Lesson 8: Answers/hints for Exercises


  1. Describe the system of satellites that comprises the Global Positioning System. Include the number of satellites, descriptions of orbits, etc.
    See How GPS works or NAVSTAR GPS

    2.  

  2. With respect to a particular location on Earth, describe optimum conditions, including distribution of satellites, for high quality reception at a GPS receiver.
    See How GPS works

    3.  

  3. Describe two examples illustrating the use of GPS data for navigation in a commercial application, e.g. a public transportation system, package delivery system, etc. Include description of some advantages provided by GPS technology in these settings.
    1. A delivery service, e.g. a package delivery system or freight delivery system, with a large number of vehicles. GPS units in the vehicles would enable maintaining a real-time profile of the locations of trucks, thus enabling efficient routing and scheduling while they are in the field. In addition, navigation capabilities of GPS supply precise instructions for driving to a specified destination, e.g. navigating to an unfamiliar address to pick up freight.

      2.  
    2. A taxi service with a large number of taxicabs. GPS units in the vehicles enable efficient matching of incoming calls with available cabs. As in example 1., a driver can supply an address to the GPS navigation system, which in turn supplies instructions for driving to pick up a passenger.

    4.  

  4. Apply the instructions in Exercise 3 to two commercial uses of GPS data for map-making.
    1. A precision-farming system. GPS data is collectied to identify regions of identified soil quality, potential erosion, undesirable native vegetation, etc. Computer data is used to make current maps of regions with certain attributes (i.e. layers of a map)to enable decision-making about fertilization, contour plowing, elimination of undesirable growth, choice of crops, etc.

      2.  
    2. A surveying project, where GPS data collected with survey-grade receivers is used to make accurate maps of terrain, infrastructure, etc.

 

to  LESSON 8

to  INDEX

 

Materials developed by-
Prof. Wm. Rundberg
College of San Mateo
1700 West Hillsdale Blvd
San Mateo, Ca. 94402
650.574.5258