Ever wonder how GPS works without the internet?
I am here to explain how it exactly works.
GPS: The Magical Map
1. Satellites in the Sky:
Up high in the sky, there are lots of satellites. Think of them as magic helpers flying around the Earth.
These satellites are constantly sending signals to the ground.
2. Your GPS Device:
Your phone or GPS device is like a special receiver that listens to these signals.
It doesn't need the internet to hear these signals because they're always being sent from the satellites.
3. How It Finds You:
When your GPS device picks up signals from at least four satellites, it can figure out where you are.
It's like the device is talking to the satellites, asking, "Where am I?" and they help it figure out the answer.
The Process in Simple Steps:
Listening to Satellites:
Imagine you're in a big open field, and you hear a voice from each corner of the field.
Your GPS device does something similar. It hears signals from different satellites.
Measuring Time:
Each signal takes a tiny bit of time to travel from the satellite to your device.
By figuring out how long each signal took to arrive, the GPS device can tell how far away each satellite is.
Drawing a Map:
Your device uses this distance information to draw imaginary circles around each satellite.
Where these circles overlap is where you are. It's like connecting dots to find your spot on a map.
Why No Internet Needed?
Radio waves don't need the internet to travel. They move directly from the satellites to your device.
Your device just needs to listen to the signals and do some quick math to figure out your location.
Just like you don't need the internet to listen to the radio in your
car.
So, the medium for sending data between your mobile device and the satellites is radio waves. These waves travel directly through space and air, bringing the satellite's location information to your device.
I hope this article helps you❤️
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