an accident

• Some rental car companies can spy on you (for example, Acme Rental  Car was sued in 2001 for tracking a car rented out to a customer. It  stated that, if the customer drove over 79 miles/hour, they will have  to pay fines because of the cars quick depreciation.
• Anyone can track you anytime
• On high way, police can track how fast cars are moving. How? By how  fast a car reaches one tower to another.

.

• E911, incase of an emergency, eg being followed or at an accident
• Track down your child incase they are missing or you just want to  know where they are for safety concerns
• Phone call traces can be easier and faster
• Can quickly check how far you are from your destination

• Advertisements pushed out towards the customers whenever they go out
• Someone is always watching them (Big brother)
• It can be very annoying to have different retailers sending coupons  all at once
• some people might always know exactly where you are - which is a problem if you want privacy