Constellation

GPS constellation refers to the group of GPS satellites available to a receiver at a given time for positioning. These satellites orbit Earth and transmit signals containing precise location and timing information. A GPS receiver uses signals from multiple satellites to calculate the travel time of each signal and determine the distance to each satellite. Through trilateration, measurements from at least four satellites are combined to calculate accurate three-dimensional coordinates, including latitude, longitude, and altitude, while correcting receiver clock errors. The number, visibility, and distribution of satellites in the constellation directly influence GPS accuracy, reliability, and availability. A well-distributed satellite constellation improves positioning performance, especially in difficult environments such as cities, forests, and mountainous areas where signal obstruction can affect accuracy.