GNSS (standard)
What is GNSS?
GNSS stands for Global Navigation Satellite System. It’s the general name for all the satellite systems that help us find our position anywhere on Earth — on land, at sea, or in the air using the trilateration principle.
It’s what your phone, car, or smartwatch uses to know where you are on a map.
How GNSS Works (Step by Step)
Satellites orbit the Earth Dozens of satellites are flying around our planet, each one sending out radio signals that say “I am here” along with the exact time the signal was sent.
Your receiver listens A GNSS receiver — for example, in your smartphone, car, or a survey instrument — picks up signals from at least four satellites at the same time.
It measures the travel time The receiver calculates how long each signal took to arrive. Because the signals travel at the speed of light, even tiny timing differences can be used to figure out how far away each satellite is.
It calculates your position By knowing its distance from several satellites, the receiver can triangulate your position — just like finding where three or more circles intersect on a map. The result is your latitude, longitude, altitude, and time.
Main GNSS Systems
There are several satellite constellations in use around the world:
GPS (United States)
Galileo (Europe)
GLONASS (Russia)
BeiDou (China)
Your receiver often uses a mix of them for better accuracy and reliability.
How Accurate Is GNSS?
In a smartphone, accuracy is usually around 3–5 meters.
Real-Life Uses
Navigation: Cars, boats, airplanes, hikers, and smartphones.
Mapping: Creating detailed maps and measuring distances.
Timing: Synchronizing networks, power grids, and telecom systems.
In Short
GNSS is the global system of satellites that tells you where you are. By receiving signals from multiple satellites and measuring how long they take to arrive, your device can figure out your exact position — anywhere on Earth.
Last updated