{"id":556,"date":"2022-03-31T18:57:07","date_gmt":"2022-03-31T18:57:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/?p=556"},"modified":"2022-03-31T20:53:08","modified_gmt":"2022-03-31T20:53:08","slug":"are-gps-signals-weak","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/are-gps-signals-weak\/","title":{"rendered":"Are GPS Signals Weak? (Explained Simply)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>GPS signals are weaker than other wireless signals like Wi-Fi and cellular transmissions for your mobile phone calls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This article explains how GPS signal levels are measured. We also explain why GPS signals are so weak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_64 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-66194c4e969da\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-66194c4e969da\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/are-gps-signals-weak\/#What_Type_Of_Signal_Is_Sent_From_GPS_Satellites\" title=\"What Type Of Signal Is Sent From GPS Satellites?\">What Type Of Signal Is Sent From GPS Satellites?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/are-gps-signals-weak\/#How_Is_GPS_Strength_Measured\" title=\"How Is GPS Strength Measured?\">How Is GPS Strength Measured?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/are-gps-signals-weak\/#How_Weak_Are_GPS_Signals\" title=\"How Weak Are GPS Signals?\">How Weak Are GPS Signals?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/are-gps-signals-weak\/#Why_Are_GPS_Signals_Weak\" title=\"Why Are GPS Signals Weak?\">Why Are GPS Signals Weak?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/are-gps-signals-weak\/#How_Low_Does_A_GPS_Signal_Get\" title=\"How Low Does A GPS Signal Get?\">How Low Does A GPS Signal Get?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/are-gps-signals-weak\/#Other_Questions_About_GPS\" title=\"Other Questions About GPS\">Other Questions About GPS<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Type_Of_Signal_Is_Sent_From_GPS_Satellites\"><\/span>What Type Of Signal Is Sent From GPS Satellites?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>GPS satellites broadcast a continuous stream of radio waves. This is a form of low-frequency electromagnetic radiation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All GPS satellites use two radio frequencies known as L1 and L2. Newer satellites use another frequency known as L5.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The \u201cL\u201d in their names mean that the frequencies are in the L-band.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These frequencies operate at different bandwidths:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>L1 is 1575.42 MHz<\/li><li>L2 is 1227.60 MHz<\/li><li>L5 is 1176 MHz<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The \u201cL\u201d in their names mean that the frequencies are in the L-band.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are several reasons why these types of frequencies were chosen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Good for most weather conditions<\/li><li>Suitable for small receivers<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/gps-satellite.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-552\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/gps-satellite.jpg 500w, https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/gps-satellite-300x192.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><figcaption><em>GPS satellite<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">GPS signals work in poor weather<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>L waves can pass through clouds, rain, storms, and some vegetation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This allows our GPS units to work in poor weather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">GPS receivers can be tiny<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There was another reason for the GPS system designers to choose frequencies below 2 GHz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Signals above that level would require the kind of beam antennae used for ham radio. You wouldn\u2019t fancy carrying that kind of receiver on a hiking trail!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/beam-antennae.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-557\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/beam-antennae.jpg 500w, https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/beam-antennae-300x192.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><figcaption><em>beam antennae on a house<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Fast Do GPS Signals Travel?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>GPS satellites transmit data at a rate of about fifty bits per second.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To put that into perspective, you use twenty-five megabits per second when streaming video!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Clearly, the GPS transmission rate is very slow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Is_GPS_Strength_Measured\"><\/span>How Is GPS Strength Measured?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The strength of a GPS signal is measured in decibels per milliwatt or dBm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This unit is used to measure low-powered signals. It\u2019s also used for Wi-Fi and cellular signals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The numbers are negative, which can be a little confusing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bear in mind that the \u201chigher\u201d the number, the weaker the signal \u2013 because the number is a negative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Weak_Are_GPS_Signals\"><\/span>How Weak Are GPS Signals?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>GPS signals are about -125 dBm, which is a very weak signal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To put this into context, if your cellular signal fell as low as -125 dBm, you wouldn\u2019t be able to make and take phone calls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Comparisons with Wi-Fi and cellular signals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s take Wi-Fi as an example. A figure of -50 dBm would be a very strong Wi-Fi signal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If your home Wi-Fi falls to -90 dBm, then you\u2019re probably not going to get a connection. You certainly won\u2019t be streaming movies!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re out and about with your cell phone, a signal of -90 dBm is reasonable for making calls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, if it falls to -120, you\u2019ll have trouble hearing the person on the other end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you would like to measure your cell phone\u2019s dBm right now, we have an article on <a href=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/check-phone-signal-strength\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"536\">how to check your phone&#8217;s signal strength<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"303\" height=\"322\" src=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/settings_signal_strength.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-541\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/settings_signal_strength.jpg 303w, https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/settings_signal_strength-282x300.jpg 282w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 303px) 100vw, 303px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Are_GPS_Signals_Weak\"><\/span>Why Are GPS Signals Weak?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There are several reasons why GPS signals are weak when compared to cellular or Wi-Fi signals:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Distance<\/li><li>Transmission power<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The transmitters are a long way away<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The GPS satellites are 20,200 km above earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You are, of course, much closer to your nearest cell phone tower. If you live in a city, the cell unit could be just a few blocks away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">GPS transmission is low power<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>GPS satellites transmit about 50 watts of power. That\u2019s about the level of the lightbulbs in your house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The microwave signals are also radiated in all directions, instead of being highly focused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By the time they arrive on earth, the power is 10^-17 W (ten to the power of negative seventeen).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s write that out fully in watts:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>0.000000000000000001 watts<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Low_Does_A_GPS_Signal_Get\"><\/span>How Low Does A GPS Signal Get?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We said that a GPS signal is about -125 dBm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This can rise to -120 dBm if you are outdoors and your view of the sky is unimpeded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, the signal can be impeded by some types of building materials. If you are inside a building, the GPS signal can fall another twenty-five dBm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Other_Questions_About_GPS\"><\/span>Other Questions About GPS<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Check out these articles:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/does-gps-emit-radiation\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"549\">Does GPS emit radiation? Is it safe?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/does-gps-work-without-data-explained\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"523\">Does GPS work without using data?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/how-much-data-gps-uses\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"528\">How much data does GPS use?<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>GPS signals are weaker than other wireless signals like Wi-Fi and cellular transmissions for your mobile phone calls. This article explains how GPS signal levels are measured. We also explain why GPS signals are so weak. What Type Of Signal Is Sent From GPS Satellites? GPS satellites broadcast a continuous stream of radio waves. This &#8230; <a title=\"Are GPS Signals Weak? (Explained Simply)\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/are-gps-signals-weak\/\" aria-label=\"More on Are GPS Signals Weak? (Explained Simply)\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/556"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=556"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/556\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":562,"href":"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/556\/revisions\/562"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=556"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=556"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=556"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}