What technology does GPS (Global Positioning System) rely on?

GPS, or Global Positioning System, relies on NAVSTAR satellite signals to determine precise locations on Earth. This system consists of a constellation of satellites orbiting the Earth that continuously transmit signals containing time and positioning information. When a GPS receiver picks up these signals from multiple satellites, it uses the differences in the time the signals were received to calculate the distance to each satellite. By triangulating this information from at least four satellites, the receiver can pinpoint its location in three-dimensional space, including latitude, longitude, and altitude.

This reliance on satellite signals distinguishes GPS from other technologies like local positioning devices, which may depend on nearby reference points; laser distance measures, which use light to determine distances; and inertial measurement units, which assess motion through accelerometers and gyroscopes. Each of these technologies has its own applications but does not provide the comprehensive positioning capabilities offered by NAVSTAR satellites in GPS technology.