Global positioning technology and applications

A unique benefit of satellite technology has been realised in global navigation, made possible through the emergence of the Global Positioning System (GPS). Many applications, unheard of during the evolution phase of the GPS, are now being realised. Another notable development has been in wide area mobile communication which has revolutionised a number of mobile operations. With the emergence of a large market for communication services for such users, a number of systems are coming up on the horizon. By having a number of orbiting satellites, these systems will provide connectivity instantly to unlimited users equipped with a mobile satellite communication terminal. Developments are now being geared to open up a vast number of applications based on the integration of the above two technologies, viz. global positioning technology and wide area mobile communication technology. In the paper, the concept of integration of these technologies is presented making reference to potential applications in the areas of transportation and other economic sectors such as power, oil, coal, mining, and water resources. In the context of the needs of the developing countries in these sectors, this concept is viewed with much interest because of the cost effective solution this technology promises to provide. The paper presents initiatives taken in India for the development and promotion of these technologies for various applications