GPS Applications
GPS application is limitless in today’s scenario. GPS receivers are fast becoming small and cheap enough to be carried by any one. One of the most significant and unique features of the GPS is the fact that the positioning signal is available to users in any position worldwide at any time. With a fully operational GPS system, it can be generated to a large community of likely to grow as there are multiple applications, ranging from surveying, mapping, and navigation to GIS data capture. The GPS will soon be a part of the overall utility of technology. Few important GPS applications such as surveying & mapping, navigation, geodesy, military, remote sensing & GIS etc are as follows:
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Surveying and Mapping
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Navigation
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Geodesy
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Military
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Remote Sensing and GIS
The high precision of GPS carrier phase measurements, together with appropriate adjustment algorithms, provide an adequate tool for a variety of tasks for surveying and mapping. Using DBPS methods, accurate and timely mapping of almost anything can be carried out. The GPS is used to map earth cutting, road alignments, and environmental hazards such as landslides, forest fires, oil spills etc. Applications, needing a high degree of accuracy also can be carried out using high-grade GPS receivers. Continuous kinematics techniques can be used for topographic surveys and accurate linear mapping.
Navigation using GPS can save lot of time in the field. Any feature, even if it is under water, can be located up to one hundred meters simply by scaling coordinates from a map, entering way points, and going directly to the site. Examples include road intersections, corner posts, plot canters, accident sites, geological formations, and so on. GPS navigation in helicopters, in vehicles, or in a ship can provide an easy means of navigation with substantial savings.
Geodetic mapping and other control surveys can be carried out effectively using high grade GPS equipment. Especially when helicopters were used or when the line of sight is not possible, GPS can set new standards of accuracy and productivity.
The GPS was primarily developed for real time military positioning. Military applications include airborne, marine, and land navigation. Even GPS can be used to guide the missile and bombs to pin point attack on the enemy targets.
It is also possible to integrate GPS positioning into remote-sensing methods such as photogrammetry and aerial scanning, magnetometry, and video technology. Using DGPS or kinematic techniques, depending upon the accuracy required, real time or post-processing will provide positions for the sensor which can e projected to the ground, instead of having ground control projected to an image. GPS are becoming very effective tools for GIS data capture. The GIS user community benefits from the use of GPS for locational data capture in various GIS applications. The GPS data can easily be down loaded to a laptop computers in field it self by using any suitable software. This data can be available on the common base for their other purposes. Thus GPS can help in several aspects of construction of accurate and timely GIS databases.
GIS is a powerful tool for interpreting, analyzing, storing, displaying and retrieval of information collected from maps, Ground survey, GPS, aerial photographs, satellite images. It is used to locate the areas, which may be derived from the logical analysis or overlay analysis of two or more themes.
Use of GPS in GIS is particularly important and useful because of its capacity to provide both spatial and non-spatial attributes of themes. It handles data from diverse sources and forms links and interact connection between them. GIS can serve as a common platform and interface that permits data exchange and collaborate decisions. GIS allows the user to interact with the simulated environment and recreate the sensations that may be felt in interaction with the real world. Common applications of GIS include, as follows, where GPS can provide three-dimensional information about the features:
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Engineering mapping
- Automated photogrammetry
- Sub-division design (cut/fill, street lay out, parcel layout)
- Cadastral mapping
- Highway mapping
- Utility/facility mapping and management
- Surface water mapping
- Event mapping (accidents, crime, fire, facility breakage, etc.)
- Census and related statistical mapping
- Watershed prioritization
- Land use planning and management
- Environmental impact studies
- E-business/E-commerce
- E-governance
- Mobile mapping/ WAP application
- 3D/4D GIS integration
