GPS Quick Course; Technology, Systems and Operation [Paperback]

Lawrence Harte (Author), Ben Levitan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 4, 2007

This book explains satellite position location technology and how the GPS system has evolved. You will learn the functional parts of GPS systems and how they work together to provide position measurements that are accurate to within centimeters. The operation of GPS is described including satellite acquisition, signal reception and pseudo-ranging. Discover how time reference and error correction data is used and why it is very important to provide precise satellite positioning. Global positioning system is a navigation system that uses satellites to act as reference points for the calculation of position location. You will learn how GPS devices can use other systems or devices to provide location services when there is a temporary loss of a satellite links. Explained are the multiple types of civilian and military codes used in the GPS system and how they provide different levels of accuracy and reliability. GPS radio technology is described including the frequencies GPS uses, modulation and power levels. You will learn about the many applications that use GPS technology including mapping, location monitoring, agriculture control, navigation, navigation warfare (NAVWAR), surveying and structural deformation monitoring. Learn how GPS is used in combination with other position detection systems such as laser ranging to provide 3 dimensional charts and maps. The sources of GPS errors are explained such as orbital position errors and variation in radio propagation. You will learn ways to minimize the errors such as receiver initialization, RTK and differential GPS (D-GPS). A brief description if the interface and data format standards is provided. Discover the upcoming changes to GPS including a new frequency with new PRN codes. Some of the important topics covered in this book include: . Descriptions of the Functional Parts of the GPS System . How the GPS System Works . Key GPS Applications . GPS Signal Availability and Reception . GPS Radio Technology . GPS Codes, their Accuracy and Uses . GPS Data Formats . Sources of GPS Errors and ways to Correct Them . Real Time Kinematic (RTK) GPS . Differential GPS (DGPS) . Terrestrial Based Positioning Systems . Upcoming Changes to GPS

Product Details

• Paperback: 92 pages
• Publisher: Althos (October 4, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932813705
• ISBN-13: 978-1932813708
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,773,651 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mr. Harte is the managing director of Althos, an expert information provider that covers the communication industry. Mr. Harte has worked for leading communications technology companies since 1985 including Ericsson/General Electric, Audiovox/Toshiba and Westinghouse. Lawrence holds degrees of Executive MBA from Wake Forest University (1995) and a BSET from the University of the State of New York, (1990). Mr. Harte has instructed at and received numerous certificates from many non-university courses including IPTV, Internet Marketing, 3G wireless, billing systems, cryptograph, microwave measurement and calibration, radar, nuclear power, Dale Carnegie, 360 leadership, and public speaking.

Mr. Harte has appeared on television as an industry expert and has been referenced in over 75 telecommunications related articles in industry magazines. He has been a speaker and moderator at numerous industry seminars and trade shows. His magazine publications include Popular Science, Wireless Week, RCR, Cellular Business, Cellular Marketing and others. Between 1993-1995, Mr. Harte wrote a monthly column in Cellular Marketing called "Techniques." The monthly Techniques column explained the business related issues behind key technology innovations that were developing in the telecommunications industry.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars GPS Quick Course is a good buy..., January 18, 2008

By 

David Crowe (Calgary, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: GPS Quick Course; Technology, Systems and Operation (Paperback)

This quick course book describes how the GPS systems works to provide location as well as describing many of the major applications. It describes the system to a detailed conceptual level (without getting into the mathematics) and covers methods of enhancing GPS systems as well describing the limitations of the system and how errors can get introduced.

The book is well illustrated and written in a straightforward fashion. It won't make you a GPS guru -- you'll just know more about GPS than 99% of the people you meet.

And the price is right too. If you don't know much about GPS today, this book will get you from 0 to 60 quickly and painlessly.

1.0 out of 5 stars This book is useless., September 28, 2010

By 

nobody "nobody 1" (where ever) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: GPS Quick Course; Technology, Systems and Operation (Paperback)

This book is a "dictionary" of GPS terms. It was written by a Technical Writer with no actual professional surveying experience or academic experience with GPS. It is useless for anyone who looking for a Professional Review or an Academic course in GPS. This book is written for the dilettante who may just want to understand a bit more about GPS to better use their Navigation or handheld GPS unit.

This book arrived and I packaged it up and shipped it out 15 minutes later. It will take the average 6th grader maybe 2 hours to read this book. That it the level at which it is written.

Thumbs DOWN.