http://www.teachengineering.org/view_lesson.php?url=collection/cub_/lessons/cub_navigation/cub_navigation_lesson08.xmllessontext/xmlIntegrated Teaching and Learning Program, navigationGPSglobal positioning systemsatellitereceiverspeed of lightrilaterationtriangulationGPSSatelliteReceiverOrbitTrilaterationTriangulation

For thousands of years, navigators have looked to the sky for direction. Today, celestial navigation has simply switched from using natural objects to human-created satellites. A constellation of satellites, called the Global Positioning System, and hand-held receivers allow for very accurate navigation. In this lesson, students investigate the fundamental concepts of GPS technology — trilateration and using the speed of light to calculate distances.

Creating GPS required contributions from many engineering disciplines. Mechanical engineers created GPS equipment able to perform reliably in the unique environment of space. Electrical engineers designed computers, circuit boards, power systems and wiring. Aerospace engineers determined the satellite arrangement around the Earth and designed their orbits. Software engineers wrote computer programs so that the satellites operate on their own and transmit useful data to Earth receivers. Understand the basic concepts that make GPS work: that distance is determined by knowing the time it takes a signal to travel from a satellite to a receiver. Analyze error and its effect on real-world problems Understand early navigation technologies and how advancements in technology have improved our ability to navigate Recognize that GPS required contributions from many engineering disciplines 50TeachEngineering.orgJeff WhiteMatt LippisPenny AxelradJanet YowellMalinda Schaefer Zarskehttp://xte.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/rosat/gallery/rosat_sat.htmlhttp://www.xray.mpe.mpg.de/http://www.mpe.mpg.de/http://www.colorado.edu/geography/gcraft/notes/gps/gps_f.htmlhttp://www.nasm.si.edu/galleries/gps/work.htmlhttp://gps.losangeles.af.mil/S11416DDInternational_Technology_Education_Association-ITEA_STL_StandardsTechnologyF. Knowledge gained from other fields of study has a direct effect on the development of technological products and systems.68S11425BDColoradoScienceb. Describe methods and equipment used to explore the solar system and beyond 88S1142658ColoradoMatha. Add, subtract, multiply and divide rational numbers including integers, positive and negative fractions and decimals 88S11426CFColoradoMathb. Use representations of linear functions to analyze situations and solve problems 88S114172CInternational_Technology_Education_Association-ITEA_STL_StandardsTechnologyC. Many inventions and innovations have evolved using slow and methodical processes of tests and refinements. 68United StatesCopyright 2012 - Integrated Teaching and Learning Program, College of Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulderhttp://www.teachengineering.org/policy_ipp.phphttp://www.teachengineering.org/2010-08-238Teacher