_{Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Ph.D. - University of Texas at Austin.}

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system that provides location and time information in all weather conditions, anywhere on or near the Earth. The system consists of a network of satellites orbiting the Earth, a network of ground-based control stations, and a receiver in the user’s device.

GPS was initially developed for military use but it is now widely used for civilian purposes. The most common use of GPS is for navigation, allowing users to determine their precise location and to track their movements. GPS is used in a wide range of applications such as in-car navigation systems, personal navigation devices, and mobile phones.

GPS is also used in a variety of other applications such as transportation, agriculture, and surveying. In transportation, GPS is used to track vehicles and cargo, to optimize routes, and to improve traffic management. In agriculture, GPS is used to map fields, to guide tractors and other farm machinery, and to optimize crop yields. In surveying, GPS is used to map and survey land, to locate and mark property boundaries, and to monitor land use.

GPS is also used in a variety of other applications such as search and rescue, scientific research, and outdoor recreation. In search and rescue, GPS is used to locate missing persons, to track the movements of rescue teams, and to navigate to the site of an emergency. In scientific research, GPS is used to study the Earth’s crust, to measure the effects of earthquakes, and to study the movement of tectonic plates. In outdoor recreation, GPS is used for hiking, biking, and other outdoor activities, to track progress, and to plan routes.

The technology of GPS is also being used in the field of precision agriculture, which is the use of technology to optimize crop yields. This includes the use of GPS-enabled equipment to plant, fertilize, and spray crops with precision, leading to the reduction of inputs and increase of efficiency.

GPS technology is also used in asset tracking, which is the use of GPS-enabled devices to track and monitor the location of valuable assets such as vehicles, cargo, and equipment. This is important for logistics, transportation, and security purposes.

Overall, GPS technology has revolutionized the way we navigate and understand the world around us. Its applications are broad, from personal navigation to transportation, agriculture, surveying, search and rescue, scientific research, precision agriculture and asset tracking. With the widespread use of GPS, it has become an essential tool for many industries and individuals to improve efficiency, safety, and productivity.