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Global Positioning Systems

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Global Positioning Systems
The popular mobile technology known as the global positioning system (GPS) was originally created for military use. The system as we know it today, known as NAVSTAR began development over 30 years ago, but it took close to two decades to become fully operational (Paleo, 2007, p. 789). The current GPS system uses a cluster of 24 satellites that can pinpoint the location of a person or object using latitude, longitude and altitude as the coordinates, however predecessors to this system relied on inertial navigation, and were in use in submarines and military aircraft (Pace, 1995 pp.237-238).
GPS Usage
Consumers were early adopters of navigational systems. As early as 1981, consumers were exploring ways of making navigation a more mobile enterprise with instruments such as the Honda Electro Gyro-Cator, which was basically a back-lit box that a user could insert plastic maps, mark their current position, and then allow a gyroscope take care of route guidance (Lavrinc, 2007).
GPS systems today are far more portable and accurate. Originally offered only as standalone devices, GPS systems can now be found in many mobile devices such as higher end laptops, most tablets, and smartphones. GPS technology has also expanded its use beyond personal navigation into business operations and personal entertainment as well. GPS technology has been used to enhance additional aspects of our lives, including recreation. GPS enabled golf carts are one of these examples (PR Newswire, 2010, p. 1). Being an android mobile device user, I know of various GPS-enabled games that allow you to "fight" enemies as a user walks around outside. Other apps simply overlay a drawing interface after the GPS is ready allowing the user to create images based on the generated map. While GPS technology can easily enhance our lives, it also has some limitations.
Because GPS technology relies on radio signals, it is vulnerable to jamming. GPS signals often get lost inside buildings or underground in subway stations, and the technology is practically useless in deeper underground operations. I've personally lost my own GPS signal many times when visiting Luray Caverns in Virginia, a tourist attraction that allows users to explore a portion of the caves located in the Blue Ridge Mountains. On a larger scale in 2011, a Navy training exercise in San Diego meant to merely simulate loss of signal disrupted nearby air traffic control, the IS of the harbor port, atms, and various mobile devices citywide for end users for two hours (Turney, 2012, pp. 28-29). Consumers are also able to purchase portable GPS jammers online, and entertainment venues also employ similar technology (Turney, 2012, p. 29).

Conclusion
While GPS technology has limitations and carries with it some security and privacy concerns, it has a possibility of transforming itself to adapt to consumer demand for connected technology. Innovations such as indoor GPS are currently being researched as options to enhance the traditional GPS navigation system by expanding its reach in areas where the signal is normally lost (M2 Presswire, 2014). The prevalence of GPS technology use among businesses and consumers promises more innovations such as these in the future.

References
Breakthrough innovations in indoor GPS (technical insights) research report. (2014, Jan 13). M2 Presswire Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1476738275?accountid=458
Lavrinc, D. (2007, November 29). Sat-nav flashback: Honda’s 1981 Electro Gyrocator mapping system - Autoblog. Retrieved October 7, 2014, from http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/29/sat-nav-flashback-hondas-1981-electro-gyrocator-mapping-system/
Pace, S., Rand Corporation., Critical Technologies Institute (Rand Corporation)., United States. Office of Science and Technology Policy. (1995). The Global positioning system: assessing national policies. Santa Monica, Calif.: RAND.
Paleo, U. (2007). Global positioning systems (GPS). In P. Robbins (Ed.), Encyclopedia of environment and society. (pp. 790-791). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc. doi: http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/10.4135/9781412953924.n478
Turney, D. (2012, 05). The future of GPS. Australasian Science, 33, 27-30. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1009769834?accountid=458 Westridge golf course's history and tradition become futuristic with ParView's global positioning system. (2000, Jan 04). PR HYPERLINK "http://search.proquest.com/docview/449452487?accountid=458"http://search.proquest.co

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