theglobalpositioningsystem-soonet（10页）.docVIP

THE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM INTRODUCTION The Global Positioning System is a space-based triangulation system using satellites and computers to measure positions anywhere on earth. It is first and foremost a defense system currently under development by the United States Department of Defense, and is referred to as the Navigation Satellite Timing and Ranging Global Positioning System or NAVSTAR GPS. The uniqueness of this navigational system, once it is fully operational, is that it avoids the limitations of other land- based systems such as limited geographic coverage, lack of conti