Description of Global Positioning System Device

Description of Global Positioning System Device Many computer technologies are useful in communication of data or information that is essential for decision making pertaining to specific issues or concerns. The major technologies that find relevancies in technical communication are Global Positioning System (GPS) device, MP3 player, waste electrical and electronic equipment, automobile jack, and camera phone. This paper gives a general description of GPS device to enlighten the general public and other interested professionals.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Description of Global Positioning System Device specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More GPS is a radio-navigation system that is set in space and managed by the U.S. Department of Defense and Transportation. Image 1 shows the positions of the various satellites that constitute the GPS. It has been used for accurate determination of positions on the surface of the Earth (Combrink, Combrinck and Moraal 436). It was in itially invented as an enhancement system for the military forces and still serves this purpose as well as the others. Notwithstanding, it also has an adequate capacity to serve the civilian population in large numbers and variety of applications (Arnold, par. 16). According to Arnold (par. 17), the GPS is comprised of three fragments, namely, space fragment, control fragment and user fragment. The space fragment uses 24 satellites suspending in 6 orbital planes. Each satellite rotates around a 20,200km orbit which is inclined at 55 degrees, and completes the rotation in 12 hours. The configurations of the satellites in respective orbits are set in such a way that at least five are within the view of a user at any place on Earth in conjunction with Position Dilution of Precision (PDOP) of six satellites or less. PDOP is a quality measure of the relative configuration of the satellites as shown in figure 1. PDOP is inversely proportional to the degree of evenness in terms of spacing around the sky, so that the more evenly spaced the 24 satellite are, the lower PDOP is. It can be said to be perfect when a satellite situates overhead the user with other three satellites located at 1200 intervals just over the horizon from the user (Arnold, par. 18). Combrink et al. (436) assert that thousands of stationary and mobile receivers also constitute the GPS. Image 1. GPS constellation; expandable 24-slot configuration, as defined in SPS Performance StandardAdvertising Looking for essay on other technology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More (GPS Constellation (Expandable 24-slot configuration, as defined in SPS Performance Standard)) The decrease in precision defines a root mean square estimation of the affect that position solution geometry imposes on positions faults. The experts managing the system can assess geometry affects in four different positions, namely, time position (TDOP), 3-D position (PDOP) , vertical position (VDOP), and horizontal position (HDOP). Arnold (par. 19) points out that the GPS control fragment comprises 5 monitoring stations and 3 ground antennas, which transmit radio or other signals to receivers in the communication satellites in space or aircraft within the atmosphere. The monitoring posts adopt GPS receivers to track every satellite within its scope of view and collect assorted data from the satellites signals. The information dispatched from the various monitoring posts is processed at a larger station, Master Control Station (MCS), located in proximity to the Colorado Springs Colo. It is done to establish satellite clock and orbits profiles in order to update the navigational information of individual satellite. Image 2 a. GPS Block II/IIA Satellite. 2 b. Satellite operators at the MCS, Schriever Air Force Base (GPS Block II/IIA satellite and Satellite operators at the master control station, Schriever Air Force Base)Advertising We will writ e a custom essay sample on Description of Global Positioning System Device specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The user fragment of the GPS includes a range of integration and configurations architectures that encompass a receiver-pre-processor and an antenna to jointly receive and process navigational solutions to give a user positioning, velocity, and exact timing (Delaney 62). Arnold, James A. Surface Transportation and Global Positioning System Improvements: L5 and DGPS. Public Roads 61.4 (1998): 2. Academic Search Complete. Web. http://0-eds.b.ebscohost.com.aupac.lib.athabascau.ca/ehost/detail?sid=35d51614-ed5c-44bb-a7a3-b70236f42dca%40sessionmgr112vid=1hid=102bdata=JkF1dGhUeXBlPXVybCxpcCx1aWQmc2l0ZT1laG9zdC1saXZl#db=a9hAN=345976 Combrink, A. Z. A., W. L. Combrinck, and H. Moraal. Near Real-Time Detection of Atmospheric Water Vapour Using the SADC GPS Network. South African Journal of Science 100.9/10 (2004): 436-442. Academic Search Com plete. PDF file. 14 Feb. 2014. ascau.ca/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=c9f6d8d9-fb93-45be-9bf2-03112b49735e%40sessionmgr113vid=1hid=102 Delaney, John. GPS: Yesterday and Tomorrow. PC Magazine 20.7 (2001): 62. Academic Search Complete. PDF file. 14 Feb. 2014. http://0-eds.b.ebscohost.com.aupac.lib.athabascau.ca/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=13af7390-d31e-4162-9b49-11256c00bc8e%40sessionmgr115vid=1hid=102 GPS Block II/IIA satellite. 31 Jan. 2014. JPEG file. 14 Feb. 2014 gps.gov/multimedia/images/II-IIA.jpg. GPS Constellation (Expandable 24-slot configuration, as defined in SPS Performance Standard). 31 Jan. 2014. JPEG file. 14 Feb. 2014. gps.gov/multimedia/images/constellation.jpg. Satellite operators at the master control station, Schriever Air Force Base. 31 Jan. 2014. JPEG file. 14 Feb. 2014gps.gov/multimedia/images/2SOPS-crew.jpg.Advertising Looking for essay on other technology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More

Battle of Magdhaba in World War I

Battle of Magdhaba in World War I Conflict The Battle of Magdhaba was part of the Sinai-Palestine Campaign of World War I (1914-1918). Date British troops were victorious at Magdhaba on December 23, 1916. Armies Commanders British Commonwealth General Sir Henry Chauvel3 mounted brigades, 1 camel brigade Ottomans Khadir Bey1,400 men Background Following the victory at the Battle of Romani, British Commonwealth forces, led by General Sir Archibald Murray and his subordinate, Lt. General Sir Charles Dobell, began pushing across the Sinai Peninsula towards Palestine. To support operations in the Sinai, Dobell ordered the construction of a military railway and water pipeline across the peninsulas desert. Leading the British advance was the Desert Column commanded by General Sir Philip Chetwode. Consisting of all of Dobells mounted troops, Chetwodes force pressed east and captured the coastal town of El Arish on December 21. Entering El Arish, the Desert Column found the town empty as Turkish forces had retreated east along the coast to Rafa and south long the Wadi El Arish to Magdhaba. Relieved the next day by the 52nd Division, Chetwode ordered General Henry Chauvel to take the ANZAC Mounted Division and the Camel Corps south to clear out Magdhaba. Moving south, the attack required a quick victory as Chauvels men would be operating over 23 miles from the closest source of water. On the 22nd, as Chauvel was receiving his orders, the commander of the Turkish Desert Force, General Freiherr Kress von Kressenstein visited Magdhaba. Ottoman Preparations Though Magdhaba was now in advance of the main Turkish lines, Kressenstein felt required to defend it as the garrison, the 2nd and 3rd battalions of the 80th Regiment, consisted of locally recruited Arabs. Numbering over 1,400 men and commanded by Khadir Bey, the garrison was supported by four old mountain guns and a small camel squadron. Assessing the situation, Kressenstein departed that evening satisfied with the towns defenses. Marching overnight, Chauvels column reached the outskirts of Magdhaba near dawn on December 23rd. Chauvels Plan Scouting around Magdhaba, Chauvel found that the defenders had constructed five redoubts to protect the town. Deploying his troops, Chauvel planned to attack from the north and east with the 3rd Australian Light Horse Brigade, the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade, and the Imperial Camel Corps. To prevent the Turks from escaping, the 10th Regiment of the 3rd Light Horse was sent southeast of the town. The 1st Australian Light Horse was placed in reserve along the Wadi El Arish. Around 6:30 AM, the town was attacked by 11 Australian aircraft. Chauvel Strikes Though ineffective, the aerial attack served to draw Turkish fire, alerting the attackers to the location of trenches and strong points. Having received reports that the garrison was retreating, Chauvel ordered the 1st Light Horse to make a mounted advance towards the town. As they approached, they came under artillery and machine gun fire from Redoubt No. 2. Breaking into a gallop, the 1st Light Horse turned and sought refuge in the wadi. Seeing that the town was still being defended, Chauvel ordered the full attack forward. This soon stalled with his men pinned down on all fronts by heavy enemy fire. Lacking heavy artillery support to break the deadlock and concerned about his water supply, Chauvel contemplated breaking off the attack and went so far as to request permission from Chetwode. This was granted and at 2:50 PM, he issued orders for the retreat to begin at 3:00 PM. Receiving this order, Brigadier General Charles Cox, commander of the 1st Light Horse, decided to ignore it as an attack against Redoubt No. 2 was developing on his front. Able to approach through the wadi to within 100 yards of the redoubt, elements of his 3rd Regiment and the Camel Corps were able to mount a successful bayonet attack. Having gained a footing in the Turkish defenses, Coxs men swung around and captured Redoubt No. 1 and Khadir Beys headquarters. With the tide turned, Chauvels retreat orders were cancelled and the full attack resumed, with Redoubt No. 5 falling to a mounted charge and Redoubt No. 3 surrendering to the New Zealanders of the 3rd Light Horse. To the southeast, elements of the 3rd Light Horse captured 300 Turks as they attempted to flee the town. By 4:30 PM, the town was secured and the majority of the garrison taken prisoner. Aftermath The Battle of Magdhaba resulted in 97 killed and 300 wounded for the Turks as well as 1,282 captured. For Chauvels ANZACs and the Camel Corps casualties were only 22 killed and 121 wounded. With the capture of Magdhaba, British Commonwealth forces were able to continue their push across the Sinai towards Palestine. With the completion of the railway and pipeline, Murray and Dobell were able to commence operations against the Turkish lines around Gaza. Repulsed on two occasions, they were eventually replaced by General Sir Edmund Allenby in 1917.