Inventions That Changed The World: GPS

In 1977 or thereabouts a collection of scientists huddled around a secret radio receiver in the US desert. This was the start of GPS, Glonass, Gallileo and the whole navigation industry. A GPS chipset now costs, in bulk, a few dollars so your watch, your phone, your computer all have GPS receivers and everyone knows where they are all the time. But how does this technology work? And are there situations when it does not work?

A lecture by Richard Harvey

The transcript and downloadable versions of the lecture are available from the Gresham College website:

[dianespears]

It is a pleasure to listen to someone who so clearly loves their subject matter. I personally am not engineering inclined, but I could follow the important points.

[elizabethjohnson]

Very interesting talk, Professor Harvey. My understanding is superficial, but I enjoy the enthusiasm in you voice for your subject matter.

[fredhoysted]

Correction for info at 7m 08s — radio waves travel at about 300, 000 *kilometres* per second, not metres per second

[stephenmatura]

The thing I find fascinating about GPS is the fact that the satellite clocks have to be offset to account for General and Special relativity.

[tonyjones]

I'm just a layman who uses GPS on my phone for OS maps etc. Decided to watch this video as I was bored on Saturday afternoon.

I understand with the Chinese GPS its two way, they know where you are!

Do you think the uk will ever produce its own GPS system? (I'm welsh)

Very interesting, thankyou.

[Tadesan]

When I learned that C/A codes are rulers flying at you from space I felt so excited.

[matthewkelly]

More yawningly dull Gresham content. Such a shame considering the depth of talent they have access to.