What is GPS?
A GPS relies on a network of satellites, precise timing, and trilateration techniques to determine the location of a receiver on earth.
A GPS receiver, such as a smartphone or navigation device, receives signals from many GPS satellites in its area.
Once the receiver knows its distance from at least four GPS satellites, it can perform a mathematical technique called trilateration to determine the receiver's position where the spheres or circles intersect. In other words, it measures the distance from multiple satellites and finds the common point of intersection.
The receiver then combines the data from multiple satellites to calculate its latitude, longitude, and altitude and uses precise timing information from the satellites to refine calculations and improve the accuracy of the position fix.
Once the receiver has determined its position, it can display it on a map or provide navigation instructions to the user. The receiver can also constantly update the position as it receives signals from additional satellites, providing real-time tracking and navigation capabilities.
GPS Challenges
GPS is a common technology that helps tremendously with outdoor navigation. But it’s not the same for indoor use. Inside, GPS falls short in performance. Here’s why:
- Needs an uninterrupted satellite signal to work properly
- Cannot determine the floor level the device is located on
- Walls and similar obstacles in large facilities interfere with the signal
- Assembling the Wi-Fi fingerprint map can be time-consuming
- Users deserve better than the 30- to 100-meter accuracy GPS technology typically offers indoors
When deciding on an indoor navigation system for your company, you must consider all the benefits and constraints of the technology.
We’ve Got the Solution
It is crucial to consider the effectiveness and accuracy each technology provides. Mapsted’s patented indoor navigation system is a great example of how accuracy and effectiveness can be achieved in indoor navigation. Its quality surpasses any global positioning system device indoors.
By utilizing more than 50 data points, Mapsted’s advanced algorithm can obtain information crucial to the indoor navigation experience. Scalability and ease of use ensure uninterrupted navigation services for your facility.
Download our Technology Landscapes whitepaper to learn about how Mapsted outperforms pre-existing technology.
Download Whitepaper
Download White Paper
Full Name:
Company:
Work Email:
Phone Number:
Do you mind sharing with us why you’re interested in learning more about the different technologies used for location services? We appreciate your interest!
Mapsted’s Indoor Positioning System Needs No External Hardware
- Technical limitations of other indoor navigation technologies can't deliver what Mapsted's patented core technology does – a highly accurate and cost-effective stand-alone indoor positioning system. GPS positioning doesn’t even come close.
- Other indoor positioning systems require expensive external hardware and costly maintenance.
- Instead of relying on external hardware for location-based needs, Mapsted technology pulls from a huge variety of data sources creating an accurately powerful indoor positioning system.
Why pay the price for an indoor global positioning system when Mapsted’s technology is way ahead of its time for indoor navigation and positioning?
Learn MoreFrequently Asked Questions
Overall, a GPS system utilizes satellite signals, receiver triangulation and precise time synchronization to determine the location, velocity and time information of a GPS receiver, enabling a wide range of applications such as navigation, mapping, surveying and timekeeping.
The main purpose of GPS technology is to provide precise location, navigation, and timing information to users around the world. Global positioning system uses include location determination, navigation and wayfinding, timing and synchronization, emergency and search and rescue, military and defense and scientific and environmental applications.
GPS has a wide range of applications across various industries and sectors. Here are some common ones: navigation and mapping, transportation and fleet management, outdoor recreation and sports, aviation and aerospace, marine navigation, surveying and geodesy, emergency services and search and rescue, agriculture and farming, scientific research and environmental monitoring and personal locating and safety.
Traditional GPS signals, which rely on satellite transmissions, are generally not reliable or accurate indoors. Signals from GPS satellites can be weakened or blocked by buildings, walls, and other structures, leading to a loss of signal or degraded performance. GPS signals are relatively weak and prone to interference when they have to penetrate obstacles. As such, indoor global GPS systems are not very reliable.
GPS can work without an internet connection. The system itself does not rely on internet connectivity for positioning and navigation. The GPS receiver in your device (such as a smartphone or GPS device) is responsible for receiving signals from GPS satellites and calculating your position based on those signals. However, some GPS-enabled applications or services may require an internet connection for additional features. For example, mapping applications may use internet connectivity to download map data, search for points of interest, or provide real-time traffic information.
Our Next-Generation World-Leading Indoor Navigation Technology Will Elevate Your Business To New Heights
Let us show you how you can leverage hardware-free location positioning technology to better engage your customers and digitize their in-person experiences!
Contact Sales
Overcome GPS technology challenges with Mapsted’s location-based system. Let us show you how!
Book My Demo!
