What is GNSS? Differences with GPS

In today's world, accurate, real-time navigation has become a vital part of our daily lives, from using map apps on our phones to planning large projects in industry. Behind all this is the Global Navigation Satellite System, commonly known as GNSS. In this short article, we will explain what GNSS is, how it works, why it is crucial for multiple sectors and how it impacts our daily lives.

What is GNSS?

GNSS is a term that encompasses all global satellite navigation systems. These systems use satellites in Earth orbit to provide precise geospatial location information anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day. GNSS receivers capture signals sent by satellites, allowing users to determine their exact location.

Difference between GNSS and GPS

Although often used synonymously, GNSS and GPS are not exactly the same. GPS is one of the GNSS systems, developed by the United States. GNSS, on the other hand, includes all available satellite systems. In short, GPS is a subset of GNSS.

There are several GNSS systems worldwide, the best known being:

• GPS (Global Positioning System): The most used worldwide, developed by the United States Department of Defense.

• GLONASS: Russian system, operational throughout the planet, similar to GPS.

• Galileo: Growing European system, designed to offer greater precision in certain applications.

• BeiDou: Chinese system, increasingly integrated into commercial and technological applications.

How does GNSS work?

GNSS works by triangulating signals between satellites and a receiver on Earth. Each satellite transmits its position and the exact time of transmission. The GNSS receiver captures these signals from several satellites, measures the time it takes to arrive and calculates the distance to each of them. By combining this information from at least four satellites, the receiver can determine its exact position (latitude, longitude and altitude) on Earth.

The importance of GNSS in our daily lives

GNSS is not only essential for industry, but also plays an important role in people's daily lives. Its use is so common that we often do not realize how many activities depend on this technology. Some examples include:

• Car Navigation: Almost all navigation systems and mobile mapping applications (such as Google Maps or Waze) rely on GNSS to guide drivers along the fastest or most efficient routes.

• Sports and Outdoor Activities: Smartwatches and fitness devices use GNSS to track users' performance, providing accurate information on distances traveled and locations.

• Delivery and Transportation Applications: Delivery companies, such as food or package services, depend on GNSS to accurately locate addresses, optimize routes and offer faster deliveries.

• Emergency Services: Emergency calls can be located more efficiently thanks to GNSS systems, allowing rescue teams to reach people in need more quickly.

Importance in the industry

In addition to its relevance in everyday life, the precision of GNSS makes it an essential technology in many sectors. Some examples of its impact include:

• Agriculture: It allows you to optimize agricultural processes through the use of tractors and highly precision-guided machinery, which improves efficiency and reduces resource waste.

• Construction: Facilitates the planning and execution of projects, ensuring that heavy machinery works with millimeter accuracy in large engineering works.

• Drones and Surveying: Advanced GNSS devices allow drones to capture detailed topographic data, used in the creation of highly accurate 3D maps and models.