GPS – Global Positioning Systems – New Zealand

In addition to its uses in navigation, GPS technology provides valuable standardised timing information. The very same satellites that share positioning coordinates also house atomic clocks which are among the most precise time-keeping devices. Terrestrial GPS receivers ping these clocks in a synchronisation process that keeps them at a high level of accuracy. Atomic clocks work by using a universal frequency to keep time, rather than relying on a potentially variable mechanical process. In particular, the clocks utilise electron energy-level modulations, which are constant and allow for near perfect timing. Modern science has developed what are known as “atomic foundation clocks” which are capable of nearly exact timing standards to an accuracy of nanoseconds. These methods help establish Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) which is the International Atomic Time (TAI) standard that is calibrated from Greenwich Mean Time.

GPS not only helps keep our clocks accurate, but it also plays important roles in various commercial implementations where exact timing is crucial. In time-base provisioning industries such as utility companies, ensuring synchronisation between power plans and the metered usage on homes is vitally important to monitoring energy use. Utility companies rely upon real-time GPS timing data to calibrate this data down the delivery at several milliseconds. GPS also helps play a role in improving the performance of computer security firewalls by establishing precise timestamps for network connections. One way to ensure only authorised access to a network is by opening ports for very small windows of time to authorised users, preventing attempted hacks from spoofing their identity. Advances in the technology have further narrowed the time frame in which access can be granted, leading to improvements in security standards. Additionally commercial applications include markets which match buyers and sellers based upon bids, such as commodities, bond and equities markets. By marking bids with precision, the exchanges are better able to match up the trades with a high level of accuracy.

For de-centralised systems that rely upon timing, such as wireless cellular networks, GPS helps enable connections are made seamlessly. While there is a slight delay between these connections, the time frame is so small that it appears we are able to instantly make connections and phone calls without any delay at all. The high level of precision allows mobile cellular users to virtually “switch” between call stations without any noticeable change to the call status. This has enabled a highly-reliable use of cellular networks as standard phone networks which are increasingly becoming as reliable as standard “land-line” phone networks. Improvements in wifi and WiMax technologies similarly depend upon improvements in synchronisation that will soon allow omnipresent wireless connections for the next generation of mobile devices. GPS has played a crucial role in many industries, with its remarkable accuracy in communicating with orbital satellites. The standardisation of precise GPS readings will further our ability to develop future communication networks.