Structure of GPS
The GPS consists of three major segments. These are the space segment (SS), a control segment (CS), and a user segment (US). The U.S. Air Force develops, maintains, and operates the space and control segments. GPS satellites broadcast signals from space, and each GPS receiver uses these signals to calculate its three-dimensional location and the current time.
|
Space Segment
The space segment (SS) is composed of the orbiting GPS satellites . The six orbit planes have 55° inclination and are separated by 60° right ascension . The orbital period is 11 hours and 58 minutes .
|
Control Segment
The control segment (CS) provides the operational capability that supports global GPS users and keeps the GPS system operational and performing within specification.
|
User SegmentThe user segment is composed of hundreds of thousands of U.S. allied military users of the secure GPS , and tens of millions of civil, commercial and scientific users of the Standard Positioning Service.
|