The only thing your unit can tell from a single satellite is roughly
how far you are from that satellite.
But what you want is your location nailed down in 3 dimensions ...
where you are left/right, where you are forward/backward, and
where you are up/down. Your receiver calculates each of these
by comparing its distance from different satellites.
And if you want all three dimensions, then you need a minimum
of four (4) different satellites, not 3.
Around 24
Actually it is only three. That is why it is known as triangulation. Triangle = 3 sides
3 satellites can triangulate your position and track you or guide you...
Minimum of 4. More accurate with more satellites.
5 (GPS) satellites
4. best buy
1
GPS satellites are used to help us accurately determine the current time and our location. GPS satellites are not directly used to help us predict the weather. Weather satellites use many imaging and sensing technologies to help us predict the weather, but they are not useful in helping us determine our location. They are two different types of satellites with two different purposes. There are many other types of satellites too, such as communication satellites (such as used with Direct TV), space telescopes (such as Hubble) etc.
They calculate the time difference for signals from different satellites to reach the receiver.
Global Positioning Satellites. Russia is trying to deploy a similar system called GLONASS.
A GPS works by satellites that are located in outer space. These satellites are connected with cameras that show the whole earth. You GPS and the satellites systems are working together to provide maps for you.
Possibly none, if the BPS receiver is under an overpass or under dense leaf trees.A minimum of 4 satellites must be in view to obtain a good location. Only a little more than half of all the 24 GPS satellites are even possible to be viewed from a given location.
If your hand-held receiver only hears 2 GPS satellites, then it'll indicate a location, but what it indicates won't be accurate or reliable.
GPS satellites are used to help us accurately determine the current time and our location. GPS satellites are not directly used to help us predict the weather. Weather satellites use many imaging and sensing technologies to help us predict the weather, but they are not useful in helping us determine our location. They are two different types of satellites with two different purposes. There are many other types of satellites too, such as communication satellites (such as used with Direct TV), space telescopes (such as Hubble) etc.
They calculate the time difference for signals from different satellites to reach the receiver.
A single satellite can only give you relative location. 3 satellites can give a 2-D positioning/location that includes longitude and latitude. 4 satellites can give a 3-D positioning/location that includes longitude, latitude and altitude. Only 4 satellites can give you absolute location.
A GPS uses satallites to identify location
When radar stations on the Earth monitor the location and movements of satellites, they are said to be tracking the satellites.
To determine latitude and longitude the minimum number of satellites that the receiver must lock onto is three. To also determine elevation the minimum number of satellites that the receiver must lock onto is four. If the receiver can lock onto more satellites then it can improve the calculations to get a more precise location.
This will be different depending on your location. In most places the signal travels through cables, but in some remote areas satellites and dishes are used
The GPS (Global Positioning System) and GLONASS satellites.
Global Positioning Satellites. Russia is trying to deploy a similar system called GLONASS.
The US Department of Defense developed the satellite-based Global Positioning System (GPS) between 1973 and 1994. Accurate signals are sent by orbiting satellites to any receiver on the Earth's surface that is in their line-of-sight. With information from 4 or more satellites, the location of the receiver can be precisely determined.
Most phones are capable of being tracked. Satellite phones bounce off the satellites so the location can also be pinpointed. It may not be as accurate as a regular cell phone but doable.