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GPS was introduced purely as a defence tool by the US army. It is an
important navigational instrument now in shipping, aircraft or land
exploration. It is also being used widely in mapping and geographic
information system, monitoring of dams and reservoirs, remote guidance
of earthmovers like crane or bulldozers, tracking of oil slicks and
providing emergency help in environmentally hazardous areas. Survey of
India and National Hydrographic Department are in the process of
utilising the GPS technique for geodetic applications.
Companies like Motorola
and Rockwell have developed low-cost microprocessors that have
considerably reduced the cost of receiver system. This has increased the
coverage of the GPS to the broader section of society. The US soldiers
made full use of GPS during their war with Iraq. Archaeologists are also
able to locate and excavate the desired sites more accurately with the
help of this technique.
GPS consists of three
elements — First one is the space element consisting of satellite
part, second is the control element, which forms ground antennas or
controlling stations, and the third is a user element that is basically
a receiving device. The orbit of satellite is such that at a particular
time at least 4 to 6 satellites are connected to a particular receiver
at any part of the earth. Satellites communicate vital data related to
space and time to users throughout the world. There are several
monitoring stations and ground antennas around the world and a master
control station located in Colorado. All monitoring stations collect the
data from satellites and transmit it to the master control station. This
information is then formatted for each satellite and transmitted back
through ground antennas. Ground antennas receive and transmit satellite
signals. The receiver system consists of handheld device that receives
GPS satellite broadcasts and compute with accuracy their position,
velocity and time.
GPS users whether in
air, sea or land, determine their position by measuring the distance
from a group of satellites. The receiver measures the time delay for the
signal to reach the receiver from each satellite. Since velocity of
signals is known, measurements collected simultaneously from four
satellites are calculated to find out the space co-ordinates and time.
Today, with the advanced software, users are able to determine their
positions with far more accuracy than earlier. The atomic clocks in the
satellites called Caesium clocks maintain a high level of accuracy.
With the GPS technique
now available freely, a need for trained GPS professionals in various
functional areas has been created. India, like other countries is
experiencing shortage of professionals in this field. It has therefore
opened up a vast career potential for students as well as working
professionals in the related area. While GPS professionals are required
mostly for designing hardware and related software for interpretation of
data, they are also employed in Geological and Survey firms for
analysing data and providing vital feedback to the geologists and
surveyors. They also work as consultant in the consultancy companies for
developing user specific GPS software.
As the utility of GPS
is increasing in different functional areas, several educational
institutions are also encashing on the job prospects of this relatively
new concept. While most of the colleges that are offering courses in GIS
also cover GPS, there are institutes like ZAP, which are offering a
specific module on this subject. The courses are usually of duration 6
to 8 months and the fee charged is around Rs.15, 000 to 20,000. Those
going in for this career should have proficiency in basic programming
languages like Java, C++ and GPS-specific software like Geolab and
Prism. Candidates with background in civil engineering, geology and
geography with sufficient exposure to related software can find a
promising career in this field. The scope exists not only in India, but
also abroad.
In India, career
opportunities exists in abundance in several government and private
organisations, which are in the process of implementing GPS in their
system. Survey of India is utilising GPS for mapping and in
developmental projects like construction of dams, irrigation canals or
for clearing forests. Mining companies are using GPS for exploring the
mineral reserves. Car manufacturers have started offering GPS receivers
in their cars, guiding the drivers on the highways.
GPS professionals have
a job prospects in merchant navy, where they help in guiding ships
through the safest routes away from icebergs. NGRI, Hyderabad, uses it
for geodetic and geophysical research activities. NGRI is also
developing air navigation system for Hyderabad airport. The Antarctica
expedition has also installed a GPS receiving system at their Maitri
station in Antarctica.
Soon GPS may find its
application in India’s defence services to obtain highly accurate data
to control aircrafts or navy ships. The ground data collected can be
used by infantry for ground actions and operations.
Some of the companies that are involved
in GPS-related projects are Caddrite, a Bangalore-based; Suyog, a Pune-based
firm working in GPS vehicle tracking system; Landends, a Hyderabad based
firm that provides services like updating of maps, car and navigation
system.
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