Understanding GPS Principles and Applications

Navigation is defined as the science of getting a craft or person from one place to another. Each of us conducts some form of navigation in our daily lives. Driving to work or walking to a store requires that we employ fundamental navigation skills. For most of us, these skills require utilizing our eyes, common sense, and landmarks. However, in some cases where a more accurate knowledge of our position, intended course, or transit time to a desired destination is required, navigation aids other than landmarks are used. These may be in the form of a simple clock to determine the velocity over a known distance or the odometer in our car to keep track of the distance traveled. Some other navigation aids transmit electronic signals and therefore are more complex. These are referred to as radionavigation aids.