What is triangulation as used in GPS?

Triangulation is a process by which the location of a radio transmitter can be determined by measuring either the radial distance, or the direction, of the received signal from two or three different points. Triangulation is sometimes used in cellular communications to pinpoint the geographic position of a user. read more

Triangulation today is used for many purposes, including surveying, navigation, metrology, astrometry, binocular vision, model rocketry and gun direction of weapons. The use of triangles to estimate distances dates to antiquity. read more

Using a simple two-dimensional example, let’s imagine we have three GPS satellites each with a known position in space. Really, all that satellites do is broadcast a signal for your GPS receiver to pick up with a specific time and distance. read more

To "triangulate," a GPS receiver measures distance using the travel time of radio signals. To measure travel time, GPS needs very accurate timing which it achieves with some tricks. Along with distance, you need to know exactly where the satellites are in space. read more